The English-speaking city-state/country of Singapore makes it easy for everyone to get around but what exactly should you be doing when you’re in the Lion City? In this mega-metropolis, you can expect to have a good time in both urban and natural attractions. Take a stroll down Orchard Road to shop till you drop or visit Hawker Centres to eat till your heart’s content, either of them will showcase the city’s fast pace. On the contrary, the Singapore Botanic Gardens and MacRitchie Reservoir Park will provide a breath of fresh air. If you want a playground for both adults and kids, head to Sentosa – where Universal Studios Singapore is located in. This country might be a small red dot on the world map, but it has become known as one of the world’s most cosmopolitan cities. Here are 8 amazing things you can’t miss out on doing in Singapore!
#1 Spend A Night Staying In Marina Bay Sands
Marina Bay Sands is an integrated resort overlooking Marina Bay in Singapore. Developed by Las Vegas Sands, it is billed as the world’s most expensive standalone casino property at S$8 billion, including the land cost. The infinity pool is the longest elevated swimming pool in the world, a 150-meter infinity edged pool, which stands 191 meters from the ground on the 56th floor of the complex building.
Alternatively, here’s our list of the best Airbnb Apartments in Singapore!
#2 Grab A Meal At A Hawker Centre
Yes, Singapore is home to Michelin-starred chefs and fine dining restaurants, but you can’t say that you have visited this city if you haven’t been to famous hawker centres like Newton Food Centre and La Pau Sat, or even Chomp Chomp @ Serangoon Gardens.
If it is your first time in Singapore, some of the must-try popular hawker food are: chicken rice, laksa, wanton noodles, sambal stingray, fried carrot cake,char kway teow, popiah – food that you won’t be able to find elsewhere.
#3 Visit Gardens by the Bay!
A cutting-edge multi-award-winning floricultural mega project starring 50-meter-high solar-powered “supertrees” and climate-controlled biomes. The Gardens consist of three waterfront gardens built on reclaimed land: Bay South Garden, Bay East Garden and Bay Central Garden. The Bay South Garden alone is estimated to have cost more than S$1 billion ($720 million).
P.S. The best time to visit Gardens by the Bay is in the late afternoon, around 4-5pm. Start with the cooled conservatories, and then go up to the OCBC Skyway later in the evening when the weather is cooler.
#4 Take A Trip To Sentosa
Located just 15 minutes from the city by car, Sentosa is one of the major tourist attractions in Singapore, home to a large exciting array of themed attractions, award-winning spa retreats and golden sandy beaches. The island also houses the Resorts World Sentosa where you can find the world-renowned Universal Studios theme park, S.E.A. Aquarium, and water theme park: Adventure Cove. With many other attractions like iFly Singapore, MegaZip and Skyline Luge Sentosa available around the island, there are certainly lots of fun and thrilling things to do at Sentosa.
#5 Stroll Down Orchard Road
What began as an ordinary country road in the early 1830’s has today become Singapore’s claim to fame. With shopping malls like Ion, Paragon, Takashimaya, 313@Somerset, Cineleisure, Mandarin Gallery, Orchard Central and so many more on a stretch of road, you will be spoiled for choices. Shopping on Orchard Road caters to all tastes and budgets from high street names and department stores, to designer labels and luxury boutiques.
#6 Head Out To The Botanic Gardens
In 2015, Singapore’s oldest garden adds another accolade to its illustrious history by becoming the country’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site. The 74-hectare Singapore Botanic Gardens is a recreational park with a vast collection of unique plants – including the world’s most comprehensive collection of tropical orchids. Also, did you know that the majestic Tembusu tree that’s featured on Singapore’s $5 note is an actual tree that’s alive and well at the Botanic Gardens? This heritage tree, which is believed to be older than the 156-year-old Gardens, has provided shelter for park-goers from the sun and a nostalgic photo shoot backdrop for generations of young lovers.
#7 Spend A Day In The Zoo And River Safari
The Singapore Zoo, formerly known as the Singapore Zoological Gardens, occupies 28-hectares on the margins of Upper Seletar Reservoir within Singapore’s heavily forested central catchment area.
River Safari is the newest addition to Wildlife Reserves Singapore’s portfolio of award-winning parks. Located between the Singapore Zoo and Night Safari – River Safari offers an remarkable adventure inspired by the world’s most iconic rivers. Housing one of the world’s largest collections of freshwater fauna, the park features over 6,000 animals including 40 threatened species. And that includes Singapore’s resident giant pandas, Kai Kai and Jia Jia.
P.S. If you get a combined pass for both the Zoo and River Safari, go for the River Safari first to check out the pandas earlier before the queue starts to get long.
#8 Checkout The Nightlife In Singapore
When it comes to the nightlife in Singapore, the city-state basically transforms itself from an ever-so-efficient business hub to an entertaining network of bars and nightclubs as soon as the sun goes down. Going to bars and clubbing in this country is a must if you want to feel the true night-pulse of the Lion City; experience the country only by day and you get just half of the picture.
Travelling around in Singapore is easy as the country has very developed public transport network. Unless you are on a tight schedule, try to go about on buses and trains (instead of cabs) and don’t forget to take your portable battery charger and other travel gadgets with you!
Think we forgot something? Share with us what you believe everyone can’t miss out on doing while in Singapore!
Author’s bio:
Kenny Lucas from Singapore is the editor of alwaysgtg.com, a travel and lifestyle blog, employing a personal voice that complements a carefully curated collection of wanderlust wisdom, hoping to inspire everyone to live a life they love and settle for nothing less than extraordinary.
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