Singapore SEA Aquarium

Things to do in Singapore for Families and Kids

By Adam Fraiel

Looking for a holiday destination that’s fun for the whole family? Singapore is basically a giant playground - safe, sunny, and full of fun, all year round. From adventure parks to beautiful beaches, exotic wildlife to mesmerizing light shows, there are plenty of family-friendly sights for you and your children to enjoy. If you’re looking for things to do in Singapore with kids, check out this list of our favorite kid-friendly activities.

Cycle with dinosaurs at the Jurassic Mile

The fun begins as soon as you touch down at Singapore’s Changi Airport. It’s a magnificent building, housing waterfalls, wildlife exhibits, a swimming pool, movie theater, and much more. It certainly breaks the mold of what an airport can be.

But that’s not the really cool part. Connecting Changi Airport to East Coast Park, via a 3km path, is the Jurassic Mile. The largest outdoor display of life-sized dinosaurs! If your kids are dino-lovers, they’ll have a blast here.

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Take your pick of walking, scooting, or cycling as you pass pterodactyls, velociraptors, an angry T-Rex, and many more. The whole route takes around 30 minutes one-way, depending on how many times you stop for photos.

Take a walk on the wild side at Singapore Zoo

Welcoming over two million visitors per year, Singapore Zoo aims to showcase how animals behave in their natural habitats. The park is so big there’s a tram to help you get around - always handy if the little ones are getting a little restless.

Check the Zoo map and feeding schedule before visiting, so you can see all your favorite animals, and even feed a few too. There are also special events and animal shows, so be sure to factor these in when planning your itinerary.

You’ll see a vast array of animals, including kangaroos, pygmy hippos, frogs, sloths, wolverines, and rhinos, to name just a few of the 300 species. There are also plenty of feeding holes for humans, so you can keep your energy levels up as you explore the wilderness.

Head below the surface at SEA Aquarium

Explore Singapore’s underwater world at SEA Aquarium, the largest aquarium in Southeast Asia. With over 100,000 aquatic animals of more than 1,000 species in over 45 habitats, SEA Aquarium has one of the largest collections of aquatic life in the region.

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Standing face to face with a Giant Pacific Octopus is an experience your little ones won’t soon forget. If that sounds a little too scary, how about Bottlenose Dolphins or adorable little seahorses?

With a huge central aquarium and immersive shark tunnel, you’ll be loving life under the sea.

Slip and slide at Adventure Cove Waterpark

If your kids have more energy and like things a little more hands-on, head to Adventure Cove Waterpark. They’ll can snorkel through the rainbow reef and see 20,000 colorful fish up close, or really let loose in the giant wave pool.

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With rides for all ages, including the Big Bucket Treehouse, Riptide Rocket, and Seahorse Hideaway, the hardest part of the day will be dragging them away when it’s time to leave.

For the adults who need a brief moment of peace and quiet, hop in a tube and float down Adventure River where you’ll drift through 14 different environments, including an immersive underwater tunnel filled with marine life.

Take it to the next level at Universal Studios Singapore

Scream if you want to go faster! Universal Studios Singapore features seriously exciting rides, attractions, and shows.

Are you brave enough to ride Battlestar Galactica: HUMAN vs. CYLON? Or take on The Ultimate 3D Battle featuring The Transformers? Don’t worry, if you need to slow things down a little then Puss In Boots’ Giant Journey or Sesame Street Spaghetti Space Chase are a little easier on the nerves.

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With seven themed areas to explore: Hollywood, New York, Sci-Fi City, Ancient Egypt, The Lost World, Far Far Away, and Madagascar, plus plenty of dining options, from fast food to sit-down restaurants, it’s an adventure-packed day for young and old alike.

Head to the beach

A day at the beach is a must if you’re heading to Singapore, and whether you have teens or tweens, there’s a beach for them.

If building sandcastles while you sip on a frosty drink sounds like a dream day out, add Silosa to your itinerary. The restaurants have tables on the sand, meaning you can always keep an eye on the little ones as they splash in the shallows. Silosa also offers watersports for the older ones, with kayak and paddleboard rentals available year-round.

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If you get bored easily and want a little more action, East Coast Park is the dream destination. Soak in the sun as you explore the abundance of cycle and rollerblading paths. (rental shops are aplenty), or really test your nerves in the Xtreme SkatePark.

For the ultimate watersport adventure, Singapore Wake Park offers a safe environment for both beginners and experienced wakeboard riders looking for an adrenaline fix. It’s set in the safety of a lagoon, with rides available for children as young as six years old.

Finish the day with a light show

The light shows in Singapore are magical, and the perfect end to a long day of exploring. Some are paid, others are free, but all are amazing.

With a variety of fireworks, water jets, and lasers choreographed to music, Wings of Time is a stunning, state-of-the-art performance that’s guaranteed to get a “Wow!” from even the most temperamental of teens.

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Other light shows worth attending include Spectra, which takes place at Marina Bay Sands just before sunset, and Garden Rhapsody at Gardens by the Bay. Both are unmissable, jaw-dropping experiences.

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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
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
Singapore River Cruise
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Things to do in Geylang Singapore

Singapore’s Geylang neighborhood is certainly something of a head scratcher. Although descriptions often begin with its status as the country’s legally-recognized red-light district, it is also one of the country’s most culturally diverse areas. Exploring its historic shopfronts is just one of the many things to do in Geylang Singapore, alongside delving into a food scene that includes everything from frog leg porridge to Ramadan treats. Lying to the east of the Kallang River as it flows towards the river cruises of Marina Bay, east-west running Geylang Road remains at the heart of all that goes on in the neighborhood. Providing a sense of old Singapore, before soaring skyscrapers took hold, it’s a street busy with Singaporeans, Malays, Chinese and western expatriates by day and night. Meanwhile unnamed lorongs (lanes) span off to north and south with the promise of all manner of delights. Wondering why Geylang is so popular and on the lips of so many? Here’s our pick of the very best things to do in Geylang Singapore! Check out Geylang’s architectural curiosities There’s probably no better place to start your discovery of Geylang than Geylang Road. Stroll along even the shortest section of its three-kilometer length and you’ll very quickly get a feel of what this neighborhood is all about. And while the low-rise properties which line this major arterial road are sure to have you reaching for your camera, Geylang’s real treasures are to be found on its surrounding streets. There’s nothing quite like picking one at random and seeing what you’ll discover – maybe the Church of Our Lady Queen of Peace or Haig Road Hawker Center. But if you’re looking for a little guidance, the colorfully-painted conserved shopfronts on both sides of Joo Chiat Road rival the Peranakan (Malay-Chinese) Houses of adjoining Koon Seng Road when it comes to the wow factor. For the chance to head inside one of these preserved homes, make an appointment to visit The Intan, a house museum dedicated to recording Peranakan culture for prosperity. The work of one man, its collection is as encyclopedic in scope as it is colorful. Discover Geylang’s artistic side If a visit to The Istan gets you in the mood for more of Geylang’s artistic side, the Eurasian Heritage Gallery is just a couple of blocks south. Created to tell the story of Singapore’s Eurasian community, it succeeds in bringing its history to life in three excellently curated galleries refurbished in 2019. Detailing a heritage which takes in Britain, Portugal, Goa and Macau, the sections on how the community survived the Japanese occupation of the island in World War Two is particularly poignant. More uplifting stories include those of swimmer Joseph Schooling, the first Singaporean to win an Olympic gold medal. Just beyond the official bounds of Geylang, on the banks of the Geylang River, you’ll also find the Goodman Arts Centre. Hosting a wide range of exhibitions and workshops, the center sits within a lush three-hectare site. It also includes a café serving up Australasian dishes with looks perfect for social media and flavors not far behind. Fill your stomach with Geylang’s specialty dishes For a more authentic look at Geylang’s culinary magic, the choices are almost endless. Geylang Serai Market is one of the largest wet markets in Singapore, meaning you can find just about anything you might ever point towards a wok. After you’ve breathed in the rich aroma of nutmeg, cinnamon and lemongrass (serai in Malay), enter the attached bazaar for fabrics, homewares and other dry goods. Carrying a buzz at any time of year, the market outdoes itself each Ramadan, when stalls lit up with decorations and open long into the night help adherents break their fast. Head upstairs to the market’s food court to sample many of the region’s delicacies. Keep an eye out for asam pedas(sour and spicy fish stew), beef rendang (a dry diced beef curry) and goreng pisang banana fritters. Alternatively, follow your nose – literally – to the durian stalls of Sims Avenue. Known as the ‘king of fruits,’ there’s really nothing else like a durian. They were the model for the Esplanade Theatres building on the opposite side of Marina Bay to Gardens by the Bay, and so pungent in aroma they are banned from hotels and aircraft. So why not let a stallholder pick out the perfect durian for you? After all, sampling the custard-like interior is something of a rite of passage when traveling in the region. Nearby, there are several simply-decorated restaurants (think school canteen chic) and more upmarket establishments with specialties including frog leg porridge on their menus. Try G7 Sin Ma or Eminent Frog Porridge to taste this savory stew flavored with soy sauce, ginger, garlic and chili. If you’re looking for a late evening drink, there are also plenty of bars in Geylang – head either along Geylang Road, or along Geylang riverfront. Enjoy Geylang’s green spaces When Stamford Raffles, ‘founder’ of modern Singapore arrived in Geylang, it was an area of coconut palms and coastal marshland. Although no longer awash with greenery, the Geylang riverfront provides a nice contrast to the bustling lanes of the area. Save your shoe leather with Gogreen Bicycle Rentals, the easiest way of taking in all the river’s sights as it doglegs through the neighborhood. Don’t worry though, there are plenty of benches on which to rest up with an ice cream, kelongs (floating platforms) and shelters resembling the kampong (village) huts that once would have been found here. Further north, Geylang East Park’s L-shaped form provides another escape from the hubbub of its nearby roads. Clean, tidy and well-maintained, you could do far worse than stop by for a lunchtime picnic with the daily mix of residents and office workers. Ways to save in Geylang Singapore Save on the top sights and attractions in Singapore with Go City. From the best things to do in Geylang Singapore to nature kayaking adventures in Pulau Ubin, we offer out of this world experiences at less than astronomical prices with our All-Inclusive and Explorer passes!
Alex Birungi

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