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When you think of Dubai, most people instantly think of desert safaris and shopping, and while both of those activities are fun, there’s a lot more to the city than just that.

There are so many activities you can splurge on to make your vacation a one-of-a-kind experience like no other.

From checking out the sights on Ain Dubai, to creating your own perfume at Oo La Lab or immersing yourself in art at Arte Museum, here’s a list of six things to do in Dubai that aren’t on everyone else’s itineraries — yet.

Live like a sheikh (for 90 minutes) at the Burj Al Arab

We’d all like to live like the sheikhs but unfortunately, that’s not in the cards for us. We can, however, see how the uber-rich live via a guided tour through the world’s first seven-star hotel the Burj Al Arab. This experience is not for the faint-hearted — all the gold plating and rich will have you feeling distinctly overwhelmed, but fret not. You’ve got a private butler showing you around and giving you nuggets of information about previous residents of the very grand suite.

During your tour, you’ll explore the Royal Suite and the Experience Suite, and get a chance to take in the grandeur that is the Burj Al Arab. Decorated in red, purple, pink and gold, with gold plated everything (including the TV!), the suite is straight out of a movie.

The butler told us that each suite has its own distinct decor, and most of them are done in shades of blue, which makes sense given the decor of the halls, which is also in shades of blue.

The hotel itself is shaped like a sail-shaped and is distinctly nautical in its design.

One of the most interesting aspects of the suite were the bathrooms — two huge rooms with a golden-tiled showers and massive tubs, this is a true symbol of opulence and grandeur you’d expect at a seven-star hotel.

The tour isn’t an everyday activity, but it is worth visiting at least once to see how the one per cent of the one per cent live.

Create your signature scent at Oo La Lab

If you’re in the market for a fun activity that isn’t shopping but you still get a gift at the end, check out the Fragrance Design & Mixology Sessions at Oo La Lab where you get to create your own scent from scratch.

This may look easy, but it requires a keen nose and idea of what you like. You start with selecting your base notes, mid notes and top notes from their wide selection of fragrances, then get to choose how much of each you want to put in. Much like a chemistry lesson, you use beakers and droppers to measure out your perfume into a 50ml bottle that you can name and take home with you.

It sounds easy enough, but when you’re presented with such a wide array of scents, it’s difficult to choose which ones you like best.

This is the perfect activity to head to solo or with your friends, having fun while experimenting with scents. While we were at this event, we even spotted someone solo, immersing herself in the process of creating her own perfume.

At the end of this session, you get to go home with a cute perfume and the satisfaction of knowing you had a big hand in creating it, which is so much better than buying it in a store.

Oo La Lab is located in Dubai’s Design District and also has stores in Singapore and Bangkok.

Immerse yourself in art at the Arte Museum

If there’s one thing you must experience while in Dubai, it’s the Arte Museum at the Dubai Mall. This immersive art experience is a great way to spend your time. It has a number of exhibits that seem to keep changing. When we visited, the theme was Nature Beyond Time and Space: Eternal Nature, with Korean art taking up the (screens on the) walls.

The museum is open from 10am to 10pm and once inside you’re instantly transported from the hustle and bustle of the mall outside into a serene space, replete with soothing background noise. We were lucky to have visited when there weren’t too many other people, so we got a lot of the space to ourselves. One piece of advice would be to plan your visit when there aren’t too many other people, so you get to experience it in silence.

The museum makes use of mirrored walls and floors, projections, lights and sounds to create an immersive experience. Though we’ve included photos in this piece, pictures don’t do this museum justice. It truly has to be experienced.

On a side note, it’s also a great space to take pictures for the ’Gram. The psychedelic art encompassed nature at its finest and had two interactive art spaces which allowed you to colour in an animal and watch them come to life on the screens before you, which sounds like it would be great for kids but in reality is a great experience for anyone of any age.

My favourite parts were the Waterfall Infinite, which felt like water was coming at you from every corner, and the Garden Paintings of Joseon.

The last section is a café that incorporates art and projection into its offerings. There you can get a slice of cake or a coffee and have art projected onto it in a fun, interactive finale.

This is something everyone will enjoy, even people who aren’t art buffs.

Dream big at Dream Dinner Show Dubai

If you’re in the mood to really splurge, head on over to the Dream Dinner Show Dubai for dinner and a show like no other. The venue for Dream is the Address Hotel and it’s swanky — as you step into the lobby of the show you know you’re in for a luxurious treat.

The staff at the entrance are dressed like they’re performing at a luxurious circus, which is quite reflective of what’s going on inside.

The show features singers, dancers and acrobats, all dressed in elaborate costumes. But remember, this is dinner with a show, not a show with dinner —  the intervals between shows were long. You’re supposed to concentrate on your dining companions and the food — which is delicious by the way.

We started off our night with a lovely Smoked Truffle Beef Tartare and Aubergine Parmigiana, both of which were delicious. We then went all out and selected the Roasted Cornfed Baby Chicken, Crispy Skin Wild Salmon and Grilled Rib-eye steak, all of which were rich and decadent. One thing I would say is that they could have used some more sides, because a girl can’t survive on protein alone.

For dessert, we got stuffed french toast with strawberries and crème brûlée, both of which were amazing. Their menu is extensive and features an array of delicious appetisers and entrees.

As you eat, you’re serenaded by some amazing singers covering some very fun songs. My favourite was a cover of N’Sync’s ‘Bye Bye Bye’, which was entirely unexpected but very welcome. And if songs aren’t enough to entertain you, the acrobatics will surely catch your eye as performers swing from the air and leap across the stage while you savour your dessert.

Dream is a formal show, so you get a great excuse to dress up with your friends and enjoy a fine dining experience that isn’t all about the food. It’s also a very fun — and different — way to spend an evening.

Allow Ain Dubai to give you a bird’s eye view of the city

Have you been on the London Eye? Meet its swankier cousin, Ain Dubai.

Ain Dubai boasts the world’s tallest observation wheel, with a height of 250 metres, and has 48 cabins. The entire experience of riding the wheel is about 45 minutes, give or take, but it definitely doesn’t feel like it.

With breathtaking views of the Dubai marina, sitting in a luxury cabin, this relaxing journey allows you to take in the gorgeous view in comfort. If you opt for the premium experience, you get access to a VIP lounge, an even more luxurious cabin with seats instead of a bench and a bartender on hand to serve some delicious fruity drinks.

This is great for people who love taking pictures and want to be able to experience the whole city all at once.

If you’re worried about the height — 250 metres is no joke! — don’t be. The Ain Dubai observation wheel isn’t like a ferris wheel — it moves slowly, allowing you to take in the view while leaving any fears behind.

I must caution you though, taking a trip on Ain Dubai will leave you wanting to go swimming after seeing the blue waters below!

Perfect your putting at Swingers Dubai

One fun activity that hasn’t made its way to Pakistan yet is mini golf — and it should, because it’s so much fun! If you’re in Dubai and are looking for a fun activity, check out the recently opened Swingers Dubai.

Located on Bluewaters Island, the two-storey art deco clubhouse has food, music and mini golf. These things don’t sound like they should go together, but they definitely do.

Their crazy golf course, features three themed adventures — the Hot Air Balloon Course, the Waterwheel Course, and the Clocktower Course. The course itself is decorated with bright flowers, making it seem as if you’re taking a walk in the English countryside.

Now golf may not sound like the most exciting sport — and you’re right. But that’s why this is mini golf, which is so much more fun.

There are only nine holes, but each one is a challenge. You also get to compete against your friends, much like in actual golf. The only catch — this time you’re inside, you don’t have to walk kilometres to get from one hole to the other and you get to play with great music in the background, sipping on some fun drinks.

Disclaimer: This trip was sponsored by Dubai Economy and Tourism. All the meals and activities were paid for by Dubai Economy and Tourism.