Dubai for an afternoon

Hi

We have a full afternoon and night in Dubai on our way home from Africa. We are staying at the Crowne Plaza Hotel on Shaikh Zayed Rd. I undestand this is quite central so we were hoping to go straight to the hotel, book in and then catch a taxi to see the beaches and Islands like a palm tree (can't remember name). Later in the afternoon we want to go to Gold Souk and see Dubai Creek area, Textile Souk and old houses. We don't mind if we have a late night but I am not sure how long the souks stay open. Any advice or other ideas would be much appreciated.

Thanks

Everything stays open late - at least 10pm. If it is a thurs/fri/sat likely to be midnight. During Ramadan even later.
Yes it is central.
Don't bother going on The Palm, it only looks like a palm from the sky. It is so big (8 lane highway) you will not even realise you are on it. You can only go onto the highway - the fronds and access to the beach are private gated communities.
Take a taxi to the beach at Umm Sequim for nice view of Burj Al Arab.
Taxi to Dubai Marina and take Captain Jack boat from Marina Walk (every hour from 3pm) for a relaxing hour long cruise along the coast.
Short taxi ride from your hotel to Dubai Mall - visit the aquarium (free).then walk thru to see the dancing fountains. Go to the observation deck of Burj Khalifa (124th floor).
Then head down to Dubai creek area for the evening and eat down there. Or go on an evening dhow cruise.