Dubai is synonymous with shopping, and there is no dearth of shopping malls in the city. If you have to pick one shopping mall that is considered as a must-visit in the city, it has to be the Dubai Mall. Located in Downtown Dubai, the Dubai Mall is the largest mall in the UAE and one of the largest malls in the world. Sprawled along 12 million square feet, the area of the mall is equivalent to 200 soccer pitches. The best part is that Dubai Mall offers much more than just shopping. In fact, there are plenty of entertaining places in the mall as well. Here are the 10 best things to do in the Dubai Mall that you should try if you are visiting the city with a Dubai tourist visa.
1. Enjoy Shopping
Shopping in the Dubai Mall is quite obviously the best thing to do here, as it is a shopping mall. The highlight of Dubai Mall is that is home to more than 1200 retail stores. The stores cover everything from fashion to electronics. Moreover, you will find stores of popular international brands like BVLGARI, Cartier, Louis Vuitton, Tiffany & Co., Roberto Cavalli, Henry Jacques, Christian Louboutin, etc. The mall also has a gold souk, where you can buy all sorts of gold and other precious jewelry. Moreover, there is also a shoe store (Level Shoes), where you can buy customized shoes. Most stores at the Dubai Mall offer heavy discounts and deals during the Dubai Shopping Festival.
2. Explore the Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo
One of the most popular attractions of the Dubai Mall is the Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo. Home to the largest suspended aquarium tank, this aquarium is home to more than 33,000 aquatic animals, including stingrays, sand tiger sharks, etc. Apart from watching the marine animals through the tank, you can also enjoy special experiences like cage diving, shark diving, shark feeding, scuba diving, etc. here. On the upper level of the aquarium is the underwater zoo, where you can see an array of interesting animals like otters, King Croc, Humboldt penguins, etc.
3. Have a Thrilling Time in VR Park Dubai
If you want to spend some time forgetting your daily worries, you must pay a visit to VR Park Dubai in Dubai Mall. VR Park is gaming zone that is packed with virtual and augmented reality games and rides. There are more than 30 games and rides that will test your adventure quotient. The best part is that there is no entry fee, and you only have to pay for the games and rides you want to try. Some of the best attractions here are Burj Drop, Stealth, Dune Bash, CozmoJet, Magic Bikes, Speedway, Flying Chairs, Drifters, etc. While some are solo games, there are several that you can play with a group. There is also a separate play area for the little ones.
4. Let Your Kids Have Fun at KidZania Dubai
If you are travelling to Dubai with kids, KidZania Dubai in Dubai Mall is a place you must visit. A mini-city, KidZania gives kids the chance to become adults for some time. They get to pick from 4o real-life professions from different fields, including education, entertainment, food & beverages, health, media, retail, services, etc. Your kids can live the life of a firefighter, shopkeeper, newsreader, doctor, teacher, engineer, etc. for a few hours. Apart from these, they also get to earn KidZania money while working here. KidZania Dubai is also a great place to host birthday parties.
5. Watch the Mesmerizing Dubai Fountain Show
Another major attraction of the Dubai Mall is the Dubai Fountain Show. Located right outside the mall is the Burj Lake, which is the largest manmade lake in the world. Every evening, as the sun sets, you get to enjoy the fountain show here. The powerful water jets of the fountain start dancing on the tunes of Arabic or classical music. This is accompanied by colorful lights that make the entire show mesmerizing. The best thing about the Dubai Fountain Show is that it is free. You can watch the show as many times as you want. It happens every 30 minutes, starting at 6 in the evening to 11 at night.
6. Try Ice Skating on Dubai Ice Rink
The Dubai Ice Rink is one of the most interesting attractions of Dubai. It is popular amongst teenagers, couples, and families as well. Located right in the center of the mall, the Olympic-sized Dubai Ice Rink extends from the ground floor to the second floor. Here, you can book a 90-minutes session to ice skate. Anyone, from an amateur to a professional, can have a good time figuring out their ice skating skills here. Even if you do not want to skate, watching others skate on the ice is an interesting activity to do at the Dubai Mall.
7. Visit the Burj Khalifa
Although technically the Burj Khalifa is not a part of the Dubai Mall, the entrance to visit the observation deck of the tallest building in the world is located on the ground floor of the mall. From the mall, you can visit the observation deck on the 124th or 148th floors. This is one of the best places to visit in Dubai, as the observation deck gives you the chance to a 360o aerial view of the entire city, including the desert and the sea. Another exciting thing to do here is riding on the elevator, which is known as the fastest elevator in the world. Apart from the observation deck, the restaurant at the 122nd floor is also a great place to dine.
8. Watch a Movie at Reel Cinemas
The Dubai Mall is also home to Reel Cinemas, a luxury multiplex with 26 screens. Here you can catch the latest flicks on Dolby Cinema and ScreenX. However, what sets Reel Cinemas apart is that it offers a movie experience like no other. Right from Dine-in Cinema to Platinum Suites, watching a movie at Reel Cinemas is a special experience. There is also a special screen for the little ones, Reel Junior, where kids can watch their favorite movies lounging on bean bags. If you love watching movies, the Reel Cinemas is a place you must visit.
9. Experience Fear and Thrill at Hysteria
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If you want to experience extreme thrill and face your deepest fears, Hysteria is a place you must visit. A relatively latest attraction of the Dubai Mall, Hysteria is a haunted manor where you would be haunted by ghosts and scary creatures. Moreover, each room of the manor is designed to induce fear in the visitors. The dark interiors, the nightmarish scenes, and the real-life performances of the people inside will surely cause goosebumps and a fast-beating heart. This Dubai Mall attraction is only for the brave hearted.
10. Taste Delicious Food
The Dubai Mall is home to an enormous food court, where you can taste a variety of cuisines. From McDonalds to Wagamama, there is a variety of options here. Apart from the food court, the mall also has plenty of restaurants and cafes as well. Be it Indian, Chinese, American, Italian, Japanese, French, British, or Middle Eastern food, you will find all these and more at the Dubai Mall. Some of the best restaurants at the mall include The Cheesecake Factory, Angelina, Markette, Social House, Eataly, Magnolia Bakery, etc.
Conclusion
Apart from the 10 best things mentioned above, Dubai Mall offers plenty other things to see and do. Checking out the unique sculptures, flying on the Emirates Flight Simulator, enjoying a variety of candies at Candylicious, etc. are few other things that you can do in Dubai Mall. Whatever might be your likes and interests, the Dubai Mall will never give you a chance to get bored. So, do not wait anymore. Get your Dubai visa online and plan a Dubai trip with the Dubai Mall in your itinerary.