Nowadays, people save to travel and experience what the world can offer. Most travellers go to Southeast Asian countries mainly due to low travel costs and diversity of culture or to European countries where you can travel easily by land.
In the Middle East, Dubai might be the most well-known and vastly developed Emirate in the UAE so it's a no brainer that tourists tend to visit here. But at what cost?
If you're not one of the rich and famous here in Dubai, you might want to check out the list of places which will make you spend some time and have fun for just a few dirhams.
Riverland
@Dubai Parks and Resorts
The newly opened largest integrated leisure and theme park destination is the Dubai Parks and Resorts located on Sheikh Zayed Road opposite Palm Jebel Ali but most of the theme parks here cost more than 100AED except ONE, Riverland. It is a gateway to Dubai Parks and Resorts. A themed, fun, dining and retail destination which you can access without purchasing a ticket.
Jumeirah Beach
If staying under the sun or swimming in the beach is your preference, Jumeirah Beach is the place to be which lies along side Dubai's coast. The summer atmosphere is being enjoyed whole-year round except for some chilly morning/night during winter season. You can even take a selfie with the seven-star Burj Al Arab included.
Global Village
If you don't have enough budget but you want to visit the other countries, why not check the Global Village? It is the region's first cultural, entertainment, family and shopping destination located at Exit No.37, Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road. The 22nd season began on November ,1 2017 and will be closed in april 7, 2018. The price of general admission ticket is 15AED. The tickets are available from 3:30pm every day until half an hour prior to park closure.
Miracle Garden
I don't know why until today I still haven't been to this place. Anyone who went to Dubai must have gone to Miracle Garden. It is a flower garden located in the district of Dubailand, Dubai. The garden occupies over 72,000 square metres, making it the world's largest natural flower garden featuring over 109 million flowers planted. It operates from October to April and remains closed from June to September due to high temperatures with an average of 40 °C (104 °F), which is not conducive for flower viewing. Dubai Miracle Garden is open 9am to 9pm on weekdays and until 11pm on weekends; tickets cost Dh40 for adults, Dh30 for children, free for ages 2 years and under.
Dubai Fountain
@Dubai Mall
If you have been to the largest mall in Dubai for the first time, for sure you wouldn't miss to watch this amazing show. The Dubai Fountain is the world's second largest choreographed fountain system set on the 30-acre manmade Burj Khalifa Lake, at the center of downtown Dubai. The fountain is animated with performances set to light and music. It is visible from every point on the lake promenade and from many neighboring structures. Performances take place at 1:00 pm and at 1:30 pm as well as every 30 minutes from 6 pm to 10 pm on weekdays, and from 6 pm to 11 pm on weekends (weekends being Thursday, Friday, and Saturday).
House of Sheikh Saeed Al Maktoum
This place shows Dubai's historic past. The Sheikh Saaed Al Maktoum House is the former residential quarters of Saeed bin Maktoum Al Maktoum, former ruler of Dubai in the United Arab Emirates.The building is located along the Dubai Creek in the locality of Al Shindagha. The building is now a museum that contains artefacts and images of the old town of Dubai. Entrance fee costs only 3AED (adult) and 1AED(child).
Abra Ride
@Dubai Creek
Believe it or not, you can enjoy a 10-15minute boat ride at the Dubai Creek for only 1AED. The boats used are small motorized water taxis called abras. Abra rides offer a 24 hour service except for route 1 (Deira Old Souk Abra Station near Spice Souk to Bur Dubai Abra Station just west of the Old Souk) which operates everyday from 5am to midnight. These abra rides connect you to different attractions namely: Bastakia Quarter, Deira Fish Market, the Dubai Museum, the Heritage and Diving Village, the Old Souk, Perfume Souk, the Sheikh Mohammed for Cultural Understanding and the Spice Souk.
IMAGINE
@Dubai Festival City Mall
IMAGINE is Dubai Festival City’s record-breaking new attraction, which offers unique sensory experience, harnesses the power of light, water, and fire, combined with giant aqua screens, 30 fountains and surround sound to connect with audiences and produce a show like never seen before.
Boasting the largest water screen projection and largest permanent projection mapping in the world – both a Guinness World Records breaker, it features the latest entertainment technology in water, pyrotechnics, lasers, lights and dramatic effects. And the best part of all, it's FREE!
Show Schedule featuring A Star Dance and A Child’s Dream:
Star Dancer: 7pm and 9pm
A Child’s Dream: 8 pm, 10 pm and 11pm
Souq Madinat Jumeirah
Madinat Jumeirah is located along two kilometres of private beachfront adjacent to Jumeirah Beach Hotel, Burj Al Arab, and Wild Wadi Water Park. Souk Madinat Jumeirah combines traditional Middle Eastern shopping culture of stands, barrows and stalls with a mix of boutique brands, home accessory stores, souvenir gift shops, luxury fashion and jewellery. It is also the home to over 24 restaurants offering cuisines from all over the globe, including Italian, Asian, Indian, Persian, traditional Arabic and Lebanese, French and American. All Souk Madinat Jumeirah restaurants and cafés have picture perfect views of the Arabian architecture, waterways or the iconic Burj Al Arab Jumeirah. Not only can you spend the day shopping and dining, but Souk Madinat Jumeirah also provides tourists with various entertainment activities, from showstopping performances at the Madinat Theatre, to Abra Tours of the stunning water canals and an exciting nightlife.
Dubai Water Canal
Dubai Water Canal is an artificial canal which comprises one shopping centre, four hotels, 450 restaurants, luxury housing, walkways and cycle paths. It is a three-kilometer long project starting from Business Bay into the Persian Gulf through Safa Park and Jumeirah. You haven't been to the Canal if you haven't seen the water cascade along the sides of Shaikh Zayed Road. That being said, the best time to visit the Canal are between 8-10pm when the water starts flowing. There is also a footbridge where you can see the view and take photos of the canal, street lights are solar powered and there are charging stations everywhere.
A/C Abra Ride
@Al Jaddaf Marine Station
If you want a new type of abra ride, there's a new destination for you. You only have to add 1AED and you have and A/C abra ride from Al Jaddaf Marine Station located near Creek Metro Station for only 2AED. The trip takes seven minutes until Dubai Festival City and the service will be operational seven days a week from 7am to 12am.
Dubai Garden Glow
Dubai Garden Glow is the world’s largest unique theme park with unusual never-seen-before concepts ( ‘largest glow-in-dark garden’, ‘biggest Dinosaur park’, and the‘largest Ice Sculpture Park’). It is located in Zabeel Park, Area B and can be accessed from Gate no. 6 & 7 everyday between 4pm until 12am. The booking ( at counter) for entrance tickets will be open till 11:00 P.M. on weekdays (Sat to Thurs) with an extension till 12:00 A.M. on Friday.
The Booking (at counter) for tickets to ICE PARK will be open till 11:30 P.M. (everyday). The tickets are priced at 60 AED per entrant (Children under the age 3 are free).