Arriving in Singapore was like stepping into the future, with monumental skyscrapers arranged around the bustling streets. Singapore is a vibrant tropical island town, with rich history and a fusion of cultures. With only a few days to explore because of flight delays we didn’t have any time to waste. Thankfully, the size of the island made it very easy to cover more ground and uncover local charm.
What we did:
Gardens by the Bay: A trip to Singapore isn’t complete without a visit to the stunning gardens by the bay. The amazing supertrees have become one of the most recognizable and iconic landmarks in Singapore. We went twice, once in the morning, and once in the evening to watch the light show. I definitely suggest going at night as the supertrees come alive with bright and beautiful lights, illuminating the 82-160-foot trees.
Cloud Forrest: This was by far my favorite activity in Singapore, partly because it involved air conditioning all day. The glass dome features a 115-foot-high hill covered in beautiful trees, plants, and flowers, the amazing array showcases the diversity of the tropical highlands. From the top of the misty hill of the cloud forest we descended through a maze of suspension bridges while surrounded by lush vegetation.
Koon Seng Road: Located in Joo Chiat, Koon Seng Road is Singapore’s best display of Peranakan (Baba-Nyonya) culture. The Peranakans were straits-born people of Chinese and Malay heritage. They settled in the area between the 15th and 17th centuries. This neighborhood is covered with pastel and multi colored, terrace houses embellished with facades of ceramic tiles and stone animals. Because of its colorful beauty, this street has become an Instagram hot spot.
Haji Lane: I LOVED Kampong Glam, home to the Singaporean Muslim community. Haji Lane is a small street in the Kampong Glam area filled with street art. If you’re looking for unique shopping in Singapore look no further. The alleys are crammed with cute boutiques, trendy stores, and cafes.
Botanical Gardens: The Singapore Botanic Gardens are definitely one of the top activities in Singapore. It’s the perfect getaway from the bustling city. The grounds are massive and have different landmarks and smaller themed gardens. My favorite, the main attraction, was the National Orchid Garden. As beautiful and tranquil as the gardens are be prepared for the mosquitos and the insane humidity.
ArtScience: Even if you’re only in Singapore for a few days, the ArtScience Museum is a must-see. There are three exhibits at the museum. Entrance fees are $19SD for one exhibit, $32SD for any two exhibits, and $40SD for all three exhibits. Make sure to definitely see the Future World exhibit…it blew my mind!
Where we ate:
A noodle story: When you see a long line at a hawker stall, it usually means they’re cooking up spectacular food. I am so glad we waited in line in the unbearable heat for this meal. The bowl of noodles is filled with vibrant colors and tastes. The portion is generous and meticulously prepared and presented. The egg was cooked to perfection and the crunchy shrimp was a delicious surprise!
Liao Fan: The full name of this restaurant (longest brand name ever), “Liao Fan Hong Kong Soya Sauce Chicken Rice Noodle.” One of two hawker stalls to ever receive a Michelin star, Liao fan serves up very humble and simple food. You’ll get a Michelin star meal for $2SD!! Since it’s in the name of the restaurant we both tried the Soya chicken and rice and also ordered Chinese broccoli and chrysanthemum iced tea. The chicken was the real star; crispy skin, full of flavor, and drizzled with thick soy sauce.
Don Ho: This is a new hip place on the buzzing Singapore food scene. It has a tropical theme and is really trendy and comforting. The cocktails were amazing but pretty expensive. We ordered a few plates to share, the crab cakes being my favorite!
Punch: This was our first stop in Singapore, and it was one of our favorite cups of coffee on our entire trip. The service was great, and the staff are on top of everything! Besides the delicious avocado and mushroom toasts, we enjoyed, the restaurant itself is beautiful.
Monument Lifestyle: It was 3pm and I was melting and desperately looking for a caffeine fix. The shop is part café and part hip clothing store with a California vibe. The menu is simple offering coffee, tea, toast, and pastries sourced from a local bakery.
Layover Tips:
The public transportation is a dream! I recommend buying a 48-hour Singapore Tourist Card for unlimited travel on bus services and the metro. A 48-hour card is $16SD + $10SD rental deposit. You’ll get the $10 SD back when you return your card (we returned ours at the airport).
Eat cheap! You’ll get much better value eating at hawker stalls and they’re legendary in Singapore. Noodles, rice, meat, fish, vegetables, spicy, mild, sour, sweet…the options are limitless.
Be aware of the health inspector grades (A, B, or C) posted on each hawker stall. I would only suggest eating from an A or B.
The tissue pack! If you’re looking for napkins while at the hawker stalls, you won’t find them. You need to bring or buy your own tissue pack. Tissue packs also serve as a place holder and is the unofficial way to save your place (we learned this the hard way).
Booze is EXPENSIVE! I only had one alcoholic drink while in Singapore because it felt stupid to spend so much money on one drink.
Everyone speaks English, along with Malay, Tamil, and Mandarin.
The humidity is INTENSE. People warned me about the heat and humidity, and I THOUGHT I was prepared…. I was not. I think it’s something that you won’t be able to understand unless you experience it.
There are some strange laws that could get you in trouble if you’re unaware, but because of these strict rules Singapore is ridiculously clean.
o Singing in public (< 3 months in prison)
o Jaywalking ($20-$1000SD)
o Being seen in the nude at home or hotel room ($2000SD)
o Connecting to another person’s WIFI (< 3 years in prison or $10,000SD fine)
o Feeding pigeons ($500SD)
o Homosexuality (< 2 years in prison)
o Not flushing the toilet ($150SD)
o Smoking in public ($152-760SD)
o Littering ($300SD)
o Spitting in public ($1000SD)