Big Smiles, Zero Cost: Free Gems by Madame Tussauds Singapore

There’s plenty of free fun around Madame Tussauds—here’s where to find it!

Published: April 23, 2026
Woman Posing with Audrey Hepburn at Madame Tussauds Singapore

So, you’ve just wrapped up a morning of grinning next to your favourite stars at Madame Tussauds Singapore, but you’re not ready to call it a day – and you don’t want to spend a fortune, either! Luckily, Sentosa and its surrounds are bursting with pocket-friendly adventures where you can soak up sunshine, culture and unique island vibes without touching your wallet. We’re spotlighting the best free things to do near Madame Tussauds, from sandy strolls and lush gardens to quirky art, local markets and views that’ll blow up your social feed. Curious explorers, start taking notes—there’s plenty to discover right on your doorstep! 

Our top free things to do near Madame Tussauds Singapore include: 

  • Palawan Beach Boardwalk 
  • Sentosa Nature Discovery 
  • Southernmost Point of Continental Asia 
  • Imbiah Trail Walk 
  • Sentosa Art Installations 
  • Fort Siloso Skywalk 
  • Siloso Beach Promenade 
  • VivoCity Sky Park 
  • Sentosa Boardwalk 
  • Merlion Walk 

Palawan Beach Boardwalk 

Looking for beachy fun just a stroll from Madame Tussauds? Make your way to Palawan Beach Boardwalk, a palm-lined promenade where soft sand, crystal-clear waters, and playful swings are all yours for the taking. This spot feels relaxed yet lively, with locals and visitors alike wandering past picture-perfect lagoons and quirky rope bridges. It’s ideal for a lazy afternoon—pick a spot on the sand, watch ships drift by, or simply pad along the wooden boardwalk, toes trailing in the surf. 

If you need a break from star-spotting, this is your ticket. Free to enjoy day or night, Palawan Beach Boardwalk is dotted with shaded cabanas, clean public showers, and plenty of lookout points for those must-have panoramic snaps. The vibe is always festive, and you might catch a free pop-up event or live music if your timing’s right. Find a seat, feel the breeze and bask in Sentosa’s signature laid-back energy—all for zero dollars. 

Sentosa Nature Discovery 

A few minutes from Madame Tussauds, Sentosa Nature Discovery is your gateway to Singapore’s wild side—no admission fee required. Hidden behind Imbiah Station, this family-friendly nature walk is a showcase of Sentosa’s surprisingly rich biodiversity. Wooden walkways lead you through seven different habitats, with interactive signs and fun, hands-on exhibits—for kids, it’s equal parts scavenger hunt and playground. 

What stands out is how immersed you feel in greenery, even on a short visit. Look out for butterflies fluttering around eco-sculptures and keep your ears open for birds calling from the treetops. Educational displays reveal fascinating tidbits about native plants and animals, and there’s even a mini “discovery room” with nature puzzles and microscope stations. It’s a breath of fresh air that combines learning and leisure in one leafy package. 

Southernmost Point of Continental Asia 

If you want a true brag-worthy selfie—at zero cost—head to the Southernmost Point of Continental Asia, located at the far end of Palawan Beach. This is where adventure meets geography: a little suspension bridge takes you to a tiny islet studded with lookout towers, all surrounded by turquoise water. From the top, soak up sweeping views of the South China Sea, container ships on the horizon and—if you’re lucky—a rainbow during the afternoon showers. 

It’s a peaceful, almost magical corner, especially at sunrise or sunset when the crowds thin and the colors turn pastel. Don’t forget to snap a photo under the “Southernmost Point” sign—your friends back home won’t believe you stood on the official edge of a continent! The experience is as playful as it is picturesque, making it a must for explorers who love free and unique moments. 

Imbiah Trail Walk

Man Walking Along the Imbiah Trail

Need a green escape? The Imbiah Trail is just steps from Madame Tussauds, winding through lush secondary rainforest and offering a leafy oasis away from bustling Sentosa crowds. This 3-kilometre walking trail reveals Singapore’s tropical beauty up close, with huge ferns, twisting vines and the occasional chatter of long-tailed macaques darting through the canopy. 

You can start at Imbiah Lookout and stroll at your own pace, spotting heritage trees and colorful flora along the way. Keep your eyes peeled for rare birds—like the Oriental pied hornbill—and giant butterflies flitting past. It’s all self-guided, so you set the adventure tempo: choose a short wander or go the whole loop until your legs (or curiosity) give out. With fresh air and forest sounds, it’s the perfect way to reset after your brush with fame. 

Sentosa Art Installations 

Art fans, rejoice: Sentosa is scattered with large-scale, creative art installations that you can explore completely free. From whimsical animal sculptures to vibrant murals, the island feels like an open-air gallery—and they’re all just a short walk from Madame Tussauds. Our favorite is the “Sentosa Sign,” a colorful, ever-changing landmark perfect for quirky photos. 

Wander the open spaces and you’ll encounter everything from mosaic benches to kinetic wind art and thought-provoking recycled sculptures. Each piece offers a playful nod to Singapore’s love of blending old and new. Whether you’re an Instagrammer, a culture fan or just looking to add some visual pop to your day, you’ll find plenty to inspire without spending a cent. 

Fort Siloso Skywalk 

Get a bird’s-eye view of Sentosa’s lush landscape on the Fort Siloso Skywalk, a free 181-meter bridge that rises 11 storeys above the treetops. Accessible by elevator, the skywalk lets you stroll past leafy canopies with panoramic views of the island, Singapore’s western coast, and sparkling ships anchored offshore. If you love a mix of nature and history, this spot nails it. 

Educational plaques dot the walkway, sharing stories about WWII and Sentosa’s past as a British fortress. The breeze is always refreshing, and whether you’re snapping photos or just soaking up the scenery, there’s something peaceful about being surrounded by rustling leaves while boats glide through the distant straits. It’s an easy, high-flying highlight—free and hassle-free. 

Siloso Beach Promenade 

Siloso Beach isn’t just about watersports—you can enjoy all its laid-back vibes for free along the lively promenade. Wide pathways invite you to amble between shady coconut palms and open lawns, catching snippets of beach volleyball games or live music spilling from waterfront bars. There’s always something happening, from hula hoop contests to sunset yoga classes (also sometimes free!). 

Settle in on the sand or stake out a picnic spot on the grass and watch world go by. Come evening, fairy lights flick on and Siloso transforms into a social playground, but you don’t have to spend anything to join the fun. The vibrant, multicultural scene makes everyone feel like a local, and there’s no better place to watch tide and time flow together. 

VivoCity Sky Park

VivoCity

Elevate your afternoon with a stop at the VivoCity Sky Park, perched on the third floor of Singapore’s largest retail and entertainment hub. It’s a breezy, open-air oasis complete with green lawns, splash zones for kids, and panoramic views toward Sentosa. Stroll through the Sky Park—entry is always free—and watch cable cars zip above the sea while container ships dance in the distance. 

Families love the interactive water play area, while couples and solo travelers gravitate to the boardwalk seating for great people-watching and sunset selfies. Bring a snack, unwind on the grass, or simply take in the city-meets-sea scenery. VivoCity is a relaxation destination in its own right, but the Sky Park is easily the coolest free spot in the building. 

Sentosa Boardwalk 

Why not start your adventure with a stroll along the Sentosa Boardwalk? This elevated pathway connects VivoCity to Sentosa, winding over the water with shaded canopies and unbeatable skyline views—all totally free. Covered travelators make it a breeze (and cool in the midday heat), while lush gardens and quirky sculptures frame your journey. 

Along the way, you’ll discover hidden art, fragrant tropical flowers, and perfect angles for cityscape and island snaps. At sunset, the Boardwalk transforms into a postcard-worthy photo stop with golden skies lighting up the bay. You’ll arrive on Sentosa refreshed and already in island mode—no entry fee required. 

Merlion Walk 

Don’t miss the Merlion Walk, a 120-meter mosaic pathway just behind Madame Tussauds that bursts with color and imagination! This whimsical walkway links Imbiah Station to the waterfront, and you don’t have to spend a cent to enjoy its playful energy. Each section glistens in the sunshine, inviting visitors to linger and snap creative photos beside the sparkling mosaics, funky water features, and lush potted gardens. 

It’s not just about the looks—the atmosphere here always feels joyous, with the sounds of families laughing, cicadas buzzing, and cable cars whirring overhead. Take your time as you wander past the gleaming tiles, pausing to admire the clever sea-creature motifs and to enjoy glimpses between the palms of Sentosa’s skyline. It’s a delightful spot to slow down, savor a bit of Singapore’s artistry, and start or end your Sentosa adventure with a colorful flourish. 

 

So, there you have it—proof that the area around Madame Tussauds Singapore is packed with memorable experiences you don’t need to budget for. All you need is your sense of curiosity (and maybe a spare spot on your camera roll) to enjoy the best of the neighborhood—without breaking the bank. 

Enjoyed this? Check out Everything You Need to Know About Go City’s Singapore Passes or Things to Do Near Gardens by the Bay 

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Woman in traditional floral cheongsam dress, holding a paper fan.
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Best Places to get a Dress Made in Singapore

You know the feeling. You spend ages deliberating over the perfect dress for that big event and then someone else (with whom you inevitably have previous beef) turns up wearing exactly the same thing. Rather than being the belle of the ball, you’re the (red) face of your friends’ ‘who wore it best?’ memes for months afterwards. More deflating than a helium shortage at a foil balloon festival, it’s just about the worst thing that can happen at a party. Well, short of the vol au vents running out before you've even arrived. Solution: create your own party outfit with a little help from Singapore’s top designers and dressmakers. There are dozens of boutiques offering such services across the city, whether you’re in the market for a showstopping cocktail dress, sober interview suit, don’t-upstage-the-bride wedding outfit or classic silk cheongsam. Or, you know, something altogether more outlandish to suit your personality. We’ve rounded up six of the best places to get a dress made in Singapore. Read on for the lowdown... ***Note: all prices quoted are in Singapore Dollars (SGD)*** Time Taken to Make a Dress The very literal name of this couture dressmaker, located on the upper floor of a Kampong Glam shophouse, a stone’s throw from the Sultan Mosque’s glittering golden dome, belies the offbeat nature of designer-owners Letitia Phay and Jade Swee, for whom conformity is a dirty word. Setters of trends rather than followers of fashion, the duo – as the boutique name hints – like to take time over their creations, working closely with their clients to design and produce something spectacular and unique. Just think of them as fairy godmothers to your Cinderella. Be ready to pay more than Cinders could ever afford though: prices can reach five figures, depending on the fabric and level of detailing required, with complex projects taking up to six months to complete. Golden Scissors Cheongsam Looking to dazzle in a cheongsam? Golden Scissors deals exclusively in these traditional, figure-hugging Chinese dresses and has been doing so for four decades, so you can be reasonably sure resident seamstress Madam Li Qiying knows what she’s doing. You’ll find the shop at the towering People’s Park Complex in the heart of Chinatown, where the temptation to fill up on steamed pork dumplings immediately prior to a fitting is to be avoided at all costs. Step inside the boutique to discover a veritable cornucopia of off-the-peg options: beautiful cheongsams in all manner of different shapes, sizes, designs and colors. Pick one of these for a quick and easy win, or have the cheongsam experts rustle up something unique for you. Prices start at less than $100 for simple pre-made cotton designs, rising a little more sharply (but not restrictively so) if you opt for a bespoke silk piece. Bespoke designs are usually ready for collection within a week. Ong Shunmugam Known for their progressive Asian dress designs, Ong Shunmugam has two locations in Singapore: one in atmospheric Kampong Glam and a flagship branch in the trendy Chip Bee Gardens, west of the Botanic Gardens. But you can’t just pitch up at ateliers like these and expect to be allowed inside simply by pressing your nose hopefully against the window. No: fittings in these exclusive boutiques are by appointment only, which has the effect of making you feel simultaneously important and overwhelmingly anxious about how much it's all going to cost. But what price quality? Expect fine materials, meticulous craftsmanship and stellar designs to your precise specifications in exchange for your dollar. You’ll be cash poor but catwalk-ready before you know it. Love, Yu Cutesy name on the outside, serious bridalwear inside, ‘Love, Yu’ is a solid mid-range option for your nuptials, with prices starting from under $3,000 but creeping steadily upwards depending on how flamboyant you want the final product to look. Singaporean designer Eelyn Tang’s signature creations combine modern silhouettes with delicate fabrics such as silk, fine French lace and tulle, but if it’s great jewel-studded fairytale bustles and poofy sleeves that set your heart aflutter, then you can have that too – at a price. Either way, this boutique bridal shop strives to make your vision a reality for a day you and your betrothed will never forget. Jenny & Me Dressmaking Looking to grab a bit of red carpet pizazz without the movie star price tag? Look no further than Jenny Lim’s Holland Village boutique, Jenny & Me, in which the ‘Me’ is in fact... you. The name hints at the kind of personable, personalized experience you can expect here, where friendly service, affordable pricing and decades of dressmaking knowhow has seen Madam Lim become something of a stalwart on Singapore’s sartorial scene. Jenny does men’s clothing too, ideal if you’re looking for his’n’hers outfits that will have you feeling like prom king and queen at whatever party or event you plan to attend together. Lai Chan Goh Lai Chan is another specialist in cheongsams – or qipaos, as they’re known in Mandarin. His is a very modern take on the traditional high-collared, form-fitting look, built around a firm belief that these eye-catching garments should be worn all the time, and not just on special occasions. It’s a look that attracts a younger, more fashion-forward set than many of his contemporaries, with fans pairing his colorful creations with jeans, sneakers and other clobber more regularly associated with dress-down Fridays at the office. What you’ll also get with a Lai Chan cheongsam are his signature gemstone buttons, inspired by the jade buttons on the imperial garments worn by Chinese Emperors. So there you have it: literally fit for an emperor. You can mix and match with your other half here, too, with bespoke ‘man-paos’ available for the discerning modern gent. Save on attractions and activities in Singapore Save on admission to Singapore attractions with Go City. Check out @GoCity on Instagram for the latest top tips and attraction info.
Stuart Bak
Stuart Bak
festivals in singapore
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Festivals in Singapore

Singapore is a melting pot of so many beautiful cultures, so it's no surprise you'll find dozens of festivals there throughout the year. If you're visiting this beautiful country and want to join in the festivities, you'll need to know when they are, what they're about, and what you can expect to do and see during them. So, let's talk about festivals in Singapore. We've run our fine-tooth combs through the wealth of offerings to find the very best ones you won't want to miss. So, without further ado, this is our guide to the best festivals in Singapore! And by the by, this list is in chronological order. So you'll find your early-year ones at the top and your later-year ones at the bottom! Enjoy! Including: Pongal Chinese New Year Thaipusam Lantern Festival Hari Raya Puasa and more! Pongal When: January 15 - January 18, 2023 This four-day festival is widely celebrated by the Indian population of Singapore, as it originated there. Dedicated to the Hindu god of the sun, Surya, Pongal is honored to bring wealth and a rich harvest to the people. Head to Singapore's Little India, and you'll find it ablaze with lights, celebrations, and events. It's customary to exchange gifts and wear new clothes during Pongal, so bear those in mind if you want to get in on the festivities. Chinese New Year When: January 22, 2023 Chinese New Year is celebrated all over the world, and in Singapore, it's no different. In 2023, the big day falls on January 22, so expect Chinatown to be full of fun and fancy! This year is the Year of the Rabbit, and people born in these years are said to be witty, ingenious, and vigilant. You can be all of those things, too, believe it or not. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise. Expect to find plenty of red and gold decorations, dancing in the streets, and lively processions to boot. And, like with many of these festivals in Singapore, gifts are often exchanged. Because gift-giving is fun, and fun is all we have in this cruel, cruel world. Thaipusam When: February 5, 2023 'Thai' is a month in the Tamil calendar. 'Pusam' is the name of a star in the night sky. What do you get if you combine the two together? Thaipusam, of course! And you can bet your stars that Singapore's burgeoning Tamil population will celebrate it with abandon! Over the festival, you'll see those taking part walk from Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple to the Sri Thendayuthapani Temple, carrying all sorts of symbols of divinity, but the celebration itself actually takes place over two days. Lantern Festival When: February 5, 2023 Taking place on the fifteenth day of the Chinese New Year, the Lantern Festival is unsurprisingly celebrated by lighting paper lanterns and letting them drift up into the sky. It's one of the most popular festivals in Singapore, so if you're visiting at the beginning of February, you're sure to see some of these bright tributes floating in the air. Head to Chinatown to get the best views of the festivities. If you've never seen countless lanterns lighting up the sky, you're in for a treat. Hari Raya Puasa When: April 21 - April 22, 2023 Hari Raya Puasa marks the end of Ramadan, the Muslim month of fasting. So it's no surprise that the following day is called the 'day of celebration'! Following a month of fasting, you can understandably expect plenty of delicious food making the rounds. On the holy side of things, many Muslims also flock to local mosques, visit the graves of their forebears, and wear new clothes to signify the purity and renewal that comes in the wake of Ramadan. If you're a Muslim and visiting Singapore at the back end of Ramadan, you'll be pleased to know you can share Hari Raya Puasa with others! Vesak Day When: May 5, 2023 Don't worry, Buddhists, we see you. And thankfully, you're catered to too here, thanks to Vesak Day. For those that don't know, Vesak Day marks the enlightenment and death of Buddha. And, given its melting pot of cultures, you'll find many Buddhists celebrating Vesak Day in Singapore. Meditation and charity are the name of the game here, which gives believers a chance to look inward and take part in some nice self-reflection. Duanwu Festival When: June 22, 2023 More commonly known as the Dragon Boat Festival around the world, Duanwu Festival is another celebration of Chinese origin. Falling on the 5th day of the 5th month of the Chinese calendar, it's been celebrated for thousands of years. As you may expect from the Dragon Boat Festival, it primarily consists of dragon boats racing one another. Pretty cool! Even onlookers can enjoy the day, thanks to the food and rice wines often consumed from the sidelines. Hari Raya Haji June 28 - July 2, 2023 Another Muslim festival, Hari Raya Haji is dedicated to the character of Ibrahim, who was willing to sacrifice his first-born son Ismail as an act of obedience to Allah. Sacrifice plays a huge role over Hari Raya Haji, with volunteers from mosques sacrificing goats, sheep, and cows on the holy day. A third of the meat from these animals is given to people that need it most. The rest is given to the families of those who sacrificed their animals. Singapore National Day When: August 9, 2023 No matter your religion or cultural background, August 9 is a special day for Singaporeans. It's the country's National Day, and it draws massive crowds from all over the world every year. Expect massive parades, choreographed dance, and plenty of other festivities to enjoy! Diwali When: November 12, 2023 And finally, we end our guide to festivals in Singapore with Diwali, the biggest celebration in the Hindu calendar. Marking the return of Lord Rama to his kingdom, it represents the triumph of good over evil. But what does it mean for you, oh traveler? Well, plenty! Plenty of fireworks, bright clothes, and dancing. Little India will be buzzing all day, so make sure you go down there and check it out! And that rounds out our guide to the best festivals in Singapore! Looking for more fun things to do on your vacation? Go City's got you covered. With our Explorer Pass and All-Inclusive Pass, you can experience the best of Singapore for one low price, and fit them around your festival itinerary!
Dom Bewley

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