People sometimes ask me what they should do in Singapore. This is what I share with them.
🏞️ Outdoor
Bukit Timah Nature Reserve — One of the last patches of primary rainforest in Singapore. Spot macaques in the early morning. (177 Hindhede Dr, Singapore 589333; near Beauty World MRT)
Kranji Countryside / Bollywood Farms — Tiny farms, quirky food at the Poison Ivy bistro, and a far-from-the-city feel. (Bollywood Veggies now goes by Bollywood Farms.) Take the Kranji Countryside Express shuttle from Kranji MRT and make a half-day of it. (100 Neo Tiew Rd, Singapore 719026; near Kranji MRT)
Labrador Nature Reserve — Quieter than Mount Faber, with WWII relics and sea views. (Labrador Villa Rd, Singapore 119187; near Labrador Park MRT)
Mount Faber + Cable Car — Hike or take a cable car for views, breezes, and a quiet hilltop park. Combine with a HarbourFront walk. (Mount Faber Rd, Singapore 099203; near HarbourFront MRT)
Pulau Ubin — A bumboat ride away, this island offers a glimpse of old kampung life. Rent a bike and explore rustic trails and quarries. (Take bumboat from Changi Point Ferry Terminal, 51 Lor Bekukong, Singapore 499172)
Rail Corridor — Walk or cycle this green strip through the city. In the north, end at Yeast Side bar near the Bukit Timah Railway Station; at the southern end near the old Tanjong Pagar Railway Station, stop at Little Part 1 Cafe on Blair Road for local craft beer. (Entry near King Albert Park MRT in the north, or near Tanjong Pagar in the south)
Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve — Peaceful mangrove trails with wildlife spotting: monitor lizards, herons, even crocodiles. Best on weekday mornings. (301 Neo Tiew Cres, Singapore 718925; near Kranji MRT + Bus 925)
🏛️ Indoor
Civil Defence Heritage Gallery (Central Fire Station) — A compact museum in an old fire station. Great for families; try on the helmets. (62 Hill St, Singapore 179367; near City Hall MRT)
National Library Pod (Level 16) — Free, panoramic views of the skyline. A cool, quiet spot to reflect or snap photos. (100 Victoria St, Singapore 188064; near Bugis MRT)
Peranakan Museum — A beautifully curated museum of Straits Chinese culture, food, and fashion. (39 Armenian St, Singapore 179941; near Bras Basah MRT)
Reflections at Bukit Chandu — A tucked-away museum on WWII resistance and the last stand of the Malay Regiment. Small but immersive, and recently revamped. (31-K Pepys Rd, Singapore 118458; near Pasir Panjang MRT)
Singapore City Gallery (URA) — An interactive 3D model of the entire city and a window into urban planning. Free entry. (45 Maxwell Rd, The URA Centre, Singapore 069118; near Tanjong Pagar MRT)
STPI Creative Workshop and Gallery — Contemporary print and paper art near Robertson Quay. Free exhibitions and workshops. (41 Robertson Quay, Singapore 238236; near Fort Canning MRT)
🍜 Food and drink
Beach Road Scissors-Cut Curry Rice — Chaotic, messy, wonderful. A local favorite for crispy pork and curry rice, run by the same family since 1930. (229 Jalan Besar, Singapore 208905; near Jalan Besar MRT)
Haw Par Villa (with Pasir Panjang Food Centre) — Walk through this surreal outdoor sculpture park, then eat like a local at the hawker center right by the MRT. (262 Pasir Panjang Rd, Singapore 118628; near Haw Par Villa MRT)
Lau Pa Sat Satay Street (evening) — Tourist-friendly but lively. Outdoor satay stalls open around 7pm. Good vibes, low cost. (18 Raffles Quay, Singapore 048582; near Raffles Place or Telok Ayer MRT)
Level 33 — Craft beer and city views from the world’s highest urban microbrewery. Expensive, but a great sunset spot. (8 Marina Blvd, #33-01 MBFC Tower 1, Singapore 018981; near Downtown MRT)
Maxwell Food Centre — A classic hawker center across from the Singapore City Gallery. Great Hainanese chicken rice and local desserts. (1 Kadayanallur St, Singapore 069184; near Tanjong Pagar MRT)
Makansutra Gluttons Bay — Numerous Asian food stalls along a sizeable pedestrian street with ample seating and bay views. Opens late afternoon. (8 Raffles Ave, #01-15 Esplanade Mall)
True Blue Cuisine — Elegant, atmospheric Peranakan dining beside the museum, with a Michelin Bib Gourmand. Pricey but memorable. (47/49 Armenian St, Singapore 179937; near Bras Basah MRT)
🎯 On the beaten track
Buddha Tooth Relic Temple and Museum — An ornate, photogenic Buddhist temple in Chinatown said to house a relic of the Buddha. Small shops along the side sell incense, religious items, and souvenirs. (288 South Bridge Rd, Singapore 058840; near Chinatown MRT)
Gardens by the Bay — Famous for the futuristic Supertree Grove and Cloud Forest. Go in the late afternoon and stay for the light show. (18 Marina Gardens Dr, Singapore 018953; near Bayfront MRT)
Marina Bay Sands SkyPark Observation Deck — Panoramic views from atop the iconic hotel. A bit pricey, but the best skyline photos. (10 Bayfront Ave, Singapore 018956; near Bayfront MRT)
See the Merlion — The classic Singapore photo op at the mouth of the river. Best seen early morning or late evening to avoid crowds. (1 Fullerton Rd, Singapore 049213; near Raffles Place MRT)
Singapore Flyer (Ferris Wheel) — Ride one of the world’s largest observation wheels for sweeping city and sea views. (30 Raffles Ave, Singapore 039803; near Promenade MRT)
Sri Mariamman Temple — Singapore’s oldest Hindu temple, known for its colorful, intricate gopuram. Visitors are welcome but should dress modestly. (244 South Bridge Rd, Singapore 058793; near Chinatown MRT)
Sultan Mosque (Masjid Sultan) — The grandest mosque in Singapore, with a striking golden dome. Non-Muslims cannot enter the prayer hall, but it’s an iconic photo stop in Kampong Glam. (3 Muscat St, Singapore 198833; near Bugis MRT)
Walk (or bumboat) down the Singapore River — Stroll from Robertson Quay to Marina Bay, or take a traditional boat ride past Clarke Quay, Boat Quay, and colonial landmarks. (Boarding points at Clarke Quay or Boat Quay; near Clarke Quay MRT)
What should I add to this list? Write me at jdonaldson@smu.edu.sg.