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!

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
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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Woman watching the sun set over Marina Bay Sands in Singapore.
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Singapore to Bangkok – How to Get There

Considering doing a double header in Southeast Asia? You could do worse than a trip that takes in both Bangkok and Singapore, two of the greatest cities in the region, if not the world. We’re talking balmy tropical weather, exciting attractions, world-class hotels with pools and some of the finest street food you’ll ever experience. And with direct flights that connect the two in the blink of an eye, there’s really no reason not to. Read on for our whistlestop guide to Singapore and Bangkok – and the best ways to get from one to the other. Bangkok in a Nutshell Bangkok enjoys a tropical monsoon climate, with a hot dry season between March and June, when sweltering daytime temperatures can top 100 degrees, with a warm rainy season from July to October and a cooler, drier period from November to February. Bear in mind that ‘cooler’ is a relative term in Bangkok and you can still expect t-shirt-wearing temperatures in the mid-70s during winter. Bangkok’s crowded streets and noisy traffic can seem overwhelming to newbies but getting around is actually relatively easy thanks to the excellent BTS SkyTrain network which links the airport to downtown and serves most of the key districts in the city center. An extensive metro system supplements this and, for something a little different, a variety of ferries, water taxis and long-tailed boats serve the waterways. And can you even say you’ve visited Bangkok if you haven’t traveled by túk-túk? Though almost always an uncomfortable and somewhat terrifying rip-off, these iconic three-wheeled taxis have to be experienced at least once on any visit to the city. In a place as big as Bangkok there are of course accommodation options to suit every budget. Big-name and luxury brands including Kempinski, Carlton, Marriott, Shangri-La and Anantara are well-represented here if you have a bit of cash to flash, but there are plenty of mid-range and budget options to choose from, too. Perhaps unsurprisingly, you’ll find the most competitive prices during the rainy season. Singapore in a Nutshell Much like Bangkok, Singapore is hot, humid and frequently wet. Temperatures here hover in the high 80s year round, with a tropical climate that promises regular downpours during the two monsoon seasons from December to March and June to September. Rainfall here is often sudden, short and, well, spectacular, so prepare by carrying a good umbrella if you’re visiting in monsoon season, but don’t otherwise let this put you off visiting! The transport infrastructure here in the Garden City is second to none, with a superb mass transit system (MRT), dedicated cycling paths and even cable cars and monorails. The MRT is basically your best friend when in Singapore, with speedy automated underground trains that span almost the entire island and connect you to top attractions including Marina Bay, the Singapore Flyer observation wheel, the Botanic Gardens and Orchard Road shopping district. Hop on the cable car or monorail to reach the beautiful white-sand beaches and many popular attractions on Sentosa Island, and rent a bicycle if you’re feeling fit and fancy seeing some of the abundant nature that covers around 50% of Singapore. There are hundreds of miles of dedicated (and mostly flat) cycle paths across the island, from downtown commuter lanes to major out-of-town networks including the epic Park Connector Network and Central Urban Loop. Note that failing to wear a helmet when cycling here is against the law and will likely result in a hefty fine. Singapore accommodation is just as varied as Bangkok, with Raffles, the Ritz-Carlton and Marina Bay Sands with its absolutely enormous 57th-floor infinity pool among the best-known luxury options in town. There are stacks of budget and mid-range options, too. But bear in mind that Singapore is rather an expensive city to visit, especially compared to Bangkok! So if you’re looking for electronic gadgets, fashion brands and other luxury souvenirs to take home, it’s worth noting that you’ll get far more bang for your buck in Thailand. Top Things to do in Singapore and Bangkok There are stacks of attractions worthy of your time in both Bangkok and Singapore, not least the world-class street food and hawker centers serving up zingy noodle pots, hot curries, sticky peanut satay and umami seaweed dishes. Then there are the grand Bangkok palaces and temples and sprawling night markets. Singapore offers a little more for the thrill seeker, with sky-high rides that include the Singapore Flyer observation wheel (one of the world’s highest), the Sentosa SkyHelix and a giant swing that flies high over the palm-fringed golden sands of Siloso Beach on Sentosa Island. With Go City, you can save a packet on visiting multiple attractions in both destinations. Click here to view Singapore attractions and pass options, and click here for Bangkok. Singapore to Bangkok – How to Get There Traveling between Singapore and Bangkok really couldn’t be simpler. Carriers including Thai Airways and Singapore Airlines operate several direct flights daily. Budget airlines including Scoot, Jetstar and VietJet Air also cover the route from Changi Airport to Suvarnabhumi with one-way prices starting from as little as $120. Once in Bangkok, the formidable BTS SkyTrain will get you to destinations in and around the city center at near-lightning speed. But there are other options available should you choose to take them. Adventurers and dedicated slow travelers can turn the journey into an experience in itself by taking the train: an epic 30-hour journey across some 2,000 kilometers that starts by crossing the Johor-Singapore Causeway bridge into Malaysia then weaves north to Kuala Lumpur and up through the atmospheric Cameron Highlands before crossing the border into the mountainous rainforests of Thailand’s Khao Pu–Khao Ya National Park. From there, another thrilling 17 hours of train travel through stunning jungle and coastal landscapes will deliver you straight to the center of buzzing Bangkok. This train is of course not direct and requires a bit of planning and a few changes along the way. We’d recommend a stop-off in Kuala Lumpur because, heck, why not chuck another Asian super-city into your vacation? Connected to the mainland by road, the island of Penang in the north-west of Malaysia presents another fine opportunity for a stopover: beautiful beaches, stunning colonial architecture and easily some of the finest street food in Asia are just three good reasons to take a break here. Once you’re across the border, Hat Yai is your best bet for a short stop. It’s perhaps best known as a jumping-off point for some of southern Thailand’s best-loved islands – Ko Samui, Ko Lipe, Phuket – and you’ll find budget minivans, buses and flights serving all of these and more. If you’ve got time on your hands, we can think of no better way of getting from Singapore to Bangkok than turning the journey into a mini-vacation all of its own. Save on attractions and activities in Singapore and Bangkok Save on admission to Singapore and Bangkok attractions with Go City. Check out @GoCity on Instagram and Facebook for the latest top tips and attraction info.
Stuart Bak
Stuart Bak
Singapore Street Food and Night Tour
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What to do in Singapore in October

Singapore in October? Really? It’s certainly true that pre-monsoon October sees more rain than the months of June to September. Heavy showers generally break in the afternoon, clearing streets for an hour or two, along with the worst of the city’s humidity. However, the mix of indoor and outdoor attractions means you won’t ever be short of things to do in Singapore in October. Plus, reduced traveler demand promises a great value stay. Add to this a packed program of events, and you’ll soon realize that the off-season is anything but. October in Singapore? Absolutely yes! Here’s why... Fascinating cultural events Thankfully, Singapore’s October rain doesn’t put a stop to any of the city’s cultural events. Foremost among them is the Nine Emperor Gods Festival. Spanning more than a week, it’s celebrated by Taoists. It begins at East Coast Park, where adherents ritually wash religious artefacts housed in Charn Mao Hern Kiu Huang Keng Temple. They are accompanied by the sound of gongs, and flowing movement of lion dancers. Rather different is Singapore’s Fall Fashion Week, an annual celebration of all things couture at the end of October. It’s where Asia’s major fashion houses first show their latest collections to the public. Events take place in malls across the city. The end of October is also marked by Halloween, an event which has taken Singapore by storm. Many top attractions take on a spooky air. Look out for ghost ships sailing the waters around Sentosa. Other scary takes include nightclubs draped in cobwebs and costume balls to die for. Finally, there’s Oktoberfest. It’s a long way from the festival’s traditional home in Munich, but great fun nonetheless. An increasing number of bars, restaurants, and hotels are getting involved with special menus and deals. But you shouldn’t forget about Singapore’s home-grown beer either. A Tiger Brewery Tour takes visitors behind the scenes of a lager available in 60 countries. That’s despite none of the main ingredients being native to the island! Top outdoor attractions Mornings tend to be the best time to head outside in Singapore in October. The risk of a rain shower is minimal, and the humidity is yet to build. Mornings therefore provide the perfect opportunity for exploring Singapore’s multitude of outdoor attractions. Head to tranquil Pulau Ubin island for an activity not usually associated with big cities – kayaking. Known for its traditional way of life, Pulau Ubin is rich in flora and fauna. It even boasts some of Singapore’s last remaining mangrove forest. What better way to explore them but by bobbing in the waves on a kayak? Although true flight is out of reach, SkyHelix Sentosa offers the next best thing. Singapore’s highest open-air panoramic ride, its gondolas reach almost 80 meters above the ground. As you might imagine, the resulting vistas are incredible, stretching from the Southern Islands to Keppel Bay. And if you time it right, the sunsets are amazing. Alternatively, take advantage of the dry weather to head to the open top deck of a Big Bus Singapore. Its two routes connect the Downtown area’s most iconic landmarks. The added commentary helps peel back layer after layer of history. Indoor attractions not to miss They may provide a handy escape from a shower, but Singapore’s best indoor attractions are worth visiting whatever the weather. Take the Asian Civilizations Museum. Its galleries are packed with artifacts. They span themes from Islamic art to the religions of India. It’s the remnants of the Tang shipwreck which form the highlight for many. Dating to AD 830, its hold was packed with 60,000 items, largely beautifully decorated pieces of blue and white porcelain. Staying beneath the waves, S.E.A Aquarium provides a home for 100,000 animals. They belong to around 1,000 species from 50 habitats, from manta rays to clown fish. Meanwhile, the dedicated Shark Seas Habitat has no less than 200 brooding predators, including silvertip, lemon, and hammerhead sharks. If it’s celebrities rather than sharks you’re keen to encounter, head to Madame Tussauds Singapore. The world-famous museum contains waxworks of the great and the good, from Jackie Chan to Taylor Swift. In addition, ticket holders get to enjoy the actor-led Images of Singapore show, Singapore’s only indoor boat ride, and the Marvel 4D Experience. Unforgettable evenings in Singapore in October The Gardens by the Bay complex is incredible at any time of day. Thanks to its two massive glasshouses – the Flower Dome and Cloud Forest – it’s also magical come rain or shine. And its out of this world Supertree Grove has to be seen to be believed. Each evening, the gardens pile joy on joy with the Garden Rhapsody show. This light and sound extravaganza has a different theme each month. It takes place at 7:45 and 8:45PM each night and is free to attend. Singapore’s hawker centers are another evening stop worth adding to your itinerary. Forget any ideas you might have of dodgy watches or third-rate kitchen utensils. Singapore’s hawkers are sublime chefs serving up great value, great tasting dishes. So grab a seat at a communal table and share a meal with some of the people who call Singapore home. Alternatively, find many of Singapore’s more exotic residents at Night Safari. The first nocturnal zoo anywhere in the world, it gives a glimpse into the life of creatures usually not seen. Using state of the art lighting which mimics moonlight, it has four zones. Their diversity means visitors have the chance to admire everything from Asian elephants to highly endangered Sunda pangolins. And we say that’s well worth staying up for! Why you should visit Singapore in October There’s Singapore’s October events. Plus, the city’s amazing pick of indoor and outdoor attractions. And despite what you might hear, the October weather in Singapore is very agreeable for exploring too. Then there’s off-season airfares to look forward to too. For even better value in Singapore in October, be sure to check out Go City’s All-Inclusive and Explorer passes. They’ve been specially designed to give you reduced price entry to many of Singapore’s top attractions. That’s Go City, helping your money go further!
Alex Birungi
Family in Singapore
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Family Fun in Singapore: The Best Experiences for Parents

Ready for quality time? Discover top things to do with parents in Singapore!

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