Things to do in  Singapore

A surreal mixture of abstract structures, light features, and living plants, the Gardens by the Bay feature both indoor and outdoor gardens. Don’t miss Supertree Grove, with towering tree-like trunks that light up after dark; the Cloud Forest, home to an indoor waterfall; the Flower Dome, a botanical garden housing exotic plant life from around the world; and Floral Fantasy, a feast of flower arrangements.

A Singapore landmark, Merlion Park is named for its centerpiece, the Merlion statue, which spouts water into Marina Bay. With the head of a lion and the body of a fish, the Merlion is the national icon of Singapore. The park is also popular with locals, who come here to play and relax along the waterfront.

Located along the southern bank of the Singapore River, Boat Quay is a popular and lively waterfront dining and entertainment district. Formerly a busy commercial port area, today the historic shops and warehouses along the quay have been converted into restaurants, bars, pubs, and clubs, popular with locals and tourists alike.

For subcontinental color, cuisine, and atmosphere, head to Singapore’s Little India, one of the island’s most vibrant districts. Shops, restaurants, street vendors, and colorful Hindu temples line the streets of Little India, making it an excellent place to take a walk. The culture and community center of Little India, Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple is the neighborhood’s most important Hindu Temple, dedicated to the goddess Kali.

Singapore’s premier performance venue overlooks the super-sleek Marina Bay Waterfront. Esplanade-Theatres on the Bay consists of a 1,600-seat concert hall and 2,000-seat theater. The complex has waterfront and open-air venues and hosts more than 3,000 performances annually.

Founded in 1887 as a 10-room bungalow on the shores of the Singapore River, the resplendent Raffles Hotel grew to attract famous faces such as the late Charlie Chaplin and Queen Elizabeth II. Known for its colonial architecture and luxury amenities, it’s also the birthplace of the Singapore Sling cocktail and a popular spot for high tea.

For many visitors, Singapore’s Chinatown is the sightseeing focus of the city, home to traditional shophouses, temples, and cultural heritage. Take a wander down the atmospheric streets, dropping into shophouses to see what’s for sale. Admire the rooftop dragons of Thian Hock Keng Temple, dedicated to the Goddess of the Sea, and the festively gaudy Hindu Sri Mariamman Temple, covered with colorful cows and depictions of the gods. Of course, Chinatown is also the place to go to for great food, especially along Smith Street.

The Supertree Grove at Gardens by the Bay is a futuristic grove of man-made, treelike vertical gardens that mimic the function of real trees. A top Singapore sight and architectural wonder that’s home to more than 160,000 plants, the Supertree Grove offers shade during the day, a light-and-sound spectacular at night, and panoramic city and garden views.

Dramatically transformed by urban redevelopment, Marina Bay is home to a plethora of entertainment options as well as some of Singapore’s most iconic attractions. Popular with locals and travelers alike, the vibrant waterfront region is an exciting place to spend the day (or night).

Once inhabited by the Malay and Muslim elite of Singapore, the Kampong Glam neighborhood is one of the city’s most attractive. Former shop houses have been restored to their former beauty and now house modern shops and restaurants. The area is also home to the Sultan Mosque and Malay Heritage Centre.

The imposing, five-story Tang-style Buddha Tooth Relic Temple was constructed entirely around a single tooth—not just any tooth, but that believed to be the canine tooth of the Buddha. The sacred relic was discovered by the Venerable Cakkapala and is now enshrined at the temple.

The flamboyant blue-and-green façade of the Tekka Centre marks one of Little India’s top attractions—a hawker center and shopping mall known for its range of goods and affordable prices. The ground-level food hall sells a huge assortment of Indian and Chinese specialties.

All the major world cities seem to have a big wheel these days, and Singapore is no exception. Lifting you 540 feet (165 meters) into the air, the Singapore Flyer is Asia’s largest observation wheel, providing amazing panoramic views of the city, the sea, and the surrounds from one of 28 capsules.

Housed in the former Tao Nan School, the Peranakan Museum contains one of the world’s finest collections of Peranakan artifacts. Spanning three stories, its 800-plus items across nine galleries showcase different aspects of the unique Peranakan culture found in the former Straits Settlements of Singapore, Malacca, and Penang.

One of Singapore's oldest open green spaces, the Padang has long been used for public recreation and holiday celebrations and as a sport, parade, and ceremonial ground. Surrounded by the colonial architecture of the historic Civic District, the Padang is now protected as a national monument.