18 votes

Any recommendations on places to visit in Singapore? There for a week.

I had initially planned a trip to Japan but had to change plans at the last minute.

So here I am, not as well prepared as I usually am. Would love to hear what you guys love doing when in Singapore. I'm not someone who enjoys nightlife/clubbing. Good food and cocktail bars are more my speed. Already booked a nice looking place called Candlenut for a meal.

Any sightseeing recommendations would be really helpful as well. Thanks guys.

7 comments

  1. [2]
    yushir0
    Link
    I can make some suggestions as I have been to Singapore before. It's a really cool place with lots of things to do. Don't take this as a comprehensive list, but just suggestions based off of some...

    I can make some suggestions as I have been to Singapore before. It's a really cool place with lots of things to do. Don't take this as a comprehensive list, but just suggestions based off of some of the things I have done when visiting. I guess the first thing to keep in mind is that the entire country is about 20 miles wide by about 15 miles tall. Things are EXTREMELY walkable, but you definitely should familiarize yourself with their subway system. You shouldn't need to bother with cabs or Uber to get you to any destination.

    First thing you should do when you arrive is look for the shopping mall in the central core of the airport. The highlight here is an enormous atrium with a huge whirlpool shaped waterfall pouring into the center of it. I believe there is a laser show or something if you hang out for a while. Grab some food while you are here, the restaurants in the food court are actually great. There is a delicious Pho place that I usually hit (beware, extremely spicy if you aren't familiar with Pho).

    Some traditional Singapore foods that you need to try are the "Chicken Rice" (note: don't call it "chicken and rice", it is "chicken rice") and the "Chili Crab". There was also a michelin star restaurant (i forget its name, but you can eat so close to the canal that you might fall in). in Clark Quai (pronounced key) that was delicious and shockingly affordable. If you are from the US, tipping isn't a thing here (and might actually be offensive?), also you need to raise your hand and flag down your waiter/waitress or they will not come by your table. Also, please note that chewing gum is illegal in Singapore.

    Places you should go:
    Go to the top of the marina bay sands hotel for a great view.
    The whole area around the marina bay hotel should be explored. The gardens by the bay behind the hotel are free to enter / explore and are really neat.
    Make sure to get a picture by the Merlion on the opposite side of the bay to the hotel.
    Inside the hotel is a huge mall.
    You should visit Chinatown. There is a Buddhist temple in the center that is worth touring.
    The beach at Sentosa (amusement park) is probably worth checking out for just a weird experience with huge ships so close to the beach that it feels like you could just swim out to one. I remember the go-cart ride at sentosa being really fun after dark.
    Go take a walk in the main downtown core of the city.
    Look for "Hawker Centers". These are basically underground malls hidden all over. You can circumnavigate the city in these just walking around. They are a great place to get out of the heat. Some of the best food places are hidden in these.
    Having trouble thinking of other things. Rent an electric Lime scooter and just go nuts exploring. It is refreshingly safe feeling just roaming around pretty much everywhere and it's pretty hard to get lost.

    9 votes
    1. Shard
      Link Parent
      Thanks a lot for the recommendations mate. I tried chicken rice at a hawker centre and it was pretty good. Took a walk along the Merlion area as well. Looking forward to exploring more of the city...

      Thanks a lot for the recommendations mate. I tried chicken rice at a hawker centre and it was pretty good. Took a walk along the Merlion area as well.

      Looking forward to exploring more of the city over the week.

      2 votes
  2. KakariBlue
    Link
    The night zoo is an awesome experience on the tram, there's nothing quite like feeling a little preyed upon by hyenas and the tiger (I was last there in 2018 as it's not something I've found...

    The night zoo is an awesome experience on the tram, there's nothing quite like feeling a little preyed upon by hyenas and the tiger (I was last there in 2018 as it's not something I've found interest in with my travelmates since).

    If you like ramen Hakata Ikkousha is great (a chain but the thinness of the chashu is great at Apt/Blk 7, Tanjong Pagar Plz, #01-104B, Singapore 081007) and there's a place called Four Seasons ramen, it's not at the Four Seasons but can be fun if you're in the area (158 Rochor Rd, Singapore 188433).

    If you want dim sum, Red Star restaurant is at the top of a building and provides the most full contact du sum experience I've had. I haven't had the chance to go since COVID but it was good food and overall experience.

    Second on the chili crab, I've had it at a place near the Merlion that was good and JUMBO (at least East Coast) is decent and right on the water.

    There's also the southern islands, check out descriptions online for which sounds best for you and remember to bring lots of water, snacks, and an alarm so you don't miss your ferry back! Kusu may be the most approachable as it's small, I believe the tortoises are still open, and is a little bit rarer for the average tourist to end up at.

    Enjoy your time there, it's an absolutely great place to visit; if you like bridges and architecture there's the DNA pedestrian bridge next to the Sands, the Louis Vuitton design center, Raffles Hotel, and National Gallery; more modern stuff is often office and condos so not as easy to visit but the Interlace and Parkroyal Collection (dripping in plants) are fun to see.

    4 votes
  3. Astrospud
    Link
    I'll add another. I found a week in Singapore is great, but 2 weeks is too much. Food: First - skip restaurants for the most part - go to Hakwer centers. It's excellent and super cheap. The...

    I'll add another. I found a week in Singapore is great, but 2 weeks is too much.

    Food:
    First - skip restaurants for the most part - go to Hakwer centers. It's excellent and super cheap. The country has some amazing Indian and Chinese food. Go to Bukit Panjang for Indian (just don't go on a Sunday, all of the laborers have that day off and it becomes one of the most packed places in Singapore with lots of drunks), and the Chinatown Complex for the obvious Chinese. These places don't just offer one-off 'Chinese and Idian' food like in some countries - here they actually offer different regional cuisines.
    Besides the usual Singapore chicken rice - and everyone has their own opinion on which is the best - try Laksa (I'm probably misspelling it.) I had an amazing Biryani.

    But seriously, try anything that tickles your fancy. Try some restaurants too, but if a place doesn't list prices up front - do not go in. Singapore does not mess around with prices. You can spend around $7 for a meal or $70000. You can't always tell from the outside.

    Places to see:
    I went there about 10 years ago and things have changed a lot. My highlights would be check out the Marina Bay Sands hotel area. Personally I wouldn't recommend the view on top. I've been told you need to take pictures behind a fence unless you want to spend money to take a dip in their infinity pool for an unobstructed view - in which case you have a fence with a bunch of people taking pictures through it at you/the view so it's not particularly glamorous. The Art gallery is amazing but especially check out the Gardens by the bay - it's a one-of-a-kind sight. Pay the extra to check out the 3 atrium, and definitely go back for the night show - it's definitely memorable.
    Check out the Indian area, Chinatown, and Muslim town. You can probably easily find a decent itinerary for free online what to see.
    If you like animals check out the zoo but also the night zoo opposite of it. You see different things/animal activity at night.
    Sentosa Island is cool and you can walk to it - the walkway has moving walkways so it's super easy to get across but the cable car might be worth the fee. The beach, Universal Studios, and the market was pretty cool. I'd probably skip the aquarium.
    Check out the airport - it's the best one in the world. Waterslides, movie theatres, etc....
    Not too far is Changi village which has a great Hawker center which can lead you to a ferry to Pulau Ubin where you can rent a bike and check out the more natural aspects - you are very close to Malaysia.
    I never checked it out, but after having seen it on some Nature documentaries, I wish I had gone to the North-west to the Sungei Buloh wetland area. Crocs, monitor lizards, and birds.

    Also check out some of the malls as there's lots of hidden gems, but most importantly - just look around on your own and do what you want. It is one of the greenest and most dense multicultural cities in the world and is super safe. Just stay away from monkeys!

    3 votes
  4. conception
    Link
    The zoo is pretty great actually.

    The zoo is pretty great actually.

    1 vote
  5. fxgn
    Link
    Check out Little India, it's a very interesting place. Also you should see the Artscience museum.

    Check out Little India, it's a very interesting place. Also you should see the Artscience museum.

    1 vote
  6. xk3
    Link
    The National Stadium is a nice place to walk around and get some exercise. I also second the recommendation of trying out hawker stalls every day for lunch. Tons of great options everywhere. Don't...

    The National Stadium is a nice place to walk around and get some exercise.

    I also second the recommendation of trying out hawker stalls every day for lunch. Tons of great options everywhere. Don't be afraid of Indonesian or Malaysian food... Ayam penyet is really delicious. Nasi pecel (peanut sauce) is also quite good.

    1 vote