What are the best things to do in Singapore?
1. Marina Bay
Singapore’s famed Marina Bay is the place to go to see the city’s most spectacular things to do. With the fast development of this cosmopolitan city-state, the whole Marina Bay area has undergone a transformation of epic proportions.
The S$5.5 billion Marina Bay Sands complex is the focal point of the bay, and many of the great things to do and see in the area revolve around this epic building and resort, such as the Science Museum, Casino and various shopping, dining and nightlife options. Arrive at Marina Bay around 8pm to catch the spectacular light show, which illuminates the water as well as several iconic landmarks you’ve probably seen on postcards.
2. Raffles Hotel
This luxurious colonial-style hotel has a long history dating back to 1887 and has become one of the most important landmarks in Singapore. Its famous guests include Elizabeth Taylor, Queen Elizabeth II and the late King of Pop, Michael Jackson.
The Raffles Hotel features 103 suites and 18 distinctive restaurants and bars as well as an arcade with over 40 boutiques and stores (think Louis Vuitton and Tiffany & Co.) Many come for the Raffles Bar experience and you can be sure to enjoy the best Singapore Sling in town. After all, it was actually invented here, and they’ve had almost 100 years of experience at making them.
3. Clarke Quay
This delightful riverside development is packed full of bustling bars and restaurants, boutique shops and pumping nightclubs, attracting a steady stream of tourists alongside Singapore’s party animals.
Clarke Quay’s location takes full advantage of the picturesque body of water that emerges from the city’s main river, with alfresco-style dining to be had in an endless number of eateries set around the water’s edge. Head under the futuristic, jelly-like roof and you’ll find some great shopping options as well as a plentiful supply of bars, making this a real bar-hoppers’ heaven.
4. Orchard Road
One of the city’s most iconic streets, Orchard Road is the epicentre of shopping in Singapore and is similar to London’s Oxford Street or Hong Kong’s Nathan Road. Flanked on both sides by local and international department stores, tiny boutiques, offices, spas, beauty salons, hotels, entertainment spots, restaurants, and cafes, you could spend a whole day trawling the main thoroughfare.
Shopping malls along Orchard are stocked with practically everything under the sun. Plus, there is always some kind of fair or activity taking place in the malls and shopping centres so there are probably more things to do Orchard than anywhere else in Singapore.
5. Singapore Flyer
The Singapore Flyer is the world’s largest observation wheel. A one-of-a-kind experience and built over a 3-story terminal building, the Flyer is 150 metres in diameter, 165 metres high, and travels at 0.21m per second (it is some 30 metres taller than the famous London Eye!).
With breathtaking panoramic views that are so radically different during the day and at night, it’s hard to choose the best time to take a ride. Passengers will get to see such city sights as the Singapore River, Raffles Place, Marina Bay, Empress Place and the Padang.