Top 10 Budget-friendly Things to do in Emirate of Dubai, United Arab Emirates

OliOli® - The must-visit world-class children’s museum OliOli® is the Hawaiian word for 'joy' and entails 8 galleries with over 45 interactive exhibits. Lovingly designed and inspired by ideas of educators, artists, development psychologists and museum experts from 12 countries, OliOli® offers children the ability to engage in open-ended and non-judgmental play, learn to take risks in low-stakes environments, use their hands to make things and problem-solve, gain fascination with STEAM in a joyful manner – and most importantly, play and bond with their families. Come, explore, be curious, discovery, find joy!

Drive along Dubai Creek, the lifeline and pulse of the city, which separates the city from Deira to the north and Bur Dubai to the south.

The Jumeirah Mosque is a must see since it is a land mark of Dubai. It is not the largest mosque in the UAE, yet it is one of the few open to non-Muslims. The Visit Programme is hosted by The Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding. The visit itself takes about an hour for a small fee. Mosque visitors get the chance to observe the prayer and learn more about the customs of worship and ask any questions under the banner program "Open doors. Open minds." Jumeirah Mosque showcases the medieval Fatimid architecture in its stone construction. Visit tours are offered daily accept Friday and begin at 10am sharp. No pre-registration is required. Plan to arrive at 9:30am for registration and enjoy Emirati snacks and hot beverages. Doors will close at 10:05am and will reopen at 11:15am. There is only one guided tour daily. Entry fee is 20AED per person while children under 12 free. The Mosque grounds are open all day, and you may view the Jumeirah Mosque's beautiful architecture from the outside any day of the week. Located at the end of Jumeirah Beach Road, the closest Metro stop is Al Jafiliya. From there you can take a short taxi ride to the mosque or transfer to C10 RTA bus. Modest dress is advisable, however national attire can be borrowed at the door.

Kababji Authentic Lebanese Grill is a casual and contemporary restaurant with a commitment to delivering food that is fresh, healthy and cooked to order.

The Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve (DDCR) is a designated protected area for the conservation the natural inland desert ecosystem of Dubai. It spans 4.7% of the total land area of Dubai Emirate and encompasses 225km2 of sand dunes desert ecosystem interspersed with gravel plains. The DDCR is a member of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and has gained international recognition from the United Nations Environmental Program (UNEP). The DDCR is home to 57 Plant species, over 120 birds and 43 mammals and reptiles including the iconic Arabian Oryx. The DDCR can be visited by either staying at the Al Maha Desert Resort & Spa or for day visits with one of the four concession holders; Arabian Adventures, Lama Tours, Travco and Alpha Tours.

Find Dubai's only IKEA, plus Arabic and international fashion labels, accessories, jewelry, home furnishings, and more. Then dine by the waterfront and watch dazzling water screen projections.

In the historic district, the Abra Dock in Bur Dubai, is an affordable 10-minute traditonal wooden boat ride -- really a taxi. Take the abra from the Bastakiya side, look around the textile souk and the art galleries, and end in the gold souk. Used by 15-20 million passengers each year, the Abra Dock in Bur Dubai is a memorable cruise in the water.

Choreographed to music, the Dubai Fountain shoots water as high as 500 feet –that’s as high as a 50-story building. Designed by creators of the Fountains of Bellagio in Vegas, Dubai Fountain Performances occur daily on the 30-acre Burj Khalifa Lake.

Global Village is the first family destination for culture, entertainment and shopping in the region. It is a unique and integrated destination to enjoy the world's finest shopping, dining and entertainment experiences and offers guests a wide range of events, shows and activities that are the largest and most varied in the region. It offers many fun surprises to millions of guests in the open air. It highlights the best of culture from countries of the world in a lively festival and takes guests on a journey through a group of pavilions, each representing the richness and culture of a different country. It offers unique international cuisine and awe-inspiring entertainment experiences across a wide range of entertaining games and interesting tours. All its exceptional experiences can be enjoyed by purchasing a ticket worth only AED 15. The Global Village operating season starts in November each year and runs until April the following year.