Balloon Adventures Emirates

Soar high into the sky in a hot-air balloon and watch a breathtaking sunrise against the backdrop of the majestic Al Hajar mountains. Then turn your gaze below to the desert landscape, the oases, camels, oryxes and gazelles. Finish the hour-long ride with cold refreshments and the warm hospitality of the desert people on landing. (Website; from AED995 or Rs16,950)

Café Rider

Caffeine meets creativity at this concept café, which doubles as a bike showroom. Located in Al Quoz, it is also a popular space for events such as art exhibitions. Café Rider also organises Caffeine Cruises, which combine the thrill of riding with the high of caffeine. (Website)

Kitesurf Club Dubai

Make use of the UAE’s steady winds and warm waters and spend a day kitesurfing. The one- to three-hour courses take place on Kite Beach. Spot Dubai’s famous SALT food truck at the beach and satisfy the appetite you work up with some tasty burgers. (Website; from AED350 or Rs5,900)

Alserkal Avenue

This art and culture hub has over 20 modern art galleries and creative agencies. Explore works from Iran and North Africa at Gallery Isabelle Van Den Eynde, or Middle Eastern furniture designs at La Galerie Nationale. Stop at A4 Space, an events and co-working venue, for coffee. (Website)

Gulf Photo Plus

Explore and capture the city’s culture through a camera. You could be a photography newbie, enthusiast or professional—a Gulf Photo Plus tour offers you the opportunity to meet talented city-based photographers who actively engage with audiences through workshops, street photography tours and exhibitions. The #unseenDXB Photo Trail, for example, takes you on a nighttime trip around Naif, in Old Dubai, and gives you the chance to enjoy the local souk in all its frenetic, colourful glory. Plus, you get to shoot your own keepsakes. (Website; from AED584 or Rs9,950 per person)

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Centre for Cultural Understanding (SMCCU)

Be it a guided walk through the alleys of Al Fahidi Historic District—one of the oldest Emirati neighbourhoods of Dubai—eating a traditional Emirati breakfast or visiting the iconic Jumeirah Mosque, the SMCCU, a non-profit organisation, aims to familiarise visitors with the nuances of Arab culture, as well as the traditions and religious practices of the UAE through activities conducted by local volunteers. (Website; from AED80 or Rs1,360 per person)

thejamjar

Say hello to the artsy side of Dubai. A public DIY painting studio and learning space with a year-round calendar packed with events and exhibitions showcasing visual arts, music, theatre and film—thejamjar is playing a pivotal role in developing Dubai’s art scene. An absolute must for art lovers, thejamjar is also a community space that creative professionals can come and work out of. (Website)

Cooking@Home

Cristina Bartoli and Francesca Busso, the Italian home chefs who run Cooking@Home, met at an English language class in Dubai, only to learn of their mutual love for food. Now, they share that love with visitors. Attend one of their cooking classes and learn to make authentic ravioli, biscotti, eggplant parmigiana and much more. (Website; AED180 or Rs3,070)

Restronaut

Try out a new way to be social through tailor-made dining experiences based on different themes such as fashion, entrepreneurship and design. You register online, pick a theme-based table of interest, drool over the menu and look forward to meeting new people. You are guaranteed to have a fun, stimulating conversation, and of course, great food along the way. (Website; prices vary based on theme and restaurant)

Bubble Soccer

Run, bounce, roll and repeat! Play soccer on a FIFA-approved pitch with just one aim in mind—to run fearlessly into other players wearing an inflatable bubble. Bubble Soccer is great fun, especially for families with young children. Book ahead of your trip so that you’re assured of getting a pitch for your team to play on. (Website; AED120 or Rs2,050 per person; minimum six people)

BOUNCE Inc

The energy at the emirate’s first and largest indoor trampoline playground is so infectious that you will literally be bouncing off the walls. BOUNCE’s coaches can teach you how to do backflips and parkour-style lunges. With more than 80 interconnected trampolines, this is a great place to bring the kids. Plus, the high-energy moves offer a good workout. (Website; AED80 or Rs1,360 per person)

The Archive

This contemporary library in the heart of Safa Park brings together the arts, design and literature, providing a platform for people to explore these fields. Programming includes indoor and outdoor classes for yoga and dance, musical performances, book launches, book clubs, talks by artists, film screenings in the park, and workshops for children. (Website; prices vary based on activity)

Cycling Holidays ME

Sightsee, shop, dine and get fit with this all-in-one experience packed into a bicycle tour around Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Open to people at any fitness level, Cycling Holidays ME’s seven-day holiday itinerary combines indulgence and quality training. If the people you’re travelling with aren’t keen on cycling, the company can organise shopping, sightseeing and other activities for them. (Website; from AED8,190 or Rs1,38,000 per person)

Dubai Autodrome

Get your adrenaline fix at one of the world’s most modern racing circuits. The popular Kartdrome at the Dubai Autodrome offers Arrive & Drive sessions (for ages seven and up) on both the indoor and outdoor tracks, with state-of-the-art leisure karts. Let go and step on it, as the facility has extremely stringent safety and security measures in place to give you the ride of a lifetime. (Website; from AED100 or Rs1,700)

Skydive Dubai

Abandon your fears as you take in breathtaking views of Palm Dubai from high up in the air. Splurge a little extra on a tandem jump experience (with a professional instructor), which offers the thrill of a free fall and an unforgettable view. The expressions and moments from the jump caught on camera are priceless. No previous experience is required—just an empty stomach and the ability to let go. (Website; AED1,999 or Rs34,100 per person)

Freshly Ground Sounds

Sit back, relax and enjoy live music at a community space. You’ll see music lovers sway to the rhythms of local amateur artists to whom Freshly provides a platform. Expect to hear raw acoustic, casual and lo-fi music, powered by pure talent. Look up the event calendar and don’t miss out on uber-cool and fun jamming sessions. (Website)

Courtyard Playhouse

Meet Dubai’s first and only dedicated theatre custom-designed for improvisation. Enrol in the Desert Monologues Acting or Improv workshops, which take place through the year. Look out for the theatre’s calendar of events—a videotaped version of Of Mice and Men, starring James Franco, showed here in March, and Tom Stoppard’s The Hard Problem in June. You’re also guaranteed a hearty laugh playing games at one of the theatre’s drop-in jams. (Website)

Dubai Drums

Capture the city’s beat through community drumming. Promoted as a team-building activity, it’s great for corporate retreats. But it’s also just a fun way to meet new people, especially if you’re a solo traveller. Sign up for the Full Moon Desert Drumming experience, first on 30 October and later on 27 November: starlit skies, synchronous rhythms, good vibes—what more could one ask for? (Website; AED250 or Rs4,260 per person)

Fields of Yoga

Find your inner balance practising yoga on the beach, watching the sun rise over the horizon of the Persian Gulf. Fields of Yoga’s Sunrise Beach Community Yoga class on the Jumeirah Open beach draws a variety of people. Spend a day tanning at the beach afterwards or walk into one of Jumeirah’s quaint cafés for a hearty breakfast. (Website; AED60 or Rs1,000 per class)

The Farmers’ Market on the Terrace

This community-led initiative is active during the winter harvest season. Attend cooking demonstrations and tasting sessions, enjoy tête-à-têtes with farmers, or relish a lazy breakfast on the lawn with fresh food from the market. (Facebook page)

Dubai Spice Souk

Narrow alleyways, fragrant air and historic architecture—the old spice souk encompasses stories of the city’s past, which unfold as you visit the little shops selling frankincense, herbs and artefacts. The Spice Souk is located in Eastern Dubai, Deira, and is adjacent to the Dubai Gold Souk, which is also worth a visit.

The Ripe Food & Craft Market

This weekly event at the local park unites vendors and visitors who share the love for fresh, seasonal, organic, local and handmade produce. From mini pancakes with Nutella to artisanal items, there’s something for everyone here. (Website)

Fine Dining with FooDiva

Experience intimate fine dining with Samantha Wood, better known as FooDiva, Dubai’s popular food blogger. With her ‘Fun is the new fine dining’ tour, guests can taste select dishes, paired with wine, at five high-end restaurants. (Website; AED 1,050 or Rs17,970)

Frying Pan Adventures

Eat your way through Old Dubai, on tours guided by locals. On the Middle Eastern Food Pilgrimage, for example, you’ll taste flavours from Jordan, Palestine, the Emirates, Syria, Iran and Egypt. The company also arranges bespoke tours. (Website; from AED300 or Rs5,100 per person)

Seawings

You’ve seen it all: the Palm Jumeirah, Atlantis, Dubai Marina and the two Burjs. Now, see them from a seaplane with this service. Soar over these landmarks and have them under you, if only literally and momentarily. (Website. From AED1,495 or Rs26,400 per person)

Check out these 14 must-dos for your Dubai trip: