Seek out Middle Eastern culture. In an effort to make Dubai more palatable for Western travelers, its officials have worked hard to erase the signs of Middle Eastern culture that are associated with Iraq and Afghanistan. As a result, genuine cultural activities can be difficult to find. To spot some of old Dubai, try driving out into the desert to see the Bedouin settlements, or head down to the dhow wharfage on Dubai Creek and watch the fishermen.
Hit the slopes. One of Dubai's strangest attractions is Ski Dubai, the massive indoor ski hill adjacent to the Mall of the Emirates. Prices are reasonable and include lift tickets, equipment rental, jacket and ski pants. Watch out for the wall at the end of the lift--it's closer than you think!
Go dune bashing. Multiple companies in Dubai offer dune bashing packages, also called desert safaris. During these day trips, you'll ride in reinforced Land Rovers over giant sand dunes at breakneck speeds. The caravan will make a stop to allow participants to try sandboarding and to take photos against the endless sand backdrop. Then you'll proceed to a Bedouin settlement, where dinner will be served within the walls of a fort. Guests eat on carpets laid on the sand, try henna tattoos, watch falconry and belly dancing displays, and take camel rides under a starry desert sky.
Shop until you drop. Dubai is famous for its malls, particularly the sprawling Mall of the Emirates. Try the Ibn Batutta mall in Jebel Ali, where each section is decorated to reflect the style of a country the famous Arabic explorer visited. Shops offer everything from low-end, cheap merchandise to luxury goods and designer clothing.
Eat your way around the world. Eighty percent of Dubai's population is expatriate, and the variety of restaurants represents the cultural makeup of the emirate. Try excellent Thai, Indian, South African and Lebanese foods as well as entertaining Western substitutes. Also, take a look around a grocery store, and you'll be surprised at the amount of products that contain pork. Pork is forbidden in Islam, so all products that contain pork derivatives are kept in a curtained back room.
Explore Dubai's oddities. Dubai is famous for extreme and bizarre projects. Check out the three enormous palm islands off the coast, take a tour of the Burj Dubai, the self-proclaimed "world's only seven star hotel," and beat the heat in the Wild Wadi water park. Explore the gold souk and the souk at the Madinat Jumeirah hotel. If you're at a loss for things to do, rent a car and drive around the city, observing the considerable amount of construction and new buildings.
