Top things to do in Singapore
Singapore is full of lively things to do; it’s hard to get bored during your trip. From historical sites to modern architecture, zoos, and islands. Here’s a list of things to do to make your trip more exciting:.
Pulau Ubin
Pulau Ubin, meaning “Granite Island” in Malay, is a small island located to the northeast of the main island of Singapore. It offers views of facets of Singapore gone by with a rustic charm that sharply contrasts with the modern city-state.
A prominent spot Chek Jawa Wetlands is booming with mangroves, coastal forests, and seagrass lagoons. Puaka Hill has viewpoints from the highest elevation on the island and Pekan Quarry, which was once a granite quarry and is now a beautiful lake.
Cycling is the most ideal way to access the island. Bush-walking includes several walks of varying difficulty. The area has over 100 recorded bird species. You can opt for guided kayaking through the mangroves. Camping facilities are available at the stated campsites. A permit is required for most of these. Also, visit the last few kampongs (villages) in Singapore. They have a small population of about 100 dwellers. This village retains the lifestyle of the 1960s in Singapore.
Go on a weekday to avoid crowds. If you are going bird watching, remember that the early hours of the day can be the peak bird-spotting time. It is necessary to take your trip at low tide if you are trekking in Chek Jawa
MacRitchie Reservoir
MacRitchie Reservoir is one of the most visited nature parks in Singapore and is popular among naturalists and outdoors lovers. If you love going for long walks among places that contain history, this place is the best for you.
It is located in the center of Singapore. It is Singapore’s most ancient reservoir, opened in 1868. Segment of the bigger Central Catchment Nature Reserve
You can walk on several paths with lengths ranging from 3 to 11 kilometers. There is a tree-top walk that has an aerial, freestanding, and 250-meter-long suspension bridge. Also kayaking or canoeing in the reservoir and fishing in allowed areas (a permit is needed). The flora and fauna are rich here. There are long-tailed macaques, monitor lizards, and some bird species.
It has interpretation and displays with a visitor center. Conveniences like toilets, drinking fountains, and storage compartments. You can hire boats here.
Broad walkways are elevated over the water to facilitate walking or just viewing. Zigzag Bridge is an attractive bridge that is good for taking photos. Jelutong Tower Viewpoint is a tower to do some panorama viewing of the forest
ArtScience Museum
Dealing with impressive, groundbreaking exhibitions and intersecting art and technology, the ArtScience Museum does not fail to draw crowds from all over. It is well known, especially with its visuals, that are most often accompanied by interactive displays. It offers a great one-off experience that can be thrilling for all ages.
The unique architecture of the lotus was designed by architect Moshe Safdie. It hosts a total of 21 gallery spaces enclosed in an overall area of 50,000 square feet.
Shows and permanent exhibits are continuously held. It is known for immersive, interactive-style of exhibits. Its subjects range across a huge variety of ideas, from art and science to technology and culture. Future World is an exhibition made with Team Lab, with interactive digital installations. Virtual Realms is created by Video games Transformed. It’s all about the significant artistic contribution of video games.
There are many activities and programs here. Workshops and lectures are organized for young and old. School visits are for students who visit aligned with their curriculum. Different types of tickets are available, including single exhibition and all-access passes. Weekday mornings are much quieter. For special events and new exhibitions, visit the website.
SkyPark Observation Deck
The SkyPark Observation Deck is a popular attraction at Marina Bay Sands in Singapore. It is situated on the top of Marina Bay Sands, spanning across its three towers. The observation desk is massive, 57 stories high, offering panoramic views of Singapore’s skyline. This deck provides 360 degree views of the city and marina. It has a cantilever extending 67 meters beyond the north tower. The public observation deck is separate from the hotel’s infinity pool. The best time to visit is during sunset for dramatic sky views. Night for city lights, and clear days for maximum visibility.
There is a separate admission fee required. Advance booking recommended during peak seasons. You can try to recreate iconic shots of Singapore’s skyline and Gardens by the Bay.
Southern Ridges
The Southern Ridges is one of the best outdoor facilities that boasts harmonious co-existence of man-made and natural landscapes in Singapore. Some of the key sections of the ridge are Mount Faber Park, Telok Blangah Hill Park, HortPark, Kent Ridge Park, and Labrador Nature Reserve.
One of the prominent features is Forest Walk, which is an elevated walkway going through the tree canopy, and Canopy Walk, which is a bridge linking Telok Blangah Hill Park to HortPark. Also visit Alexandra Arc, which is a leaf-shaped bridge. You can do a lot of things here, like hiking and nature walks, bird watching, photography, and visiting organized picnic areas.
Supertree Grove
For nature lovers, Supertree Grove is one of the best places to spend their time. Situated in gardens by the Bay, central Singapore. A key attraction in the 101-hectare nature park. It is visible from many parts of the Marina Bay Area.
The Grove comprises 18 tree-like structures ranging from 25 to 50 meters in height. Designed as vertical gardens with over 162,900 plants of more than 200 species. Canopies are made of planted panels in the shape of a crown.
Garden Rhapsody is a free nightly light and sound show. Super trees illuminated with dazzling light displays choreographed to music. There are two nightly shows at 7:45 PM and 8:45 PM. Gardens are open daily from 5 AM to 2 AM. OCBC Skyway operates from 9 AM to 9 PM (ticketed). It is best visited at sunset to experience both daytime views and nighttime illuminations. SuperTree by IndoChine located at the top of the tallest Supertree. Offers dining with panoramic views of the Gardens and Marina Bay.
Hon on Hop Off in Singapore
Singapore has a Hop-On, Hop-Off bus service offered specifically to manage leisure for tourists around the city. Below are the details regarding it.
Normally, Big Bus Tours is the major operator in such cases in Singapore. There may still be different operators for the same service. The better part of the city attractions is covered. There are probably two prime routes. Red Line and Blue Line, which may cover different areas. Key stops include Marina Bay Sands, Gardens by the Bay, Chinatown, Little India, Orchard Road, Singapore Flyer, Raffles Hotel, and Clarke Quay. The frequency of trips is every 15–30 minutes, depending on the route and time of the day. The whole trip typically runs for 60 to 90 minutes if not getting off the intermediate stops.
There are several ticket options. You can take tickets valid for a period of 24 or 48 hours, or more. They might include free walking visits or river rides. Double-decker open-top buses are useful to get a better glance at the locations. The running commentary is in numerous languages. Free Wi-Fi is allowed inside the bus
Food tour in Singapore
Singapore is renowned for its diverse and delicious cuisine, making food tours a popular activity. Here are some of the best food tours available in Singapore.
In the Hawker Center Hopping Tour, you can explore multiple Hawker Centers and try iconic dishes like chicken rice, laksa, and satay. The Little India Culinary Adventure offers authentic Indian cuisine for you to taste. You can visit spice shops and markets.
Katong and Joo Chiat Food Walk explores the Peranakan culture through food. You should also try Katong laksa and other local specialties. Kampong Glam Food Tour allows you to discover Malay and Middle Eastern cuisines. You can visit the historic Sultan Mosque area.
The Tiong Bahru Heritage Food Tour explores one of Singapore’s oldest neighborhoods. Visit local markets and traditional bakeries for an authentic experience. If you are a vegetarian, explore the Vegetarian Food Tour, which offers Singapore’s diverse vegetarian cuisine. Visit vegetarian-friendly hawker stalls and restaurants.
National Orchid Garden
The National Orchid Garden is within the Singapore Botanic Gardens. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The garden spans 3 hectares (7.4 acres). It is a collection of over 1,000 species and 2,000 hybrids of orchids.
Some of the notable features are Burkill Hall, which is a colonial-style building with a VIP orchid garden; Tan Hoon Siang Mist House, which is home to rare orchid species, Cool House, which replicates a tropical highland environment; and Yuen-Peng McNeice, which offers a bromeliad collection.
VIP Orchids is a section dedicated to orchids named after visiting dignitaries In seasonal displays, regularly changing themed exhibits. For educational value, informative plaques and guided tours are available. The best time to visit is early morning or late afternoon to avoid heat.
Singapore Day trip
For a day trip in Singapore, covering some of the city’s highlights and must-dos in Singapore, here’s a guide to make your day full of activities and fun.
Start by visiting the SkyPark Observation Deck for panoramic views and exploring the ArtScience. Museum if time permits. Walk through Supertree Grove. Visit Cloud Forest and Flower Dome conservatories
Have lunch at a hawker center. Try local dishes at Lau Pa Sat or Maxwell Food Centre. Visit Buddha Tooth Relic Temple. Browse shops and street markets. Take a bumboat ride along Singapore River. End at Clarke Quay or Boat Quay. Visit Singapore Flyer for sunset views. Dinner and drinks at Clarke Quay. End your day tour with a visit to Marina Bay for the light show