So much to see and do in Singapore

Singapore is a multi-cultural city state, an island country with a tropical climate and the gateway to Asia. Singapore is a global financial centre, a shopping mecca and a food destination like nowhere else on earth. It has its own thriving design culture, the result of a melting pot of Malay, Indian, Chinese and European/Expat influence. Whether you're stopping over for a couple of days, or heading to Singapore for a family holiday there's so much to do to keep you busy. And don't forget to head to a hawker centre for satay, chilli crab and stingray, fish head curry, roti, popiah, carrot cake (with no carrots), Hainanese Chicken Rice and every other amazing Singaporean dish while you're visiting.

Tour the Gardens by the Bay

This futuristic garden in Singapore with its super trees and biodomes is perfect for those who enjoy spending time in the outdoors. The gardens feature 101 hectares of land that has been reclaimed, giving the spot beautiful lush gardens to walk through and explore. The gardens have as many as 800 various species of plant life from different types of climate zones around the world. Each dome features a different kind of plants like desert plants, Mediterranean plants, and more. There are sculptures and other whimsical additions to give this garden something unique. Underlying the concept of Gardens by the Bay are the principles of environmental sustainability. Much effort was made to plan and design for sustainable cycles in energy and water throughout. Read all about the sustainable programs at the Gardens as you wander around. It is free to visit the gardens, but the entrance to all the biodomes is only $28 per person. 

Visit the Singapore Zoo

One of the most popular places to visit in Singapore, the Singapore Zoo is known for its natural habitats that allow the wildlife to roam in their enclosures. The zoo is home to several baboons, lemurs, and more. You can even check out the cliff waterfall or the forest canopy for an immersive experience. The zoo has orangutan feeding times throughout the day where you can watch their feeding sessions. The zoo also features wild African animals like lions, zebras, and giraffes. There are features for younger kids and older kids as well as a waterpark area for cooling off when it gets hot.

Go on a Night Safari

Something that is both fun and adventurous is a night safari. You can go out and get close to various animals in the dark, watching them at night. The wildlife park, which is situated right next to the Singapore Zoo, is known for their night safari experiences. You can go from 7:30 pm until Midnight, checking out the jungle in the night to see the nocturnal creatures. There is an electric tram that runs in the area as well, and there are also short animal shows that are held throughout the night for patrons. Since this is for nocturnal animals, the night safari in the wildlife park does not allow flash photography.

Take an Observation Ride

The Singapore Flyer is the second largest observation wheel in the world. It sits on the Marina Bay, and stands at 165 meters in height, giving riders an amazing view of the area. The Flyer runs throughout the day, giving you the chance to see the Singapore skyline both in the daytime and the nighttime. You get 30 minutes of high flying views of the skyscrapers, the marina, and more. You can purchase your tickets there, or you can get a discount for ordering the Singapore Flyer tickets from their website online.

Universal Studios

Movie lovers, Young Kids and Young-at-fheart Big Kids will appreciate the Singapore version of Universal Studios. This theme park is designed much like the United States version, featuring various attraction inspired by the movies for kids of all ages. There are resorts right there on Sentosa Island, and the park is divided to make touring easier. You can explore various 3D encounters from Jurassic Park to Shrek to the pitch black Mummy ride and Transformers. A big tip - prepay for an express pass which cuts down queuing time at the rides; worth every cent particularly if you don't have long in Singapore. 

Where else?

Aside from the top locations mentioned above, you can also check out the S.E.A. Aquarium, Adventure Cove Waterpark, Chinatown, Marina Bay, Haji Lane, Gelling and Little India.

Shopping in Singapore

A visit to Singapore is of course not complete unless you've spent about half your time there shopping. Pace yourself and remember shops are open late so stop for food and air-conditioned relaxation.

If you love to shop, Orchard Road in Singapore is the place to start your Singapore shopping experience. This road has been noted for its wall to wall malls with every chain store from across the world, department stores, high end brands and local designer shops. Though it doesn’t have any orchards, this road has a little something for everyone. See our blog on where else to shop in Singapore after you've done Orchard Road.

Eating in Singapore

Eating in Singapore is a national pastime. You could eat somewhere different every meal time for the rest of your life and still have barely touched the surface. Our top tip is to go where the locals go and yes that absolutely means eating at hawker centres. For first timers in Singapore head to Lau Pa Sat, Newton Circus and Food Republic Vivo City. 

Boutique Fairs Singapore 

If you're visiting Singapore in November or March head to the Grand Prix Pit Building for a shopping experience like no other. Founded in 2002, Boutiques is a curated indoor collection of over 250 independent Singapore based vendors showcasing their unique women’s men's a kid's fashion, jewellery, bags and accessories and home decor. Think indoor marketplace meets concept store meets pop up department store,. Shoppers fly in from all over the world to visit Boutiques; the event lasts for 3 days making it possible to pop in and out across the weekend to check out more of the designers that you may have missed, including our very own Stones that Rock and Desti Saint.

Stay

Singapore literally spoils the visitor with choices of hotels to stay. We've stayed at many but return most frequently to our top pick, the charming Intercontinental at Bugis; the buffet breakfast is outstanding, the pool area a sanctuary from the city below and there is just something very special about the colonial style ambience.

Thank you to Guest Contributor Ella, Content Manager for trekbible who shared some of her favourite things to do in Singapore.