Singapore Skyline

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

Things to Do in Singapore in Autumn

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

Things to Do in Singapore in Autumn

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

Things to Do in Singapore in Autumn

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

Things to Do in Singapore in Autumn

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

Things to Do in Singapore in Autumn

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

Things to Do in Singapore in Autumn

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!

 

Make the most of your trip with a Singapore Pass. Save while you sightsee all of the best Singapore attractions.  

Alex Birungi
Go City Travel Expert

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Singapore skyline with a pink and yellow sky
Blog

Places to watch the sunset in Singapore

Have a look through the photos on your phone and chances are you'll find plenty of sunsets. There’s just something about a glowing pink sky that makes us want to stop and capture it, despite the fact that it happens every day. When we’re traveling, finding a good place to watch it becomes part of the itinerary, almost like a destination hunt, or going to see a show. Singapore, with its iconic skyline, rooftop terraces and scattered islands, has plenty of picture-perfect places to see it, but you have to get your timing right as they only tend to last between 20 and thirty minutes. The good news is, because Singapore is so close to the equator there isn’t much variation in its timing – you can expect the sun to set between roughly 6:50 and 7:20pm whatever time of year you’re there. For the best views, head to: The Marina Bay Sands The Gardens by the Bay The Pinnacle@Duxton From the river Mount Faber Park and Cable Car Sentosa Island The Marina Bay Sands If you’re not staying at the Marina Bay Sands, you should at least make one visit to this iconic structure and its 57th floor SkyPark. With 360-degree views it’s the perfect place to watch the sun sink below the horizon, whether you want to look east over the bay or west towards Sentosa Island. While you’re there, see if you can take a selfie with a celebrity in the background, and be sure to stop for a drink at the Ce La Vi SkyBar. Inside the hotel you’ll also find a casino, museum, shopping mall and several celebrity chef-inspired restaurants, so you won’t run out of things to do! The Gardens by the Bay No visit to Singapore would be complete without a visit to the iconic Supertrees in the Gardens by the Bay – and because of their unmistakable silhouette this enchanting canopy makes the perfect backdrop to any sunset. If you can time it right, watch the light fade from the OCBC Skyway, a 128-meter-long boardwalk between two of the Supertrees, 22 meters above the ground. Even better, head up to the garden’s highest point in the Supertree Observatory, where you’ll also find refreshments and interactive information displays. Look out at familiar landmarks like Floral Fantasy and the Marina Bay Sands Hotel as you enjoy nature’s most spectacular and ever-changing display. The Pinnacle@Duxton This little-known vantage point is the tallest public residence in Singapore, right on the western edge of Chinatown. It has two sky bridges and the highest one, on the 50th floor, is open to the public for a small fee. It’s a wonderful spot for looking down on the district, especially in the evening when the red-roofed pagodas begin to glow and colorful paper lanterns twinkle cheerfully. It’s open until 9pm and there’s a garden as well as a deck area, so you can lounge around with a drink if you like or have a quiet stroll before you return to the bustle below. From the River The gentle lapping of water, pink and yellow hues reflecting in the water, cool breezes gently blowing in your hair – we all know that sunsets look better from the water. It’s a great way to see Singapore as well, giving you a chance to move back from the hive of glass and concrete and admire the skyline as it turns from glowing pink edifice to stunning silhouette. Bop along gently in a traditional bumboat from Marina Bay and along the Singapore river, watching as iconic landmarks like the Fullerton Hotel and the Merlion Statue are lit up in the harbor. The Singapore River Cruise lasts around 40 minutes, so time it for about 6:30pm and you should be in for some exceptional evening entertainment. Mount Faber Park and Cable Car If you like a hike before your sunsets, head to the top of Mount Faber Park to the west of the city for stunning views over Keppel Harbor and the waterways to the west. Here you’ll find a number of eateries, if you need a degustation-themed reward for your exertions, and also plenty of spots to sit and have a picnic – especially if you want to stay and watch the stars come out. You could also ride the cable car from Faber Peak, which will carry you over the glittering harbor to Sentosa Island – float over city lights and lush rainforests while the sky turns to indigo around you. The cable car runs until 10pm and your pass includes a return trip, so you can enjoy a pleasant evening exploring the island before heading back. Sentosa Island It’s on the western side of the city and has plenty of beaches, which makes it the perfect place to sit and savor a spectacular sunset. There are hotel rooftop terraces – such as at the Outpost and Village hotels, or you could ride the SkyHelix Sentosa, which is a rotating gondola that takes you 79 meters above sea level. If that’s not enough adrenaline for you, perhaps you’d prefer the AJ Hackett Sentosa Skybridge, where you can swing from a height of 40 meters over the beach. On the other hand, if you’ve spent the day exploring Universal Studios, enjoy the sunset view from the top of one of its unique rides, such as Puss in Boots’ Giant Journey, the Battlestar Galactica: Human vs Cylon Dueling Coasters, or Donkey’s Dragon (from Shrek) Enchanted Airways Coaster. Follow the sun with Go City No matter where you go in Singapore, there’ll always be a sunset worth finding a spot for. And whatever you do, make sure you have your Go City All-Inclusive or Explorer Pass to hand, to make sure you save on all your favorite attractions around the city.
Karleen Stevens
day trips from singapore
Blog

Day Trips from Singapore

Vacations are great, aren't they? They give you an escape from the busyness of your everyday life, so your mind and body get a well-deserved rest. However, after a few days of exploring your chosen destination, you may begin to wonder what adventures lie beyond. It's in our nature as human beings - no matter how much we already have, we always want more. Greed is bad, but greed for new experiences is good. So why not flex those adventurous muscles on your vacation in Singapore? Explore the best day trips from the city and discover the many delights that lie just a few minutes away. Presumably, that's why you're here. Right? Good. In that case, settle in, lean back, and adorn your most hilarious reading utensils, as we explore the best day trips from Singapore. In no time, you'll realize just how many of them are utterly unmissable! Including: Sentosa Island Pulau Ubin Bintan Johor Bahru Malacca and more! Sentosa Island If you've planned a vacation to Singapore, then you probably already know about Sentosa Island. It's one of the most popular tourist destinations in the state, with heaps of things to do and see, and places to relax. On top of exciting attractions like the Giant Swing and Skybridge, as well as mind-bending experiences like Sentosa 4D Adventureland, you'll also find hiking trails, casinos, and shops galore. They even have a Universal Studios theme park, just to top it all off. With something for everyone, and just a short trip off the southern part of Singapore, Sentosa Island practically begs for a visit. Combine your trip there with some amazing views by taking a cable car to the island. Pulau Ubin Pulau Ubin is something special - an island paradise that's the perfect remedy to Singapore's bustling metropolis. It's one of the most popular day trips from Singapore, but don't expect anywhere near the same amount of foot traffic. Featuring a breathtaking coastline, beautiful wetlands, and the last remaining village in Singapore, it'll make quite the change from Singapore's sprawling urban landscape. Why not experience the serenity of Pulau Ubin on a nature kayaking adventure? It's a great way to make the most of the weather, and your guide will be able to clue you in on the flora, fauna, and culture you'll find on your journey. Bintan A short boat ride from Singapore's shores, you'll find Bintan - a beach-laden paradise island in Indonesia. With a perfect mix of untouched jungle, sprawling white sand, and high-end entertainment, it deserves a place on this list of the best day trips from Singapore! Watersports fans will rejoice at the choice of activities at many of the local facilities, and even relax-seekers are welcome at many of the laidback bars, restaurants, and hotels. If it's adventure you seek, take a tour into the nearby treeline and explore the more exotic parts of Bintan. Then, simply hop on the ferry back to Singapore. What a day. Johor Bahru Head to Malaysia's shores, and you'll find Johor Bahru. JB to its friends, Johor Bahru is one of the largest cities in the country. So if you want to pick up some sweet deals, it's worth a visit. Oh, and did we mention prices there are significantly cheaper than in Singapore? Probably should have led with that. You'll also find a brilliant mix of cultural sites, from temples to mosques. All of that, and it's only an hour out of Singapore. So what's stopping you? Malacca Malacca is a trading port - one of the most important in the region's history. Surprisingly, it even still has much of its colonial architecture intact, which brings throngs of history-seeking tourists to its shores every year. And while people might come for the heritage, they stay for the food. Featuring a mix of cuisine inspiration from all over the world, you'll not taste anything quite like it anywhere else. It's not unusual to find Portuguese-Malay infusions on many menus. Iskandar Puteri Heading to Malaysia once more, our next recommendation is Iskander Puteri. Home to Malaysia's own Legoland, and even a theme park dedicated to the worldwide kids' brand Hello Kitty, there will be plenty for kids to do if you're bringing them along. You'll also be treated to some fantastic food from one of the many renowned restaurants that call Iskandar Puteri home. Sure, those same kids might settle for fish sticks and chips, but you'll be dining on some classy plates from all over the world. End your trip with a visit to the excellent shopping district and pick up some treats for back home. Desaru Another island paradise that lies just 30 minutes from Singapore is Desaru. One look at its pearl-white beaches, and you'll agree. If the weather's good, hop on the ferry from Changi Airport and go get some much-needed sunbathing! When you've soaked up enough rays to roast a chicken, what do you do next? Well, you could visit Desaru Ostrich Farm. Remarkably, it's a farm for ostrich. Go bask in the big bird's glory, and even try some ostrich egg on toast. Weird. Kusu Island And finally, we'll end our jaunt through the best day trips from Singapore with another ferry trip, this time to Kusu - or Tortoise - Island. With a perfect mix of relaxing natural beauty and religious sites, it could make for one hell of a day trip! Explore the island's tropical flora, visit the beaches, and then gaze at the many animals that live there - from a distance, preferably. Then, follow the pilgrimage path to visit Kusu Island's many temples. Nice. And here ends our list of the best day trips from Singapore! Whatever you're hoping to explore outside the city, you're bound to find something on this list that ticks all your boxes. Wondering what other Singapore-related activities to experience on your vacation? Check out Go City! With our Explorer Pass and All-Inclusive Pass, you can book your spots way in advance and get the best prices around.
Dom Bewley

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