Owing to the Gulf nation’s cornerstone location at the crossroads between East and West, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has established itself as one of the world’s most important stopover destinations. Dubai, in specific, has something for everyone. For those coming to the Dubai International Airport (DBX) and are staying for a few days or even a couple of hours, this one is for you, and the best thing about it is that most travelers won’t even need a visa.
Only in the United Arab Emirates can one find the pragmatism of the modern-day intertwined with the rich heritage of the past. In the past couple of years, the UAE has been involved in a number of grand projects that will not only encourage tourists to layover in the GCC nation but also serve as a representation of the country’s ability to integrate modernity with history. Undoubtedly astounding, projects launched in the past two years are at the forefront of this type of tourism. From hotels to digital art galleries, the UAE, specifically Dubai, is a destination you wouldn’t want to miss.
Museum of the Future
Located only 11 minutes away from the airport, the Museum of the Future should be the first item on your list. At this beautiful attraction, you will fall in love the stunning exterior before even going in. The futuristic structure’s “hole,” which may resemble a fortune cookie in shape, is thought to stand for undiscovered knowledge. Even more impressively, Sheikh Mohammed, the ruler of Dubai, has written a poem about the future of the city on the building’s calligraphy, which is an effect formed by the building’s many windows according to Metro. Before the museum ever opened, it won numerous prizes for its outstanding design.
Storm Coaster
The first-of-its-kind indoor rollercoaster was first announced back on Feb. 17, 2022, according to Intamin. The installation, which is in the brand-new Dubai Hills Mall, uses Intamin’s most potent LSM drive system to carry visitors at up to 77 kilometers per hour. The new construction was created with an aim to push the limits of engineering planning and design with a touch of fun and is located 20 minutes away from DBX.
Hyde Hotel
If you’re looking to relax and indulge yourself for your stopover. Hyde Hotel is the place to go. Considered to be the first hotel operated by Hyde Hotels outside of the United States, the Hyde Hotel will debut in Dubai as the company broadens its global reach. Starting on November 11, the Hyde Hotel Dubai will open its doors to visitors and provide individualized service from its Business Bay location. The hotel rooms, which draw aesthetic inspiration from locations all over the world, were created to offer visitors a haven in this bustling metropolis. For example, the Hyde Out option comes with a balcony and the iconic king bed from Hyde, while the Hyde and Seek twin room is another choice available to guests. The deluxe Hyde Away rooms, on the other hand, can seat two adults and a child and have a view of the Burj Khalifa, the tallest structure in the world.
Sky Views
At a height 219.5 meters, Sky Views Dubai offers a mesmerizing view of the golden city. Head up and experience the breathtaking skyline. The Observatory, Glass Slide, and Edge Walk are three thrilling sightseeing adventures.
Atop the Address Sky View hotel, you can marvel at the 360-degree view showing all the city’s awe-inspiring landmarks, including Burj Khalifa and the Sheikh Zayed Road. Guests can also experience the Glass Slide a transparent tunnel taking you on a joyride from level 53 to 52 of the tower. As for the Edge Walk, adrenaline-junkies, equipped with safety harnesses, can step on an outer ledge encircling the skyscraper’s highest pod, for an adventure like no other.
Infinity des Lumieres
The Dubai Mall always brings entertainment to a whole new level. This is a mall considered the largest retail, entertainment, and leisure destination in the world. Now, It offers Infinity des Lumières as a part of its experience, which is a dynamic art venue that is the first of its kind in the Arabian Peninsula.
What to expect? You can expect to gain access to one of Dubai’s most distinct artistic attractions. The main highlight of this digital art gallery is its three distinctive exhibitions. They promise you an immersive experience as you take in both classic and contemporary art with the most up-to-date visualization and processing techniques. The 2700 sq m immersive digital art gallery uses 3000 digital moving images, 130 projectors, 58 speakers, and other technology to bring famous works of art to life. The gallery debuted in July 2021 with exhibitions of Vincent Van Gogh, Hokusai, a 19th-century Japanese artist, and Thomas Vanz, a modern French video artist. And the best thing about is that it’s an 11-minute drive from the airport.
So once you feel like you’re in the mood for a stopover, make sure to check out those new places!