Welcome to the island city! Whether you are a tourist looking to explore the island or are a new resident wanting a cultural immersion, Singapore offers an eclectic spread of many choices. Here’s a look at what to do and what to see while in Singapore.
Marina Bay Sands
Marina Bay Sands is where the action is. Located along Marina Bay waterfront, MBS houses the ArtScience Museum, high end shopping outlets, celebrity chef restaurants, theatres and the nightclubs, so, whether you want to catch a glimpse of art, immerse yourself in history, experience a world-class event or just chill with the kids, MBS does not disappoint.
Events: Booking for all MBS events: tickets@marinabaysands.com
* Rolling Stones
– Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Charlie Watts and Ronnie Wood
Show Date: 15 March 2014, 8pm
Venue: Sands Grand Ballroom, MBS
* Grease
Show Date: 25 April – 11 May 2014, 8pm
Venue: Grand Theatre, MBS
* Tap Dogs
An 80-minute adrenaline rush performance
Show Dates: 27 May – 1 June 2014
Tuesday – Friday: 7.30pm
Saturday: 2.00pm & 7.30pm
Sunday: 1.00pm & 5.00pm
Venue: Sands Theatre, MasterCard Theatres, MBS
* The Greatest Love Of All
The Whitney Houston Show, a tribute to the late pop music icon
Show Date: 4 – 5 April 2014, 8pm
Venue: Grand Theatre, MasterCard Theatres, MBS
MBS for the kids: Kids have a special status at MBS, and there are many family friendly options that can put a smile on a little face.
* Ice-Skating Rink
Cost: $7/hour (adults), $6/hour (children) and $3 for skates rental.
Opening Hours: 11:30–20:30
Exhibitions: The iconic lotus-inspired ArtScience Museum at Marina Bay Sands features 21 gallery spaces, totaling 50,000 square feet and it is also the premier venue for major international touring exhibitions from around the world.
* The 2 Degree Ice Art Exhibition
Exhibition Dates: 20 November 2013
to May 2014
Opening Hours: 10am-10pm Daily
* Ice Bar
Opening Hours: 3pm – 3am Daily
Venue: Sheares Link, Bayfront Avenue.
Tickets: $32 (adult) and $26 (child).
What to expect? Experience snowfall and a temperature of -15 degrees in tropical Singapore, and see the iconic landmarks of the world, carved out of ice by the carving masters from Harbin, China. There is even a special playground, carved out of ice for the children.
* Dawn to Extinction exhibition and ‘Dinosnores!
A sleep-over with Dinos.
Exhibition Dates: 16 – 21 March 2014
Tickets: $120 per child (For children aged 6 – 12). Free for accompanying adults.
Family Package promotion for the Dinosaurs: Dawn to Extinction exhibition at $74 (or $64 for Singapore residents). The package includes admission tickets to Dinosaurs: Dawn to Extinction for 2 adults and 2 children (2-12 years old), and 4 complimentary bottles of Coca-Cola. Buy tickets from any Marina Bay Sands box office, including one at the ArtScience Museum lobby.
Opening Hours:10:00 am – 7:00 pm
What to expect? Expect exhibits, movie screening and interactive workshops for parents and children.
Jurong Bird Park
Experience a slice of the tropics, forest adventure and a re-launched aviary waterfall at one of the most renowned bird sanctuaries in the world.
* Waterfall Aviary
Opening Hours: 8.30am to 6.00pm daily
Feeding sessions for the birds: 10.30am and 2.30pm
What to expect? Waterfall Aviary is one of the world’s largest walk-in aviaries, home to more than 50 species of birds and also home to the world’s first man-made waterfall. On 23rd January, this waterfall was re-launched and it remains the world’s tallest waterfall inside an aviary.
* Forest Adventure
Cost: Adult (Grand Course): $44;
Junior (Grand Course): $42;
Child (Kids Course): $32
Packages:
– Family Package Grand Course (2 Adults and 2 Juniors): $162
– Family Package Kids/Grand Course (2 Adults and 2 Child): $130
What to expect? Experience thrilling adventure as you zip through the air, jump off the Tarzan Swing and balance on bridges and obstacles in complete safety. The Grand Course is for adults and teenagers, at least 1.4m tall and has 34 different obstacles that take 2.5hrs to complete. The Kids Course has 16 crossings ending with a zip line and is meant for children between 5 and 10 years of age, measuring at least 1.1m. Young people below the age of 18 must be accompanied by participating adult.
Sentosa
Sentosa, called ‘Asia’s Favourite Playground’ is visited by almost five million people each year and Resorts World Sentosa, is home to two mega attractions – Universal Studios Theme Park and the Marine Life Park. Sentosa is quite easily accessed by public transportation and an exciting entry in to Sentosa can be made by the Singapore cable car.
*Universal Studio Theme Park
Opening hours: 10am to 7pm
Promotions:
- Buy Four Universal Studios Singapore 1-Day Adult Passes at the price of $248 (U.P. $296, save $48). This price is exclusively for online purchase.
- One Adult Day Pass to Three Attractions at $123
- Annual Pass: $158 (children and seniors) and $188 (adults)
- Season Pass – 6 months unlimited access to Universal studio for $88 (students, children and seniors) and $98 (adults).
What to expect? Go beyond the screen and Ride The Movies on roller coasters and other movie-themed attractions, including TRANSFORMERS The Ride: The Ultimate 3D Battle, Shrek 4-D Adventure, Madagascar: A Crate Adventure, Jurassic Park Rapids Adventure, and more.
* Marine Life Park
Opening hours: 10am to 7pm
Promotions:
– Buy a package of 3 S.E.A. Aquarium adult tickets at $88 (U.P. $114). Valid for online purchase and park visits till 31 Mar 2014.
– Enjoy 2 or more attractions at a 10% discount.
What to expect? Experience the world’s largest aquarium – accredited by Guinness World Records. Featuring more than 100,000 marine animals from over 800 species across 49 habitats, the aquarium is home to majestic manta rays, enormous goliath groupers, hammerhead sharks and other gentle giants of the sea. While at Marina Park, enjoy Adventure Cove water- park, waterslides and Adventure River too.
Singapore Zoo
Singapore Zoo is known to be among the most beautiful in the world, where animals roam freely in open and natural habitats. It provides special experiences like the award wining breakfast programme, where you can enjoy your meal with the Asian elephants, orangutans, snakes etc. Night Safari, the world’s first safari park for nocturnal animals is also located here.
* Singapore Zoo
Opening Hours: 8.30am to 6pm
Tickets: $28 (adults), $18 (children) and $12 (senior citizens)
Promotions: Buy tickets online and save 5%
What to expect? Enjoy the award-winning park that believes in immersive experiences of the guided rides, the camps, the photography with the animals and the wild life tours. Singapore Zoo is also well known for its walk-through exhibits that bring animals and visitors together in one space for incredibly intimate encounters.
* Breakfast with wildlife
Location: Ah Meng Restaurant, Singapore Zoo
Timing: 9.00am- 10.30am
Price: $32 (adult), $22 (child 6-12 years old)
* Night Safari
Opening Hours: 7.30 pm to 12.00mn
Tickets: $39 (adults), $25 (children) and $16 (Senior Citizens)
Promotions: Buy tickets online and save 5%
What to expect? Observe the nocturnal animals in their specially lit enclosures in a special 40 -minute tram ride; enjoy animal shows or the walking trails at the Night Safari.
Boat Ride by Night
Enjoy Singapore with a boat ride! Marvell at the night-lights of Singapore as your boat takes you on a relaxed ride down the Singapore River. You can see government buildings, cultural heritage, city skyline, restaurants, and the Merlion all with an accompanying commentary that explains the sights and the monuments.
Departing Points: Clarke Quay Jetty, Clarke Quay Festive Market, and Raffles Place Jetty.
Tickets: $10 (Adult) and $5 Child (under 12 years old)
Hours: 8am to 11pm daily at regular intervals (subject to tidal & weather conditions)
Museums
There are many art and history museums in Singapore that are well known for world- class exhibits and though most are reasonably priced, the following have free entry.
* Changi Prison Chapel and Museum
Address: 20km Upper Changi Road North
Opening Hours: 10am-5pm (Mon to Sat except public holidays)
Admission: Free
* Singapore Mint Coin Gallery
Address: 20 Teban Garden Crescent
Opening Hours: 9am-4: 30pm (Mon to Fri)
Admission: Free
Friends of the Museums Programme
For those who are new to Singapore and want to meet other newcomers while enjoying a cultural experience, the Friends of the Museums provide an ideal opportunity. The FOM programme allows free entry to all National Heritage Board museums. It allows you to attend lectures and study tours and join special interest groups and even docent training at one of the museums. If you are an art and/or history lover living in Singapore, this is the perfect cultural immersion programme. FOM has been training individuals to guide in Singapore’s museums for more than two decades. Docent-training programmes are available for the following museums and institutes:
– Asian Civilisations Museum (ACM)
– The Peranakan Museum (TPM)
– Singapore Art Museum (SAM)
– National Museum of Singapore (NMS)
– San Yat Sen Nanyang Memorial Hall (SYSNMH)
– Malay Heritage Center (MHC)
– Singapore Tyler Print Institute (STPI)
– Heritage Conservation Center (HCC)
Training session: The next docent training session for most of the museums will commence in Sept 2014. For details contact docent.training@fom.sg
Across the Causeway
If you want to explore around Singapore, two attractions in Malaysia are within comfortable reach. Legoland Malaysia and Puteri Harbour Family Theme park offer areas of attraction with in twenty minutes to an hour drive from Singapore.
Puteri Harbour Family Theme Park is a 4-level building, located strategically in Nusajaya Johor, 20 minutes drive from the Malaysia-Singapore Second Link and LEGOLAND Malaysia Resort brings together a LEGOLAND Park, Water Park and Hotel in a LEGO themed location.
