Things to do in Singapore for Families and Kids

By Adam Fraiel
Singapore SEA Aquarium

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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Adam Fraiel
Go City Travel Expert

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Things to do in Dempsey Hill Singapore
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Things to do in Dempsey Hill Singapore

Heading to Singapore for your vacation and staying in the Dempsey Hill district of the city? Good choice. There are plenty of things to see and do and places to relax and grab a bite. To save you time, we've researched this list of the best things to do in Dempsey Hill, so you don't have to. Read on, and discover why it's one of the best districts in Singapore! Including: Gardens by the Bay Trimmings Salon & Spa Lowen Dover Street Market Singapore Pearl Hill's Park The Museum of Ice Cream and more! Gardens by the Bay If you're looking for things to do in Dempsey Hill, you cannot miss one of Singapore's most beautiful landmarks. Known across the globe as one of the most extravagant green spaces around, Gardens by the Bay practically demands a visit. With over a million plants housed within over one hundred hectares of floral delight, the green-thumbed of you will be spoilt for choice. Make sure to visit three of the location's biggest selling points. The Flower Dome is the world's largest glass greenhouse, with flowers from five continents on display across nine gardens, including thousand-year-old olive trees and unusual Baobab trees. Cloud Forest featuring Avatar: The Experience is an immersive experience created in conjunction with the hit movie franchise. You'll be transported to the fictional world of Pandora, where you can marvel at its cascading waterfalls, spiraling walkways, and fantastic creatures. And finally, the Sun Pavillion features over 1000 plants that call the sunnier parts of the world home. Desert species like cacti and succulents are beautifully arranged and will earn a spot on your social media. Trimmings Salon & Spa Lowen Got a hankering for a pampering while visiting Singapore? Is your hair a mess, and are your nails in need of a good seeing to? Then check out Trimmings Salon & Spa Lowen, where you can get all that and more at a great price. They also offer full-body massages, facials, and if you're wrangling a group of unruly, unkempt children, they'll even host a spa party just for them. With manis, pedis, and styling all thrown in, they'll certainly come out the other end looking prim and proper. And when all kids want to do is have fun, styling is the perfect remedy to quash their excitable tendencies. Dover Street Market Singapore Deal-seekers, rejoice! The world-famous Dover Street Market has now opened its doors in sometimes-sunny Singapore! And, just like its stores in New York, Tokyo, and London, you'll find tons of deals on brilliant designer attire. Situated in a disused army barracks, the interior's design somewhat resembles an art installation. But you're not here for the interior; you're here for your exterior. And you'll have plenty to choose from, with Comme des Garçons and Céline just some of the many lauded labels on display throughout. So, if you need some new attire, head to Dover Street Market! Pearl Hill's Park The awe-inspiring modern metropolis of Singapore is something else, but that doesn't mean you won't be craving any nature during your vacation. So, if you're looking for things to do in Dempsey Hill and want to get your blood pumping, why not take a brisk hike at Pearl Hill's Park? The Pipeline Trail, at a rather modest six kilometers, isn't necessarily for the faint of heart. Featuring a healthy dose of climbing and even wading through mud, you'll probably want to be a somewhat seasoned hiker if you fancy taking it on. However, if you do choose to do it, it's easily the best hike you'll find around Singapore. Just remember to pack your hiking boots; you don't want to ruin your sneakers and your back simultaneously. The Museum of Ice Cream Do you like ice cream? Do you ever yearn to enter a world where everything is ice cream, or ice cream-adjacent? Well, we're pleased to let you know that Singapore has made your wish come true, all thanks to the Museum of Ice Cream. Pinch yourselves - it's real, folks. Featuring real installations like a giant sprinkle 'ball pit', and plenty of other frozen dairy goodness, it's a must-visit for any ice cream fan. Or, anyone who wants to make their followers incredibly jealous. Plus, every attendee gets a free ice cream cone when they enter, because of course they do. Eat like royalty Speaking of food, you might be feeling peckish after all those things to do. So, let's explore the best restaurants in Dempsey Hill, Singapore! Let's start with the Dempsey Cookhouse & Bar. Created by three-Michelin-starred wonder Jean-Georges Vongerichten, the Dempsey Cookhouse & Bar's menu features a brilliant mix of Cantonese and Sichuan cuisine. So, if you're looking for dim sum, dumplings, and other Chinese treats, you've come to the right place. Or, if you're looking for some authentic Singaporean cuisine, set your sights on Morsels. This Little India mainstay has made its way to Dempsey Hill, where it has tons more space. With a host of sharing plates on offer, you can pick several dishes and try a bit of each. We recommend the Duroc Pulled Pork if you can handle a bit of spice in your life. And drink like one too! And we'll end today's list with a few beverages. If you need to wet your whistle, these are our picks for the best bars in the district! Gin lovers will be well taken care of at The Rabbit Hole. This gin joint has plenty of international labels for you to sip, as well as signature gins brewed specifically for the venue. Who knows, you might find your new favorite gin inside. Amber nectar worshipers can head to the RedDot Brewhouse, where you'll find plenty of national and international beers on tap. They also do bar food and small plates, if you start feeling those session hunger prangs. And finally, for classy cocktails in a minimalist interior, check out COMO Club @ Dempsey. With a menu longer than your arm, you're sure to find your favorite tipple on tap. Or, if you're feeling daring, as the mixologists to whip you up a unique drink. The world, and the cocktails, are your oyster. And that's our list of the best things to do in Dempsey Hill. If you want to make the most of your trip to Singapore, and you're looking for more fun adventures to fill out your vacation, try Go City. With our Explorer Pass and All-Inclusive Pass, you can experience all the best bits of Singapore for one low price!
Dom Bewley
Singapore food market
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Unique Dining and Food Experiences in Singapore

If you’re looking for unique culinary experiences, you’ve come to the right place. Singapore is an absolute mecca for foodies. Here’s where spectacular Malay, Chinese, Indian and Indonesian influences collide in a veritable explosion of flavours; where you can gorge on umami hawker center chili crab for just a few dollars, or splash serious cash on tasting-menu odysseys at any number of Michelin star-winning luxury restaurants. There’s plenty to satisfy IG addicts too, with quirky dining options galore sure to light up your socials and set your tastebuds singing. Check out our guide to some of the most unique dining and food experiences in Singapore below, including: Wild dining at Mandai Wildlife Reserve Sky high eats on the Sentosa Cable Car and Singapore Flyer Harry Potter vibes at Platform 1094 Hawker center street food highlights Immersive dining at Absurdities Robot baristas and fortune tellers at Soul Coffee Underwater eats at Ocean Restaurant Mandai Wildlife Reserve If you’ve always dreamed of breakfasting with baboons or picnicking with pandas, Mandai Wildlife Reserve is the place for you! Bird Paradise is where it’s at for peckish punters with a penchant for penguins. No, of course you don’t eat them! But you can watch them glide gracefully through their underwater kelp forests as you munch on your sandwiches. Or take in spectacular views of the wetlands waterfall and tropical birdlife from the Crimson Restaurant. Hit up neighboring Singapore Zoo for breakfast among the lush jungle foliage that surrounds Ah Meng Terrace. You’ll meet park ambassadors such as cute coatimundi, multicolored macaws and curious orangutans and hear from their handlers as you tuck into a wide range of breakfast items including cereals, fruits, eggs and curries. Heck, you can even have a four-course lunch overlooking the giant panda enclosure at River Wonders if you fancy it; a tour of the panda forest guarantees your Insta feed will be the envy of everyone you know. Top tip: you can save money with a Singapore pass from Go City that includes entry to all four of the Mandai wildlife parks. But note that the dining experiences are separate and must be booked direct via the individual attraction websites. Sky High Dining Did someone say dinner with a view? Well, it doesn’t get much better than dining aboard the Singapore Flyer. Rotating all the way up to a knee-knocking 541 feet, this mammoth observation wheel is a great way to take in the city at night, as the sun sets and lights come on all over town. A double rotation of the wheel gives you plenty of time to finish your private dinner (served with champagne, natch). Just as much fun is the dinner and drinks experience aboard the Sentosa cable car, which soars 200 feet over the sea, showcasing Sentosa’s lush foliage and fine sandy beaches en route. Book a private pod for dinner at sundown and fear not: once again a double rotation means there’s no need to rush dessert. Tea for Two No-one could ever accuse the late Queen Elizabeth II of being poorly traveled. Nor of declining a spot of light refreshment when offered. Her various sojourns to Singapore saw her (allegedly) drink the bar dry at the legendary Raffles hotel and, in 1989, bring hubby Phil along for a rather more sedate tea-drinking experience at Tea Chapter, one of the city’s most celebrated (and authentic) tea houses. You too can indulge in a regal tea appreciation ceremony right here in this lovingly converted haven of zen Chinese architecture, sampling the very same leaves – jasmine-scented Imperial Golden Cassia – once deemed fit for Liz’n’Phil. Hawker Centers Rich with the heady scent of sizzling satay pork and deliciously umami chili crab, hawker centers – great sprawling street-food markets that can be stumbled upon on nearly every corner – are the quintessential Singapore foodie experience. If you only visit one, make it Lau Pa Sat, an iconic local landmark that’s as famous for its distinctive octagonal shape, colonial-style architecture and convivial dining crowd as it is for its food. Nab a spot beneath the center’s soaring Victorian arches and get stuck into a gourmand’s smorgasbord of international cuisines, including Filipino, Vietnamese, Indonesian, Korean, Malaysian, Chinese and more. Fancy a day at the beach instead? Hit up the East Coast Lagoon Food Village hawker center, where picture-postcard ocean views accompany your crispy oyster omelet and ice-cold Tiger beer. Perfection. Absurdities If immersive dining experiences and little bottles bearing ‘drink me’ labels are your bag, the aptly named Absurdities restaurant is the one for you. Indeed, the term ‘restaurant’ feels a little prosaic for this wacky gastronomic journey, which promises a multi-course, multi-room culinary extravaganza in which you might find yourself coming over all reflective in a tunnel filled with infinity mirrors one minute, and exploring an enchanted forest or chilling in a Bedouin tent the next. The six-course omakase meal that accompanies this wonderfully disorienting and dreamlike experience is every bit as confounding, and twice as delicious. One way or another, you won’t forget it in a hurry. Platform 1094 You can expect to have an, ahem, wizard time at Platform 1094, Singapore’s first magic-themed café which takes Harry Potter as its theme and, well, flies with it. There’s wizard-themed decor, fun dressing up materials for kids (yes, and adults too) plus more Instagram opportunities than you can shake a wand at. The Enchanted Afternoon Tea, for example, comes with treats including chocolate frogs and golden blood mousse. Owl-shaped cookies, Quidditch-themed desserts and cauldron-shaped plates help keep the kids entertained while smoke effects and flaming cocktails make it a pretty magical experience for grown-ups too. Ocean Restaurant Do you relish the prospect of watching (and being watched by) majestic manta rays and reef sharks while chomping on your tuna? Course you do! Ocean Restaurant is housed within Resorts World Sentosa, where you can accompany your sumptuous seafood dinner with ringside views of the oceanarium’s underwater habitat. Angled mirrors positioned strategically opposite the viewing window mean you’ll get an eyeful of kaleidoscopic tropical critters wherever you happen to be sitting in the restaurant. And there ain't nothing fishy about that. Soul Coffee You’d be forgiven for thinking there are hallucinogens in the beans at Singapore’s Soul Coffee, where the often bewilderingly trippy experience takes in tarot readings, wild wall projections of the natural world, and a robot barista by the name of George Hillary. Ask Mr George for your coffee straight up, or set him to work on one of the signature horoscope blends, such as the super-sweet Capricorn with espresso, salted caramel and vanilla, or the Leo, with festive flavors of cinnamon and gingerbread. Mocktails in a range of bright colors and fruity flavors – yuzu, kiwi, pineapple, agave and more – round out the drinks selection. Tiong Bahru Bakery Safari Last but by no means least in our rundown of unique, quirky and downright wacky dining experiences in Singapore is the relatively wholesome Tiong Bahru Bakery Safari. This safari-themed eatery in the hip Dempsey Hill district is a family favorite, all lush tropical foliage, al fresco dining opportunities and an ace playground to keep the kids entertained. Heck, there’s even an edible garden for intrepid little adventurers to explore. Work up an appetite in the glorious grounds then tuck into sourdough waffles, face-sized wedges of carrot cake and some of the best coffee in the neighborhood. Save on attractions and activities in Singapore Save on admission to Singapore attractions with Go City. Check out @GoCity on Instagram and Facebook for the latest top tips and attraction info.
Stuart Bak
Stuart Bak
The Treetop Walks at MacRitchie Reservoir in Singapore
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Natural Attractions in Singapore

Think of Singapore and you’ll likely conjure up images of shimmering glass-and-steel superstructures; a dense forest of urban activity with soaring skyscrapers that jockey for position as they reach ever further heavenwards. But that would be to overlook the vast swathes of green space and unspoiled natural habitat that has earned this island nation the nickname ‘the Garden City’. Read on for our guide to some of the finest natural attractions in Singapore, including: Singapore Botanic Gardens The Gardens by the Bay MacRitchie Reservoir Lazarus Island Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve The Southern Ridges Bukit Timah Nature Reserve Pulau Ubin The Gardens by the Bay Yes we know: the massive durian-shaped hothouses at Singapore’s Gardens by the Bay are very plainly not the work of Mother Nature. But it’s what’s inside that counts, right? And what’s inside is nothing short of a nature spectacular. Expect an absolute riot of sights, scents and sounds in the Flower Dome, where carpets of colorful blooms emit a quite dizzying array of perfumes and a thousand-year-old olive tree forms the centerpiece of the pretty olive grove. Meanwhile, the humid Cloud Forest promises sweet-smelling orchids, jungles of ferns and trailing vines and a tall, tranquil waterfall. The Southern Ridges Six miles of jungle trails and elevated walkways connect Mount Faber Park, Labrador Nature Reserve and more along the epic Southern Ridges. Tiptoe through the treetops and shutterbugs may just sneak a snap or two of some of the abundant wildlife here: red-whiskered bulbuls, banded bay cuckoos, orange-bellied flowerpeckers and other such tropical critters await. The trail also includes a section that crosses Henderson Waves, an undulating architectural masterpiece that also happens to be the highest pedestrian bridge in Singapore at a whopping 36 meters above terra firma. Don’t look down! MacRitchie Reservoir Completed in 1868, MacRitchie is the oldest reservoir in Singapore and has become both a thriving nature reserve for native wildlife and huge natural playground for locals and tourists alike. Spot macaques and monitor lizards on the seven-mile hike around MacRitchie Trails or get a birds’ eye view from the Treetop Walks, a 250-meter suspension bridge that links the reserve’s two highest points. Take to the water and spend the day kayaking or lace up your running shoes and hit one of the excellent cross-country trails here. Lazarus Island Like your beaches secluded? Lazarus Island is the place for you! One of Singapore's Southern Islands, it’s connected to neighboring Saint John’s Island by a causeway. You’ll need to catch a ferry to Saint John’s and walk the 15 minutes or so to get there but, trust us, it’s well worth the effort. Bone-white sands, swaying palm trees and tropical turquoise waters that are great for swimming and snorkeling await the intrepid traveler. Get there early enough and, who knows, you may even find you have the whole place to yourself! Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve Twitchers rejoice! One of the finest natural attractions in Singapore, the unspoiled Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve is a thriving habitat for native birds and a crucial stopover for migratory species including the long-legged Asian dowitcher and distinctive Pacific golden plover. Across more than 300 acres of mangrove forest, mudflats and ponds, you might also spot monitor lizards, lobsters, mudskippers, water snakes and big, beautiful Atlas moths. The occasional saltwater croc has even been known to put in an appearance from time to time. Take the two-hour loop trail around the reserve to get the most from your visit. Singapore Botanic Gardens This sprawling 200-acre tropical oasis on the edge of Singapore’s Orchard Road Shopping district has been around since 1859 so to describe the gardens as ‘mature’ would be something of an understatement. Admire colorful and aromatic plants in the aptly named Ginger Garden, take a stroll around Swan Lake, snap a selfie at the iconic bandstand, and enjoy the rare experience of wandering through a rainforest within the city limits of a vast metropolis. The gardens are open from 5AM until midnight so you'll have plenty of time to get lost among the vines, blooms and tree-lined walkways. Best of all, entry is free, though a fee applies for access to the thousands of eye-popping blooms inside the National Orchid Garden, the park’s star attraction. Pulau Ubin Boomerang-shaped Pulau Ubin is an island off Singapore’s northeast coast, where lush uncharted jungle is dotted with traditional kampongs and disused granite quarries, now reclaimed by nature, teem with diverse flora and fauna. Pick ripe, pungent durians along the cycle paths – and try one if you’re feeling bold enough or hungry enough to brave a bite! There’s an observation tower and looping walkway at the island’s otherwise wild Chek Jawa Wetlands, where you’ll hear the melodious call of the bulbul and, if you’re lucky, maybe even catch sight of the electric-blue flash of a kingfisher diving for its supper. Bukit Timah Nature Reserve Last but most definitely not least in our rundown of Singapore's greatest natural attractions is the Bukit Timah Nature Reserve, slap-bang in the middle of the island. One of very few designated reserves in the country to have remained untouched by timber merchants, it’s a sprawling green space containing some 400 acres of tropical rainforest as well as, at over 500 feet, the highest hill in the country. The reserve is, perhaps unsurprisingly, one of the finest treasure troves of biodiversity to be found in all of Singapore, with animal species including flying lemurs, crab-eating macaques, reticulated pythons and endangered Sunda pangolins to be found among the dense forests and thick undergrowth. There are many superb walking trails here, with options available for everyone from the amateur ambler to the hardened hiker. Head up to the peak for 360-degree views across Singapore and beyond. Save on attractions and activities in Singapore Save on admission to Singapore attractions with Go City. Check out @GoCity on Instagram and Facebook for the latest top tips and attraction info.
Stuart Bak
Stuart Bak

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