Best things to do in United Arab Emirates

Enjoy the rides and diversions at Wild Wadi Waterpark, one of Dubai's top outdoor attractions. Experience the bumps, twists, and turns of the multiple water slides, and head to the wave pool for an exhilarating dip in the temperature-controlled waters. Try out your board skills in the surf pool, and cool off under the 18 m (59 ft) waterfall as it cascades down into the splash pool. Take a break at one of the three onsite restaurants and grab a souvenir of your trip at the gift shop.

Enjoy some excitement and relaxation at Atlantis Aquaventure Waterpark. This sprawling beachfront theme park includes two enormous Ancient Greece-themed towers packed with water rides, 700 m (2,297 ft) of private beach, and numerous areas where you get to swim with marine animals. Adventure along the record-breaking water slide, taking in views of the coast as it winds and loops high above the ground. If you're worked up an appetite, head to one of the park's 15 restaurants, serving fresh, high-quality food from across the globe.

Marvel at Burj Khalifa, the 829.8 m (2,722 ft) high futuristic centerpiece of the modern downtown area. Upon construction in 2010, the mega skyscraper ranked as the world's tallest manmade structure. Designed by architect Adrian Smith, it incorporates patterns from Islamic art and architecture, with its tapering tiers reminiscent of traditional spiral minarets. Enjoy the view from the outdoor observation deck on the 124th floor: at 452 m (1,483 ft) above the city, you'll gain a true bird's-eye perspective on the developing metropolis below. Afterwards, stroll around the palm-lined pathways of the 11 hectare (27 acre) landscaped park, featuring flowering trees, gardens, benches, and water features. Don't miss the massive fountains at entrance to the building.

Enjoy the fruits of a famous shopping area at The Dubai Mall, a large retail and entertainment center. Opened in 2009, the complex contains more than 1,200 shops, with brands, chains, and boutiques from all around the world, across a floorspace equivalent to more than 50 football fields. Wander the streets of the modern gold souk area, designed to have the shimmering look and atmosphere of a traditional Middle Eastern market. If shopping isn't for you, then there's always the ice rink, indoor theme park, and aquarium to explore during your visit.

Strap yourself in and feel the Gs at Ferrari World Abu Dhabi, an indoor theme park sprawling across 86,000 sq m (925,696 sq ft). Upon opening in 2010, it was the largest of its kind in the world. The park references the world of motor sports and its Italian heritage everywhere you look, with themed rides, driving experiences, and Italian dining. Dare yourself to get on the lightning-fast roller coaster, and fulfill your lifetime ambition to be behind the wheel of a Ferrari. A host of interactive shows, gentle rides, and go-karting challenges give the little ones more than enough to keep them going.

Visit Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque to see a key place of worship and center for Islamic culture. Completed in 2007, the center houses the largest mosque in the country--a sprawling structure of many spherical domes and four tall minarets--and an enormous library showcasing classic books and publications related to the Islamic world. Inside the main prayer hall, admire the numerous ornamental features of the atmospheric place of worship, including the largest carpet in the world and seven chandeliers incorporating millions of crystals. Take a guided tour of the library to learn more about Islamic faith, history, and art.

Take a break from Dubai's staggering skyscrapers and colossal malls and feel the time slowing down as you venture off on a safari through the seemingly endless desert. You'll ride camels, quad bikes, or buggies over the rolling dunes, or try sandboarding down their silky slopes. With a local guide, you'll also be able to experience an Arabian welcome at a traditional camp, where you can enjoy a barbecue diner followed by a belly dancing show. You can choose between half-day and full-day tours.

An adrenaline/extreme tour allows you to experience the exciting side of a Dubai vacation by venturing out on a safari to the Arabian dessert or storming down the city's autodrome in a professional racing car. The half-day tour of the desert with a private guide consists of some serious dune bashing and sandboarding. Spending the whole day in the sea of sand leaves you enough time for additional activities, such as camel riding and watching a folk dance over a barbeque dinner. Other thrilling adventures include piloting a quad bike over rolling dunes and indoor skydiving sessions.