A city of many contrasts, Singapore offers many surprises, luxuries, bargains, and an infinite amount of adventures for tourists of all kinds. The choice is yours! We have scouted all of the hottest attractions and narrowed our list down the top seven things to do in Singapore.
1. GARDENS BY THE BAY
This modern green space is a stunning urban garden with an innovative design located in the heart of Singapore. Many visitors have compared it to stepping into the future with its combination of nature and modern technology. With so much beauty to offer, it can easily fill up an entire day of your Singapore sightseeing. The sky walk offers free access to garden views from above. You'll be greeted by the massive Supertrees that connect the elevated walkway. This is a great spot to view the music and light show that takes place in Garden Rhapsody. Check out the stunning Flower Dome, which was named the ‘Largest Glass Greenhouse’ by Guinness World Records. The Cloud Forest is another must-see as the lush green forest offers a jaw-dropping waterfall that will make you forget that you are in the center of a bustling city.
2. SINGAPORE ZOO
Head to the Singapore Zoo to marvel at the naturalistic enclosures, interactive attractions, and 2,800 animals that call this space home. Check out the free-roaming ring-tailed lemurs, tree-hugging sloths, Malaysian flying foxes, and red-bummed baboons. Partake in the zoo’s 'Jungle Breakfast with Wildlife' and enjoy your morning buffet in the company of many orangutans. The zoo offers a great play area for kids featuring pony rides, farmyard animals, slides, swings, and a splash area. (Word to the wise: make sure to purchase your ticket online for a 5 percent discount!)
3. CHINATOWN
Singapore is composed of many ethnic enclaves, and Chinatown is the largest of them. Head to this constantly buzzing area to check out the many shops and food stalls. For your souvenir fix, Pagoda Street offers an endless selection of trinkets. For the best barbecued meats, head to New Bridge Road. On the other hand, the Tangong Pagar district is the place to go for a night out on the town. There, you will find a wide range of pubs, bars, and karaoke lounges. To explore a more low-key area of Chinatown, visit the Telok Ayer district for a break in all of the rushing hustle and bustle. Telok Ayer has many ancient mosques and temples, the Thain Hock Keng Temple being a must-see.
4. CLARKE QUAY
For a night out in the city, Clarke Quay — composed of many old warehouses that have been converted into a variety of bars and restaurants — offers the premier nightlife hub in all of Singapore. The setting sun marks the transformation of this area into a lively and vibrant night hangout. Located right on the riverfront, this area provides a cool breeze and great views after a long day of exploring Singapore.
Start your night at Chupitos Shot Bar with a quick pick-me-up. Choose from the extensive selection of 130 shots, ranging from easy to the extreme. For live-music fans, check out Crazy Elephant for a great night of casual blues and rock ‘n’ roll. Round off your night and dance the night away at trendy waterfront club, Attica. This club offers two dance floors that can fit up to 500 party people.
5. NATIONAL GALLERY OF SINGAPORE
Composed of Singapore’s historic City Hall and Old Supreme Court, the National Gallery is a breath-taking feature of Singapore. It offers a world-class collection of 19th-century and modern Southeast Asian art between the DBS Singapore Gallery and the UOB Southeast Asia Gallery. There is also the Singtel Special Exhibition Gallery that rotates through major high-profile art collaborations. Take advantage of the National Gallery’s daily guided tours, lectures, workshops, and artist talks. Stop in one of the restaurants for lunch and by the well-stocked gift shop on your way out for a selection of prints, design pieces, and commissioned art books.
6. MERLION PARK
Located on Marina Bay, Merlion Park is home to one of Singapore’s most well-known monuments, the Merlion statue. This statue is made up of a head of a lion and the body of a fish and stands 28 feet tall. This statue spouts water from the lion’s mouth and into the bay and also represents a large part of Singapore’s history. The head of Merlion marks Singapura, Singapore’s first name, and the tail symbolizes the old days of a small fishing town. Try and visit this park at night as it offers a stunning urban panoramic view of the bay. The best part, this park is free to visit at any time of the day!
7. ORCHARD ROAD
Shopaholics and fashionistas, prepare yourself before visiting this 1.4-mile long avenue full of luxury shopping malls, restaurants, and hotels. This is a prime introduction to all of the glitz and glamour Singapore has to offer. Visitors can easily spot all of the thought and creativity that went into the lighting and decoration detail to really make this road shine.
For the most glamorous shopping complex, ION Orchard offers 300 stores along with the designer brands of Dior, Cartier, Louis Vuitton, Prada, and Giorgio Armani. For those with a lower shopping budget, Lucky Plaza is a bargain hunter’s paradise that offers great deals on cameras, cellphones, and other electronics. This is another good stop for souvenir shopping. Finally, you can head to Ngee Ann City and visit Kinokuniya, the largest bookstore in Singapore.
With an astounding mix of urban and natural attractions, why wouldn’t Singapore be at the top of your travel list? Let Acanela take care of your Singapore trip plans today!
Post written by: Kirsten Cusack, @kirqsak