Things to do when it rains in Dubai, from escape rooms to skating rinks

There is still plenty happening around the emirate, despite the wet weather

Glitch in Deira offers plenty of digital entertainment, VR arcades and a bowling alley. Antonie Robertson / The National

It's raining in Dubai, with residents waking up to early morning showers on Friday.

The UAE typically experiences an increase in unsettled weather during the winter months, accompanied by a drop in temperatures. During heavy rainfall, residents are advised to stay at home for their safety, and to exercise utmost caution if stepping out.

Even so, plenty of indoor activities are ongoing around town, although timings are subject to change. Here are some wet weather ideas.

Go roller skating

Floored is a new roller skating rink at Oasis Mall Dubai. Skaters of all ages and skill levels are welcome. There's also RollDXB, a roller disco venue in Mina Rashid that offers retro vibes and cool beats, all under a glittering disco ball. The facilities include an open skate space that measures 500 metres in diameter, with two overlooking mezzanine areas.

Deep dive Dubai

The world’s deepest swimming pool in Nad Al Sheba offers a unique diving experience with underwater exploration of a sunken city where divers can explore a complete underwater world with an abandoned streetscape, apartment, garage, arcade, and more. The water temperature in the pool is maintained at 30°C and all underwater gear is provided.

Visit an indoor aquarium or zoo

There is no shortage of aquariums in Dubai, such as the Lost Chambers Aquarium in Atlantis, The Palm and Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo in Dubai Mall. Above ground, there is Green Planet at City Walk Dubai. The indoor vertical rainforest is home to more than 3,000 species of flora and fauna, and the park recently welcomed a bearcat and cotton-top tamarin twins into its furry family.

Test your skills at an escape room

Head to TEPfactor in Jumeirah Beach Residence, which offers a variety of physical and mental challenges. Phobia has two locations in Dubai's Jumeirah Lakes Towers, while The Dark Room in the Red Diamond Building is said to be a particularly terrifying experience. There's also NoWayOut, which has several venues in Dubai offering horror-themed rooms. Horror movie fans can opt for Deep Dark Dubai, with experiences inspired by shows such as Paranormal and The Sinner.

Break things at The Smash Room

Although rain is usually known for its calming effect, The Smash Room in Al Quoz offers an alternative option. The space helps many people de-stress by allowing them to smash and shatter everyday objects – from television screens and DVD players to glasses, plates and furniture. There is a choice of weapons, including crowbars, sledgehammers, and cricket and baseball bats. Visitors can even hurl things at concrete walls as another way of releasing pent-up energy.

Tour a museum

There are plenty of museums to visit in Dubai, including Museum of the Future, which showcases some of the world's leading future technologies. The landmark building has a dedicated space for children called Future Heroes where visitors are encouraged to explore and play.

The History of Cinema Museum in Barsha Heights, meanwhile, displays a private collection of photography artefacts; Etihad Museum in Jumeirah tells the story of the UAE; and the Coins Museum in Al Fahidi Historical District displays coins from various historical eras.

Visit the Mohammed bin Rashid Library

Visit the cultural landmark in Al Jaddaf that covers more than 54,000 square metres, with seven floors and nine thematic libraries. Library content becomes increasingly specialised going up the seven levels, while the ground floor is home to three arenas filled with the most accessible content.

There is a General Library, Emirates Library, one for children and another for young adults, while others focus on business titles, periodicals, maps and atlases; and another centres on media and the arts, which is home to expansive collections of Arabic newspapers and magazines spanning the mid-20th century. There's also a private collections library, but visitors need special permission to access this area.

Gaming arcades for the full family

Head to an entertainment hub such as Atlantis, The Palm’s Wavehouse Dubai or Brass Monkey on Bluewaters Island. Family-friendly venue Wavehouse has a bowling alley and plenty of arcade games, including virtual reality simulators, as well as a dining area with a bar and a wave machine, although it's better to avoid this if the skies are grey. Over at Brass Monkey, there's a bowling alley, VR racing simulators, retro arcade games, pool and snooker, and two dining venues.

For a more child-friendly experience, head to Glitch at Al Ghurair Centre in Deira, where more than 30 action-packed attractions are on site. It includes an indoor roller glider, VR simulators and a bowling alley.

Take photos at Aya in Wafi City mall

Aya is an immersive light and sound park that's spread across 3,700 square metres at Wafi City mall. The park utilises lights, sounds and mirrors to create an otherworldly experience for visitors. It is divided into 12 zones, with each meant to evoke a specific reaction. The zones also feature individual shows, a vibrant choreography of light and sound that goes on for up to seven minutes. Aya features mostly abstract imagery, incorporating extra-terrestrial elements in some of the light projections.

Focus on health and wellness

The gloomy weather can also be turned into a relaxation day, with many indoor spas and wellness centres across the city's network of hotels. The Talise Spa at the Madinat Jumeirah complex offers serene ritual sessions, while Thai-style treatments are available at Anantara The Palm.

Opt for a traditional hammam experience at Anjana Spa, Rixos The Palm or at the Talise Ottoman Spa, Jumeirah Zabeel Saray. Five-star venues aside, there are also several neighbourhood spots offering massages, facials and more.

Or head to Danube Sports World, an indoor sports centre for those who want to keep moving. It has everything from padel and badminton courts to basketball and football.

Make your own fun at home

Staying at home is often the main advice when the weather is extreme, meaning families, especially those with little ones, may need to find ways to keep everyone entertained at home. There are plenty of ways to improvise some at-home fun, such as organising an indoor treasure hunt or creating a laser maze out of strings or crepe papers.

Board games are also a good option as is a chance to learn new skills such as knitting or cake decorating, with video tutorials available on TikTok or YouTube. If you don't mind some extended screen time, pop on Netflix or OSN (for more regional titles) and organise a movie marathon.