The Best Things to Do in Singapore

Arguably one of Singapore’s most recognisable landmarks, the landscape of Gardens by the Bay would fit right in as the set for an alien home planet. Its most striking feature is its Supertree Grove, with 18 vertical gardens, the tallest of which rises nearly 20 storeys. The best time to visit the Supertrees is at night. Admission to Gardens by the Bay is free, and the park is open daily from 5am to 2am.

Pulau Ubin is a small island in the northeast of Singapore. Devoid of skyscrapers and cars, this island is a reminder of what Singapore was like just a few decades ago. It is home to one of Singapore’s last traditional villages, and inhabitants there live a simple life supported by fishing and agriculture. To get the most out of your visit to Pulau Ubin, rent a bike to fully explore the island, and look out for the German Girl Shrine and other tokens of Singapore lore. To get to Pulau Ubin, take a ferry from the terminal at Changi Point.

First opened in 1973, the Singapore Zoo spans nearly 70 acres (28ha) and is home to over 300 species of animal. It is often praised for its design, opting for an “open” captivity model so that animals feel less restricted by the enclosures. To help visitors get around the grounds of the zoo, they provide a variety of methods of transportation, including trams and boats. For something a bit more unique, you can visit the zoo after dark when it opens for the night safari and get a glimpse into how many animals behave at night.

Some of Singapore’s richest heritage lies in its trifecta of cultural neighbourhoods: Chinatown, Little India and Arab Street. Queue up for a plate of Michelin star-winning chicken rice and then head over to Arab Street, get your fix of Mediterranean food, and then spend an evening enjoying some shisha and people watching. On another day, follow one of the National Heritage Board’s self-guided walks around Little India – or book a walking tour, take your eyes away from the map and really take in the religious diversity and bright contrasting colours of your surroundings. Our tip? Refuel at the Tekka Market and drop by Allaudin’s Briyani the best briyani rice dishes on offer in Singapore.

Speaking of food, the best way to truly appreciate a country’s culture is by eating the local cuisine. With culinary influences from all around the region, there is certainly no shortage of local eats. Tuck into some local favourites such as chilli crab, laksa, and chicken rice, or sample the Malay, Tamil and Chinese cuisine prevalent all over the city. For the best places to eat local food, go where the locals go and head to a hawker centre where you can get a meal for under $10. One of our favourites is Changi Village Hawker Centre – some of the best, must-go-to-and-sample stalls include International Nasi Lemak, Ho Guan Satay Bee Hoon and Weng Kee Ipoh Hor Fun.

Singapore comes to life at night with light shows to delight crowds all over the city. While there are regular, stellar displays at Marina Bay Sands, another favourite are the seasonal light shows on Sentosa Island. Appropriately named Island Lights, this year’s free light show features your favourite Sanrio characters – Hello Kitty, My Melody, Little Twin Stars – and will enchant you and your little ones with seven larger-than-life light installations.

Take a closer look around corners and on the walls of Tiong Bahru and you’ll find some artistic treasures. Local heritage lover Yip Yew Chong, who grew up in the neighbourhood, has created three murals, depicting some of his memories. Animal photographer Ernest Goh once had a series of chicken fish pasted on the walls, though these days only a family of three goats can still be seen near Tiong Bahru market, where you can also spot a colourful peacock and its tail feather on the inner air well by Australian artist Makatron.

Singapore is famous for its stunning skyline. The Marina Bay Sands Boardwalk gives you an unimpeded view of what can only be described as the best view in the city. Visit around 6pm to watch sun go down.

Grab some water and head to MacRitchie Reservoir to do the MacRitchie Treetop Walk. The bridge spans 250m (820ft) and stands 25m (82ft) above the forest floor. The entire hike takes a few hours, so be sure to carry plenty of water and wear good shoes. Afterwards, go for a stroll along the boardwalk that runs around the reservoir and see if you can spot the giant monkey family that lives there.

Impressive at first glance, the ArtScience museum delights with architecture as unique as its internationally acclaimed collections. Designed by renowned architect Moshe Safdie and shaped like a half-unfurled lotus flower, the museum overlooks Marina Bay and beckons curious minds to its creative exhibit-filled-halls. Featuring a popular permanent exhibit titled Future World: the Intersection of Art and Science as well as various touring, exhibitions exploring the intersection of science, technology, culture and art, make sure to jot down the ArtScience Museum at the top of your Singapore itinerary.

The National Museum of Singapore is the city’s oldest museum – but, despite opening its doors in 1887, don’t expect musty, forgotten old rooms. The building’s 19th-century neo-Palladian architecture is brightly complemented by modern interiors. Are you moderately impressed but still thinking a room filled with artefacts is not for you? In its commitment to innovation, the museum also features immersive exhibitions perfect for wrapping your head around Singapore’s early-history in an interactive, 21st-century manner.

Calling all stamp collectors, postal-history-buffs, and enthusiastic museum-led-activity-loving children, the Singapore Philatelic Museum offers a one of a kind deep dive into Singapore’s rich philatelic heritage, suitable for all ages. Showcasing that stamp collecting is so much more than just a hobby, come along and learn about Singapore’s diverse heritage and culture through… well, stamps.

Whether young, young at heart or young in spirit, this museum is an entrancing, and sometimes nostalgic, activity for all ages. Displaying a private collection of more than 3,000 toys from all around the world, it’s likely you’ll spot your favourite childhood companion in the Mint Museum of Toys no matter where you’re from. Revel in the blurry-edged, dust-spotted memories of your childhood as you explore the collection on your own or share this experience with your little ones – though we can’t guarantee they’ll be able to match your admiration for your favourite limited-edition action figure.