30 Things To Do in Singapore Before You Die

30 Things To Do in Singapore Before You Die

Singapore not only has a wonderful history and hospitable citizens, but also offers a wide variety of things to do and see. If you have not included visiting the vibrant city in your bucket list up to now, it is high time you did so. Even if it means visiting Singapore once in a while, you should try doing the following:

1. Visit the Singapore Zoo

Occupying an area of about 70 acres, the Singapore Zoo shelters more than 315 species animals, of which about 17% are endangered. Notable wild animals include spider monkeys, orangutans, ring-tailed lemurs, white tigers, leopards, tapirs, sun bears, flamingos, kangaroos, maned wolves, white rhinos, elephants, mandrills, baboons, and polar bears. Dangerous animals are kept in spacious, naturalistic, and landscaped enclosures with strong barriers to ensure maximum safety of all visitors. In addition, the zoo offers fascinating activities including horse carriage, boat, pony, and tram rides.

2. Take a Walk Through the MacRitchie Nature Trail

Stretching for about 3.5 kilometres in a tropical rainforest, the MacRitchie Nature Trail is lined with lush vegetation and old rubber trees. It connects the Singapore Island Country Club, Singapore’s oldest and biggest golf club and the MacRitchie Reservoir Park. The reservoir has a food kiosk and a number of drinking fountains to ensure that you are not hungry or thirsty. The trail’s 25-metre Tree Top Walk offers stunning views of the entire MacRitchie Forest.

3. Visit the Kranji War Memorial

Kranji War Memorial is found along 9 Woodlands Road in the suburb of Kranji. The memorials was constructed in the year in the year 1946 in the memory of selfless Canadian, British, Dutch, Indian, Malay and Australian military personnel who lost their lives while defending Malaya and Singapore against the Japanese during the Second World War. It comprises of numerous military graves, memorial walls, and the famous State Cemetery.

4. Shop at the Sim Slim Square (SLS)

Sim Slim Square is a large retail complex found along 1 Rochor Canal Road in Singapore. The complex houses hundreds of electronic supply and service shops selling and servicing a wide range of modern electronic devices such as mobile phones, computers, laptops, DVD players, and cameras. The electronic devices and services are offered at very affordable rates.

5. Go for a Ride at the Singapore Flyer

With a diameter of about 150 metres and an amazing height of almost 166 metres, the Singer Flyer is rated as the tallest Ferris wheel in the world. The flyer is constructed over a beautifully designed terminal building which contains numerous bars, shops, and restaurants. While at the peak, you get a chance to enjoy panoramic views of the entire city centre and the Indonesian islands.

6. Eat and Drink at Din Tai Fung

This luxurious Taiwanese restaurant offers mouthwatering dishes and a wide collection of wines. While waiting for your order, you can listen to the soft background music as you watch the experienced chefs at work through the decorative windows. Notable dishes include fried pork, soy noodle salad, pork rice bun, seaweed and bean curd dressed in vinegar, and delicate steamed dumplings.

7. Enjoy the Real Beauty of Nature at the Burkit Timah Nature Reserve

The Burkit Timah Nature Reserve is strategically located on the slopes of Burkit Timah Hill, about 12 kilometres from the city centre of Singapore. Even though it is relatively small in size, the reserve is home to more than 850 species of plants and over 450 species of wild animals. In addition, it offers interesting activities including rock climbing, hiking, mountain biking, and running.

8. Take a Walk on the Southern Ridges Trail

This 9-kilometre trail is considered one of the longest and highest pedestrian bridges in Singapore. It connects the Mount Faber Kent Ridge, and Telok Blangah Hill parks along the expansive and evergreen southern ridge of Singapore. A huge section of the trail is suspended gracefully above jungles, offering spectacular views of the city, wonderful flora and fauna, Southern Islands, and the city’s harbour.

9. Get Technological Information at the Science Centre Singapore

The Science Centre Singapore specialises in providing scientific and technological information both to both natives and visitors. It features 12 exhibition galleries containing more than 800 exhibits and an observatory located about 15.3 metres above sea level. The observatory is equipped with a wide range of facilities including a state-of-the-art telescope.

10. Visit the Jurong Bird Park

Jurong Bird Park is an outstanding landscaped park located on the western slopes of Jurong Hill. Covering an area of about 202,500 square metres, it stands out as the largest walk-in aviary in the world. Its 30-metre waterfall serves as an excellent backdrop for more than 600 bird species native to Asia and Africa including barbets, egrets, ostriches, turacos, parrots, spoonbills, rainbow lorikeets, and cockatoos. In addition, the park offers a number of interesting bird shows including the High Flyers Show and the Birds of Prey Show.

11. Shop at the Marina Barrage Dam

The Marina Barrage Dam is currently the largest and most beautiful water reservoir in Singapore. It is constructed at the confluence of 5 big rivers across the mouth of the 350-metre wide Marina Channel. Apart from controlling flood and storing water, it also serves as a venue for numerous fascinating recreational activities including dragon boating, windsurfing, swimming, and kayaking.

12. Drive Around the Bahru Estate

Constructed in the late 1930s, Tiong Bahru is regarded as one of Singapore’s oldest housing estate. It comprises of about 32 five-storey apartment blocks with more than 850 units. It was established by the Singapore Improvement Trust (SIT) under the leadership of the British colonial authority for the purpose of providing shelter to the needy members of public. The apartments are designed with extraordinary architectural designs featuring flat rooftops, light wells, round balconies, underground storage, and spiral staircase.

13. Test Your Swimming Skills at the Jurong East Swimming Complex

Jurong East Swimming Complex is one of the best places where you can relax and have a good swimming experience in Singapore. The complex offers a wide variety of water activities in its water slides, whirlpool, and wave pool. The Kiddy Fun Station is designed to offer children more hours of fun in water.

14. Visit the St. Andrews Cathedral

St. Andrews Cathedral is the largest cathedral in Singapore. It is located near City Hall MRT Interchange in the heart of the city. The building was constructed between 1835 and 1836 with Palladian architectural design featuring an arched entrance, glossy white interior, stained windows, and extended pinnacles. The church is large enough to contain more than 1,000 worshippers at a single service.

15. Visit the Labrador Park

The Labrador Park contains some of the most historical wa relics including helmets, guns, medals, and bullets from World War II left behind the British military. The park also houses more than 100 butterfly species, over 50 species of birds, more than 20 species of plants, and wide variety of wild animals. The rocky shore contains numerous crabs and corals. While walking along any of the reserve’s nature trails, it is easy for you to spot the blue-crowned hanging parrots, monkeys, and squirrels.

16. Visit the Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple

Constructed by Tamil labourers in the year 1855, Sri Veeramakaliamman temple is arguably one of the oldest Indian temples displaying the best of ancient South Indian architectural style. The temple is dedicated to a revered goddess known as Kali, which explains why all Indians worshipping here always leave with red ashes on their foreheads. Kali’s images can be seen on the temple’s walls wearing a garland of skulls and using her teeth and hands to rip off the sides of helpless victims.

17. Visit the Central Fire Station

Established in the year 1909, the Central Fire Station, also referred to as the Hill Street Fire Station, is the oldest surviving fire station in Singapore. The red-and-white brick building houses some of the oldest and most modern firefighting equipment. It also features the Civil Defence Heritage Gallery which outlines Singapore’s firefighting history in a very clear and interesting way.

18. Visit the Singapore Cricket Club (SSC)

The Singapore Cricket Club is located along Connaught Drive in the heart of the city. Since its establishment in the year 1852, it has developed from an elite colonial sports club to a strong and competitive multi-racial sports club. It is considered the second oldest sports club in Singapore after the Singapore Turf Club which was founded in 1842. The club is currently having more than 3,000 members and serves as a venue for numerous games such as cricket, field hockey, soccer, and rugby. It also offers modern facilities for indoor games such as lawn bowls, squash, snooker, and table tennis.

19. Visit the Sun Yat Sen Nanyang Memorial Hall

The Sun Yat Sen Nanyang Memorial Hall, also referred to as Wan Qing Yuan, is an elegant two-storey villa built in British Colonial architectural style. The villa is a commemoration of Sun Yat Sen, China’s original founder. The villa currently serves as a museum housing more than 400 artefacts including oil and watercolour paintings, history books, photographs, calligraphy works, and bronze statues.

20. Take a Walk at the Pasir Ris Park

Occupying about 176 acres of land, the Pasir Ris is regarded as one of the largest coastal parks in Singapore. The Bird Watching Tower gives you the chance to watch a wide variety of birds including parrots, storks, egrets, herons, sparrow hawks, and eagles. There are also monkeys, rhinos, and elephants. In addition, the park has a huge playground offering numerous activities including skating and kayaking.

21. Visit the Haw Par Villa

The Haw Par Villa is a wonderful theme park containing more than 950 statues and over 100 dioramas depicting various scenes from Chinese mythology, legends, folklore, and clear illustrations of different aspects of Confucianism. The villa’s notable attractions include the Ten Courts of Hell and the graphic Journey into the West.

22. Relax and a Get Comforting Massage at the Kenko Reflexology & Fish Spa

Kenko is known to offer some of the best and most affordable spa services in Singapore. It prides itself in offering the best foot reflexology services manicure, pedicure, ear candling, and therapeutic massage techniques designed to give you quick relief from neck, migraine, and back problems.

23. Admire Singapore’s City Hall

The City Hall of Singapore was gazette as a national monument in the year 1992. It was designed and constructed in the 1920s by F.D Meadows and A. Gordans, two famous architects of the 20th century. Since its formation, the building has served as home to the Prime Minister’s office, Supreme Court, Public Service Commission, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Singapore Academy of Law. It is currently being converted into The National Gallery of Singapore together with the adjacent Old Supreme Building.

24. Attend Service at the Armenian Church

The Armenian Church is the oldest apostolic church in Singapore. It is built in a stylish and symmetrical architectural design featuring white walls, an octagonal cone providing support to a small bell turret with Iconic columns, decorated interior, and coloured windows. Services are conducted on Sundays and both natives and visitors are invited.

25. Walk or Drive Around the Holland Village

Holland Village is a small but busy neighbourhood found near the Bona Vista MRT Station. It offers a wide variety of watering holes, affordable eateries, and shops selling different types of traditional and modern items. Some notable food chains offering both local and foreign dishes include the Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, Haagen-Dazs, Subway, and Crystal Jade.

26. Enjoy Unforgettable Experiences at the Wild Wild Wet

The Wild Wild Wet is the largest and most impressive water theme park in Singapore. It offers a 4-storey ramp slide, 2 water slides, a Jacuzzi, and a raft slide. It also offers a number of state-of-the-art facilities including life jackets, lockers, floats, children’s shower cubicles, and a spacious playground.

27. Visit the Parkview Square

The Parkview Square is located near the Gateway, and the Bugis MRT Station. Measuring about 145 metres and having 24 floors, the structure displays the best of art-deco architectural style. The exterior is decorated with bronze, glass, and brown granite. One of its notable exterior features is the golden crane statue.

28. Cruise to Kusu Island

Kusu Island is one of the most amazing Southerns Islands in Singapore. The island features stunning beaches, lagoons, the Tortoise Sanctuary, and Da Bo Gong, a famous Chinese temple. On its rugged hillock, there are three holy shrines of Malay saints. People from different parts of Singapore come to the shrines to pray for health, peace, and wealth.

29. Watch the Robertson Quay

Robertson Quay is the largest, most upstream, and most famous wharf of the three wharfs found on the Singapore River. It is surrounded by luxurious international restaurants, arts houses, wine bars, and high-class condominiums. For the best experience, visit the place at night and see how beautiful lights are reflected on the water.

30. Visit the Civilian War Memorial

The memorial was built in the memory of thousands of civilians massacred by the Japanese between 1942 and 1945 during the Pacific War and World War II. The memorial rests on serene parkland along Beach Road. The structure comprises of four identical pillars, each measuring about 70 metres in height. The pillars symbolise the bad and painful war experiences shared by the Malay, Indians, Chinese, and many other countries.