Riverland Dubai is the latest addition in the star studded line up of shopping and dining locales. Located in the heart of Dubai Parks and Resorts, it serves as a reception area connecting all of the major theme parks; Bollywood Parks, MotionGate, LegoLand Dubai; and the Lapita Hotels.

Sprawling across 234,000 square feet, it gives the visitors a sense of serenity and peace before they choose to get their adrenaline levels rushing high at one of the adjoining theme parks. Apart from the outrageous 50 dhs parking fee, entry to Riverland is absolutely free. Riverland is divided into 5 zones: The French Village, The Irish village, India Gate, The Boardwalk and The Peninsula.

If one of the DPR buses drop you off at the Dubai First Arrival Plaza Station; then from across the magnificent arch bridge, you are greeted by a quaint village with buildings made to seem like they were built in the 1600s; you have stepped into the French Village. As you look around at the green ivy growing upon the walls you are met with a very familiar logo; the golden arches of McDonald’s, reminding you that this is one of the greatest and modern shopping and dining stops to ever hit Dubai. As you walk across the antique water wheel, you are a greeted by a magnificent bed of blue.

This is the first sight of the 1km long river that gives Riverland its name. Boat rides are available along the U shaped brook. For 50 dhs, the boat will take you for a 20-minute ride around the attraction; to drop you back off at the same point.

Across the river are the remaining zones of Riverland. As you stand at the banks of the river admiring the seamless merge of sleek modernity and antique extravagance, in the distance, a white building with the words;

The Irish Village; will come into view.

The Irish Village mainly consists of the extremely popular pub of the same name.People travel great distances to enjoy a frosty one here while enjoying the illusion that they are surrounded by Saint Patrick’s day celebrations and singing Irish drinking songs. Exit through the rear of the Irish village to find yourself face to face with another zone of Riverland; The Boardwalk.
The Boardwalk, inspired by 1950s America, is a series of alleys filled with neon signage and entertainment of the glorious past, like juggling. Most of the registered restaurants are in this zone and none of them are short of extravagance.

Huge signs dangle from the side of buildings constructing the impression and the atmosphere of a time travel vacation to the good ol’ America. Right beside the Boardwalk is the Peninsula.

The Peninsula is essentially a floating stage on the river where shows and extreme sport events can be held.

Straight across the Peninsula and Boardwalk looms the magnificence of the Bollywood Parks gate. In front of the gate, is the last zone; The India Gate.

The India Gate zone greets you with a larger than life installation of four hands depicting Indian dance “mudras.”

Surrounding this artistic sculpture are Bollywood themed restaurants blaring out old Hindi songs and Bollywood dialogues, making you feel like you have been transported to 1990s Mumbai.

Riverland Dubai can be accessed by taking the Dubai Parks and Resorts exit on Sheikh Zayed Road, towards Abu Dhabi.
Coordinates: 24.9181° N, 55.0078° E.

Opened officially to the public on 31^st October 2016, Riverland Dubai has become one of the most popular shopping and dining crazes with people piling in at any odd hour of the day; making it a huge success, proving to the world that even a lobby can be absolutely fascinating.