Indian Heritage Centre in Singapore

Things to do in Singapore When it Rains

By Adam Fraiel

Rain, rain go away! Come to Singapore another day, preferably when you’re not on vacation. However, if you do find the days a little moist, worry not. There are plenty of places to escape the downpour. We’ve put together a list of activities so you won’t miss a minute of action during your Singapore vacation.

  • Shopping at the mall
  • National Museum of Singapore
  • National Gallery Singapore
  • Asian Civilizations Museum
  • Indian Heritage Center
  • Floral Fantast
  • Tea Chapter Chinese Teahouse
  • Madame Tussauds Singapore
  • Trickeye

Enjoy Some Retail Therapy

It’s raining and you’re feeling a little blue. What better way to cheer yourself up than with a little retail therapy? The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands contains a world-class hotel, casino, shops, restaurants, bars, and other attractions providing entertainment for all the family.

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You’ll find a vast casino, cinemas, theaters showing award-winning productions, over 80 restaurants, close to 300 shopping outlets, indoor river rides, and spectacular waterfalls. And best of all? You’ll be nice and dry.

Explore the Museums of Singapore

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National Museum of Singapore

The nation’s oldest museum, it brings history to life with exciting visual exhibitions and internationally renowned festivals. The National Museum of Singapore embraces technology to share traditional culture, stories, and history through displays, artifacts, plus innovative events.

National Gallery Singapore

A stunning 64,000 square meter building in the heart of the Civic District, see the world’s largest public collection of Singapore and Southeast Asian modern art at the National Gallery Singapore. If you get a little hungry from all the exploring, stop for a bite in one of the MICHELIN-starred restaurants.

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Asian Civilisations Museum

Discover the rich history of Asia, with exhibits dating back to 830 AD. The varied cultures of Asia have an interconnected history, and the Asian Civilisations Museum presents it through artifacts, exhibits, plus a giant shipwreck to explore. You’ll also find a variety of artwork from the various major religions, all of which passed through this vital port town.

Indian Heritage Centre

The Indian Heritage Center offers a chronological timeline of the Indian influence in Singapore. Using galleries, exhibitions, archived footage, and interactive, educational spaces, you’ll learn of the first Indian settlements, through the growth and development of the Little India district to the tourist hotspot it is today.

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The Battlebox

Venture underground and explore this authentic command center 9 meters underground - the same space where Lieutenant-General Percival and his senior officers directed the Battle of Singapore in World War II. After the 30-minute tour you’re free to wander alone, navigating the labyrinth of corridors as you watch footage of the war raging above. An essential experience if you want to truly understand the history of Singapore.

Stop and smell the roses

Floral Fantasy is an indoor section at Gardens by the Bay that will blow your mind and your senses. Thousands of freshly cut, dried, and preserved flowers decorate the ceiling, while flowers, artistic expression, and technology combine to create a sensational sensory experience below.

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Divided into four diverse landscapes, Dance, Float, Waltz, and Drift, you’ll forget all about the rain outside. Dance features a mesmerizing display of swaying plants, Float contains stunning water features, Waltz is home to waterfalls and a frog vivarium, while Drift is an enchanting cave with beautifully lit rock formations.

A Cup of Tea

Wait out the rain with a nice, hot cup of tea. Tea is more than just a drink in Singapore. It’s a part of the long, multicultural history of the country, including China, India, the British Empire, and Japan.

Experience the full spectrum of tea in the country with a trip to a teahouse. Tea Chapter is the largest and oldest Chinese teahouse in Singapore. Fit for royalty, receiving Queen Elizabeth II in 1989, it continues to inspire and educate visitors from around the world about the ceremony and ritual behind making, pouring, and serving the perfect cup.

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Complete your experience with a lovely cup of Indian chai in Little India, or Japanese matcha green teas in The Maccha House Singapore.

Ready for some selfies?

Madame Tussauds Singapore

Pose alongside your favorite Hollywood, Bollywood, TV, and sports stars, like Serena Williams, Taylor Swift, and Johnny Depp. It’s not just selfies though. Madame Tussauds Singapore offers an edutainment aspect too, with the chance to sing and dance alongside famous Bollywood stars, and explore Singapore’s rich culture with the Spirit of Singapore Boat Ride. Definitely an excellent rainy day activity.

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Trickeye @ Southside Singapore

Fill your social feed with mind-bending optical illusions while playing with augmented reality in this virtual world playground. Swim with sharks and dance with mermaids in this interactive augmented reality environment.

Save on Admission to Top Singapore Attractions

Explore the best things to do with a pass for Singapore by Go City®. Select from top attractions with our All-Inclusive and Explorer passes, where you’ll enjoy access to galleries, museums, tours much more.

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A group cycling in Bedok
Blog

Things to do in Bedok Singapore

Singapore’s Bedok neighborhood occupies much of the coastal area between downtown Singapore and Changi international airport, where you’ll arrive into the country if coming by air. Home to roughly 300,000 people, it emerged as a major residential district in the post-independent period of the 1960s and 70s. Largely because of its high permanent population, there are an exciting range of things to do in Bedok Singapore. From what to buy in Bedok, to Bedok hidden gems, this is the only guide you’ll ever need to feel just like one of the locals! Things to do in Bedok Reservoir and around On the northern limits of the neighborhood, Bedok Reservoir Park has turned a vital piece of public infrastructure into an attractive place to spend some time any day of the week. Paths circle the entire ten-kilometer circumference of the lake, offering ample chances for a stroll amongst attractive greenery. There’s also a dedicated jogging track and children’s playground. Those keen to cool off by getting into the water have the option of a range of watersports, from canoeing and kayaking to sailing. Bedok Reservoir Park is also home to Forest Adventure, a Go Ape style adventure park. The largest in Singapore, it has courses suitable for adults and children, as well as four zip lines giving a unique and exhilarating view of the area. If you’ve got a head for heights or a love of flight, the nearby Air Force Museum should not be missed either. A great mix of original artefacts and multimedia displays combines with an outdoor gallery of military aircraft and missiles that will have any would-be top gun swooning with delight. But for the ultimate in aviation experiences, you’ll want to instead check out Singapore’s Virtual Reality Fighter Jet Experience. Your virtual mission will see you strapped into an F-15 or F/A-18 as you soar past some of the US’ most recognizable landmarks. What to do in Bedok with the kids It’s not every day we recommend people head to the local library. But Bedok does libraries very differently to most places around the world. In actual fact a community hub containing the neighborhood library, Heartbeat@Bedok is a good all-round tip whatever the weather. In addition to library shelves containing a quarter of a million books, the center contains a first-floor outdoor children’s play area and an eight-lane swimming pool complex with jacuzzi and wet play zone. However, when it comes to slides and rides, the 4.5 hectare Coastal Playgrove in East Coast Park is difficult to beat. Boasting Singapore’s largest outdoor play structure, the four story ‘Vertical Challenge’ play net, there’s also a twisting slide that takes kids down from the fourth floor to ground level. Here they’ll be able to splash about in the pools and water jets or head into the bamboo tunnel which forms part of the ‘nature playgarden’. If the little ones still have energy to burn, you might also consider Gogreen Bicycle Rental as a way of exploring the full extent of East Coast Park. And with park connectors and green corridor tracks linking public spaces throughout the Bedok neighborhood, hitting the saddle is a great way of exploring more widely too. Try your hand at some of Bedok’s alternative past times Whether its skateboarding, wakeboarding, fishing or gardening, Bedok’s got you covered. Stick with East Coast Park to join the skater crowd at Xtreme SkatePark. Its rails, ramps and halfpipes are the obvious place to give a frontside 180, ollie or alley oop a go. Just a short stroll away, Singapore Wake Park (SWP) gives you the chance to tackle similar tricks and stunts on the water. The country’s only cable-ski park, it has three different cable systems allowing everyone from total beginners to semi-professionals to experience the thrill of wake boarding. For the more sedate visitor, Bedok Jetty is an excellent option. Stretching for 300 meters into the Strait of Singapore, it’s a popular spot from which to take in tropical sunsets. But it’s equally well known as a good spot for anyone keen to grab rod and reel. Barracuda, stingray and rosy jewfish can all be snagged. The jetty is easy to combine with a trip to the bright flower heads of the Bougainvillea Garden, which rises gently up the sloping ground from the coast. Perhaps best avoided if you’re a hay fever sufferer, it can be admired from a distance from East Coast Beach. This marries the warm waters of the Strait with soft sand perfect for both sunbathing and sand castles. Head for Bedok’s indoor attractions Come rain or shine, Bedok’s indoor attractions should be just as tempting. Art lovers need look no further than Telok Kurau Studios. An art center housing the work spaces of around 30 artists aged from 29 to 83, it also houses the Singapore Colour Photography Society and Singapore Watercolour Society. Together, the artists and societies host regular exhibitions of their work, so be sure to check local press for upcoming dates. Shopaholics are also well catered for. The first true mall to land in Bedok, Bedok Mall still looks as elegant as ever thanks to its gleaming glass and shining metal interior. When it comes to stores, there are roughly 200 to choose between. They have a great range of fashion and lifestyle items, alongside life’s essentials and a tasty food court too. Other places to soothe the shopping habit are Bedok Point and East Village malls. Both offer typical Singaporean mall experiences. Save on Singapore’s top attractions with Go City Want to enjoy the very best that Singapore has to offer without breaking the bank? Take control of your vacation budget with Go City! Our All-Inclusive and Explorer passes let you select from a host of magical attractions whilst saving on admission. Not only do they cover things to do in Bedok, but right across Singapore, from museums and art galleries to tours and one-off experiences. So why not share your vacation photos with us by tagging @GoCity or using #GoCityPass on Instagram and Facebook!
Alex Birungi
Smartly dressed man having chest measurements taken in a tailor's shop.
Blog

Best Places to get a Suit Made in Singapore

You’re a fashionable guy, right? You like to make an impression when you walk into a room, dontcha? Heck, you want the place to be stunned into silence the second you step through the door, with only the odd admiring coo, sigh or (go on, admit it) phwoar to break the awed hush. In which case, you’ve come to the right place! So step inside sir, let us take that all-important inside leg measurement and get you kitted out in the very finest tailor-made togs in town. Here, then, is our expert guide to 10 of the best places to get a suit made in Singapore... ***Note: prices quoted are in Singapore Dollars (SGD)*** CYC The Custom Shop Established in 1935, CYC The Custom Shop is a CBD stalwart and one of the oldest and best-loved tailors in town. Good enough to clothe ministers, diplomats and even Singaporean presidents over the last near-century, their bespoke suits and shirts are probably good enough for you, too. This is the place to come if you like to dress to impress or are looking to add a bit of extra pizazz to that up-and-coming wedding function or all-important job interview. Shirts start from a little over $100 for single-ply cotton and from $750 to north of $3,000 for that dream suit. Edit Suits Co. You’ll find getting a tailored suit made anywhere in Singapore will generally take from three weeks to 15 weeks, depending on your specifications and whether you’ve insisted it be spun from the finest unicorn silk or not. But Edit Suits Co. claim to be the fastest in town, with a lead time of just 3–4 weeks on their modern garments, perfect for that shotgun wedding or client meeting you’d completely forgotten about. They’re cost-effective, too, with prices for a two-piece suit ranging from around $750 to $1800. Complete the look with accessories including pocket squares, ties and cufflinks. Oooh, suits you sir. Perfect Attire The clue’s in the name at this downtown tailor, where everything – from pattern-making to garment construction – is done in house. So you’ll know who to blame if your trousers fail to account for your one leg that’s an inch longer than the other. Seriously though, the suit you’ll get from a fitting at Perfect Attire is going to look super-stylish, whether you're a racing-green houndstooth or sober gray gingham kind of guy. We recommend combining your appointment with lunch in nearby Chinatown, though perhaps have your waist measurement taken before tucking into that vast mountain of salty, soy sauce-infused chicken rice. Kevin Seah Bespoke Olde-world tailoring meets contemporary chic at Kevin Seah’s boutique riverside emporium in the CBD. This bright and airy space is a joy to visit; a place where you’re as likely to have your head turned by the colorful rows of shoes, belts and other accessories as the masses of fabric choices, including some exclusive limited editions created by Seah in collaboration with traditional woollen mills in the United Kingdom. Country squire? City gent? Victorian dandy? It’s likely this smart boutique has the look you’ve been searching for. Prepare to dig deep though: prices here start somewhere in the region of $6,800 for a two-piece suit. But what price quality? Ehkay Corner Tailors If your budget is a little more restrictive, you’d do well to drop by Ehkay Corner Tailors on Orchard Road. Suit makers of some pedigree, these dapper chaps have been around since the 1980s and will have you suited and booted in rather more affordable tailored suits in no time. Prices here start from a more palatable $400, leaving you plenty of wonga to accessorize to your heart’s content and walk out looking snappier than an alligator. Q Menswear Another tailor that’s dangerously close to Chinatown so, you know, take it easy on the dumplings if you’re heading for your fitting straight after lunch. Established in 2011, Q Menswear is a relatively young label on the Singapore suits scene, bringing contemporary style to the masses from their home inside a charming heritage shophouse on bustling Telok Ayer Street. Drop by for a fitting and to browse the hundreds of fabrics available from Europe and Asia, including well-known brands like Liberty London and Italy’s Tessitura Monti. Prices for a two-piece suit start from just under $1,000. The Bespoke Club Styled after a classic Savile Row boutique, the Bespoke Club is all leather sofas, elegant fireplaces and umbrella stands casually stuffed with smart gents’ brollies. Step inside to have your vital statistics taken down and to start designing your own suit from somewhere in the region of 5,000 – yes, that’s FIVE THOUSAND – imported European fabrics. Trust us when we say you’ll be grateful for those great big comfy armchairs by the time you’ve gone through the lot to find your perfect pattern. Suit prices start from around $1,350. Raffles Tailor Raffles Tailor promises royal blue carpets, a glittering chandelier and a name that nods to Singapore’s always smartly turned-out founder, Sir Stamford Raffles. Suffice to say then that you’re in for a fairly luxurious experience here, where the tailoring is treated like precision architecture. No wonder then that the great and good, including Singapore TV personalities galore, have visited Raffles to enhance their screen presence with a smart bespoke suit or two. And now you too can become a sartorial success story. Prices start from $1,350. Dylan & Son Previously known as Oriental Tailor, a stalwart of late 20th-century tailoring in Singapore’s CBD, this family-run boutique shop on Telok Ayer Street was rebranded as Dylan & Son when Dylan took over in 2010. Who knows, perhaps the ‘Son’ of the current name will do the same in years to come. Anyhoo... expect a modern take on English elegance with a dash of Italian style when you have your suit designed here. Joe’s Tailoring Another old school tailor near Chinatown (anyone sensing a pattern here?), Joe’s blends four decades of experience with a verve for contemporary tailoring. Artisans produce and cut fabrics in the dedicated factory and there is no request too big or small to accommodate (well, probably). Certainly, if what your heart desires is a matching suit for you and your dog, Joe’s is the place to go. You’d be barking not to! 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
Black Friday Giveaway
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Win A Sailing Experience & Cable Car Sky Dining for two this Black Friday

Our Black Friday Giveaway has now ended. Take to the sea and the sky for an experience of Singapore like no other. First, you’ll head off on a four-hour afternoon adventure as you sail to the hidden beaches of Lazarus Island. Feel the wind in the sails as your boat zips through the water and ferries you to secluded destinations. Start off in style with bottle of cold champagne and watch the crew expertly set the sails. Then later it’s your turn to steer as you'll get the chance to take the wheel yourself! Next up, you’ll head for skies as you rise above the city by cable car to the top of Mount Faber. Enjoy a unique dining experience as you’re delivered authentic Singaporean flavors with freshly prepared Bento, in your own private cable car cabin. Treat your tastebuds and your eyes as you fly 100 meters above sea level and marvel at panoramic views of the city. You’ll get the best of Singapore, from around and from above, with this full-day excursion! How to enter For a chance to win this incredible prize, all you have to do is purchase any of our Singapore passes between 9AM Tuesday 22 November 2022 and 11:59PM Tuesday 29 November 2022. Once you’ve purchased, you’ll be automatically entered into the giveaway. Easy! If you’re the lucky winner, we’ll contact you by email by December 15, 2022, so look out for us in your inbox. Click here to view giveaway terms and conditions
Alice Padfield

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