Yes, we agree...holidays are made to switch off and relax, but don’t waste that time cooped up in your hotel room. Step out as there are many fun things you can do in Dubai. Here are three of them:
1. Play an interactive escape game at Phobia, X1 tower, Jumeirah Lakes Towers (JLT)
Willing to take on a challenge? Phobia was designed for that sort of stuff. The venue is ranked fourth on a list of 124 fun activities and games on TripAdvisor and boasts a Certificate of Excellence for 2017. This experience lets you 'live a game in reality'. Gather a few friends (two to five people would be ideal), get locked in a room which could be an underground bunker, house of a maniac, modern museum or detective’s apartment. Your job is to find clues and solve puzzles to be able to get out within 60 minutes. Prices start from Dhs 110 per person but vary depending on the number of people playing and the day of the week. Call 052-7974916.
2. Check out an inflatable water park at The Beach, Jumeirah Beach Residence (JBR)
Designed to look like the Dubai logo, Aqua Fun is the world’s biggest inflatable park. The 2,700sq m space, that sits at JBR’s waterfront, features an obstacle course with ramps, slides, swings and wiggle bridges. Challenging but a fun way to spend time on the beach, the water park isn’t restricted to swimmers only. Life jackets are provided to ensure everyone has a safe and enjoyable time. A lifeguard will take you through the course on your first attempt after which you can play there as long as you want. Tickets are priced at Dhs 99 per person until the start of September. The park is open from 10am to 7pm, daily. www.aquafun.ae
3. Take a tour at XVA Art Hotel, Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood, Bur Dubai
In Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood lies this wonder. The XVA Art Hotel is made up of 14 unique guest rooms, each designed to showcase architectural and cultural motifs of the region. Stop by the café, located in the courtyard, for a refreshing mint lemonade or a Middle Eastern inspired meal. Then head to the art gallery, one of the leading galleries in the region, to check out contemporary art from the Arab world, Iran and the subcontinent or to the concept store to buy unique gifts from across the Middle East. It's not surprising to see poets and artists take their corners, in the tree-shaded airconditioned areas, to work on their next masterpiece. Call 04-3535383.
