It’s the year end school holidays and time to PARTY. I think we can all take a moment to celebrate the fact that we made it through this year. After all that home-based learning and circuit-breaking, let’s wrap up the year with some fun quality time with the whole family.
Sure, we’ll have to put a pin in those travel plans for now (although the Hong Kong air travel bubble starts in 2 days!) but did you know that Singapore is home to some really fun world-class attractions? It may feel like we know this city inside and out but maybe now is the time to finally visit the places we never got around to because they’re too touristy. Try being a tourist at home for once and experience this gorgeous garden city a little differently.
Even if you have been to these places, here are 10 places in Singapore that are worth visiting again.
Gardens By The Bay
Thanks to Crazy Rich Asians, these iconic Supertrees at Gardens by the Bay is possibly the most recognizable attraction in Singapore; and rightly so because this has set the bar as the gold standard for botanical gardens anywhere in the world.
Located right by the waterfront of scenic Marina Bay, Gardens by the Bay consists of three parts: Bay South Garden, Bay Central Garden, and Bay East Garden. You’ll want to start your day at Bay South Garden – it’s where you’ll find the Supertrees and its award-winning cooled conservatories, the Flower Dome and Cloud Forest. When you’re done, make your way to Far East Organization Children’s Garden. All you need is swimwear and some snacks for a day of outdoorsy fun.
Touristy level: 5/5
Fun level: 4/5
Gardens by the Bay, 18 Marina Gardens Drive Singapore 018953
Pulau Ubin
This is the ultimate kampung getaway when you need a break from the hustle and bustle of the city. Pulau Ubin is laid back, eccentric and brimming with old school charm. It’s also a very affordable option for a day trip – all you need is $4 and 10 minutes for a ferry ride from Changi Point Ferry Terminal. Take the time to soak in lush greenery, explore abandoned quarries, try bird watching, take a leisurely hike or go for a bike ride around the island.
Touristy level: 2/5
Fun level: 5/5
How to get to Pulau Ubin: Take a bumboat ride from Changi Point Ferry Terminal. Bumboats operate from 6am to 7pm.
Forest Adventure
If you’re feeling up for an adventure, get that adrenaline fix tree-surfing on top of the forest canopy at Forest Adventure, Singapore’s largest treetop adventure park. Located at scenic Bedok Reservoir, you’ll be able to get an unparalleled view of the water while making your way through exhilarating obstacle courses among the trees.
Kids (and adults!) from as young as 5 years old will be able to pick from 3 different courses comprising a range of obstacles and zip lines with varying difficulty levels. Whether it’s your first time or you’re an expert at this, there are instructors available to make sure that the experience is safe and fun.
Touristy level: 2/5
Fun level: 4/5
Forest Adventure, Bedok Reservoir Road, Singapore 479244
Changi Jurassic Mile
It’s a park! With Dinosaurs! It’s every kid’s idea of fun to walk among giant dinosaurs (some almost 5 meters high) and they can now do it at Jurassic Mile, Singapore’s newest and largest permanent outdoor display of life-sized dinosaurs. More than 20 different pre-historic creatures from nine different species stretch over 1-kilometre of the cycling and jogging path. Expect to see carnivorous and herbivorous species, defensive dinosaurs, as well as those that fly.
From a towering Tyrannosaurus Rex to gigantic dinosaur eggs, visitors will be wowed by the lifelike dinosaur exhibits at the Changi Jurassic Mile, making it a perfect outdoor weekend destination for families and friends.
Touristy level: 4/5
Fun level: 3/5
How to get to Jurassic Mile: Travel on foot or by cycling (rent a bicycle from GoCycling) from HUB & SPOKE (Changi Airport) or from East Coast Park via the Changi Coastal Park Connector.
Masters of Speed – Go Kart Time Attack
Here’s something for those with a need for speed. For the first time ever in Singapore, families can participate in an adrenaline-pumping Electric Kart Circuit racing competition at Karting Arena.
The competition will be held over 8 weeks, running from 1st November to 26th December 2020 – sign up to take part in the event at your own convenience. There are three categories available: Adult (min. 18 years), Kids (9 – 17 years) and Family (1 adult + 1 kid). Complete the circuit in the fastest timing to win attractive prizes and more importantly, legit bragging rights.
Touristy level: 1/5
Fun level: 5/5
Masters of Speed, The Karting Arena 200 Turf Club Road, #01-01B The Grandstand, South Car Park, Singapore 287994
Botanic Gardens (+ Jacob Ballas Children’s Garden)
This UNESCO World Heritage Site is the OG park in Singapore, and clearly still a huge hit with families. Just 5 minutes away from Orchard Road, the Botanic Gardens offers wide open spaces (over 80 hectares!) for kids to run, scoot and cycle. Check out the over 1,000 species of our national flower at the Orchid Garden, picnic on the soothing greens of Palm Valley, spot the swans (and feed turtles) at Swan Lake or just take a stroll through the lush garden.
As you head towards the northern end of the park, make a beeline for Jacob Ballas Children’s Garden, a complete nature-learning environment for children aged 14 and below. The Garden offers children a space for exploration, adventure and play, with a farm, an orchard, and a forest with its own stream and ponds.
Touristy level: 4/5
Fun level: 3/5
Botanic Gardens, 1 Cluny Rd, Singapore 259569
Coney Island (+ Punggol Waterway)
Coney Island is a rustic gem tucked away in the northeastern part of Singapore. It doesn’t have flashy supertrees or the old school quarries of Pulau Ubin, but it’s a solid option for a day out in nature – it’s home to lush greenery, rugged terrain and sandy white beaches. As you cycle through Coney Island, look out for wildlife like monkeys, birds, otters, butterflies and monitor lizards.
Touristy level: 1/5
Fun level: 4/5
How to get to Coney Island: From Punggol Settlement, walk about 500m east along the Punggol Promenade Nature Walk to get to Coney Island Park West Entrance. Park is closed from 7pm to 7am.
Wake Park
If the usual attractions aren’t exciting enough, how about a day out to learn wakeboarding at Singapore’s very own Wake Park? Beginners can start learning on a straight line system, with lessons conducted by devoted instructors every hour, on the hour. The speed of the beginner straight line system cable is gradual, which makes learning how to stand on a wakeboard easier. Once you’re more confident on the board, move on to the intermediate cables and maybe even try out some obstacles for some fancy wakeboarding moves.
Touristy level: 1/5
Fun level: 4/5
Wake Park, 1206A ECP, Singapore 449891
Singapore Zoo
It’s no surprise that the Singapore Zoo is ranked #5 in the Travelers’ Choice awards for Zoos and Aquariums by TripAdvisor (based on millions of reviews). The beautiful Singapore Zoo is set in a wild rainforest habitat and home to more than 2,500 wild creatures housed in spacious landscaped exhibits with hidden barriers, moats, and glass between the animals and the visitors.
There are seasonal themed exhibits to keep things fresh and entertaining animal shows that are not to be missed. Also don’t forget to check out Rainforest Kizdworld, which has a carousel, an ampitheatre for animal shows, as well as a huge water play area for kids.
Touristy level: 5/5
Fun level: 5/5
Singapore Zoo, 80 Mandai Lake Road Singapore 729826
Sentosa
Yes, it’s the most touristy attraction of all and it can get crowded at times but that’s par for the course when you have an entire island dedicated to fun. Sentosa is crammed with activities ranging from theme parks to gorgeous beaches to throwback heritage spots like Fort Siloso. Whether you’re in the mood for a relaxing day with stunning views or ready for some heart-pumping adrenaline action, you’ll be in for a fab time on this island of fun.
Touristy level: 5/5
Fun level: 5/5
*There’s free island admission: Enter Sentosa via Sentosa Express, and drive in for free until 31 December 2020.
