The Best Theme Parks in Singapore

By <a href="#author-bio">Stuart Bak</a>
By Stuart Bak
Published: July 18, 2024
Friends having fun on a rollercoaster.

Looking for high-octane thrills in Singapore? Well, you’ve come to the right place. We’ve got rollercoasters! We’ve got bungee jumps! We’ve got hair-raising rainforest luge rides! Heck, we’ve even got a great big swing that soars 40 meters above the beach! Add to that water parks and plenty more kid-friendly fun and you’ve got everything you need for a fun-packed Singapore vacation. Here’s our adrenaline-fueled guide to the very best theme parks in Singapore...

Universal Studios

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There’s hours of fun to be had at Universal Studios Singapore (USS), the first and indeed only Universal Studios in all of Southeast Asia, with a whopping six themed zones to explore. We’re talking everything from kid-friendly meet and greets with the Minions, SpongeBob and Sesame Street pals to white-knuckle rollercoasters like Revenge of the Mummy and the Accelerator for teens and grown-ups. Adrenaline heads should make straight for Sci-Fi City, an imagined metropolis of the future where the dueling Human and Cylon Battlestar Galactica rollercoasters are among the tallest of their kind in the world and are all but guaranteed to trigger your fight or flight response.

For something a teeny tiny bit more sedate, hop aboard the Jurassic Park Rapids Adventure in The Lost World zone for a white-knuckle white-water adventure pursued by hungry dinosaurs. Or join the kids in Far Far Away, a vast Shrek-inspired zone with family friendly fun featuring all your favorite characters, including a Puss in Boots rollercoaster and a live show starring Donkey himself.

Though hands-down the best theme park in all of Singapore, USS is just one of many amusements designed to attract thrill seekers across the bay to Sentosa. Read on to discover what else you can do on this diminutive island...

Adventure Cove Water Park

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A hop and a skip from USS, Adventure Cove offers yet more heart-pounding rides for adrenaline junkies. Spiral Washout is every bit as exhilarating as its name sounds: brave souls are fired down a giant flume with only a rubber dinghy to cling to for dear life, before being unceremoniously ejected into a pool, at very high speed. Then there’s the terrifying-sounding Riptide Rocket with its gravity defying loops and twists and stomach-churning drops.

Once again, there are also plenty of rather more tranquil entertainments for the faint of heart to enjoy. Drift along the Adventure River in a huge donut, meandering gently through 14 different zones, including a flourishing jungle garden and peaceful grotto. There’s even an underwater tunnel full of colorful tropical marine life, like something from a particularly psychedelic dream. You can ogle many more such eye-popping critters while snorkeling the Rainbow Reef, home to over 20,000 fish. Or kick back with the kids in the wave pool at Bluwater Bay or at Big Bucket Treehouse, where avoiding a drenching is the (near-impossible) name of the game.

AJ Hackett Sentosa

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Set on the golden sands of Sentosa’s palm-strewn Siloso beach, AJ Hackett provides ideal entertainment for those with a head for heights, or indeed anyone who just fancies scaring themselves silly. Experience crazy highs on the SkyBridge, 47 meters above terra firma before testing your mettle on the bungee rope or giant swing. Big enough to hold two people, the swing soars over Siloso’s treetops at nerve-jangling speeds of up to 120kph, so maybe not one to attempt too soon after lunch.

Skyline Luge

This one’s a corker for anyone who feels the need... for speed. First though, the Skyline cable car carries you gently up, up and away over the jungle treetops to the top of the hill, where four different luge tracks – each over 600 meters in length – allow you to choose your thrill-a-second downhill adventure. Don your helmet, strap in and get ready to burn some rubber on your track of choice, be it the Expedition Trail through the twists, turns and tunnels of Sentosa’s rainforest, the Dragon Trail where mythical fire-breathing beasts lie in wait for you, or the Jungle Trail’s terrifyingly tight hairpins.

Jewel Changi Airport

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Is it an airport? Is it a theme park? You decide! In any case, it's easily among the best entertainment destinations in Singapore. Alongside the great many shops and restaurants housed inside this architectural masterpiece, you’ll find epic indoor waterfalls, unique art installations, and a lush garden that spans five floors. And that’s just for starters!

Go on a Jewel-rassic dinosaur hunt in the Shiseido Forest Valley and Canopy Park, where your augmented-reality TimeLens reveals Jurassic behemoths lurking in the undergrowth. Bounce yourself silly on the huge Bouncing Net, lose yourself in the kaleidoscopic Mirror Maze and interact with art in the giant sculpture playground that is Discovery Slides. Or, if you just want to let loose, The Slide@T3 may be for you. This four-story slide whizzes willing victims participants from level one all the way down to basement level three in just a few thrilling seconds.

Pororo Park

Themed around the animated series Pororo the Little Penguin, this indoor amusement park is strictly for the kids. It’s a technicolor explosion of fun, where infants and toddlers can meet Pororo and other pals including Crong the baby dino, Rody the robot and Popo and Pipi the... well, we’re not quite sure what Popo and Pipi are. Gentle activities here include a sensory Hinoki Pit filled with tiny wooden cubes, Poby’s Jungle Gym, Pororo’s House and, perhaps best of all, the Pororo Express Train, ably piloted around the park by Pororo and Eddy the fox.

Haw Par Villa

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No rides here, but what Haw Par Villa lacks in adrenaline rushes it more than makes up for in hallucinatory historical dioramas. Make no mistake: this is one of the weirdest theme parks you’ll ever visit, containing hundreds of statues depicting Chinese folk tales and lessons in Buddhist morality. If you think that’s given you some idea of what to expect, think again. Some of the dioramas look like the kind of thing you might expect to encounter in a fever dream. Rat taking a phonecall? Sure, why not! Tortoise serving tea to a deer? Completely normal! Giant crab with a grinning human head? Oh, go on then!

As fascinating and memorable as a trip to Haw Par Villa undoubtedly is, do note that the hellish and macabre nature of many of the exhibits mean parental discretion is advised if you’re planning on taking the kids along. Don’t say we didn’t warn you!

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Stuart Bak
Stuart Bak
Freelance travel writer

Stu caught the travel bug at an early age, thanks to childhood road trips to the south of France squeezed into the back of a Ford Cortina with two brothers and a Sony Walkman. Now a freelance writer living on the Norfolk coast, Stu has produced content for travel giants including Frommer’s, British Airways, Expedia, Mr & Mrs Smith, and now Go City. His most memorable travel experiences include drinking kava with the locals in Fiji and pranging a taxi driver’s car in the Honduran capital.

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Best Museums in Singapore 

Wandering the galleries and halls of a well-curated museum is a wonderful way to while away the hours. Lucky for museum lovers, Singapore is packed with blockbuster art galleries, top-notch museums, and one-of-a-kind cultural institutions. From contemporary art and natural history to thought-provoking science and technology - whatever your interests, there is a museum in Singapore to explore. Here's our list of the best museums in Singapore. National Museum of Singapore The National Museum of Singapore is the oldest and largest museum in the city and should be your first port of call. Opened in 1887, the museum is housed in a stately 19th-century Neo-Palladium-style building with a beautiful glass rotunda. Take a moment to admire the exquisite architecture – it’s a work of art in itself. The museum houses two main galleries - the Singapore History Gallery and the Singapore Living Galleries. Start in the Singapore History Gallery and learn the intriguing history of Singapore from its humble beginnings in the 14th century to the present day. Interactive and immersive exhibitions highlight Singapore’s development into a global powerhouse. Your next stop is the Singapore Living Galleries where you’ll exhibits themed around food, fashion, film, and photography. Don’t miss the museum's permanent exhibition, Story of the Forest, which brings the treasured William Farquhar Collection to life through a fantastic digital presentation. Use your pass to gain access to this fantastic museum. Opening hours: Daily: 10AM – 7PM Singapore Art Museum If you’re a lover of contemporary Asian art, the Singapore Art Museum (SAM) is a treat! The museum exhibits artworks in multiple spaces, including a satellite space at Tanjong Pagar Distripark, and the main building along Bras Basah Road. This is the one you want to visit not only to marvel at the beautiful architecture of the heritage buildings but to see some impressive art, too. The main wing of the museum is housed in the former St Joseph’s Institution – the oldest Catholic boys’ school in Singapore. With a striking design that harkens back to the European Renaissance, you’ll be amazed by its beauty before even seeing any art. The museum’s extraordinary collection of 20th-century Asian art is exhibited in small and unusual gallery spaces. Nooks and crannies hold impressive works across various mediums and around every corner is another delight. While the museum has never presented blockbuster exhibitions due to its size, it does take part in the Singapore Biennale, and if you’re around for that, it’s well worth visiting. Opening hours: Mon – Thu: 10AM – 7PM Fri: 10AM – 9PM Sat - Sun: 10AM – 7PM   National Gallery Singapore Another luminary in Singapore’s art world, the National Gallery Singapore is huge! The largest visual art gallery of its kind in the city, it's packed with the world’s largest collection of Southeast Asian art from the 19th century to the present. And there are interactive installations and exhibits for the kids too, so make a day of exploring this glorious behemoth. Housed in the former Supreme Court and City Hall building, the sprawling museum building is an architectural wonder in itself. Inside, vast galleries display over 8,000 modern Southeast Asian artworks. Wander around the airy exhibition spaces and admire works by pioneer Singaporean artists like Cheong Soo Pieng and Georgette Chen. You’ll need more than a few hours to explore the entire museum. Head to the Keppel Centre for Art Education where the kids can get creative with a range of artful and active learning activities. When you need to re-energize, the museum has several casual cafés and fine dining restaurants. Head up to the rooftop cocktail bar, Smoke and Mirrors, for a quiet drink and spectacular views of the city. Don’t forget to use your pass to get free access to the National Gallery Singapore. Your pass also allows you to join complimentary tours like Highlights of the Gallery and Building Highlights Beyond their exhibitions and programs, National Gallery Singapore houses a range of art-inspired shops and restaurants, including the three MICHELIN-starred Odette, and one MICHELIN-starred Art. Top Tip: Avoid long queues and visit on a weekday and book your tickets in advance. Opening hours: Mon – Thu: 10AM – 7PM Fri: 10AM – 9PM Sat - Sun: 10AM – 7PM   ArtScience Museum No matter what your age, visiting Singapore’s ArtScience Museum is a must! Based in a striking building overlooking Marina Bay, the museum brings together culture and technology in fascinating ways. Wander around internationally acclaimed exhibitions that explore the fusion of art and science with some amazing interactive multimedia. You can’t miss the museum building. Designed by Israeli architect Moshe Safdie, it looks like a gently unfurling lotus flower. Inside, the art continues with a variety of world-class exhibitions. Marvel at works by Eames, Dalí, Warhol, and Van Gogh or travel back in time to the world of dinosaurs and Genghis Khan. You’ll also find film sets and props from blockbuster films like Harry Potter and Titanic. Don’t miss the interactive journey of lights, digital art, and magic show designed by Japanese arts collective teamLab. The ArtScience Museum is part of the luxurious Marina Bay Sands complex. Why not head up to the CÉ LA VI SkyBar on the 57th floor of Marina Bay Sands for a drink against a backdrop of breathtaking vistas. Use your pass to enjoy a complimentary drink and kick back and enjoy the views. Opening hours: Daily: 10AM – 7PM   Asian Civilisations Museum Singapore is a cultural melting pot and one of the best places to delve into its rich multicultural roots is at the Asian Civilisations Museum. You’ll find the museum at the stunning Empress Place, fittingly located at the mouth of the Singapore River, once the center of global trade. Meander around the galleries boasting thousands of artifacts relating to different cultures from around the continent. Gain an integrated perspective of pan-Asian cultures and civilizations and discover how they have come to define Singapore as it is today. When you are done, relax over a coffee at the museum café and take in the beautiful views of the Singapore River and city skyline. Visit the museum store and pick up a few stylish Singaporean design gifts. Remember to use your pass to gain free access to this museum. Opening hours: Daily: 10AM – 7PM Fri: 10AM – 9PM Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum The Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum is a treasure trove of natural history and museum that needs a few hours of exploration. An impressive collection of more than 2,000 specimens of Southeast Asian fauna and flora is spread across two floors and 15 zones. You’ll find a wealth of fascinating finds from the skeleton of a sperm whale to 150-million-year-old dinosaur fossils. Apollonia, Prince and Twinky - three humungous dinosaur skeletons greet you in the main atrium of the museum and your journey through the history of the natural world begins. Wander through themed galleries of fungi, plants, and mammals; get up close to dinosaur bones, and see the largest species of turtle ever recorded. Take a stroll through the museum’s beautifully themed gardens from mangroves to dryland swamps and marvel at the cliff-like façade and living museum of local plants on the front of the building. Opening hours: Thu - Sun: 10AM – 5PM   The National Design Centre of Singapore A nexus for all things, the National Design Centre of Singapore is a design lover's paradise. Housed in an art décor building in the trendy Bras Basah-Bugis arts and culture district, the center hosts design exhibitions and events that draw Singapore’s coolest crowd. Discover the evolution of Singaporean design at the permanent exhibit, 50 Years of Singapore Design, or attend one of the many art-centric events promoting Singapore’s design scene. Check out Hong Kong-based cult lifestyle and design boutique, kapok NDC for stylish apparel. After all that browsing and shopping, put your feet up and enjoy a cocktail at Tanuki Raw. Opening hours: Daily: 9AM – 9PM   Indian Heritage Centre The Indian Heritage Centre may not be up there with the big guns, but it’s a great little museum that focuses on Indian and South Asian history and is well worth a visit. Located in the heart of the Little India Heritage District, the four-story Heritage Center features chronologically arranged themed galleries that explore the distinctive Indian cultural heritage of Singapore. Activity spaces and interactive displays add an element of fun and special gallery houses touring exhibitions. You can use your pass to visit this fascinating museum, and don’t forget to swing by the museum shop to pick up a souvenir or two after your visit. Opening hours: Tues - Sun: 10AM – 6PM   Madame Tussauds What would a visit to a major international city be without popping into Madame Tussauds? Head to the Singapore outpost at Imbiah Lookout at Sentosa for a few selfies with the stars. Mingle with the usual coterie of international celebrities in the A-List Party section like Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie. You’ll also see local superstars like Gurmit Singh, Jack Neo, and Singapore’s Prime Minister, Lee Hsien Loong. Hop on the Spirit of Singapore Boat Ride for a multi-sensory journey through Singapore's rich culture. Sing and dance with some of Bollywood's top celebs and enjoy a 4D experience with your favorite superhero. Bear in mind you can use your pass to gain free entry into the wax museum and enjoy all the extras at no extra cost! Daily: 10AM – 6PM Tues: 10AM – 5:30PM   Of course, there's a lot more to Singapore than just museums. Fancy seeing all the best Singapore attractions without breaking the bank? Pick up a Singapore Pass and save while you sightsee!
Alex Birungi
Orchard road Street sign
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Things to do in Orchard Singapore

Those seeking out things to do in Orchard Singapore can tick all the boxes going. Dominated by the eponymous Orchard Road, the neighborhood may be small – at less than a kilometer in area – but it certainly isn’t short of attractions. Centrally located between the National Museum of Singapore to one side and Singapore Botanic Gardens to the other, Orchard is Singapore’s equivalent to London’s Oxford Street or New York’s Fifth Avenue. It rivals both as a place to spend your time. Long gone then are the days when it was lined by nutmeg, pepper and fruit trees, giving it its name. Instead, whether day or night Orchard is the de facto shopping and entertainment district, boasting glitzy hotel stays, unrivalled shopping opportunities and no shortage of options when it comes to food and drink either. Among all this you’ll also find a number of cultural treasures, from parks to museums. Here’s the Go City guide to all Orchard Road is famous for! Check out hundreds of stores Arguably Asia’s hottest shopping district, the 2.5 km length of Orchard Road has over 25 shopping malls to choose between. Offering something for pretty much every kind of traveler, from the budget-conscious to the budget-buster, their stores provide a potentially unending exploration of must-have items (as well as a respite from Singapore’s tropical climate). Remarkably, in a city where the old is often swept away to make space for the new, Orchard’s very first department store clings on at Tang Plaza. TANGS (as it’s styled) continues to maintain a significant hold over the latest trends, much like it has since its store first opened its doors in 1958 – when the British flag still flew over Singapore. For atmosphere, do away with the big department stores and malls for the likes of Lucky Plaza and Far East Plaza. Here you’ll discover everything from secondhand gems to souvenirs (and a few black-market knock-offs too). However, Orchard’s most exciting shopping destination is possibly ION Orchard, whose shapely glass exterior sits above Orchard MRT (Mass Rapid Transit) station. ION Orchard blends luxury names such as Cartier, Louis Vuitton and Tiffany with the work of local craftspeople. But should the spending spree threaten to become too much, there’s always ION Orchard’s very own art gallery. Located on the fourth floor, its collection includes contemporary artworks from sculpture to multimedia displays. There’s also the Great Singapore Sale, which sees stores right across Orchard slashing prices each June. Discover the history of Orchard Although on first glance it may appear like the area is all about shopping, there are many other things to do in Orchard Singapore if you know where to look. Just beyond Orchard Road’s eastern extreme stands the classically-styled building constructed for the National Museum of Singapore in 1887. One of Asia’s largest, it does away with the idea of a museum as a dark studious place where visitors can only talk in muffled tones. In contrast, its light-filled galleries help detail the history of the island without it feeling like a chore. Its treasures include the Singapore Stone, found on the banks of the Singapore River and etched with as-yet undeciphered writing potentially a thousand years old. Opposite Plaza Singapura shopping mall is Istana Park, a 13,000 square meter green space. Its 26-meter-high Festival Arch marks the official start of Orchard Road, while the Istana Heritage Gallery details the history of Istana Palace. This building was the home of the British governor before becoming the office of the president on independence. This history is told through archive imagery and some of the gifts given to Singapore’s presidents by foreign dignitaries. The palace itself is only open on special occasions, while a changing of the guard ceremony takes place on the first Sunday of the month (except in July and August). Roughly 60 times larger than Istana Park, Singapore Botanic Gardens is the only tropical garden in the world to be a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Over 150 years old, the mature gardens are a huge contrast to the area’s malls. Its attractions include a small area of rainforest, Ginger Garden, and National Orchid Garden. The latter contains approximately 3,000 different types of orchid, with many named after the great and the good of international affairs, from Nelson Mandela to Queen Elizabeth II. Sample Orchard’s culinary delights Although not as famous as the Raffles Long Bar, L’Espresso café is an excellent place to enjoy a traditional afternoon tea while experiencing a full-on Victorian fantasy at Orchard’s Goodwood Park Hotel. Neatly-cut sandwiches, tasty savory bites and desserts to die for can be sampled from around midday onwards. Alternatively, you could save yourself for a sundowner on the pool terrace come early evening. Head behind Centrepoint mall to Emerald Hill and you’ll not only take in some rare survivors of Chinese Baroque architecture (think colorful ceramic tiles, shuttered windows and brightly-colored fronts) but also a great selection of bars, coffee shops and restaurants. They often reside in the historic structures themselves, saving them for prosperity and ensuring they remain charmingly atmospheric at the same time. To experience the real Singapore, you’ll also want to dine at a food court at least once during your stay. Forget any thoughts you might have of sticky tabletops and nothing but fast food, Singapore’s food courts (also called hawker centers) serve up healthy, freshly-prepared dishes from right across the region at ridiculously good prices. Food Village Takashimaya inside Ngee Ann City Mall is a great place to start whatever you’re after and whatever the time of day. Save on admission to Orchard’s top attractions From stores with price tags running into the thousands to sumptuous meals for little more than loose change. From must-do ticketed events to free things to do in Orchard, this area of Singapore is one that cannot – and shouldn’t – be ignored. Explore the very best things to do in Orchard Singapore with Go City. Choose between our All-Inclusive Pass or Explorer Pass and you’ll get access to some of the city’s top museums, tours and attractions while making big savings on standard admission prices.
Alex Birungi
Aerial View of Sentosa Island
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Sentosa Island Adventures: Fun, Food & Fantastic Attractions

Theme parks, beach bars, and sky-high adventures—Sentosa has your dream Singapore day sorted.

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