We know what it’s like when you’ve been counting down the days until your parents are jetting into Dubai to see you.
Yes, it’s going to be great to see them, but keeping them occupied with parent-friendly activities can be tricky.
Whether they’re foodies, love to see the sights, prefer to beat the hustle and bustle or want to do things only possible in Dubai, we’ve got you covered.
Now, it’s time to get that calendar filled with things to do morning, noon and night when the parents arrive in DXB.
Foodie things to do with your parents in Dubai
Book in a brunch
When it comes to a totally Dubai thing to do, brunch immediately comes to mind. Without a doubt, one of the easiest ways to keep parents entertained for a couple of hours, the heaps of food, free-flowing drinks and a sprinkling of entertainment will tick a lot of boxes for anyone wanting to see how a lot of Dubai residents spend a Saturday. Need some inspiration?
Dubai brunch: the ultimate guide to all the Saturday brunches in the city
42 new brunches in Dubai: Hot spots to book up now
Eat your way around Time Out Market Dubai
You’ll find 17 of the city’s very best chefs and home-grown restaurant brands inside Time Out Marker Dubai in Souk Al Bahar, each offering something different to the next. Plus three bars (serving reasonably-priced beverages). Rock up hungry as you’ll be spoilt for choice with the food to choose from.
Time Out Market Dubai: Everything you need to know
Mon-Thu noon-midnight, Fri noon-1am, Sat 10am-1am, Sun 10am-midnight. Souk Al Bahar, Downtown Dubai timeoutmarket.com/dubai.
Make the most of the city’s business lunch deals
If you’re booking time off to spend it with the family, then this means you’ll be able to make the most of the business lunch deals found around Dubai. A great way to try some of the top restaurants in the city for less, you can make your parents think that you are treating them to a really posh meal (but they won’t know that it’s cheaper than usual).
124 top business lunch deals in Dubai
Take a food tour around Dubai Mall’s Chinatown
Chopsticks at the ready and head to the first floor of Dubai Mall (facing the Dubai Ice Rink) to find Chinatown. The Asian-style market has a food hall, shops, a large Chinese medicine spa and numerous art installations that make it pretty Instagrammable. With loads of choice, you can order as much or as little as you like from separate vendors before munching away in the food court area.
Mon-Thu 10am-midnight, Fri-Sun 10am-1am. The Dubai Mall, Downtown Dubai. thedubaimall.com/chinatown.
Treat the parents to an afternoon tea
Usually reserved for special occasions (such as when the parents have jetted over to see you in the Middle East), afternoon tea is a great way to show your mum and dad your sophisticated side. Is anything posher than mini sarnies, pots of tea with names you can’t pronounce and macarons? Need some inspiration on where to book?
The 10 best afternoon teas in Dubai
Off-the-beaten-track things to do with your parents in Dubai
Drive to Snoopy Island
If you have a car or can hire one, a trip to Snoopy Island is a must with the parents in tow. Around a two-hour drive from Dubai, you’ll want your snorkelling kit as the crystal clear water is home to fish, turtles and coral. This Fujairah location is one special beach day and, if you prefer to stay overnight, then there are a couple of hotels.
Al Aqah, Fujairah.
Spot pink flamingos at Ras Al Khor Wildlife Sanctuary
Just outside of Dubai, Ras Al Khor Wildlife Sanctuary is where to visit if the ‘rents like to admire birds in the wild. Here, you’ll be able to see pink feathered friends plus herons, cormorants and ospreys from the free-to-use hides.
Free. Open daily 7.30am-5.30pm (Oct-Mar), 6am-6pm (Apr-Sep). Ras Al Khor, rasalkhorwildlife.ae (04 606 6822).
Take a road trip to Ajman
Paying tribute to the history of the UAE, Heritage District in the country’s smallest Emirate, Ajman, is a stop-off worth knowing about if you want to show mamma and pappa something different. The destination is home to antiquities, ancient trees and buildings. Ajman Museum and the Old Saleh Souk, one of Ajman’s oldest marketplaces (established in the 1950s) are also in the district – plus, there’s lots of street art to look at. On the hunt for historical haunts, here’s 9 to know about.
Free. Ajman.
Venture to Hatta
With the Hajar mountains not being too far away (around a 90-minute drive), Hatta is a great place to show the parents an area of natural beauty. If you are fond of being active, then trek to the Hatta sign which was awarded a Guinness World Record in September 2023. The 19.28-metre structure is the world’s tallest landmark sign (the Hollywood sign is 13.71 metres tall). If you haven’t got a hike in you, then you can visit Hatta Wadi Hub and try out fun activities such as archery, horse riding and canoeing. There’s also the option to glamp or stay at the JA Hatta Fort Hotel. Read the best things to do in Hatta here.
Free. Hatta.
‘Only in Dubai’ experiences to do with your parents in Dubai
Book a pool day at the world’s highest 360-degree infinity pool
You’ve probably seen shots of AURA Skypool all over your socials and that’s for a good reason. The world’s highest 360-degree infinity pool up on the 50th floor of The Palm Tower offers fantastic vistas of the city, sea and sky. On a special day out, each area is priced differently depending on the view and row you go for (prices are between Dhs225 and Dhs995 per person which is non-redeemable on food and drink).
From Dhs225. Nakheel Palm Tower, Palm Jumeirah, Dubai, auraskypool.com.
Eat dinner inside the world’s tallest building
The highest restaurant in the world, Atmosphere Dubai, is located on the 122nd floor of Burj Khalifa and is renowned for its 360-degree views. It’s also sure to be one special outing with Ma and Pa. With a choice for afternoon tea, lunch, dinner or drinks, you can book in for whatever fits best with your plans. Expect killer views and an outing to remember.
Daily 7am-11am. Burj Khalifa. atmosphereburjkhalifa.com.
Rent a supercar and zip around the city’s streets
If you’re in the driving seat of planning things to do with the parents, why not give them a taste of the high life by renting a supercar to zip around the city? You can rent one per day from Luxury Supercar Rentals for Dhs2,500 to Dhs10,000.
From Dhs2,500. Open Mon-Sun, 9am-9pm. Showroom 5, The Curve Building, Al Quoz, luxurysupercarsdubai.com (050 903 8904).
See Dubai’s fanciest new hotel, Atlantis The Royal
Atlantis The Royal, which opened next to Atlantis The Palm this year, is well worth going to see. With lots of eateries to try including Ling Ling, Nobu by the Beach and Dinner by Heston, there’s a whole host of places to sample. Haven’t got the budget to dine inside? Palm Jumeirah’s 21km stretch on the crescent of the manmade island is a great place to go for a stroll and to get a look at the hotel.
Cresent Road, Palm Jumeirah.
Touristy things to do with your parents in Dubai
Go to the beach
With close to 1,000km of soft, sugary shoreline across Dubai’s beaches, it’s fair to say that there’s a sliver of sand suitable for everyone. So if you’re looking for Dubai’s best beaches, you’ve come to the right place. Whether you want to curl up with a book in a quiet cove, fling a frisbee with friends, grab some great beach-side food, drape yourself over a luxe sun lounger, sip ice-cold drinks in a chilled atmosphere or fish out a flash swimming costume and party the day away, you can do so.
With Dubai Municipality upgrading Kite Beach and other popular public beaches last season, the city’s beaches are better and more beautiful than ever before.
Jump forward in time at the Museum of the Future
Named one of the 14 most beautiful museums before it even opened, the Museum of the Future has a number of floors dedicated to different experiences. Three floors have immersive exhibitions focusing on potential futures of outer space resource development, ecosystems and bioengineering, along with health and wellbeing. You can even get a coffee made by a robot in the café.
Dhs145. Open daily 10am-6pm. motf.ae. museumofthefuture.ae.
Mooch around the Gold Souk (and bag some bargain bling)
Fancy heading to Dubai Gold Souk in Deira with mum and dad? It can be reached via the Metro (get off at Al Ras Metro Station) or take a cab. We don’t recommend driving as it’s tricky to park. Once you arrive, prepare to see loads of shops selling an array of gold jewellery and trinkets. The vibrant area is always hustling and bustling with activity and if mum wants some new things for her jewellery box then make sure she reads our guide to buying gold in Dubai.
Free. Daily 10am-10pm. Al Ras, Deira dubaicityofgold.com.
Swan around the iconic Burj Al Arab (with a tour guide)
Another good outing to have in your back pocket is tickets to the Burj Al Arab tour. A Royal Suite butler takes visitors around a 90-minute tour of the iconic UAE landmark and you’ll learn all about the sail-shaped building which opened in 1999. With options to upgrade to add a lounge experience (where you can sip on gold-topped coffees and mixed drinks) or a sunset drinks package, you can really make the most of the outing.
From Dhs245. Daily 10.30am-7.30pm, Burj Al Arab Jumeirah, Umm Suqeim insideburjalarab.com.
Take a step back in time with a visit to Old Dubai
Show your family that you can find history in Dubai with an afternoon in Old Dubai. A city with a rich heritage, Deira and Satwa are some hotspots to check out. Not sure where to start? Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood, which was a trading hub for textile and pearl merchants in the 1800s, has loads to explore from galleries to museums and Satwa is the place to go for bargain grub (you’ll be able to pick up a shwarma for Dhs10 or maybe even less).
Free. Deira, Satwa.
Tick seeing Burj Khalifa and Dubai Fountain off their to-see list
It’s the world’s tallest building and Burj Khalifa is one of those touristy things that you must do when your parents are in town. 830 metres tall and a beauty when it dazzles with lights at night, it’s a great stop-off. Plus the Dubai Fountain is right in front of the world-famous architecture and they dance daily every 30 minutes from 6pm. If you aren’t fond of battling the crowds (it’s always busy come darkness) you can get to the mall early and visit one of the fountain-facing restaurants to dine as you ogle the attractions.
Dubai Mall, Downtown Dubai. thedubaimall.com.
Wander around Souk Madinat Jumeirah’s waterways
Souk Madinat Jumeirah Dubai, surrounded by waterways and greenery (and fantastic views of Burj Al Arab), is the perfect place to mooch around (or hop on an abra). The area is made up of four Jumeirah hotels and there are lots of places to grab a bite to eat or a few drinks. You can also explore the Arabian shopping stands (perfect for picking up souvenirs). Read our guide to Souk Madinat Jumeirah here.
Souk Madinat Jumeirah.
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