Things to Do in Singapore

Robertson Quay is one of the country’s three wharfs along the famed river offering a diverse mix of internationally renowned restaurants, wine bars and art galleries, covering more than 50 hectares, or about 120 acres, of the Singapore River.

The Quay is a popular destination for expatriates to come relax or take a leisurely walk, as this high-end and fairly quiet part of town also happens to feature a number of boutique shops and cafes offering gourmet cakes and pastries.

What makes the area a favorite for westerners is not just the peaceful open space, but the unique and modern twist on décor and cuisine, such as in Bar Bar Black Sheep, an upscale café-bar with a range of tasty foods from Indian to Thai to Western. The area is also a very desirable residential neighborhood, with some of the best serviced apartments in the city.

Although Robertson Quay is the furthest north of the three quays it is still very convenient, only a few minutes away from Marina Bay and Shenton Way. A little pricey, it is nonetheless an enjoy place to walk around and enjoy a great view of the water.

Though it is no longer the residence of Singapore’s judiciary arm of government, the old Supreme Court Building is an important structure as the last building in Singapore to be constructed using classical architecture.

Located on St. Andrew’s Road, the building housed Singapore’s highest court for more than 60 years until 2005 when the Supreme Court moved into a more modern building. The structure is a spacious structure with an impressive interior featuring murals painted by Italian artists and a façade that has crafted Corinthian columns and is topped by a large green dome and pediment structure.

Today, the building is being refurbished and will be conjoined with the City Hall building next to it. The project has been delayed, but is now expected to open next year, revealing a state-of-the-art cultural center, dubbed the National Art Gallery. The state has poured in more than half a billion dollars to complete the project.

With the body of a fish and the head of a lion, a Merlion statue is a national icon of Singapore, representing the country's history, identity, and transformation from a fishing village to the "Lion City." More than a spot of cultural interest with its own statue, though, Merlion Park provides a beautiful backdrop to play and relax on the banks of the Singapore River and stunning photo ops to boot.

Built within an old Chinese School, the Peranakan Museum explores the culture, traditions, artwork and history of the Peranakan communities. Travelers can explore three floors of interactive exhibits that link Singapore’s modern culture to its Chinese, Indian, Malay, Indonesian and European roots. Some of the museum is geared towards the younger set, making it ideal for visitors with small children. Travelers agree the reasonable fee and interesting galleries—like the traditional houses and wedding dresses—are the perfect way to spend an educational afternoon (especially on a rainy day!).

The National Museum of Singapore is the definitive historical record for the country as well as its oldest museum. Built in 1887, the impressive structure is one of the 11 national treasures of Singapore and contains several precious artifacts and fine art.

The museum offers free admission to its permanent exhibits including the Goh Seng Choo Gallery, which features a selection of watercolors from William Farquhar. Living in Singapore in the 19th century Farquhar assembled a series of paintings exploring  the sights and sounds of the country.

Even with these permanent exhibitions, the museum’s organizers also incorporate new events and exhibits that keep Singaporeans coming back, showcasing new work from local photographers, filmmakers and dance performers on a weekly basis.

Aside from these events, the museum itself is worth exploring, containing intricate designs to its façade and interior. The very dome atop the structure contains 3,000 zinc fish-scale tiles and panels made from stained-glass.

Mount Faber Park, one of the oldest green spaces in Singapore, is also one of the best places to go for views over the city and Singapore Harbour. More of a large hill than a mountain, the slopes of Mount Faber are covered in lush rainforest, and if you want to get to the top, you have two options.

Budget travelers looking for something free to do can hike to the peak. The path is paved the entire way up and shaded for most of the way, but bring plenty of water, as Singapore can get hot and humid. If you’d rather save your energy, you can ride the Singapore Cable Car to the top.

No matter how you get to the summit, set aside some time to wander the gardens and take in the views from several lookout points. Mount Faber is also home to the Jewel Box, a shopping, dining and entertainment venue and one of the most romantic spots in the city for dinner.

Singapore’s River Safari, the world's first river-themed wildlife park, introduces visitors to its 5,000 animal inhabitants. The 30-acre (12-hectare) park presents the world of freshwater aquatic animals to guests with a series of walkthrough exhibits inspired by eight iconic rivers, the Mississippi, Nile, Amazon, Congo, Ganges, Mekong, and Yangtze.

Of the animals on display, representing some 300 species, the giant river otter and giant salamander stand out as rare highlights, but not all animals here are aquatic—you'll also find an ever-popular pair of giant pandas, as well as the Wild Amazonia area's squirrel monkeys, jaguars, giant anteaters, and Brazilian tapirs.

The MINT, short for Moment of Imagination and Nostalgia with Toys, Museum of Toys opened in 2006 as the world’s first museum dedicated entirely to toys and children’s memorabilia. The private museum is owned by Mr. Chang Yang Fa, a citizen of Singapore and passionate collector of toys.

Today, the museum houses the largest collection of vintage, rare and one-of-a kind toys in the world -- a collection that includes some 50,000 specimens collected from 40 different countries. Toys on display run the gamut from the familiar (Batman and Popeye) to more obscure pieces from Europe and Japan. If you’re looking for something specific, you’ll find a collection of China-made toys on the second floor, the Childhood Favourites collection on the third and exhibit space dedicated to characters on the fourth.

If you get hungry, the museum houses three eateries. Mr. Punch Restaurant serves up 1920s-inspired dishes, the Rooftop Bar specializes in cocktails and snacks, and the Sidewalk Bar makes for excellent people watching over a cold drink and a casual bite to eat.

Less than a half-mile off the south coast of Singapore, Sentosa Island presents itself as an ideal family outing brimming with activities both kid-friendly and adult-approved. Reconstructed for entertainment in the 1970s after a long military past, the island contains enough varied attractions to easily fill a full day. From water parks and miles of beaches to niche museums, with 14 world-class resorts mixed into the fray, it's no wonder the island draws nearly 20 million visitors each year.