You might think that Las Vegas is the world's most-glamourous desert oasis, but anyone who's been to Dubai in the last decade know that title is up for debate. Located along the Persian Gulf, this gleaming city has in recent years seen a surge of glimmering skyscrapers, ultra-modern shopping malls, and even artificial islands. Equal parts glitzy and stylish, Dubai makes for the perfect whirlwind weekend getaway (and if you have an extra day, take a tour of Abu Dhabi, which is only a 1.5-hour drive southwest). Below, we pack into two action-packed days the top things to do in Dubai with deals for you to snag.

Interested in a trip to Dubai? Check out our deal for an 8-day trip to Dubai and Abu Dhabi, and keep checking our collection of international travel deals that include airfare and hotel, which updates weekly.

Day 1

Take the elevator to the top of Burj Khalifa.

Check availability on our deal for Burj Khalifa tickets for the At the Top Observatory.

No matter where you are in the city, you can't miss Burj Khalifa. The world's tallest building (and nearly 650 feet taller than the nearest competitor, Shanghai Tower), the Burj Khalifa stands a half-mile tall, dwarfing the rest of the Dubai skyline. Most tourists are content to visit the At the Top observatory on Level 124 (160 stories), where you can survey panoramic views via HD telescopes. For a little extra, you can continue up to Level 148, home to the world's highest outdoor observation deck. Just don't look straight down.

Go skiing...inside a shopping mall at Ski Dubai

Check availability on our deal for entry into Ski Dubai plus a Dubai city tour.

There aren't very many snow-capped mountains in the United Arab Emirates, so the engineers at Ski Dubai made their own. Located inside the Mall of the Emirates, Ski Dubai's indoor slopes are kept around a chilly 32 degrees Fahrenheit, ensuring smooth skiing, snowboarding, tobogganing, and sledding. If skiing isn't your thing, you can book some time with Ski Dubai's snow penguins, one of the cutest things to do in Dubai.

Savor Dinner at Burj Al Arab Hotel

If you want to splurge on a hotel, book a room at the Burj Al Arab, named the "Best Hotel in the World" by the Daily Telegraph in 2016. For a less pricey experience, stay somewhere else and enjoy dinner at one of Burj Al Arab's restaurants. We recommend the French cuisine at Al Muntaha, featuring exquisite views of Dubai from the 27th floor. While you're there, you'll be blown away by the architecture; its sailboat-like design has turned the hotel into a Dubai tourism icon.

Day 2

Shop for Jewelry at the Historic Gold Souk

One of Dubai's most-popular nicknames is "the City of Gold." That moniker can be traced to its Gold Souk market, where tourists and locals shop (and haggle) for any and everything made of gold. You can find opulent necklaces, bracelets, rings, and other gold-lined jewelry. You might even spot a crown, which can make for an...interesting souvenir. Afterward, make sure to walk through the historic Old Souk, famous for its vendors hawking exotic, colorful spices and other local produce.

Drive Off-Road on the Sand Dunes

Check availability on our deal offering dune bashing in the desert, plus camel riding, a BBQ banquet, and more.

You can't visit Dubai without seeing the vast Arabian Desert that surrounds it. But why drive around the desert when you can drive through it? Some Dubai tour companies offer ATV, sand-buggy, or Hummer rides atop Arabia's undulating sand dunes, an experience usually called dune bashing. Some of these tours end at a BBQ banquet in the middle of the desert, often with belly dancing, folklore shows, and other live entertainment.

Watch the Dubai Fountain after Sunset

If Dubai didn't already remind you of Las Vegas, then spend a half hour next to its version of the Fountains of Bellagio. Engineered by the same production team that created the iconic water show along the Vegas Strip, the Dubai Fountain performs every half hour from 6 to 11 p.m., shooting sprays of water synchronized to classical and contemporary music. Afterward, walk over to Fai, The Palace to enjoy cocktails while sitting on the outdoor veranda across from the fountain. You couldn't ask for a more romantic way to end your weekend.