Dubai
Downtown Dubai, Dubai Mall
ON DAY 1 I VISITED - DUBAI MALL WHICH INCLUDES DUBAI AQUARIUM, UNDERWATER ZOO, VR PARK , ICE RINK , BURJ KHALIFA & FOUNTAIN SHOW.
MORNING/HALF DAY CITY TOUR - The best time to arrive in Dubai and settle at hotels is right around the sunrise so that we can get whole day as an advantage to cover the most of the illustrious destinations of Middle east's futuristic city of Dubai. Adhering this fundamental of travelling you will never miss arrival at any certain location which otherwise you could miss out not reaching in time. I started my day with a heavy breakfast at hotel because I knew It is going to be a long day. Heading towards the most iconic structure of Dubai The Burj Khalifa the tallest skyscrapper of whole world I first roamed around the City of Dubai taking half day city tour.
AFTERNOON/DUBAI MALL- After covering the city tour I reached Dubai Mall and the best part is Burj Khalifa is at a walking distance from Dubai Mall. Dubai Mall is the largest mall in the United Arab Emirates and the second-largest mall in the world by total land area.No trip to Dubai is complete without a visit to Dubai Mall.The Dubai Mall offers an unparalleled shopping, dining, and entertainment experience. The Dubai Mall enjoys a very convenient location within the city. The most common way to get there is to take the Dubai Metro to the Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall Metro Station. From the station, you can then take the Metro Link Bridge directly into the mall.
The Dubai Mall Shopping -
For a wide selection of homeware and fashion accessories all in one place, head to either of the mall’s two department stores: Bloomingdale’s (America’s top department store) or Galeries Lafayette (a leading French lifestyle retailer). Both are located on level two of The Dubai Mall. Or, if you’re on the hunt for shoes, there is no better outlet to check out than Level Shoes on the ground floor. Covering a total of 96,000 square feet, Level Shoes carries a vast selection of designer footwear from all of the most popular brands. You’re sure to experience a Cinderella moment when you find that perfect shoe.
Another section of The Dubai Mall that you can’t miss is The Souk, which is located on the ground floor. This elegantly designed area of about 200 small stores is where you will find traditional Arab clothing brands, jewelry shops, accessory outlet stores, and all sorts of unique handicrafts. It is an excellent place to pick up some souvenirs.
Don’t worry, The Dubai Mall also offers plenty of options for a more affordable shopping trip. The ground floor and level one are home to many popular high-street labels from Europe and North America, including Zara, Ralph Lauren, and Mango. The Village is also a great area for a relaxed shopping experience, with a variety of retailers catering to active lifestyles. If you’re looking for all of the latest and hottest electronic accessories, then head up one more floor to level two.
The Dubai Mall Dining -
All of that shopping is sure to help you work up an appetite, and The Dubai Mall certainly delivers in the food department. In fact, the mall boasts 200 different food and beverage outlets, offering something for every palate and craving. For casual and affordable dining, there are several food courts where you will find just about every major fast-food chain, including McDonald’s, Wendy’s, KFC, Hardee’s, Jollibee, Fatburger, New York Fries, Burger King, and more. The Dubai Mall also offers a wide array of sit-down restaurants located throughout the mall that serve up all manner of international cuisine, including Middle Eastern, Italian, American, British, French, Japanese, Chinese, and Indian.
The Dubai Mall Entertainment
In addition to its endless shopping and dining opportunities, The Dubai Mall is also a world-class entertainment complex with some of the best attractions in the city. Whether you want to get your adrenaline pumping or you are looking for a more family-friendly activity, here is a look at all of the entertainment options this megamall has to offer.
Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo – Explore the fascinating world that lies below the oceans with a visit to Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo. The aquarium houses over 300 different species of marine animals and has the world’s largest aquarium viewing panel. It is located on the second floor of The Dubai Mall and is open daily from 10 a.m. to 12 a.m., with final admission at 11:30 p.m.
Dubai Ice Rink – On the ground floor of The Dubai Mall, you will find Dubai Ice Rink. This is an Olympic-sized ice arena where you can enjoy a free skate or even a skating lesson or two. The rink is open from 10 a.m. to 12 a.m. on weekdays and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on weekends.
EKart Zabeel – Located on the second floor of the mall, EKart Zabeel is an indoor go-karting experience where you can drive a high-tech, electric go-kart around a challenging course. Both beginner and experienced drivers are welcome.
Dubai Opera – A large performing arts theater located on the lower ground floor, Dubai Opera regularly hosts concerts, musicals, ballet, and opera performances. Consider booking tickets to a show or taking a backstage tour.
VR Park – Immerse yourself in the world of virtual reality at VR Park. Take your pick from a wide variety of experiences, including adventure, sport, leisure, and more. The park is located on the second floor of the mall, and it is open from 10 a.m. to 12 a.m. on weekdays and 10 a.m. to 1 a.m. on weekends.
KidZania – Also located on the second floor, KidZania is an interactive, child-sized city where children can let loose and have some fun. They can practice their social skills and explore all that the city has to offer. The attraction is open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday to Wednesday and 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Thursday to Saturday.
Reel Cinemas – Catch all of the latest films at the luxurious Reel Cinemas at The Dubai Mall. With 26 screens, there is always something good showing. Found on the second floor, the cineplex is open from 10 a.m. to 12 a.m. on weekdays and 10 a.m. to 2 a.m. on weekends.
Dubai Dino – Located on the ground floor, in the heart of The Souk, the Dubai Dino is a dinosaur skeleton that stands 25 feet high and 80 feet wide. You can visit this 155-million-year-old specimen at any time during mall opening hours.
Hysteria Dubai Mall – If you’re really looking for a thrill, then the haunted attraction known as Hysteria Dubai Mall is sure to get your blood pumping. Come face your darkest fears and most terrifying nightmares, if you dare! There is also a retail section selling all sorts of novelty items and souvenirs.
Dubai Creek Tower – Situated in the Star Atrium, the Dubai Creek Tower in The Dubai Mall is a mega-replica of a real observation tower that is currently under construction in Dubai. When completed, Dubai Creek Tower will be the tallest tower in the world. Visit the replica for a sound and light show at 5 p.m., 8 p.m., and 11 p.m. on weekdays and 3 p.m., 5 p.m., 8 p.m., and 11 p.m. on weekends.
At Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo I did shark walk, it was the biggest adrenaline spike of my life that I never ever get before. Afterwards checked in the VR Park the level of fun playing adventure games there was above all and that freezing experience yet full of fun at Dubai Ice Rink via doing skating on Ice Rink took my Dubai trip to whole new level.
EVENING/BURJ KHALIFA & FOUNTAIN SHOW - Finally reached at Burj Khalifa around 4:00 PM. The Burj Khalifa is the tallest building in the world and a global icon. Truly a feat of engineering, the building represents the conceptual heart and soul of the city of Dubai.At 828m tall, this magnificent structure is located next to Dubai Mall and has drawn visitors from all over the world since opening in 2010. The unmatched Buri Khalifa view can be taken in from not one but two observations decks - the two-storey At the Top on the 124th and 125th floors, as well as one of the world's highest observation decks (555m) on the 148th floor.
Experiences to enjoy and Burj Khalifa tickets
For a truly special time, visitors can choose to dine in the estaurant and lounge At. mosphere on the 122nd floor, or experience new heights at he Lounge, Buri Khalifa, which is spread across floors 152, 153 and 154, making it the tallest lounge on the planet.
The towering structure is based on an abstraction of the Hymenocallis flower, and is essentially three sections arranged around a central core. Viewed from above, it is consistent with the onion-dome design frequently found across a variety of Islamic architecture. Around the base of the mighty tower, you will find a vibrant hub of entertainment and dining, featuring Dubai Mall, the choreographed musical Dubai Fountain and a plethora of tourist attractions to keep you and the fellow swarms of admirers busy.
I experienced "At the Top Tour" from observation deck of Burj Khalifa to get the jaw dropping view of sunset. After saying goodbye to sun from the highest point of Dubai I headed towards to finish my day watching dancing fountain show at The Dubai Fountain that was also a next level experience of my life, to see the hypnotising moves of water that sets a different vibe and a benchmark in the list of my life's thrills.