In Dubai for a week? Here are 7 places to visit if you’re tired of desert safaris, Burj Khalifa

There's much more to the Gulf culture capital than towering skyscrapers

DUBAI:

It’s a scorching summer day in June and Dubai is the hottest of hot terrains you can find yourself meandering in if you’re too ambitious and without a travel itinerary. The city, known for its dry spells and heatwaves, is particularly baking this time of the year. Unlike Karachi, it isn’t humid and you’re not drowning in your own sweat but it isn’t your cup of tea if you’re a fan of the great outdoors – or at least, that’s the impression most people have.

Contrary to popular belief, Dubai offers a plethora of indoor activities that mimic outdoor adventures to quench your thirst for escapades. And its towering skyscrapers aren't just there to cast a tall shadow over the thousands it draws in from all walks of life – although, that does help. Even in June, the city is crawling with tourists. And as a Pakistani visiting Dubai for the first time, I was keen on walking past its popular dancing fountain and camping the night away in a desert – yes, even in 104.0 °F. I was particularly keen on gazing at the bustling metropolis from atop the Burj Khalifa and maybe, just maybe, allowing myself to go on a shopping spree. But what I discovered on my premeditated trip sponsored by the Dubai Economy and Tourism, was far more enriching, if not equally refined.

Become one with nature

A concrete giant, Dubai is a sight for sore eyes and a glimpse into the future; if you may. Its glittering nightlife and luxurious lifestyle have long made up for its otherwise, unwelcoming climate. But if you’re in Dubai for a week and suddenly feel the urge to escape the city life, head to The Green Planet and immerse yourself in a tropical rainforest.

Set on the foothills of the City Walk, The Green Planet has a cube-shaped exterior that holds a giant glass cylinder, fostering lush greenery, fascinating animals, and a deeper understanding for the importance of preserving nature. It also hosts a giant tree – the “largest indoor man-made and life-sustaining tree” – that branches all the way to the top and is home to several exotic birds. In a desert city, The Green Planet is a bio-dome that recreates the enchanting ecosystem of a rainforest, allowing visitors to see up close up to 3000 animal species, exotic flora and fauna. And as I walked around its perimeter, I could smell the rain and feel the air condense on my fingertips. It even started raining at one point.

See what lies ahead

Like I said, Dubai is a glimpse into the future. And Museum of the Future is the closest you can get to witnessing where we’re headed. Designed to mimic the consequences of the present, the museum offers the most accurate depiction of what life may be like 50 years from now. Its interactive building hosts cutting-edge technologies, innovative ideas, and groundbreaking inventions, all while offering an earth to reality.

As I entered this giant eye-shaped structure located at the Sheikh Zayed Road, a robotic dog ran towards me. Several kids popped out of nowhere, asking the dog to ‘sit’. While it failed to oblige, it kept barking and hopping around, making everyone’s day. Meanwhile, a giant inflatable dolphin hovered above us, offering some solace for the wait to witness the exhibits. The museum has seven floors dedicated to different exhibitions, with the top three focusing on outer space resource development, ecosystems and bioengineering, and the latter focusing on human health, and near-future technologies. The first floor is dedicated to children.

The most interesting part about the Museum of the Future is that it serves as a testament to how far humans have come and how much we can achieve technologically, all while presenting an alternate reality that could become our eventual reality.

Get lost in the universe

Another interesting and interactive place to get absolutely lost in is the AYA Universe situated inside the AYA Wafi City Mall. This vibrant multimedia experience is a safe haven for art lovers who don’t wish to be found, much like myself. The space provides its own passports to those wishing to enter, and as you stroll across the instillations, you keep marking your passport for the segments you’ve visited. Towards the end, it becomes a souvenir you can take back home.

The place presents cosmic wonders in a 3D setting to help contemplate the vastness of the universe. The interplay of lights, sounds, and visuals, leaves one in a sense of awe and wonder. There is also the element of surprise, with each segment evoking a different emotion despite inculcating more or less the same themes.

Witness a captivating spectacle

La Perle by late legend, Franco Dragone is easily one of the best wonders of theatre you can allow yourself to witness. Located in the heart of Dubai, just next to Habtoor Palace, the 90-minute show is priced at AED 215 to AED 720 – depending on the seat. La Perle is a stunning aquatic and aerial spectacle combining gravity-defying acrobatics, thrilling stunts, and breathtaking special effects. Featuring 65 artists, it takes place on an iconic aqua-stage with actors diving in, and performing above water.

But it is not all stunts and gimmicks. The play infuses symbolism and subliminal messaging to deliver some important lessons about life, the world and humanity. While open to interpretation, to me, Le Perle depicted the earth being robbed of its innocence, while making a mockery of the rule of mankind. It showed nature reclaiming itself in the form of a girl who kept losing her pearl, only to come back stronger each time to retrieve it. A journey filled with wonder and emotion, with water falling from the ceiling and hell raising from the ground, La Perle exceeded expectations and at one point, left me teary-eyed.

Meet Bollywood stars

No visit to Dubai is complete without a visit to Madame Tussauds situated at the Green Water Island. The iconic wax museum with tickets priced at AED 145-305, allows you to meet lifelike wax figures of your favourite Hollywood and Bollywood stars, as well as politicians and sportspersons. Taking selfies with legends like Shah Rukh Khan and Amitabh Bachchan was a balm on my bruised ego – consequence of the lack of Pakistani representation at the wax studio. Lucky for us, the studio assured that the wax figure of a very famous Pakistani will soon grace their venue.

Dine with a view

All this talk about travel is making me hungry, and will certainly leave you famished. And there is no dining experience more wholesome in the city than the one at CÉ LA VI. Located on the 54th floor of the Address Sky View Hotel in Downtown Dubai, the restaurant offers a sky bar and a club lounge.

As I stepped into this upscale eatery for a brunch, the vibrant energy of the place engulfed me. It was a Saturday afternoon, and the atmosphere was pulsating. Settling into my chair, I couldn't help but be captivated by its glass walls, which offered a panoramic view of Dubai's iconic skyline, dominated by the majestic Burj Khalifa. The DJ's upbeat melodies seamlessly blended with the clinking of glasses and the cheerful chatter, setting the stage for an unforgettable day.

The restaurant offered a contemporary Asian brunch menu, and the creativity and attention to detail that went into each plate was commendable. From the tantalizing flavours to the visually stunning presentation, everything was on-point.

Indulge in culinary delights

Another must-visit restaurant to satiate your taste buds is Jun's, also located in Downtown Dubai. This eatery offers delectable Indian and Pakistani cuisines with a contemporary twist; Jun’s perfectly captures Dubai’s vibrant culinary scene.

It’s flavourful dishes, warm ambiance, and exceptional service topped the list of restaurants I had the pleasure of eating at. The best part? Its head chef, Kelvin Cheung, had an origin story for each platter served. And they were all somehow born of his experience growing up as an Asian in Canada. Ranging from mushroom pani puri to za’atar chaat, Jun’s is a desi food lover’s paradise.

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