The tallest building in the world followed by, the biggest fountain display in the world… all next to the largest shopping mall in the world!

Whenever we have visitors in town there are a few regular day trips that we make. One of my favorites is to Downtown Dubai. This area has many attractions to keep the young and old entertained. The main attraction is the tallest building in the world, the Burj Khalifa. I would suggest that you buy tickets in advance at online for 100 AED. However you can also buy them at the ticket desk on the day, but for 400 AED . You select a time slot which enables you to spend unlimited time learning about how the building was constructed, before taking the worlds highest and fastest elevator to the top to take in the extraordinary views ( on a clear day ). The elevator travels at a speed of 64km/h and takes you from the ground to 160th floor. The world’s highest observation deck is actually on the 124th floor. When you are up there buy a card to use the digital binoculars.

Also within the Burj Khalifa you can find the world’s highest mosque on the 158th floor, the worlds highest swimming pool on the 76th floor, the worlds highest nightclub in 144th floor and At.mosphere the worlds highest restaurant on the 122nd floor. If your visiting family and friends are not impressed by all these facts and figures you can tell them that the temperature at the top is 6degrees warmer than at the bottom, and that allegedly the top is in a different time zone by 1 second. There is also rumor that the building has been contracted to enable more floors to be added just in case another country decides to try and beat any of the current records.

Some people may be so amazed by this whole experience that they need to go home and rest, others may be ready for more Dubai magic. At the base of the Burj Khalifa is a huge selection of restaurants and the famous musical fountain display. Every 20 minutes between 6.30pm and 11pm you can view a musical extravaganza that is the Dubai Fountain. The height of the fountains is amazing, the sound when the water crashes back to the surface shudders through your body. This is an incredible attraction that makes adults and children alike gasp in amazement.

At some point you and your guest will be hungry. If you are on the same side as Dubai Mall the restaurants do not serve alcohol however if you cross the quaint wooden bridge to the Souk Al Bahar you can have enjoy your meal with your chosen tipple. I highly recommend booking a table on the terrace ( fountain views ) at either the Mango Tree ( Thai ) or the Rivington Grill ( English ) both on the Souk Al Bahar side. On the Dubai Mall side there are a number of well known restaurants including Vapiano and More Café. From both sides of the lake you can view the fountains and the Burj Khalifa.

One thing I have not paid too much attention to in this day trip is Dubai Mall, the worlds biggest shopping Mall, from the French Gallery Lafayette to the American Pottery Barn or English Waitrose and Marks and Spencer’s this mall has almost every shop you could possible dream about. Except, according to my teenage daughters Abercrombie and Fitch but I am sure it is on its way!

A fantastic day out for the whole family that can be repeated, again and again, without ever losing the WOW factor!