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19 Top Things To Do In Singapore
- Authors
- Name
- Jonathan Chum
- @jchum
Introduction
Singapore is one of the most exciting cities in the world. As a tourist, you'll want to make sure that you get the most out of your experience here. Here are my top things to do when visiting Singapore:
See the Merlion
While you're exploring the city, you should make time to see the Merlion. This mythical creature appears on Singapore's national flag, and currency, and as a symbol of the city. It's also found throughout Singapore in statues and at attractions like Gardens by the Bay (see below).
The Merlion is said to be a mix between a lion and fish; its body resembles that of a lion while its head has features of both animals: whiskers from an ordinary lion and fins from an ordinary fish. It holds up one paw in greeting as if welcoming visitors to his home---Singapore!
Take part in the Night Safari
A visit to the Night Safari is a must. It's one of the most popular attractions on our list, and for good reason. The park is located in Singapore Zoo, which means you can incorporate this excursion into your itinerary if you choose!
The Night Safari is open from 7:30 p.m. to 11:00 p.m., but we recommend visiting after 9:00 p.m., when it's cooler and more animals are awake. You can also see some exciting shows at different times throughout the night---check their website for showtimes!
You'll find plenty of animal species here, including tigers and lions that have been rescued from circuses around Asia (though they're not visible during daylight hours). You don't want to miss out on these rare opportunities!
Go to a rooftop bar
There are different types of rooftop bars in Singapore, each with its particular vibe.
If you're looking for something more serene and romantic, head over to One Roof at Fullerton Bay Hotel which has views of Marina Bay Sands and the city skyline.
If you want a rooftop bar with an incredible view of the Singapore skyline, go to Sky on 57 which is located on level 57 of Fraser Suites hotel. This is one of my favorite places in Singapore because it has an amazing view and they serve delicious cocktails! (Tip: bring your passport if you want to take photos here.)
If you want a bustling scene where there's always something happening (and lots of people), check out Sky Bar at Shangri-La Hotel which has great views but also attracts a younger crowd that likes dancing around while they drink their cocktails.
Check out an OCD hostel
The one I stayed in was called the Bugis Street Hostel, and it was a great place to stay for just about everything you could want to do in Singapore. It's clean, safe, comfortable, and located in the heart of Singapore's Chinatown district. The rooms are small but have everything you need: air conditioner/heater; power outlets for charging your devices; lockers (with keys); bathroom with hot shower; free Wi-Fi; a common area with working desk space where people can work on their laptops or tablets while drinking coffee from the cafe downstairs (which is also free). Plus there's a rooftop bar that has amazing views of all of Chinatown! If you're looking for an affordable place near Chinatown with easy access to places like Little India and Kampong Glam this is your best bet!
Visit a museum for free
National Museum of Singapore
The National Museum of Singapore is one of the most popular museums in Singapore. This museum has a wide array of artifacts from all over Asia, including ancient Chinese bronzes and ceramics as well as Southeast Asian textiles and clothing. The museum's permanent collection also includes some Western art, such as sculptures by Rodin, but most visitors come here to see how ancient civilizations lived in what is now Singapore.
Singapore History Museum
The Singapore History Museum is a free museum located in the old Supreme Court building. The museum's exhibits focus on Singapore's history from its founding as an outpost by Sir Stamford Raffles to the present day. Visitors can see photographs and video footage of Singapore's past, along with artworks depicting life in colonial Singapore.
Singapore Art Museum
The Singapore Art Museum is a free museum located in the old Supreme Court building. The museum's exhibits focus on Singapore's history from its founding as an outpost by Sir Stamford Raffles to the present day. Visitors can see photographs and video footage of Singapore's past, along with artworks depicting life in colonial Singapore.
Singapore Philatelic Museum
The Singapore Philatelic Museum is a free museum located in the old Supreme Court building. The museum's exhibits focus on Singapore's history from its founding as an outpost by Sir Stamford Raffles to the present day. Visitors can see photographs and video footage of Singapore's past, along with artworks depicting life in colonial Singapore.
National Library of Singapore (to learn about the history of books and reading)
The National Library is one of the largest libraries in Singapore. The library has a collection of more than 1.5 million books, as well as artworks and historical documents that date back to the 19th century. The library also offers free tours for visitors who want to learn more about its history and architecture.
National Gallery Singapore (free galleries around town)
The National Gallery Singapore is a free museum that offers exhibits of contemporary Asian art. There are also galleries around town, including the Asian Civilizations Museum and Peranakan Museum. These museums offer exhibits on Singapore's history and culture.
The Asian Civilisations Museum has a free section on weekends and public holidays.
The museum has a collection of more than 5,000 artifacts and artworks. The Peranakan Museum is another free gallery that offers exhibits on the history of Chinese immigrants in Singapore. It also has a gift shop where you can purchase souvenirs to remember your trip.
Visit Universal Studios
Universal Studios Singapore is a theme park located in Sentosa, Singapore. It opened in 2010 and is the first Universal Studios theme park outside of the United States. It was also the largest such theme park in Asia at its opening, as well as the third most visited amusement park in the world behind its sister parks in Japan (Universal Studios Japan) and California (Universal Studios Hollywood).
The ride lineup at Universal Studios Singapore is impressive, with 18 rides including Battlestar Galactica: HUMAN vs CYLON; The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man 4D; Hollywood Dream -- The Ride; Madagascar Live! Operation Cleanup; Transformers: The Ride -- 3D; Revenge of the Mummy: The Ride and Shrek 4D Adventure. There are many other attractions too numerous to list here (and very difficult to experience in one day), but it should be mentioned that there are various shows daily as well including performances from Madagascar Live! Operation Cleanup featuring King Julien where you can see him perform magic tricks or watch Pongo & Perdita take their puppies for a walk through Fantasyland!
Eat at a hawker center
This is a great way to get a taste of Singapore's wide variety of food. From Indian curry and noodles to Chinese dim sum, there are all kinds of options. The food is cheap, fresh, and delicious!
Hawker centers are open late into the night, so it's possible to grab dinner at 11 p.m. if you're feeling peckish after a long day at work or sightseeing. These centers also provide good opportunities for meeting locals since they're popular among both tourists and locals alike.
Visit Gardens By The Bay
Gardens by the Bay is an incredible place to visit. It's beautiful, relaxing, and full of plants from all over the world. There are many different gardens at Gardens by the Bay (the Supertree Grove being one of my favorites). You also get to walk through two huge glass domes that are covered in plants called Cloud Forest and Flower Dome. They have free admission every day except for Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6 pm-9 pm when they charge SGD 16 (USD 11) for entry into either dome.
Spend time at Marina Bay Sands
Spend time at Marina Bay Sands. This is an amazing place to visit. It has a rooftop where you can see the city and it's really beautiful. You can also go shopping, eat at a restaurant, or just walk around and enjoy all of the people-watching.
Visit the casino, take in a show, or relax at the rooftop infinity pool. The casino is nice and they have lots of different games. You can also go to see a show or just relax at the rooftop infinity pool. It's nice to sit out there on a warm day and enjoy the view. There is also an indoor pool with waterfalls and other things.
Visit the National Orchid Garden
The orchid garden is located in the Botanic Gardens. The orchid collection is one of the largest in the world and has over 5,000 varieties of tropical orchids.
Orchids are beautiful plants that have a wide range of colors and shapes. They can be large or small, with flowers ranging from pink to purple to white, green, yellow, and brown. Orchids have been used as symbols in Asia for thousands of years because they grow easily without any care and are long-lasting blooms that require minimal maintenance once established in your home garden.
The Orchid Garden is open to the public free of charge every day except Mondays from 9 am to 6 pm
Explore Chinatown
Chinatown is the perfect place for the adventurous and curious explorer who wants to experience all the rich history, culture, and flavors that Asia has to offer. It's a great spot to get lost in, especially when you're hungry.
Chinatown is home to many of Singapore's best-known hawker centers (food courts), including Lau Pa Sat and Tian Tian Hainanese Chicken Rice. The latter is renowned for its iconic roasted chicken; the former houses dozens of surrounding stalls selling everything from juicy pork buns (baozi) to Kway Chap noodles.
If you're looking for something more casual, check out Maxwell Food Centre where you can tuck into bowls of laksa or chili crab at just about any time of day.
See the Merlion and enjoy Marina Bay
There are two Merlions, and one is closer to the water. The first one you'll see when you arrive at Singapore's airport makes a good photo op. But if you want to see the real deal, head over to Marina Bay---it's on the other side of the bay from Sentosa Island (where Universal Studios Singapore is). You can walk or take a taxi across it; some ferries go back and forth every few minutes.
The best way to get to Merlion Park is through Esplanade MRT Station. It will take about 15 minutes from there on foot, but it's an easy walk along straight paths with plenty of trees for shade. If it's hot out and you don't mind spending some money on transport, hop in a taxi: simply tell your driver "Merlion Park" when they drop you off at Esplanade station---they'll know where it is!
Catch a show at Suntec City's Fountain of Wealth
The Fountain of Wealth is a great place to catch a show. It is free to enter, and the roof of the fountain has a bar (called 101) where you can grab drinks while you watch people do cool stunts on water skis or zip-line into your drink as it gushes out of the top of the fountain. You can also see a free light show every night at 7:45 pm, but you might want to get there early if you want to seat---the mall fills up pretty quickly! If you don't feel like waiting in line for an hour while looking at merch that isn't even yours, there are tickets available on their website that will let you go inside without waiting in line first
Conclusion
We hope this article has helped you to get a better idea of what you should do in Singapore. We know it's hard to choose from all the amazing options, but we can assure you that any of these things will leave an unforgettable mark on your trip!