The shopping malls in Asia never fail to impress me. I’ve written before about those in Singapore but, like most things, Dubai takes it up a notch and there’s everything from skiing to theme parks and dinosaurs!
Being known for its extravagance, it may not surprise you to hear that Dubai doesn’t just have the world’s tallest building, it also has the world’s largest shopping mall (by gross area). In fact, its around the same size as 50 football fields! It’s appropriately named Dubai Mall and you could easily go there and do absolutely no shopping at all. It is particularly good for children!
Here’s just 10 things you can do there – which don’t even include shopping!!
1. Marvel at a waterfall
I couldn’t get over how impressive this huge waterfall is. Cascading through the four levels of Dubai mall, it has fibreglass human divers leaping out. It actually reminded me of a similar structure from Take That’s Progress tour – anyone there remember that? Outside the mall there is also the Dubai Fountain which puts on quite a performance.
2. See a dinosaur
I have written before about Dubai being a bit fake, so when I saw a rather understated sign saying there was a dinosaur in the mall, I obviously assumed it wasn’t real . But, knowing how much my daughter likes the prehistoric creatures, we went in search of it. You can imagine my shock when we found it and discovered it was the REAL bones of a Diplodocus! I had to check with the ladies working there to make sure. A shopping mall seemed a strange place to have such a historic structure. Discovered in Wyoming in the USA in 2008, the only part which is not real are the tiny bones at the end of its tail. Very impressive!
3. See fish!
There is also an aquarium at Dubai Mall and an underwater zoo – which you can visit. Although Mrs T was keen to go in, we managed to satisfy her with a look at the huge floor to ceiling tanks on display from the outside…and a fake crocodile.
4. Go ice skating
There is a full ice rink inside the mall, in case you fancy a bit of a skate in-between shops.
5. Kidzania
This looked amazing but we didn’t have time to go. It’s a huge play area which allows children to dress up and role play more than 80 different professions and experience what it is like to work in a various ‘adult jobs’ from a surgeon to a police officer or archaeologist. It’s open to all ages up to the age of 16. There is also a huge plane next to it which my daughter was keen to look at!
6. Go to a theme park
Yes, it’s true, Dubai Mall has an indoor theme park called SEGA Republic! It has rides, simulators, more than 150 amusement games and the ‘tallest and largest slide in the middle east’!
7. Buy a ticket for the Burj Khalifa
The tallest building in the world is just opposite this mall and this is where you buy tickets for the experience. For more on going up the Burj Khalifa, read this post.
8. Check out a gold Lamborghini
This was parked up in a shop selling Lamborghini merchandise. Perfectly normal…
9. Go to the cinema
Dubai Mall has a 22 screen cinema there too.
10. Go in a flight simulator
Just as we were leaving, I came across this just outside the mall!! It was a flight simulator – to experience what it is like to captain an Emirates A380 – how cool is that? I’ll definitely be giving that a whirl next time we go.
Those are some of the things you can do at Dubai Mall – other than shop. There is also a large food court and lots of restaurants as well as the shops. You could easily spend a whole day in one of these malls.
Other posts you may like to read
Why Dubai?
Burj Khalifa: Going Up The World’s Tallest Building
5 Pros And Cons Of Visiting Dubai
5 Things To Do In Singapore With Children
Enjoyed this article? You can download it – along with other Dubai city guides – at GPSmyCity
Impressed? Tempted to go? Does Dubai have the edge on the mall front? What is the most impressive one you have been to? Would love to know your thoughts. Just comment below.
I just love how the mall at Dubai is basically a playground/museum/viewing station. How mad is the dinosaur? I think I could quite easily while away a day here, plus the shopping! x
Ting at My Travel Monkey recently posted…The List: Club Sandwiches From Around The World
I know! I couldn’t believe the dinosaur – had to double check! The shopping is pretty good too! Xx
Having lived in Dubai for almost 2 years and visiting Dubai Mall several times, I still find something new to visit each time I go! It is just crazy huge!! #thelist
MOMM recently posted…Staycation at Al Hamra Palace Beach Resort
It’s mammoth, isn’t it! At least you can go lots to explore it in full! Xx
That’s crazy! I love the sound of the kidzania playarea and flight simulator. The ice rink is pretty cool too. Dubai is such an extreme kind of place, everything has to be bigger and better than elsewhere it seems!
It really is like that Phoebe. They definitely want to be bigger and better. It’s interesting to see! Xx
reading this again for #citytripping and marvelling at the gold lamborghini, I think I need one for cruising around the Riviera!!!
Phoebe @ Lou Messugo recently posted…Sunday Photo – 28 February 2016
Haha – oh yes Phoebe – I can see you doing that!
I keep reading posts about things to do with the kids in Dubai….we’re about to move to Pretoria and one of the possible ways to get home would be with Emirates via Dubai so it’s a possibility! The only time we were in Dubai we were stuck in a hotel room all day with a baby and a toddler (due to an unscheduled landing by our flight….long story…) so my views of it aren’t very positive at the moment. But it looks like it would be a fun place to visit – although a bit expensive possibly?
Clara recently posted…Six months of blogging…..what do I know now?
Oh, it is really fun! A good stop off location and great for kids. Check out my pros and cons of Dubai post… It’s definitely worth visiting. Can be expensive but you can sometimes gets good deals. X
As if I didn’t want to go to Dubai before, now I have found another reason to visit.
Sally@Toddlers on Tour recently posted…How I’m Going to Get Cheap Flights
They are pretty extraordinary – as is Dubai. X
A great list of things there (and some I didn’t realise) And loads of toy stores in the Mall too, they can be kept busy in places like Hamleys or the Toy Store for hours – for nothing!!
Keri recently posted…Our Travelling Dad
Ha! Very true. The kids section is huge!! Xx
Ohhh I was so impressed when I visited the Dubai Mall… I wondered how long would it take to see the entire thing, it’s huge!
I didnt know about the flight simulator, ohh now I missed it 😀
#MondayEscapes
Packing my Suitcase recently posted…Formula 1 Grand Prix in Austria 2015
I nearly missed it too – couldn’t believe my eyes – it really does have everything!! X
Have you seen the quality of the finish on the gold Lamborghini though? It’s full of filler and scratches, you’d think a company who builds supercars would give the paint job a bit more attention to detail.
Wow wow wow! I wish we had malls like this in the UK. It sounds incredible especially the dinosaur exhibits and theme park! Ive been to the Mall of America in Minnesota and that was impressive but nothing compared to the Dubai Mall 🙂 #CityTripping
Lisa (Travel Loving Family) recently posted…Bubele the must have app for Gloucestershire parents
I know – I wish we did too – the amount of things to do there is bonkers!
WOW, what a crazy place! It reminds me of the Sim Tower (from Sim City creators) computer game, when I would put in all these crazy attractions into one giant hotel. I think Dubai likes taking everything to the next level! I feel like there should also be places to sleep inside this mall…! Then one would never have to leave! Thanks for the #citytripping link-up!
Christy Swagerty (whatupswags) recently posted…17 Places Sports Took Me
You know what – I would not be surprised if there were places to sleep there! Thanks for joining in the #citytripping fun again. x
Re-reading this again for #citytripping. I really think Monkey would go wild here – especially for the flight simulator. I’m working on hubby to go to Dubai… he’s not keen but the good weather is enticing! And all the things to do!. Thanks for hosting x
Ting at My Travel Monkey recently posted…Monday Escapes #29
The weather is a big pull factor for me too!
Wow the same size as 50 football fields, that’s pretty impressive. I would just get lost. That Kidzania section sounds really interesting, my two would love to have a go at that. What an interesting place to visit. #CityTripping
Yes, very easy to get lost. Kidzania has expanded over the last year. There is one at Westfield mall in London now. Will definitely take Mrs T when she is a bit older.
Your little girl is sooooo cute! She walks with big curious eyes through the World. I did the same walking through Edmonton Mall in Canada where there is plenty to do for kiddies, too. The pictures of her with her curly blond hair and big smile (mostly 😉 Now she is 29 years old and a teacher for Latin and old Greek! Can you imagine how fast the time passes?
Thank you so much – that’s very kind…she loves seeing travelling and seeing new sights. I can imagine time just flies by…it’s scary!! I am trying to savour this time together as much as I can! Thanks for stopping by x
I think we did pretty much all those things. I loved the constant surprises. Two other things we enjoyed; getting a taxi around the mall…yes really! And picking up the Big Bus tour from just outside.
Oh wow! A taxi – incredible. Haven’t done the bus tour in Dubai before…is it worth doing?
That settles it. Next trip back from Australia will include properly long Dubai stopover. Something for everyone! I think the gold Lamborghini will be the clincher for my husband though.. so predictable ?
Katy recently posted…Links + Loves – February 2016
Yes you should! Dubai is fab for a stopover- especially for such a long flight. x
I love the Asian malls as well, thank you so much for sharing these fun activities to do in Dubai! Going ice skating in the mall while it is hot outside, as weird as it may sound, is probably my favorite thing to do! Visiting from #citytripping.
Sarah recently posted…10 TRAVEL DESTINATIONS FOR THE SUMMER
I know…another mall in Dubai has a ski slope! Sticking on a ski jacket in Dubai – that would be weird!
Wow! That’s amazing! I would love to do pretty much everything on this list.. especially visit that dinosaur! #CityTripping
The dinosaur was amazing – and very unexpected!
this is definitely more than an average mall!:)
Tanja (the Red phone box travels) recently posted…What are my greatest adventures?
Haha – it sure is!
Haha…this post makes me smile – you have got to love Dubai for its extremes. I have been to Dubai Mall and I was amazed at the fact I could be stood in H&M whilst a great white practically swam over my shoulder. My friend went to the kids zone the other day and said it was as amusing for the parents as it was for the kids? Great post…thanks for reminding me of our trip there #citytripping
Glad to bring back happy memories! It’s a crazy place…you could spend a week exploring it!
This is just insane! I knew there were lots of extras at the biggest malls but I’m astonished there’s room for any shops. I can’t believe there’s a dinosaur… #citytripping
Cathy (MummyTravels) recently posted…City Tripping #16
With everything else going on the shops can see like a bit of an after thought – but they are plentiful and very varied!
ooh, they have Kidzania? My kids too old now but that place looks sooooo awesome – I red about the one in Malaysia…
Lydia C. Lee recently posted…Valentine’s Day in Sydney? Romance for visitors
I still need to take my daughter as she was a bit young but have heard great things
It sounds like you could spend a week in that mall! We have a Kidzania here in Mexico City (where the concept originated!) and it’s really a lot of fun. I’d definitely recommend a visit next time you get the chance. #citytripping
Yes, think I really need to check out Kidzania…heard a lot of great things about it…didn’t realise it originated in Mexico city though!
Aww man, you’ve got me thinking of planning a trip to Dubai! I mean.. that dinosaur in a mall! Kidzania! All the things my kids love! #CityTripping
Bumble Bee Mum recently posted…{Travel Tuesday #31} Mother Farm (Chiba, Tokyo, Japan)
I’d definitely recommend it as a stopover destination…it’s worth it to see that dinosaur! x
You know, if there is a perfect place in the world to go to the mall, it has to be Dubai. I will like to take a photo in front of the gold Lamborghini. That is crazy. Did you actually see something like that on the streets?
Ruth recently posted…Walking the Historic and Modern Areas of Tucson
You’re right…it’s the place for malls! Kat, there are tons of cars like that everywhere…many of them parked at the front of smart hotels and cruising around the streets at night. Blingtastic!
Occasionally, I do like some comfort, perhaps a little glamour, in my travels – I might go to Dubai for a few days. Wow, dinosaurs, aquarium, cinema, shopping in one gigantic mall – yeah I can do that for a day 🙂 #CityTripping
Oh Kat – you’d get tons of glamour and glitz in Dubai…you’d love it…even if it’s for a day!
That mall looks insane! Desperate to go to Kidzania, we don’t have one in Hong Kong but hoping to get to the London one over Easter
Nicola recently posted…Activities For Kids In The Margaret River Region
I still haven’t been either! Need to check out the London one too! x
What a mad place! I think this post is a super idea. My husband is always keen to do anything except shop in a shopping mall and my goodness, what a lot of things there are to do here! I’d have to steer my eldest son away from that hideous gold Lamborghini though…
Clare Thomson (Suitcases and Sandcastles) recently posted…City Breaks With Kids: Lisbon
Haha – Dubai mall is perfect for shopping-shy husbands. There’s no way they’d get bored…although you may lose them somewhere in the huge building.
This is really impressive, I would love to check it all out. That waterfall is so beautiful and I’m surprised about the dinosaur too, how amazing! #CityTripping
It was a very unusual trip to a mall!
Holy Moly, that place is huge. We often find ourselves passing time in a mall (like on a long layover) but we’re not shoppers. So we usually run out of stuff to do in about an hour.
Jessica recently posted…Cadillac Ranch – What No One Tells You
Well you’d be sorted there!
Wow!! I guess Dubai is once again like nothing else 🙂
beatravelling recently posted…Melbourne’s Street Art
It sure is!
This was really enjoyable to read. Having read this there seem to be some wonderful places to visit.Had a quick look at your blog and love it already. Have subscribed. Looks like you’ve spent time in many of the places listed in this post.
Thank you for reading.