Orchard road Street sign

Things to do in Orchard Singapore

By Alex Birungi

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

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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

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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

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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.

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Best souvenirs to bring back from Singapore

Fed up of leaving a place with the usual cheaply-made tourist trinkets? Looking for unique Singapore gifts for loved ones back home? Fortunately, Singapore won’t let you down. Yes, you can get a molded plastic Merlion is that’s what you’re after. But with a little bit of local know-how, those looking for something more special can also find exactly that. What are the best souvenirs to bring back from Singapore? We’ve spent some time sifting through endless meters of shelf space to discover just that! Sumptuous textiles Add a Singaporean twist to your home or wardrobe by seeking out the stores and market stalls dedicated to cloth and fabric. Displaying a range of styles, from contemporary to traditional patterns, buying a cut of cloth is a great way of remembering your time in the Lion City. Singapore’s diversity means there’s plenty of choice, with designs originating from the country’s Malay, Peranakan and Indian communities all on offer. From batiks to silks, the range will likely leave you spellbound. There’s a multitude of stores to check out in Chinatown and Arab Street in Kampong Glam. Others are dotted along Little India’s Serangoon Road close to the Indian Heritage Centre. Meanwhile, high-end Holland Village’s Independent Market has a seriously cool selection of tea towels, cushions and tote bags all created by local artists. Each have a very Singapore twist, such as cushion covers honoring the city’s famed chili crab. Tea for two Tea has been at the heart of Singaporean culture since the very beginning. Just a few months after Sir Stamford Raffles claimed the island for the British Empire, it had become one of the key ports in the export of tea. Clipper ships could soon be seen loading in the port before making the months’ long journey to the docks of London. You can stop off at any street side stall to sample the highly-sugared brew that’s the mainstay of everyday life in the city. But for a more laid-back affair, you’ll have to head to Tea Chapter for a tea appreciation experience. Recreating the Chinese tea ceremony in a traditional teahouse located in Chinatown, you’ll get to sample a wide range of teas. These include the very special Imperial Gold Cassia. Made using leaves from Fuijin province in China, the delicate floral brew was even served to Queen Elizabeth II during a visit in 1989. It’s not recorded whether the queen took any back to Buckingham Palace with her, but you certainly can. Alternatively, head to one of TWG’s stores, who are constantly blending and perfecting. Look out for their Singapore Breakfast Tea, which combines green and black teas with a hint of ginger to celebrate the mixed cultural traditions of the island nation. Flower power The must-visit Gardens by the Bay Flower Dome & Cloud Forest demonstrates Singapore’s status as a garden city. But if it needed confirming, this city known for its rampant development has over 300 public parks. And that’s alongside attractions including Singapore Botanic Gardens and Mount Faber. When it comes to gifts made in Singapore, what could be better than taking a piece of this away with you? Although buying live plants can cause you issues at customs, there is still a way to have these memories close at hand long after you’ve said goodbye to Singapore. RISIS, for instance, was founded in the 1970s. Since then, this jewelry and lifestyle store has used the skills of local craftspeople to encapsulate real orchids in gold. The result is an incredible range of necklaces, bracelets, brooches and rings, as well as picture frames, sculpture and even chopsticks. Tomes with a sense of place It’s stating the obvious to say that the best Singapore souvenirs for booklovers are going to be books about Singapore! Thankfully, though small, Singapore has a thriving book industry. This means not only can you find photobooks and histories of the island, but also an abundance of children’s books and novels. Either set in Singapore or written by Singaporeans, SingLit has gone from strength to strength. Look out for the writings of Catherine Lim, Imran Hashim and poet Cyril Wong. Their books can be purchased from all the big bookstore and are sure to add a touch of class to any shelf they rest on. Old and new Meanwhile, all you history buffs out there looking for something extra special from Singapore will delight in the city’s antique stores. With a cluster on the streets running from the northern end of Orchard Road, you won’t be limited in choice either. Displaying items from all around the world, these largely independent stores have stock that ranges from coins to sofas, by way of artworks, ornaments and firearms. There are plenty of retro and vintage goods on show too. But for a gift Singapore is known for, keep an eagle eye out for Peranakan porcelain. This style of brightly-colored ceramics has a distinctly Chinese look. Much of it dates to the nineteenth century, so prices pre-bargaining can be on the steep side. More wallet-friendly modern versions can be found at Thow Kwang Pottery Jungle. Their potters use the last remaining dragon kiln in Singapore to create contemporary examples of the style. Family friendly souvenirs from Singapore Relive your time on the streets of Singapore with the city’s very own version of that family favorite – Monopoly. Replacing some of the original player tokens with a T-Rex, rubber duck and penguin, streets incorporated include Connaught Drive, Orchard Road and Marina Square. Using local currency, the railway stations of the original board game have been replaced with four of Singapore’s MRT (Mass Rapid Transport) stations. Find it in toy shops and souvenir stores across the island. Save on Singapore attractions, spend on Singapore souvenirs Whether you’re buying for yourself or for friends and family, the best souvenirs to bring back from Singapore go beyond the tacky and cheap. Made by skilled artisans, they let you take a little of the city’s culture home with you. At Go City we’re big on memories. That’s why we work so hard to provide travelers to Singapore with savings on admission to the biggest attractions around. That way, you’ll never say you can’t afford that extra souvenir from Singapore!
Alex Birungi
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Things to Do in Singapore in Autumn

By Mia Russell Glitzy and glamorous, sleek and sophisticated, Singapore has it all. Take a peek behind the shimmering skyline and you’ll find a wealth of incredible things to see and do in Singapore in Autumn. From spectacular green urban spaces and awe-inspiring architecture to out-of-this-world shopping and a world-class culinary scene, Singapore will steal your heart. Why visit Singapore in the autumn? Autumn in Singapore runs from September through November and the rain and humidity tend to increase over this time. Temperatures are still very hot during autumn with averages of 30 °C (86 °F) during the day and the humidity begins to rise towards the middle of October. This may not sound like the most comfortable weather for exploring the city, but it's nothing a good umbrella can’t handle. The rain and humidity tend to keep tourists away in autumn, so you’ll find some great deals on airfares and hotels around the city. Autumn is also the best time to hit Singapore’s incredible art galleries and museums, which are air-conditioned and cool, and a saving grace from the rain. This is also the time to shop until you drop into the myriad shops and stores that make Singapore a world-class shopping destination. Explore the city’s outstanding museums Escape the rain and heat and while away the day in a few of Singapore’s award-winning art galleries, top-notch museums, and one-of-a-kind cultural institutions. 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. 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. Next on the list is the Asian Civilisations Museum, a captivating journey through Asia’s cross-cultural connections. If you are an art-lover, head to the National Gallery Singapore to admire an incredible collection of Singaporean and Southeast Asian art. Brave the Changi Museum & Chapel to learn the stories of POWs and held Changi Prison during the Japanese occupation of 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. Celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival Singapore comes alive when the Mid-Autumn Festival rolls around. Also known as the Moon Festival, the Mid-Autumn Festival celebrates the end of the autumn harvest on the Chinese calendar and has been observed since the early Tang dynasty. The city lights up with spectacular lantern displays and families gather to walk with lanterns and gaze at the moon. There is a vibrant atmosphere with mid-autumn festivities and performances around the city. Sweet treats abound with mooncakes taking center stage. These traditional round cakes are filled with salted egg yolk as the yolk is said to represent the full moon and reunion. They are both eaten and presented as gifts to families and friends. One of the best places to view the fantastic lantern displays is Chinatown and the Gardens by the Bay in Marina Bay. One of the city’s most spectacular green spaces is lit up with the soft light of lanterns, creating a breathtaking display. While you are there, wander around the park and marvel at the towering high-tech trees that also light up at night, the whimsical sculptures, and the misty biodomes. Use your pass to get free access to the Cloud Forest and the Flower Dome. Spend the day at Sentosa Park Sentosa Island is the perfect place to spend a rainy day. The all-ages playground is packed with things to do from an aquarium and a casino to some amazing theme parks. Hop on the Singapore Sky Cable with your pass for a thrilling ride to Sentosa Island from Mount Faber on the mainland. Take in the amazing views on the way and spend the day enjoying all the attractions on the island. Make your first stop Sentosa 4D AdventureLand. Use your pass to get into this amazing fantasy land where you can ride a super log through ravines and valleys and dive into crocodile-infested water. Zoom into a haunted old mine on a thrilling rollercoaster ride or saddle up and let your inner cowboy out as you go after the bad guys. Other fantastic attractions you can use your pass to enjoy at Sentosa Island include SEA Aquarium, Universal Studios, and the exhilarating SkyHelix Sentosa. Shop until you drop Rainy days are made for shopping and there is no better place to shop until you drop than Singapore! Singapore’s shopping scene is world-renowned, and people visit the vibrant city just to shop. The tiny island state is home to an impressive range of shopping malls, high-end boutiques, brand-name stores, and hidden gems. You can find everything from appliances to apparel and the choice of places to get them is nothing less than mind-boggling. The best place to start your shopping spree is the epochal Orchard Road. Mega malls line the two-mile stretch of street and whatever you are looking for from budget clothing to state-of-the-art electronics, you’ll find it here. For something extraordinary, head to the Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands, where you do some window shopping while taking a relaxing gondola ride around the mall. You’ll also find some outstanding restaurants here when you start getting ‘hangry.’ Take a culinary journey around the world Singapore is foodie heaven! This multicultural city is renowned for its incredible cuisine and whether you want to eat like a local or dine at the finest restaurants in the city, Singapore has it all. The best place to get a taste of Singapore is on the street at the legendary hawker centers. From eye-wateringly hot Indian curries to melt-in-your-mouth murtabak, the city’s culinary scene has every dish conceivable. Be sure to try delicious local dishes like laksa, a spicy, coconutty noodle soup, and chicken rice with a twist. If you prefer French champagne and foie gras, the city is home to several Michelin-star restaurants that offer out-of-this-world dining experiences. The top of the list is Odette. Located in Singapore’s National Gallery, this exceptional restaurant is helmed by Chef Royer brings French and Japanese cuisine together to create sublime plates. Try the Foie Gras terrine with kumquat marmalade. For mouthwatering Italian cuisine, head to Garibaldi where Executive Chef Roberto Galetti cooks traditional Italian dishes like handmade pasta with caviar and snow crab. Sip some of the finest Chianti in the world. Dance the night away When the sun goes down, Singapore changes from flats to heels and really puts on a show. Trendy restaurants, buzzing bars, and glitzy nightclubs all vie for attention, while chic rooftop bars draw the cool crowd. Kick off the evening with a complimentary Singapore Sling at the famous Raffles Long Bar – present your pass for your free drink. Then head out into the night and experience Singapore’s electric nightlife. Start at Zouk, Singapore’s longest-running nightclub. Renowned for propelling the dance music movement throughout Asia, Zouk attracts some of the biggest names in the industry and you can party the night away to the sounds of Paul Oakenfold and The Chemical Brothers. Another memorable nocturnal carnival experience can be found at MARQUEE. This massive club has three floors, sky-high ceilings, and a giant indoor Ferris wheel!
Alex Birungi
Singapore skyline showing the Marina Bay Sands Resort
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Singapore in November

It’s hot, it’s humid and it’s often wet. But in reality, Singapore’s climate is pretty uniform year-round, with very few weather extremes to worry about. November heralds the start of monsoon season so yeah, you can expect a few short, sharp downpours in the afternoons and evenings, but nothing a small umbrella or pocket poncho can’t handle. You’ll find it pleasantly warm the rest of the time, so be sure to pack light cottons and linens, floppy sun hats and sunscreen as you would for any vacation in the tropics. Oh, and don’t forget the mozzie repellent – those bitey little blighters just adore that sweet Singapore humidity! As ever, booking well in advance is the best way to lock in cheap prices on flights and accommodation but, as this is low season, you can also expect late deals as hotels push to fill rooms. Either way, November is one of the best times of year to grab a Singapore bargain. Things to do in Singapore in November Mandai Wildlife Reserve Nature lovers need look no further than Singapore’s premier wildlife reserve. This vast expanse of jungle, rainforest and wetland north of the city boasts not one but four distinct parks. Bird Paradise, the newest addition at time of writing, is a colorful cornucopia of pretty plumage and sweet birdsong; an enormous aviary where you can get up close to pink flamingos, turacos, toucans, rockhopper penguins and all manner of other feathery critters. The reserve is also where you’ll find Singapore Zoo and the famous Night Safari, as well as the awesome River Wonders attraction, where water-loving beasts of the world – manatees, piranhas, Indian gharials, giant pandas and more – live their best lives. Sentosa Island A day trip to Sentosa is a quintessential part of any Singapore experience. Heck, you could spend at least a week on this fun-packed south coast resort island, and still not have enough time to see it all. Start with the quite excellent cable car ride from the main island, easily Singapore’s most scenic ride, before diving into everything else this tropical playground has to offer. We’re talking the epic Universal Studios Singapore, SEA Aquarium and Adventure Cove water park. And that’s just for starters! Hit up Siloso Beach for powdery white sands, balmy waters and, um, forest luge tracks, or take the scenic route to Fort Siloso – an elevated Skywalk that takes you high above the forest canopy. Foodie Fantasia All that activity making you hungry? Singapore’s hundreds of world-class food courts and hawker centers have your back. Dodge the afternoon downpour to while away a few hours in old-school favorite Lau Pa Sat, a Singapore landmark with street food so exquisite it might just prove life-changing. The sheer variety of international cuisines here – Vietnamese, Filipino, Malaysian, Korean, Indonesian – is mind-boggling, so you’re sure to find something to tickle those tastebuds. Our advice? Look for the stalls with the longest lines and gorge on small plates from as many vendors as you can manage. Think umami chili crab (the Singaporean national dish), delicious sambal-laced laksa, red-hot rendang curry and – for the truly adventurous (and unsqueamish) only – fried pigs’ fallopian tubes in kung pao sauce. Yum! Get Some Culture Singapore’s galleries and museums are second to none. Start by immersing yourself in thousands of years of Asian history at the epic National Museum of Singapore where trying to decipher the enigmatic Singapore Stone is just one of the many fun activities available. The National Gallery houses more than 9,000 contemporary and modern artworks from Singapore and southeast Asia, with highlights including Georgette Chen’s evocative series of family portraits and Singaporean Choo Keng Kwang’s woodcuts and oil paintings. Hit up the futuristic ArtScience Museum at Marina Bay Sands for immersive exhibitions and a gallery that’s packed with eye-popping VR artworks. The museum’s in-house cinema screens a curated selection of classic movies, documentaries and arthouse films for Singapore’s hip crowd. What’s on in Singapore in November? Visitors to Singapore in November – especially late November – will find a city already gearing up for the festive season. Never anything short of spectacular, the gorgeous Gardens by the Bay ramp things up to the all-singing all-dancing max with their awesome Christmas Wonderland event. Get your snow fix at Blizzard Time, visit Frosty’s Fairground for all manner of prize-winning opportunities, and enjoy a romantic stroll beneath the 75,000 festive bulbs that illuminate the aptly named Walk of Lights. And if it’s lights you want, you’ll find some of the very best along Orchard Road, which also just happens to be home to the finest (and largest) malls in town. This popular annual attraction, titled ‘Christmas on A Great Street’, more than lives up to its boastful name, with oodles of street food stalls, pop-up gift stores and more carnival rides and Christmas villages than you can shake a candy cane at. November is also when the Singapore International Film Festival rolls into town, giving fans of (mostly) Asian and world cinema a rare chance to catch exclusive screenings, as well as attending industry workshops, discussions, director Q&A\s, awards ceremonies and more at glittering venues across the city. It’s always worth going along, even if just for the celeb-spotting opportunities alone! 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

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