We might have had clouds and drizzle outdoors this week, but soaring summer temperatures in the UAE still mean activities in the open air are (mostly) off the agenda.
Thankfully, Dubai has an abundance of "cool" attractions with ice, water and sub-zero temperatures served as part of the experience.
Here are some of the best in the emirate.
Chillout Ice Lounge
The Middle East’s first sub-zero lounge is celebrating 15 years this summer and to mark the landmark anniversary, they’re offering deals for all. A family of four can enter for Dh190 including rental of warm clothing, with the voucher fully redeemable on drinks and barbecue chicken skewers. An adult pass costs just Dh60, too, and also includes use of clothing as well as being redeemable on food and drink.
The Time Square Centre venue, which is set at -6ºC, is furnished with sculptures, seats and tables made out of ice, while on the menu are warming soups, hot chocolate and more.
Open Saturday-Wednesday 10am-10pm, Thursday-Friday 10am-midnight; Times Square Centre, Sheikh Zayed Road; 04 341 8121; www.chilloutindubai.com
Ice Bar at London Project
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Summer Chills has launched at The London Project with the opening of Ice Bar. All photos: Chris Whiteoak / The National -
The pop-up venue is open now at the popular bar and restaurant in Dubai. -
Summer Chills features the GCC's first licensed ice bar. -
There was a carnival atmosphere on the opening night. -
The pop-up spectacle is ongoing until at least the end of the year. -
The venue is filled with ice-sculptures and selfie spots. -
Freezing temperatures in Ice Bar will be a welcome respite from the summer heat. -
Maurice plays the saxophone at the opening night on Bluewaters Island. -
Visitors are provided with faux-fur coats to stay cosy. -
Oysters from the raw bar pair well with the cool vibes. -
Ice-carved thrones make for good selfie spots. -
Sunglasses and snow combine in the new sub-zero bar. -
There is even chilled caviar at the icy hangout. -
Arctic animal ice work.
The latest ice attraction in Dubai is the Ice Bar at The London Project on Bluewaters Island. Set inside a simulated ice castle, it’s the first licensed venue of its kind in the Gulf.
Visitors can keep cool with chilled tunes, mixed drinks in frozen glasses, hot plates and icy decor. The blue-and-white-themed venue has tables, chairs and oversized thrones carved from ice as well as icicle-style lights dangling from the ceiling. The outpost has plenty of fluffy faux-fur coats to use to keep things extra cosy, too.
Open daily; noon-midnight; entry is Dh99 including a complimentary beverage; Bluewaters Island; 054 306 1822; thelondonproject.com
Ski Dubai
The king of cool attractions in the emirate is, of course, Ski Dubai. Located in Mall of the Emirates, the venue has plenty to offer those looking to chill out this summer. Try skiing or snowboarding and don’t miss the rides or Zorb ball experiences, too. Then there are the penguin packages, where you can walk with snowy friends or even have breakfast with them.
Open Monday-Friday 10am-1am, Saturday-Sunday 9am-1am; prices vary; Mall of the Emirates, Al Barsha; 600 59 9905; www.skidxb.com
Snow Cinema
You don’t have to be active at Ski Dubai to stay chilly as Vox Cinemas also offers family screenings in the snow. Anyone aged 2 and up is invited to enjoy a film while wrapped up warm.
Hot chocolate and popcorn is included in the price, as are the blankets, socks, boots, a beanie, gloves, heaters and wireless headphones. For the VIP experience, you also enjoy a meal for two at North 28. You can even order food from the extensive menu right to your seat.
Films currently on show include Thor: Love and Thunder and Minions 2: The Rise of the Gru.
This attraction was even featured on Bafta-winning British TV show This Morning earlier this month when host Alison Hammond paid a visit.
Various timings; from Dh200 for two guests; reserve seats through VOX Cinema's website or app; Mall of the Emirates, Al Barsha; uae.voxcinemas.com
Deep Dive Dubai
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Deep Dive Dubai pool, at 60m at its deepest, offers divers a unique experience -
One of the Deep Dive Dubai pool’s biggest attractions is its sunken city -
Divers are able to explore an underwater world, complete with an abandoned streetscape, apartment, garage, arcade and other interesting features. -
Freediving and scuba diving experiences, along with courses, are offered to people of all abilities by international diving professionals -
Other features include two underwater habitats with a dry chamber, 56 underwater cameras covering all angles of the pool, and an underwater sound and mood lighting system -
It can hold 14 million litres of water, the equivalent of six Olympic-sized swimming pools -
Water is filtered and circulated every six hours, while the temperature is maintained at 30°C -
Deep Dive Dubai pays tribute to the UAE’s pearl diving heritage -
The facility opened to the public on Wednesday, July 28, 2021 -
Deep Dive Dubai offers experiences and courses across three categories: Discover, Dive and Develop, which are open to anyone aged 10 and above, from beginners to professional divers -
All experiences have a guide and equipment rentals, as do the courses -
Underwater gear, and photo and video equipment are available for rent, with videos and photos included with Discovery Dives. -
The venue is also home to the region’s largest underwater film studio, complete with a media editing room and a video wall
Why not try scuba diving indoors this summer at Deep Dive Dubai? It’s home to the deepest indoor pool in the world, complete with a sunken city for swimmers and divers to explore.
There are discounts on offer to mark the facility’s first anniversary until July 31, with a complimentary diving experience worth Dh2,100 up for grabs for those marking their birthday this week. Otherwise, Deep Dive Dubai experience and courses start from Dh800.
Open daily, 9am-6pm; Nad Al Sheba, Dubai; 04 501 9444; www.deepdivedubai.com
Swim with sharks
You don’t need to head out to the ocean’s depths to find sharks in Dubai, but to indoor aquariums across the city. Shark diving experiences are available at Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo, The Dubai Mall, where for Dh790 you can swim with sand tiger sharks, reef sharks, leopard sharks, stingrays, giant groupers and more.
Meanwhile, Lost Chambers Aquarium at Atlantis, The Palm offers a shark safari experience and a new shark snorkel option, which it introduced for Shark Week, running until July 31 with a host of themed activities.
Prices and timings vary; Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo, The Dubai Mall, Downtown Dubai; 800 38224 6255; www.thedubaiaquarium.com; The Lost Chambers Aquarium, Atlantis, The Palm, Palm Jumeirah; 04 426 1040; www.atlantis.com
Ice bath with Cool Out Breathe In
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Benoit Demeulemeester, founder of CooloutBreathIn takes workshop participants through breathing exercises in Al Manara, Dubai, before they attempt ice bath therapy. All photographs Antonie Robertson / The National -
At temperatures climb into the 40s, Benoit Demeulemeester fills tubs with 20-kilogram bags of ice, as workshop members watch on with trepidation. -
Submerged up to his shoulders, Benoit Demeulemeester demonstrates the breathing exercises that accompany a plunge into the icy water. -
A workshop participant settles in his icy bath – with plenty of ice at hand to replenish supplies. Employing techniques popularised by 'The Ice Man' Wim Hof, Benoit Demeulemeester says an icy dip combined with breathing exercises 'keeps one's body in optimal condition'. -
Once participants are accustomed to being up to their shoulders in ice, they can progress to fully immersing themselves in the freezing water. -
A thermometer shows that while the temperature may be rising past 40°C outside, in the tub it remains stubbornly below zero. -
Benoit Demeulemeester dunks a bucket of ice over a regular participant at the end of his four-and-a-half minute second session in the ice bath. -
Benoit Demeulemeester times a workshop member during his ice bath. The therapy is based on traditional breathing exercises practised by Tibetan Buddhist monks. Demeulemeester admits the icy element is 'the more crazy aspect of the system'. -
Having completed his first plunge – and having managed to stay in the tub for three and a half minutes – a workshop participant re-emerges into the hot Dubai morning air. -
Under the guidance of Benoit Demeulemeester, workshop participants take the plunge for a second time. Becoming accustomed to the shock of the cold and focusing on breathing techniques, some can spend five minutes in their icy oasis.
Perhaps there’s no better time to try plunging yourself into an ice bath — and you’ll learn a thing or two about breathing properly in the process. In Dubai, Benoit Demeulemeester, founder of Cool Out Breath In, hosts a weekly breathwork workshop where participants do exactly that. This method of breathing was made famous by Dutchman Wim Hof — known as the Ice Man for his feats of endurance against the cold.
More information is at @CoolOutBreathIn on Instagram and Facebook
Blue Wave Club
While Blue Wave Club offers swimming lessons and other water-based activities, one of its biggest draws is the indoor waterpark. Splash Island is a temperature-controlled, safe and secure environment offering eight slide beams, a “forest” and buckets splashing children as they play. It’s a particularly great spot for those summer birthdays. On Wednesday, the team invite ladies only from 3pm until closing.
Open Monday-Friday 8am-9pm, Saturday-Sunday 9am-8pm; Dh95 for two-and-a-half hours access; Blue Wave Club, Al Quoz 3; 04 331 6117; www.bluewaveclub.ae
Infinite Ski
Technically speaking, there isn’t any snow at this venue and it’s about as cold as the A/C thermostat is set at, but you can certainly pretend you’re in the Alps at the Middle East’s first Maxxtracks indoor ski slope. What that means is the technology used for the slopes, built and developed in the Netherlands, consists of a revolving belt, simulating an endless ski slope with a true-to-life textured surface. There are two slopes, while the belt speed and angle are adjustable to suit the skills of the skiier.
Summer camps for children are ongoing this season, too.
Open Monday-Friday 1pm-9pm, Saturday-Sunday 8am-8pm during summer (summer camps run weekdays 9.30am-1pm); from Dh110 per session; 123-26th Street, Al Quoz; 04 235 3408; www.infiniteski.com
Cryotherapy
Is now the time to try a spot of cryotherapy? It’s a treatment where the body is exposed to extremely cold temperatures in short spurts. It’s often used in a medical setting for the removal of abnormal tissue, for example, but it is increasingly being utilised in wellness environments, too.
There are many cryo chambers, as they’re called, across Dubai at centres touting its benefits, which is said to include fighting inflammation, boosting blood circulation, increasing collagen production, aiding weight loss and more.
Dubai Ice Rink
An oldie but goodie: nothing beats an ice rink for wintery vibes and where better than the stalwart Dubai Ice Rink at The Dubai Mall? Complete beginners mingle with budding Torvill and Deans in the rink, where every so often a shower of snow sprinkles down on skaters.
If you want to take your axels more seriously, classes are also available for people of all ages and abilities, from 7 years old to 97-plus.
Open daily 10am-midnight; Dh110 for 90 minutes; The Dubai Mall, Downtown Dubai; 800 38224 6255; www.dubaiicerink.com
30 new things to do indoors in the UAE this summer — in pictures
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Take a sushi-making masterclass at SushiSamba in Dubai. Photo: SushiSamba -
Roxy Cinemas is opening at Dubai Hills Mall this summer. Photo: Roxy Cinemas -
Nakheel Mall has opened a VR-powered escape rooms venue with a board game cafe. Photo: Nakheel -
Back-to-school activities are ongoing at Dubai Hills Mall, pictured, The Dubai Mall and Dubai Marina Mall. Photo: Dubai Hills Mall -
Try the cannoli from Cipriani Dolci at Abu Dhabi's Marina Mall. Photo: Cipriani -
Anyone aged 5 and upwards can join in the Yas Mall Indoor Run this summer. Photo: Yas Mall -
Dubai Design District is hosting its Rethink Summer programme until August 26. Photo: Dubai Design District -
Deep Dive Dubai turned one in July. -
The Mohammed bin Rashid Library spans seven storeys. EPA -
Adnec's Abu Dhabi Summer Sports is the biggest event of its kind in the Middle East. Photo: Abu Dhabi Summer Sports / Instagram -
A summer camp will be held indoors at the WB Abu Dhabi hotel. -
Ice Bar at The London Project on Bluewaters, Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
Splatter Rooms in Abu Dhabi offers freewheeling art sessions for children and adults. Photo: Splatter Rooms -
Ripe Market will be held indoors at Golden Mile Galleria and Circle Mall in Dubai this summer. -
Yas Island has a Kids Go Free offer this summer, which includes accommodation, food and access to its theme parks for children under 12. Photo: Ferrari World -
Saray spa at Marriott Al Forsan Abu Dhabi has discounts of up to 50 per cent this summer. -
Abu Dhabi Mall's Boxed In - Think In is the latest escape room to open in the capital. Photo: Boxed In - Think In -
The Green Planet, Dubai, has an overnight camping experience. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
The National Aquarium in Al Qana, Abu Dhabi, is home to 46,000 creatures and 300 species. Khushnum Bhandari / The National -
The Storm Coaster in Dubai Hills Mall is the fastest indoor roller coaster in the world. Photo: Emaar -
Museum of the Future in Dubai requires visitors to book tickets well in advance. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
Central Yas Bay in Abu Dhabi has arcade games and bowling alleys. Victor Besa / The National -
Dubai Sports World offers indoor courts for padel, a popular sport in the UAE. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
Theatre of Digital Art in Dubai is hosting a Digital Extravaganza exhibition led by Synti, a 3D holographic figure. Photo: Theatre of Digital Art -
Viking restaurant in Ajman is a cool new spot that will take you back in time. Photo: Viking -
The Galleria Al Maryah Island is hosting a new Let's Walk fitness programme. Photo: The Galleria Al Maryah Island -
Dubai Summer Surprises: a number of malls will hold sales from July 1 to September 4. Photo: DFRE -
RAK Animal Welfare Centre in Ras Al Khaimah is looking for people to meet, play with and adopt pets. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
Motiongate Dubai has launched its Coolest Summer promotion. Dubai Parks and Resorts. -
Studio 14 in Dubai has a Himalayan salt wall, which is beneficial when you're working out indoors in close proximity with others. Antonie Robertson / The National -
An object discovered at Deir el-Medina by the Egyptian Museum of Turin. The museum, along with Sharjah Museum Authority, has put together an interactive exhibition targeted at school children called Deir el Medina: Village of the Pharaohs’ Artists. Photo: museoegizio / Instagram -
Alserkal Avenue in Dubai is hosting the Eyes Wide Shut exhibition. Photo: Alserkal Avenue -
The Alley DXB is a glow-in-the-dark padel court in Dubai. Photo: @thealleydxb / Instagram -
Thunder Road restaurant in Umm Al Quwain has an indoor retail store selling speciality Italian products, from olive oil to truffle everything. Photo: Pixabay -
Indoor golf and entertainment lounge MyGolf Dubai is open during the summer. Photo: MyGolf Dubai
