Beyond Changi and the Jewel
Must-See and Off-Beat Spots around Singapore
Marina Bay
Gardens by the Bay
A futuristic nature park with the iconic Supertree Grove, Cloud Forest, and Flower Dome. Don’t miss the nightly light show (Garden Rhapsody) at Supertree Grove, happening at both 7:45 PM and 8:45 PM, which is a mix of different iconic songs from around the world, and the OCBC Skyway (bridges connecting the Supertrees) for panoramic views and an even better view of the show.
Marina Bay Sands & SkyPark
Home to the world-famous infinity pool, The Shoppes (luxury shopping mall), the ArtScience Museum, and a casino. The SkyPark offers one of the best views of Singapore’s skyline ($25 to $30 USD), but there are also cheaper and even free alternatives for viewing the skyline. Be prepared to pay a high price for the Hotel here; the average price, from what I've seen, is around $600-$700 USD per night.
Additional Sights:
Marina Barrage (Great for picnics & kite-flying)
Esplanade Roof Terrace (Free skyline views)
The Projector (Indie cinema in a retro building)
- Lau Pa Sat (Historic hawker center with satay street at night) <-- Must-Go
Orchard Road (Shopping District)
ION Orchard
This is where luxury shopping meets affordable eats. If you're a shopper or just riding along, the ION Orchard has something for everyone. Check out the free observation deck (ION Sky), which features stunning yet intimate city views, and stop by Jurassic World Cafe or the Atico Lounge for a drink. The Atico Lounge is a little pricier, but flash a $50 receipt and receive a free drink; it really makes the view that much more special.
Emerald Hill Road
A quiet escape with Peranakan shophouses, hidden bars, and old-world charm just steps from Orchard’s crowds. This has the famous colorful buildings you see in every traveller's YouTube video or travel channel episode of Singapore. This area showcases Chinese Baroque architecture with influences from Europe and Singapore's Colonial past. Do take time to see these buildings, and take in the hip atmosphere of this area.
Additional Sights:
Cuppage Terrace (Retro alley with izakayas and live music)
Mandarin Gallery (Boutique shopping & niche cafes)
Istana Park (Tiny green oasis near the president’s office)
Tiong Bahru Bakery (Orchard) (Artisanal pastries in a chic setting)
Chinatown
Buddha Tooth Relic Temple and Museum
This is a must-see for my Western readers; the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple is a stunning Tang Dynasty-style temple housing a sacred relic and a serene rooftop garden. I cannot tell you how interesting it was seeing a Buddhist temple and the art that covered its walls. Always remember to be respectful and not wear shoes in the temple, you'll be able to recover your shoes and umbrellas after going through.
Maxwell Food Centre
Famous for Tian Tian Hainanese Chicken Rice and other local delights all at wallet-friendly prices. This was one of my favorite spots to eat as it is more locally focused, but still is welcoming to tourists. Hawkers are one of those must go-to places in Singapore and should be on your daily list of places to eat as they provide a diverse and delicious variety of foods for you to try.
Photo by Chinatown Singapore
Additional Sights:
Ann Siang Hill (Trendy cocktail bars & boutique shops)
Keong Saik Road (Hip cafes and restored shophouses)
People’s Park Complex (Old-school mall with hidden food stalls)
Telok Ayer Green (Tiny park with great street art)
Little India
Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple
Dedicated to the Hindu goddess Kali, this is a vibrant Hindu temple with intricate carvings and a lively atmosphere. This is a must see temple as it's vibrant colors, and intricate architecture makes it fascinating to the eyes while providing cultural insight into the Hindu faith.
Mustafa Centre
A 24-hour bargain hunter’s paradise selling everything from spices to electronics. I wish I had spent more time in here, this is exactly what I look for whenever going to southeast Asia, bargains and barter. This is one of those bazaar style shopping centers where you can find literally everything so come prepared with cash and card.
Additional Sights:
Tekka Centre (Hawker food & wet market with killer biryani)
Jalan Besar (Vintage shops & hipster cafes)
Abdul Gafoor Mosque (Beautiful century-old mosque)
Sungei Road Laksa (Legendary laksa stall)
Kampong Glam (Arab Quarter)
Sultan Mosque
The golden-domed heart of Kampong Glam, declared a National Monument of Singapore, this mosque is surrounded by trendy Haji Lane and Arab Street’s textile shops. This is an amazing sight to see, and the interior is expansive, just make sure you are dressed appropriately and come during non-prayer hours.
Here are some tips for the mosque:- No bare backs, off-shoulders, shorts, or mini-skirts.
- Cover-ups are usually provided at the entrance.
- Shoes are to be removed before entering the mosque.
- Daily hours (except friday) are usually from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM and 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM.
Photo by Flickr
Malay Heritage Centre (Temporarily Closed)
A museum in a former residence for a Sultan, with architecture that features colonial and Nusantara (traditional Indonesian) influences, showcasing Malay culture and history. If you are into learning a bit more about Malay culture and its influences within Singapore, do check this spot out!
Additional Sights:
Blu Jaz Café (Live music & eclectic vibe)
Good Luck Beerhouse (Craft beer in a hidden alley)
Bismillah Biryani (Famous for dum biryani)
Kampong Glam Café (Old-school Malay breakfast spot)
Photo by Life in Arpeggio
Sentosa Island
Universal Studios Singapore
Thrilling rides, costumed characters, and movie-themed food and attractions for all ages, Universal Studios Singapore is an all-day attraction. When we went lines were long, but can say it was worth it for each ride, and the famous Shrek themed area of the park. Also checkout the Waterworld show which runs for only around 16 mins. and is available at multiple times of the day. If you're someone who doesn't like the heat, or standing for long periods, try the express pass which had barely anyone going through it when we went.
Palawan Beach
This relaxed, family friendly beach with a pirate ship bridge leading to the "Southernmost Point of Continental Asia." There are amazing restaurants and recreational areas throughout the beach, and everything is easily accessible through both cable car and ground transportation. I'm also a huge beach fan, and the water was clean when we went, just make sure you have mosquito repellent incase you are there during monsoon-season.
Additional Sights:
Fort Siloso (WWII fort with tunnels & coastal views)
Tanjong Beach Club (Chill beach club vibe)
Sentosa Sensoryscape (New immersive nature walk)
Mega Adventure Park (Ziplining & obstacle courses)
Photo by DANAMIC
East Coast (Local Food & Nature)
East Coast Park
A seaside park perfect for cycling, barbecues, and seafood feasts at Jumbo or Long Beach Seafood. Also, check out the East Coast Seafood Center for fresh, affordable seafood, and the East Coast Lagoon Food Center (Hawker Center) for cheap, delicious eats.
Changi Jurassic Mile
A dinosaur-themed jogger and cycling path near the airport, great for dinosaur lovers as it features life-size dinosaur eggs and models along with a giant T-Rex.
Additional Sights:
Rumah Bebe (Peranakan culture & handicrafts)
Changi Village Hawker Centre (Local favorite for nasi lemak)
Pasir Ris Park Mangrove Boardwalk (Quiet nature escape)
Katong Antique House (Hidden Peranakan museum)
West Singapore (Nature & Wildlife)
Singapore Zoo & Night Safari
World-class wildlife experiences with open-concept enclosures and nocturnal animal shows. The Night Safari was amazing, seeing nocturnal animals actually awake, going about their day-to-day, it truly was fascinating.
Bird Paradise (Previously Jurong Bird Park)
An avian wonderland relocating to Mandai with immersive exhibits. It's a great place to bring your family and features a diverse array of exotic bird species.
Additional Sights:
HortPark (Gardeners’ paradise with themed plots)
Railway Corridor (West Section) (Rustic hiking trail)
Jurong Fishery Port (Early-morning seafood market)
Taman Jurong Food Centre (Underrated hawker spot)
Where is Changi Airport and the Jewel
Singapore has so much to offer, and this list was to show what is around Singapore outside of the airport. Though Changi Airport and the Jewel have so much to offer, I want this to be in a future post as I can go more into detail on what those areas have to offer, including an amazing hawker center within the basement of the Jewel that makes it worth at least an extended layover.
Thank you for checking this list out, and if you like this list of must-see locals within Singapore, please feel free to check out my journey through Singapore and Malaysia on this post, where I go through a 3-part journey and explain how I saw these two beautiful countries on a budget. If you wish to support this blog, please feel free to follow and comment below. I'm always looking forward to your feedback and answering questions regarding any of the locations or a location you believe should be on this list.
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