Are you visiting the UAE this summer? Don’t let the soaring summer temperatures bring you out into a sweat. There are plenty of family-friendly, thrill-seeking, once in a lifetime indoor – and some outdoor – activities to enjoy across the Emirates year-round. Located just a short drive away from Premier Inn’s choice of hotels in the UAE, these attractions are the very best way to keep your cool during the summer months.
Head for the slopes
Grab your skis and take to the snow-covered slopes of Ski Dubai at Mall of the Emirates. You can ski and snowboard down five exhilarating runs at this huge attraction, or just chill out on a chairlift ride to the top. The Middle East’s only indoor ski resort also has a zip wire ride, several toboggan runs, and a snow park for the kids. There’s even the opportunity meet the resident penguins.
Splash about
There’s no better place to keep cool than a water park! Whether you want to make a splash at Wild Wadi, Laguna or Aquaventure in Dubai or at Yas Waterworld in Abu Dhabi, you’ll find a wide variety of thrilling rides, lazy rivers and wave pools. Little ones can play about in splash parks including Splash Pad at The Beach in Dubai and the Al Majaz Splash Park in Sharjah, and experience the brick-tastic wonders of the Legoland Water Park.
Stay active
It may be too hot to run or play football outside, but there are still plenty of ways to raise your heartbeat and get moving in the UAE. Choose from several trampoline parks including Bounce, Flip Out and Jump Boxx in Dubai. Or get ready to jump, climb and slide in the challenging AirManiax inflatable park with obstacle course. You can try to get a hole in one at the indoor, neon mini golf courses at Tee & Putt in Dubai and Abu Dhabi; head for the top at the climbing walls and high ropes courses in Adventure HQ centres across Abu Dhabi and Dubai; or skate into action at the rinks in Dubai Mall and Zayed Sports City.
Walk into a world of shopping
Explore the world’s largest shopping mall, Dubai Mall; walk from Egypt to China in the extraordinary Ibn Battuta mall themed around the travels of the renowned 14th century Arabian explorer; or catch the metro directly to one of Dubai’s oldest malls, Mall of the Emirates. As well as shopping for global brands in these malls, you can watch a movie at their multiplex cinemas and visit various gaming attractions and souks.
Buckle up for the ride
You can escape the heat for some fast and furious fun at the indoor theme park, SEGA Republic in Dubai Mall, home to nail-biting rollercoasters, virtual motion rides, a snowboarding simulator, a jaw-dropping free-fall ride and a laser zone. Alternatively head indoors to IMG Worlds of Adventure to enjoy superhero-themed rides for all ages, inspired by The Avengers, Hulk, Spider-Man and many more. And head to Abu Dhabi to experience the adrenaline-pumping attractions and rides at the indoor Warner Bros World theme park, which brings together characters including Batman, Tom and Jerry, and Scooby Doo.
Animal attractions
From marine life to jungle life, there are plenty of wildlife encounters to enjoy across the UAE. You can see the King Croc at Dubai Aquarium, swim with dolphins at Dubai Dolphinarium, see tropical fish and sharks in The Lost Chambers Aquarium, and learn about the local coral reefs, lagoons and mangroves at Sharjah Aquarium. Walk through the bird aviary, nocturnal house and indoor sanctuary for hyena, cheetah and the rare Arabian leopard at the Arabian Wildlife Centre in Sharjah Wildlife. Or look out for the sloth, lizards, parrots and monkeys in Dubai’s indoor vertical rain-forest, The Green Planet.
And don’t leave without…
Watching the water fountains in front of the Burj Khalifa or stepping into a flight simulator at Dubai Mall. Experience life like a local by browsing the craft stalls and food trucks at the indoor RIPE market held at Nakheel Mall in Dubai at the weekend. Or soak up some culture by visiting Jumeirah Mosque for regular guided tours, Etihad Museum in Dubai, or Qasr Al Watan at Abu Dhabi’s Presidential Palace.