The things American travellers enjoy most in Dubai are the things the US cannot offer: an evening in the desert dunes, the view from the world's tallest building, a boat ride across Dubai Creek to the souks, and Middle Eastern food. Add a day trip to Abu Dhabi's theme parks and one familiar comfort (a big-game screening, a steakhouse or a weekend brunch), and you have a first trip that feels new without being hard work. Visa, money and advisory details are covered separately in our Dubai travel guide for Americans; this page is only about what to do.
| If you like at home... | Try this in Dubai |
|---|---|
| National parks and road trips | Evening desert safari or an overnight desert camp |
| Observation decks and city views | Burj Khalifa at sunset, then the Dubai Fountain |
| Historic districts and markets | Old Dubai: abra ride, Gold and Spice Souks, Al Fahidi |
| Orlando-style theme parks | Warner Bros. World, Ferrari World or SeaWorld on Yas Island, Abu Dhabi |
| Museums | Louvre Abu Dhabi, or Dubai Frame for a skyline museum |
| Beaches and boats | Palm Jumeirah, JBR beach, a Marina dhow or yacht cruise |
| Food scenes and brunch | Emirati and Levantine food in Old Dubai, weekend hotel brunch |
Spend an evening in the desert
For many US first-timers, a desert safari is the highlight of the trip. Standard afternoon tours pick you up from your hotel in a 4x4, drive the dunes, stop for sunset and finish with dinner at a desert camp. Packages differ a lot: some include sandboarding, camel rides and quad bikes, others charge for them. Ask what is included, the size of the camp and the pickup time before you pay.
- Pick a quieter conservation-area tour if you want the desert, not a party camp.
- Skip dune bashing if anyone in your group gets motion sickness; ask for a gentle drive.
- Desert evenings cool down fast in winter, so bring a layer.
Our Dubai desert safari guide compares tour types, and the overnight desert safari page covers camping under the stars.
See the skyline from the Burj Khalifa
At the Top, on levels 124 and 125, is the classic view; higher-level tickets go up to level 148 and above. Sunset slots cost the most and sell out first, so book online ahead. As of September 2026, off-peak adult tickets start from about AED 170 (about USD 46), with sunset and premium tickets costing more. Check the official price when you book.
Go about an hour before sunset to see the city in daylight, at dusk and lit up. Afterwards, walk to the lake for the free Dubai Fountain show, which runs at intervals through the evening. The Burj Khalifa guide compares the ticket levels.
Cross Dubai Creek to Old Dubai
Old Dubai is the part of the city with a history before the skyscrapers. Take a wooden abra across the creek, which costs about AED 1 in cash, then walk the Gold Souk and the Spice Souk in Deira. On the Bur Dubai side, the Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood has restored wind-tower houses, small galleries and cafes. The Dubai Museum in Al Fahidi Fort has been closed since 2021, so don't plan around it.
Go in the morning, when it is cooler, and expect to haggle in the souks. For a route, see our Old Dubai and Bur Dubai guide.
Want the desert, the tower and Old Dubai in one plan?
Tell us your dates and interests and we can help put your Dubai activities in a sensible order.
Plan my Dubai activitiesTake a theme park day in Abu Dhabi
US families who know Orlando often head to Yas Island in Abu Dhabi, roughly an hour or more by road from Dubai, depending on where you start. Warner Bros. World has indoor lands themed on DC superheroes and Looney Tunes, Ferrari World has roller coasters, and SeaWorld Abu Dhabi is a marine-life park. They are all indoors, so they work even in summer. Pair a park with the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, which requires modest dress, or the Louvre Abu Dhabi. Our Abu Dhabi day trip guide has transport options.
Beaches, the Palm and the water
From November to April the Gulf is calm and warm enough for swimming. JBR beach is free and busy; beach clubs on Palm Jumeirah charge for entry and loungers. A dhow dinner cruise on the Marina or a shared yacht trip gives you the skyline from the water. See Dubai beaches for public and private options, and Palm Jumeirah for the island itself.
Sport, golf and watching games from home
Dubai has well-known championship golf courses, and the winter golf season suits US visitors who play at home. Sports bars in hotels in Dubai Marina and Downtown show major US games, but the time difference means Sunday NFL games usually start late at night or in the early hours in Dubai, so check the kick-off time before you plan an evening around one. For something new, try dune buggies, skydiving over the Palm or indoor skiing at Ski Dubai; our adventure sports page lists options.
Eat beyond burgers
You will find American chains and steakhouses everywhere, but the trip is more interesting if you also try shawarma, Emirati machboos, Lebanese mezze and luqaimat (sweet dumplings). The Saturday and Sunday hotel brunch is a Dubai tradition: long, set-price and often with a drinks package. When you do want a burger or brisket, the best American restaurants in Dubai lists the options.
Evenings out
Nightlife centres on hotel bars, rooftop lounges and beach clubs, because alcohol is served only in licensed venues. Alcohol-free options include the Dubai Fountain, late-night shopping at Dubai Mall and a walk along the Marina. Take a taxi or ride-hail home. See Dubai nightlife for areas and dress codes.
A sample three days for US first-timers
Most flights from the US land in the evening, so keep day one light and put the desert on day two or three.
| Day | Plan |
|---|---|
| Day 1 | Dubai Mall, Burj Khalifa at sunset, Dubai Fountain |
| Day 2 | Morning in Old Dubai (abra, souks, Al Fahidi); afternoon desert safari with dinner |
| Day 3 | Beach or a Yas Island theme park; evening Marina dhow cruise |
Frequently asked questions
What is the best thing for a first-time American visitor to do in Dubai?
An afternoon desert safari with sunset and dinner at a desert camp is often the highlight for US first-timers. Pair it with the Burj Khalifa at sunset and a morning in Old Dubai.
Is the Burj Khalifa worth it, and should I book ahead?
Yes for most first-timers. Book online ahead, because sunset slots sell out first. As of September 2026, off-peak adult At the Top tickets start from about AED 170, with sunset and premium tickets costing more.
Are there theme parks near Dubai like the ones in Orlando?
Yes. Yas Island in Abu Dhabi, roughly an hour or more by road from Dubai, has Warner Bros. World, Ferrari World and SeaWorld Abu Dhabi. They are indoors, so they work in summer too.
Can I watch NFL or NBA games in Dubai?
Many hotel sports bars show major US games, but because of the time difference most live games air late at night or early in the morning in Dubai. Check the local start time first.
Is the Dubai Museum open?
No. The Dubai Museum in Al Fahidi Fort has been closed since 2021. You can still walk the Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood and visit its small galleries and cafes.
Where can Americans find familiar food in Dubai?
US chains, burger bars and steakhouses are found across the malls, Downtown and Dubai Marina. Local Emirati and Levantine food is worth trying too.