Singapore is called the “playground for the rich” for a reason – from high-end shopping malls to luxury hotels and fine dining, there’s so much to indulge in (if you have the time and a fat wallet.)
It’s lovely public places, vibrant history, diverse cultures and cheap-n-easy transport system make this futuristic country a much-loved family friendly destination.
Close friends know that one of my life’s goals is to spend a month in every country (Hey… a girl can dream!) But most of the time, I have to make do with a fortnight or less. Not enough time to admire sunsets or go on some food hunts, but good enough to visit the top attractions.
Here’s my list of best tourist hotspots in Singapore:
1. Sentosa Island – Asia’s playground has to be first on the list! If you’re craving some fun in the sun, this is the place to be. Getting there is cool too – you can hop aboard a cable car which offers a great view of the city, or catch a tram that gets you there in minutes. One can also use the Sentosa broadway walk from harbour front.
Kids who want to enjoy the water can head to Palawan Beach, adventurous ones can try indoor sky diving at iFly Singapore, still others can visit the Port of Lost Wonder which is an exclusive club for kids. Siloso beach is a good spot to play volleyball on the fee courts or to experience kayaking and skim boarding.
Don’t forget to attend “Songs of the Sea” a light and sound musical over the water and the Crane Dance in Resort World Sentosa. The S.E.A Aquarium is home to over 1 lakh species of marine animals. Also a must see attraction on the island is the Merlion, Singapore’s famous statue that has the head of a lion and the body of a fish. Take an escalator to the top of the statue and admire the panoramic view.
One of the beaches has a group of peacocks freely walking around!
Tickets – Check out their website for offers on passes to the island. Depending on how long you want to spend there, choose among the 2 day fun pass, Premium pass, guided fun pass and others.
2. Universal Studios – Be prepared to spend the entire day at this amazing theme park. With attractions based on popular movies like Jurassic Park, Shrek, Transformers and Madagascar, it’s a fun place for kids and adults alike.
Older kids can ride roller coasters like Battlestar Galactica and Human v/s Cyclon (the scariest ride I’ve been on EVER).
From vintage cars to movie themed food carts, and singing boybands to celebrity look alikes, Universal Studios has something new to marvel at every time you turn around. Make sure you check out the Princess and the Frog fountain or the Hollywood walk of Fame!
Tickets – SGD 66 for an adult and SGD 53 for a child.
3. Singapore Night Safari – This is apparently the world’s first safari park for nocturnal animals. Hop aboard a mini train that stops at the attractions inside or simply walk around the seven geographical zones around the world including the Himalayas and Asian Riverine Forest. The array of animals is incredible! Don’t miss the creatures of the night show.
Tickets – SGD 42 for adults, SGD 28 for kids and SGD 18 for senior citizens.
4. Jurong Bird Park – Wear good walking shoes because this bird paradise is spread over 20 hectares of land. Feed the penguins or have a hawk sit on your glove or just watch the bird shows. There are interesting info graphics about the birds at the park to look out for. I also had delicious Singapore Laksa here
Tickets – SGD 28 for adults, SGD 18 for kids and SGD 12 for senior citizens.
5. Marina Bay Sands – No picture of the Singapore skyline is complete without the iconic building that looks like it has a boat on top. This high end hotel has a mall with a canal running through it. The sky park and infinity pool that offers a great view of the city. Sadly, you can’t swim there if you aren’t staying at the hotel. You can also try your luck at the casino (I did, much too often… hahaha).
Tickets – Observation Deck tickets are SGD 23 for adults, SGD 17 for children and SGD 20 for senior citizens. Entry to the casino is free if you’re not a citizen of Singapore. You will need to show your passport as proof.
There’s way too much fun to have in Singapore to cover up in just one blog post. But if you’re there for just a couple of days – this is definitely where you should be spending your time.
Stay tuned for Part 2!
Till next time,
xoxo