Ten things to do in Dubai for parents and the elderly
Living in one of the premier tourist destinations in the world with a host of exciting attractions leads to friends and family often heading over for a visit/vacation and some fun in the sun. But whilst there’s no shortage of glitzy and glamorous attractions in Dubai to completely bowl over any sceptical visitors, older folks might be interested in something a little more understated. And that’s exactly why we’ve put together this list of places to visit in Dubai for senior citizens and parents. Let’s take a look.
PLACES TO VISIT IN DUBAI FOR SENIOR CITIZENS AND PARENTS
If a night of dancing at Club Cavalli or dune bashing at a desert safari does not seem like their cup of tea, try out one of these things to do in Dubai with parents, grandparents or other elders visiting.
WATCH THE UNDULATING WATERS OF THE CREEK AT AL SEEF
With a lot of emphasis on the modern and swanky avatar of Dubai, it’s easy to see how some visitors only scratch the surface when it comes to UAE culture. The creek is one of the most iconic landmarks of Dubai and the most popular attraction for elderly people. If your elderly friends, relatives or parents are visiting the city, a trip to take in the beauty of the glittering waters of the creek is an absolute must!
While a walk around the nearly 5km stretch of the Creek Park may seem a little excessive for older visitors in Dubai, a stroll through the beautifully designed Meraas lifestyle destination, Al Seef, overlooking the majestic Dubai Creek may just be one of the interesting things to do in Dubai for parents of older visitors. To make things more memorable, take a ride on the traditional abra and go across to Deira for a spot of old-fashioned souk shopping at the world-renowned Gold and Spice Souk.
SOAK UP SOME CULTURE IN OLD DUBAI
When we are on the subject of old-fashioned things, one of the best things to do in Dubai for parents is to visit the many heritage sites in Dubai and experience the glorious culture of the emirate. Take time to visit the famous landmarks of Dubai, including the Dubai Museum, Heritage House, and the famed Arabian Tea House, and get a spot for breakfast at the Sheikh Mohammed Centre for cultural understanding. Senior citizens will surely be impressed by the cultural journey they can experience in these meticulously maintained places in the city.
GET A TASTE OF SOME FINE THEATRE AT THE DUBAI OPERA
One of the best things about Dubai is that there is always something for everyone. A trip to the opulent Dubai Opera is one of the things for senior citizens to do. With a selection of world-renowned plays and musicals and the excitement of getting dressed up for a spectacular evening of revelry, this can be an experience unlike any other. If you go a little early, you can also enjoy the choreographed dance of the Dubai Fountains.
- Location: Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Blvd, Downtown Dubai
- Contact: +971-4-440-8888
ENJOY A SUNNY DAY AT LA MER BEACH
When in Dubai, it’s hard to pass up on a trip to the beach, even if the weather is sweltering. One of the best places to visit in Dubai for senior citizens is the gorgeous La Mer Beach. This is amongst the popular Dubai attractions for elderly people where they can enjoy a long walk along the sandy stretches and relax with a refreshing meal in one of the many restaurants at La Mer, should they need a break.
SEE THE BEAUTIFUL JUXTAPOSITION OF OLD AND NEW DUBAI
The Dubai Frame is an ideal place to take parents or the elderly visiting Dubai as it’s the perfect vantage point to take in the sight of old and new Dubai. You can spot the towering Burj Khalifa, the spectacular Burj Al Arab and other quintessential attractions from this spot.
- Ticket Price: AED 50
- Timings: Monday to Sunday, 09:00 am – 09:00 pm
- Location: Gate 4, Zabeel Park
- Contact: +971-800-900
TAKE THEM TO THE MIRACLE GARDEN
Next on our list of places to visit in Dubai for senior citizens is Miracle Garden. This place promises a full bloom of fun for people of all ages. It features 2D and 3D floral designs which attract millions of visitors every year. You can take your parents to the floral tunnels where they can relax and enjoy a meal.
- Ticket Price: AED 75
- Timings: Monday to Friday 09:00 am – 09:00 pm | Saturday and Sunday 09:00 am – 11:00 pm
- Location: Al Barsha South 3, Dubailand
- Contact: +971-4-422-8902
EXPERIENCE THE OTHER SIDE OF THE DESERT AT HATTA VILLAGE
While dune bashing at a desert safari may not seem one of the things to do in Dubai for parents, experiencing the desert is something they will definitely cherish. The ride to Hatta Village is mesmerising, to say the least, with the landscape of white sand transitioning to beautiful red sand with the magnificent Hajar Mountain range in the background.
It’s the desert, unlike anything you could have imagined, with gorgeous mountains and dams. Even though it is in Dubai, we recommend carrying your passports as it is fairly close to the Oman border.
- Timings: Saturday to Thursday 07:30 am – 08:30 pm | Friday 02:30 pm – 08:30 pm
- Location: Along the Hajar Mountains Area
- Contact: +971-4-852-1374
THINGS TO DO IN DUBAI FOR PARENTS AND ELDERLY
Apart from all these places to visit, there are many fun things to do in Dubai for parents and senior citizens. Here’s a look at some of the activities they will enjoy while visiting the golden city.
AFTERNOON TEA AT THE QUEEN’S GRILL
Take your folks for quintessential afternoon tea at The Queen’s Grill in QE2 Dubai. The venue was once reserved for the first class passengers and now it serves as an opulent venue for people who want to dine like royals. Enjoy an exquisite assortment of savoury bites, pastries and freshly baked scones. You can choose between Cunard (featuring cold bites and pastries) or Britannia afternoon tea (serving cold and hot canapes and pastries). You can also ask for gluten free and vegan options.
- Price: AED 155 (Cunard Afternoon Tea) | AED 199 (Britannia Afternoon Tea)
- Timings: Friday to Sunday 03:00 pm – 05:00 pm
- Location: Queen’s Grill, QE2
- Contact: +971-60-050-0400
SAVOUR A SUMPTUOUS BRUNCH AT BURJ KHALIFA
While most visitors to Dubai don’t miss ‘At the top’ experience in Burj Khalifa, we recommend a lavish Saturday brunch at The Burj Club, Rooftop as one of the things to do in Dubai for parents or older visitors. This way they can experience the awe-inspiring views from the world’s tallest building, without having to deal with any queues or unpleasant vertigo symptoms. Looking for more options? You can take them to Asia Asia, Besh or Prime68 for delish brunches in Dubai.
- Price: From AED 249 (soft beverages) | AED 349 (in-house beverages)
- Timings: 04:00 pm – 07:00 pm (Saturday)
- Location: Burj Khalifa
- Contact: +971-4-888-3900
TEE OFF AT A VERDANT GOLF COURSE IN DUBAI
There are several award-winning golf courses in Dubai designed by leading architects from around the world. Senior citizens interested in sports would be spoilt for choices when it comes to finding a great spot to tee off in the Emirate. Even if they don’t want to actively play the game, they will definitely enjoy a ride around the golf courses which also have a selection of fine-dining restaurants and cosy cafes.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
ARE THERE ANY FREE THINGS TO DO IN DUBAI?
Yes, tons! For people on a budget, there are plenty of places to visit in Dubai for free such as exploring the streets of Al Seef, enjoying street art at Al Karma and taking a tour of Bur Dubai Grand Mosque.
WHICH LANDMARKS IN DUBAI ARE A MUST-VISIT FOR TOURISTS?
The tourists should add Dubai Fountain, Burj Khalifa and The Dubai Mall to the list of must-visits in the city.
I AM NEW IN DUBAI, WHICH PLACES SHOULD I VISIT?
Top places to visit as a new resident in Dubai include JBR Beach, Dubai Hills Mall and the Museum of Future.
And that’s all, folks! There certainly is no shortage of fun things to do with elderly people in Dubai. Make the most of your time with them and expose them to all the fun things that the emirate is known for. If time permits, we also recommend checking out the top tourist attractions in Abu Dhabi, which has an array of activities that senior citizens would enjoy.
