My kids and I went to Dubai for the first time. It was incredible, but I wish we'd avoided these 6 mistakes.

Dubai is famed for its record-breaking structures, from the tallest skyscraper to the largest shopping center, and even a water park boasting countless slides. I initially viewed it more as a short stopover rather than a complete destination on its own.

During a family trip to India, we had a layover in Abu Dhabi—Dubai being less than an hour's drive away. Seizing the opportunity, I extended our stopover to make the best of three days in Dubai.

A longer stay would have allowed us to see more.

When I began planning our itinerary, it became clear that our brief visit wasn't enough. If I were to plan again, I'd allocate four or five days to truly explore.

Though not a fan of shopping, I was unexpectedly drawn to the Dubai Mall. An additional day would have let us enjoy activities like ice skating and indoor skiing.

More foresight in planning would have been beneficial.

Our trip was a stopover on the way to a larger journey, and as such, my advance planning was minimal. This unfortunately led to missing out on certain attractions.

For instance, tickets for the Museum of the Future were sold out months before our visit, a lesson in the necessity of early bookings.

The need for relaxation time cannot be overstated.

Pressured by our tight schedule, I pushed for a non-stop adventure. In hindsight, scheduling downtime would have facilitated our adjustment to the time zone and enhanced our overall experience.

Though I carefully chose a beachside hotel, complete with an infinity pool, more leisure time would have let us savor its tranquil perks.

Unexpected expenses were a challenge.

Aware of Dubai's reputation for luxury pricing, I was nonetheless surprised at the actual costs of activities.

Our intended trip to the Burj Khalifa's observation deck fell through when we realized the steep ticket prices.

We opted to view and photograph it from a distance instead, an economically wiser choice given the $200 price tag for our small group.

Travel distances were underestimated.

While the Burj Khalifa and Dubai Mall are adjacent, other sites like the renowned mosque, traditional markets, and cultural hubs are quite spread out.

This distance complication added to our transportation time and costs. Better itinerary planning could have circumvented such issues.

Our daytime visit to Dubai Mall meant missing its famed night-time fountain show, as the evening trips were logistically challenging due to our hotel’s distance.

The desert deserved more of our time.

Having had outstanding desert experiences in the past, a desert excursion in Dubai was high on my priority list.

We chose a cost-effective option from Platinum Heritage tours, affording an unforgettable time amidst dunes with activities such as camel riding and stargazing.

Reflecting on the experience, I wish we had spent a night there or allocated more time to fully embrace the desert's wonders.

For future visits, better planning and more time would ensure we could enjoy all that Dubai has to offer without feeling rushed or financially stretched.