It would be a shame to be anywhere near Singapore and not stop in for a visit. It’s a country that personifies the beauty and everything that is culturally important about the Orient.
Don’t kid yourself, Singapore is a great vacation destination for the entire family. There are plenty of things for the family to do by day, and a little something extra for the adults to do when they want to get away for an evening on the town. With dozens of attractions that would be worthy of being on anyone’s travel bucket list, here are seven (7) must-dos on your first or next trip to Singapore.
1. Marina Bay
The best place to start any vacation is at the respective region’s tourism epicenter. In Singapore, that would be Marina Bay. A scant 1/2 mile out of the city center, Marina Bay offers a beautiful view of Singpore’s most famous and beautiful waterway. It also provides easy access to major vacation attractions like ArtScience Museum and The Float at Marina Bay (the world’s largest floating stadium). Did we neglect to mention the Marina Bay Sands Resort?
2. Marina Bay Sands Resort
Forget about Las Vegas. Asian countries and cities are home to some of the most outstanding casino properties in the world. Resting along the shore of the Bay is the Marina Bay Sands Resorts Singapore.
This structural marvel cost close to $7 billion to build, opening in 2010. The facility features 2,561 rooms, a 120,000 sq. ft. convention center, dozens of shops with branded merchandise, and a full-service “atrium” casino that provides access to 500+ table games and over 1,600 with some featuring a free spins bonus. Fine dining in “celebrity chef” restaurants and cocktails on two floating crystal pavilions are also available.
3. Singapore Botanic Gardens
Some of the best things in life are free. Such is the case with the Singapore Botanic Gardens. Singapore has long carried the nickname “City in the Garden” due in large part to beautiful parks and nature resorts like this.
The Singapore Botanic Garden shares 60 acres of valuable land with some of the biggest skyscrapers in the Orient. It’s a special feeling to stroll among beautiful flowers and well-manicured plants that make the garden look like a Disneyland for casual naturalists, scholarly botanists, and the family.
4. Hawker Food Paradise – Chinatown Complex Food Center
In some countries, they call it street food. In Singapore, it’s simply referred to as hawker food. The reality is you can learn a lot about the culture of any country/city by trying some of its local cuisines.
If you are looking to take a stroll, why not make it through the Chinatown Complex Food Center? Along the way, you can visit anyone of the 200+ food stalls where some of the most unusual food fare is being created by the very same people who make Singapore great.
5. Singapore Zoo
When visiting different parts of the world, it’s always a good idea to visit one of the local zoos. It allows you and your family to learn about how wildlife differs from one region of the world to the next.
The Singapore Zoo features 11 different zones that are dedicated to creating the natural habitats for hundreds of different wildlife species. There are also 12 different exhibits, animal shows, and safaris that highlight specific species. The zoo is located about 9 miles outside of the city and takes at least 4-6 hours to cover the main attractions.
6. Sentosa Island
Before the adults can head out for a night on the town, it’s a good idea to let the kids burn off a little energy. They can certainly do that at Sentosa Island.
This is an island community that is dedicated to fun, fun, and more fun. It features the world-renowned Universal Studios Singapore, plus other fun attractions like the Adventure Cove Waterpark, S.E.A. Aquarium, iFly Singapore, Mega Adventure, and The Flying Trapeze. Golf, beaches, and nightlife are also available, making this a days-long destination for the whole family.
7. The Singapore Flyer
Around the world, there are numerous countries and cities that lay claim to being home to the largest Ferris Wheel in the world. The Singapore Flyer may or may not be one of the biggest at 42 stories tall, but it certainly qualifies as the most spectacular Ferris Wheel based on the views riders get to see.
Though claims of being able to see Malaysia and Indonesia off in the distance might be a stretch, the views are simply spectacular, overlooking Marina Bay by day and the lights of Singapore by night.
The lines are long on this attraction, but the 30 minutes of glory that await makes this a ride for the ages.
Conclusion: If you are planning to visit Singapore, these are must-see attractions. However, it’s just a start as Singapore holds its place as one most incredible countries and city-states in the world.
