Perched at the foot of the Burj Khalifa in the sublime surrounds of Souk Al Bahar, Time Out Market Dubai resides in one of the world’s most Instagrammed neighbourhoods – it’s official, check it out here.
Surrounded by monster malls, the world’s most dazzling H20 show, a state-of-the-art theatre and more vantage points than your Insta feed can handle, Time Out Market Dubai’s neighbours have plenty going on.
It makes for the perfect destination to work up an appetite or burn off some calories before and after sampling the veritable feast of delights coming from Time Out Market Dubai kitchens.
Here are some amazing things to do near Time Out Market Dubai – if you can drag yourself away from the unbelievable delights being served up, that is.
Conquer the Burj Khalifa
Where else would we start? Take your Time Out Market Dubai experience to new heights by scaling the world’s tallest building. It’s the highest point anyone can go without the help of a flying machine – or the more in vogue spacecraft that helped the UAE reach Mars – and the views are breath taking. It’s also a tip-top spot to catch the fountain display after dark, with the choreographed blast of H20 hitting different when viewed from directly above. Looking for things to do near Time Out Market Dubai? This should be top of the list.
From Dhs149. www.burjkhalifa.ae
Take a stroll around Burj Park
Prefer to keep your feet firmly on terra firm? Those who’d rather dodge any potential tango with vertigo can walk off their Time Out Market Dubai lunch with an amble around Burj Park. In a heavily urbanised corner of town, this pocket of green is an attractive spot to take a load off and while away the afternoon. It’s entirely surrounded by Burj Lake too, ensuring unobstructed views of some of Dubai’s most iconic landmarks. Catch you on the Insta feed.
Free. www.burjdowntowndubai.com
Dive into Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo
It’s hard not to be drawn to the mysteries of the deep, especially when they hit you smack in the face while coming out of GAP. The wonders of Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo are free to sample inside The Dubai Mall, but by parting with a few dirhams deep sea explorers can plunge into the full gamut of the attraction’s treasures. The ultimate package covers a waltz through the Aquarium Tunnel, access to the Underwater Zoo, a guided behind the scenes tour, access to Penguin Cove, a glass boat tour, fish feeding and a VR ocean experience. Darling it’s better, down where it’s wetter, as Sebastian sang.
Free or from Dhs150. Open Sun-Wed 10am-10pm. Thu-Sat 10am-midnight. Dubai Mall, www.thedubaiaquarium.com
Find your balance on Dubai Ice Rink
The reason everyone moves to the desert is to become a master of the ice, right? Donning a pair of skates is a cool way to take the strain off the legs after a few laps of the mall, and be you Tonya Harding or a headless chicken slipping about the place, there’s room for all abilities out on the rink. Just watch out for the younger skaters and their adorable Pingu-esque stabilisers. It’s definitely one to consider for the kids when drawing up things to do near Time Out Market Dubai. Noot! Noot!
Approx Dhs85. Open daily 10am-11.45pm. Dubai Mall www.dubaiicerink.com
Hit your 10,000 steps in The Dubai Mall
The Dubai Mall has it all. Designer brands, an indoor aquarium, ice-rink, art installations, go-karting on the roof – if it can be imagined, it’ll be found here. There are literal kilometres of stores to wander through, so be sure to think carefully about footwear solutions before embarking on any retail therapy excursions. Shop ’til you drop or protect the plastic by window browsing. The choice is yours.
Open Sun-Wed 10am-11pm, Thu-Sat 10am-midnight. www.thedubaimall.com
Catch a show at Dubai Opera
Dinner sorted and now it’s time for the show. The city’s arts scene continues to grow at pace, and Dubai Opera is the flagship venue – literally designed in the shape of a dhow – behind the rise and rise of platforms for culture. Be it theatre or performance, the boards at Dubai Opera are well trodden by local and international stars alike. And long may rising talents shine on that same stage. Bravo!
Prices vary. www.dubaiopera.com
Get in the fast lane at EKart Zabeel
Only in Dubai would you find a race track on the roof of a mall. E-Kart Zabeel is an adrenaline-fuelled drive like no other in the city, and deserves a spot on any Dubai bucket-list. It’s all the better after dark when wannabe Lewis Hamiltons can chase pole position under the dazzling lights of the Burj Khalifa. If hammering it around hair-pin turns and kissing the chicane is what you seek, grab a helmet and buckle up. Of all the things to do near Time Out Market Dubai, this is certainly the most Dubai.
Dhs75. Sun-Thu 3pm-10pm, Fri-Sat 2pm-midnight. The Dubai Mall, www.ekartzabeel.ae
Shop ’til you drop at Fashion Avenue
Rock down to Fashion Avenue to take your standards higher. This strip of high-end designer retailers is the embodiment of luxury, and customers will be treated to a five-star experience with expert personal shoppers and even an in-mall chauffeur on hand to take all the stress out of shopping. The only catch is as that as the quality rises, so too does the price tag. We can always dream.
Open Sun-Wed 10am-11pm, Thu-Sat 10am-midnight. www.thedubaimall.com
Let the kids run free at Kidzania
It’s all fun and games at Kidzania where little ones can run riot in a replica city. There are more than 70 role-playing activities to get stuck into for kids aged two right up to 16, and each is a superb way to blow off steam before rocking up at Time Our Market Dubai for a spot of lunch.
Price vary. Open Sat-Wed 10am-10pm, Thu-Fri 10am-midnight. Dubai Mall, www.kidzania.ae
Be charmed by Souk Al Bahar
The home of Time Out Market Dubai and a bustling collection of shops that deserve your unbridled attention. Vendors spill out into the opulent halls at every turn in homage to the trading markets of old, with plenty a treasure to be unearthed. Be it souvenir or something to reside more permanently above the mantelpiece, there’s something for all budgets within the winding passages. When shopped-out, head to Time Out Market Dubai to refuel.
Open Sat-Sun 10am-10pm, Fri 2pm-10pm. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Boulevard www.soukalbahar.ae
Be amazed by The Dubai Fountain
Burj Lake comes alive each evening with a spectacular water show set to modern pop classics, operatic tones and traditional Arabic chords. Some of the whimsy is lost when the jukebox kicks out an ear-piercing rendition of Baby Shark, but this a family affair and the kids deserve their singalong moment too. Best news? It won’t cost you a fils. That is unless you opt to jump on one of the abras (approx. Dhs70) that offer unrivalled, water-level seats to Dubai’s most famous show. This isn’t one just for the things to do near Time Out Market Dubai list, this is a show everyone needs to catch.
Free. Daily shows every 30 minutes from 6pm-11pm. Burj Lake.
Stretch you legs on The Dubai Fountain Boardwalk
Think you couldn’t get any closer to The Dubai Fountain? Think again. For just Dhs20, gain access to a floating platform that puts you just 9m from the pulsing jets. The 272m journey starts at either Burj Park or Fountain Promenade, and is Time Out’s favourite way to experience the theatrical watery showcase.
Dhs20. Open daily 5.45pm-11.30pm. Burj Lake.
Get in the frame with the Wings of Mexico Statue
Remember we said the Burj Khalifa is an Insta hotspot? Well, here’s one of the best places to get in the frame. The Wings of Mexico are a permanent fixture to be found in Burj Plaza, and according to the artist Jorge Marín “celebrate victory, dreams and human potential”. What we celebrate are the likes and comments that flood in after we post a snap to the feed. Who doesn’t look good in wings?
Free. Open 24 hours.
Get your mind boggled at VR Park
For those who wish to leave the real world behind, VR Park is sure to be a smash hit. This incredibly immersive VR experience harnesses a whole list of tricks to deceive the mind and have adrenaline-seekers feel as if they are plunging down to Earth from atop the Burj Khalifa, or spiralling out of control in a giant drone accident. The reality is they are never far from solid ground, but that doesn’t take any fun out of blasting cyber zombies into piles of pixels in the park’s popular shoot ’em up simulator. Things to do near Time Out Market Dubai don’t get more out of this world than this. Think Matrix vibes at their dizzying best.
Prices vary. Sun-Thu midday-10pm, Fri-Sat 10am-midnight. www.vrparkdubai.com
