As yet another week zips past and closes on this newfound reality in a post-lockdown world, to say we are ready for the weekend is an understatement. While the weekends at home may have previously blurred together, that no longer has to be the case now that Dubai is open once again—and sans a nightly curfew. If you’ve forgotten how to spend your 48 hours of freedom outside your abode, look no further for a list of activities this entertainment metropolis has on hand this weekend.
Sail the seas
Head on down to the world’s largest manmade marina and take advantage of the warm summer weather while you still can with a day out on the open waters. Book a yacht for a few hours to live out your Mamma Mia! fantasies and explore the beautiful sights the city has to offer from the sea. Cruise around the iconic Burj Al Arab, cool down with a refreshing dip near the Palm Jumeirah, and end your journey with an incomparable sunset view reflecting off the Dubai skyline. Cap the day off with a stroll along the Marina Promenade for a post-voyage bite. From Xclusive Yachts offering a 10 percent discount on all online bookings to special occasion packages on Seven Yachts, the options are endless.
Check-in (for a day)
While Dubai has no shortage of luxurious staycation resorts sprinkled throughout the city, single-day passes are an equally indulgent alternative for those who don’t want to commit to a weekend “away” just yet. From the newly reopened Ritz-Carlton on JBR and the Waldorf Astoria on The Palm to Caesars Palace on Bluewaters Island, lounge at the hotels’ exclusive swimming pools or blissful stretches of private beach and take advantage of a partly or fully-redeemeable food and beverage credit for a fun day in the sun.
Also Read: Sun, Sand, and Safety: 5 Socially Distant Beach Clubs to Visit in Dubai
Puppy parks
Your furry, four-legged friend has likely become spoiled by your everyday presence at home so curb the separation anxiety at one of Dubai’s new pet-friendly parks. Whether you’re enjoying each other’s company outdoors at The Pointe for a beachside romp or letting your pup frolic around leashless at Jumeirah Lake Towers’ gated dog haven, it’s sure to be a memorable adventure for the two of you. Refuel at one of these pet-friendly dining spots after for a purr-fect end to a surely tiring but exciting afternoon.
Downtown dining
Friday brunch is a time-and-tested Dubai tradition and the downtown area is home to many of the city’s most celebrated eateries. Burj Khalifa’s sky-high At.mosphere—a HH Crown Prince of Dubai Sheikh Hamdan-approved haunt—is reopening its doors this weekend, promising panoramic vistas and delectable dishes all day while rooftop terrace lounge Treehouse famed for its unmissable deals and lively tunes has metamorphosized into a tented “Greenhouse” for the summer season. Check out our list of other coveted brunches now open across the emirate and make sure you arrive ready to feast.
Buckle up for a movie under the stars
Drive-in cinemas are the hottest destinations at the moment and new ones are popping up all around the UAE with each passing week. In Dubai, cinephiles can venture atop the Mall of Emirates and Dubai Mall or park at the Dubai Hills Estate for a retro moviegoing experience unlike any other. Catch up on pre-lockdown Hollywood blockbusters you may have missed while munching away on a generous array of snacks under the open nighttime sky. Just remember to check the respective health and safety measures and social distancing regulations you must abide by at each location before booking tickets as Reel Cinemas allows up to four family members per car and Vox Cinemas limits it to two guests.
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