Dubai is really two Cities, Dubai and Deira. divided by the Creek. The Creek is the main artery of Dubai, winding inland from the Gulf for about six miles.

The town of Dubai was an important port of call for foreign tradesmen, chiefly those from India, many of whom eventually settled in the town. Dubai also was known for its pearl exports until the 1930s.

Oil was discovered in Dubai in 1966, after which the town granted concessions to international oil companies. The discovery of oil led to a massive
influx of foreign workers, mainly Indians and Pakistanis. As a result, the population of the city from 1968 to 1975 grew by over 300%, by some estimates
In the 1970s, Dubai continued to grow from revenues generated from oil and trade, and The Jebel Ali port (reputedly the world's largest man made port) was
established in 1979. Jafza (Jebel Ali Free Zone) was built around the port in 1985 to provide foreign companies unrestricted import of labour and export
capital.
The construction of Burj Al Arab, the world's tallest freestanding hotel, as well as the creation of new residential developments, were used to market Dubai
for purposes of tourism. Since 2002, the city has seen an increase in private real estate investment in recreating Dubai's skyline with such projects as
The Palm Islands, The World Islands, Burj Dubai and The Dynamic Tower.

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AN ABRA ON THE CREEK

SKYLINE FROM THE CREEK

 

AL FAHIDI FORT

JUMEIRAH MOSQUE

JUMEIRAH BEACH HOTEL

ATLANTIS ON THE PALM

SKY DUBAI

Although Dubai's economy was built on the back of the oil industry, revenues from oil and natural gas currently account for less than 6% of the emirate's
revenues. The government's decision to diversify from a trade-based, but oil-reliant, economy to one that is service and tourism-oriented has made real
estate more valuable, resulting in the property appreciation from 2004–2006

Dubai presently

There are two things that most of the visitors to Dubai spent their time to:
Wandering the architecture marvels and shopping. We won´t get out of it

As a suggestion to the first time visitors is to start their activity taking a tourist Bigbus tour. Thus one may be very much familiar on the second day.
And there are so many things to do that a short stay will be not  enough mostly if the leisure time must be shared with work. So this bus tour is a reasonable choice. The tickets are valid for 24 or 48 hs, it has 2 itineraries and you may always drop of, lay-down on the beach or visit a shopping mall for some hours and take the next back to your place. The buses are open top double deckers which allows plenty of sight for pictures.

There´s car rental but the traffic is not easy even with the six-lanes avenues. Cab services (taxis) there are plenty but they are a sort of difficult to stop as the locals use ´m widely, so it´s better although more expensive, to hire a cab from your hotel.

Places to See
There are tousands but these we list below are a must-be-seen

Dubai Creek
The Creek is lined by dhows and offers a picturesque glimpse of Dubai's trading heritage. It can crossed by 'abra' (water taxi) and tour operators offer day
or night cruises.

Shindagha
At the mouth of the Creek, Shindagha is the original site from which Dubai grew.

Bastakiya
Al Bastakia Area in Bur Dubai dates back to the early 1900s, and occupies the eastern section of the old town along the Creek

Grand Mosque
Situated on the Bur Dubai side of the Creek near the Ruler's Court, Grand Mosque was re-built in 1998 and now has, at 70 metres, the city's tallest minaret.

Dubai Museum
Al Fahidi Fort, which houses the Dubai Museum, is another imposing building. It once guarded the city's landlord approaches. Built around 1799, it has
served variously as palace, garrison and prison.

The Souks
Deira Covered Souk
Gold Souk & Spice Souk
Dubai boasts one of the largest retail gold markets in the world, selling everything from ingots to intricately worked jewellery at bargain prices. The
street-front stores hide alleys of smaller shops with glittering show windows.
There are over 800 jewellery shops in both shopping malls and souks. The gold is in 18, 21, 22 and 24 carat sold at a prevailing daily rate with a fee for craftsmanship. The spice souk has an amazing election of ginger, garlic, cardamom and frankincense and Shisha.

Aerial Tour
Starting with one Cessna 208 Caravan Amphibian Seaplane, Seawings was launched with the idea of creating a new and unique aerial sightseeing excursion that provides a magical journey across Dubai's dramatic and ever changing coastal skyline.
Seawings vision is to provide its clients with a bird's eye view of the UAE's natural beauty and Dubai's extraordinary man-made structures.

Dubai Aquarium
The world's largest aquarium window brings you face-to-face with enormous Sand Tiger Sharks, graceful Stingrays, giant Groupers and shimming shoals of pelagic fish

Ski Dubai
Ski Dubai is the first indoor ski resort in the Middle East and offers an amazing snow setting to enjoy skiing, snowboarding and tobogganing, or just playing in the snow.

Wild Wadi
When it comes to excitement, you just can't get enough at Wild Wadi! For one adrenalin rush after another, try the 80 kms/hr downhill hurtle on the 33 metre high Jumeirah Sceirah; the 1.5 metre high waves at Breakers Bay; the 170 metre white-knuckle ride at Rushdown Ravine; or any of the 14 awesome interconnected rides.

 

Burj Al Arab
Jumeirah Beach Hotel
Madinat Jumeirah
Jumeirah Palm
Mall of the Emirates (Indor Sky)
Atlantis Hotel on the Palm

Where and What to Eat 

Roughly all cuisines of the world are present in Dubai.

From simple booths on the street to the Upper classy restaurants are found in the city wehre the local population accounts for just 20% and the remeining 80% are expatriates.
Most of the international Fast-Food chains are present in Dubai: for instance you may feel home calling  Pizza Hut Home Deliveries (600 569999)