Things to do in Tampines Singapore

By <a href="#author-bio">Stuart Bak</a>
By Stuart Bak
Skyline of Singapore's Tampines neighborhood.

Long considered the Orchard Road of eastern Singapore (primarily thanks to its proliferation of shopping opportunities), Tampines is a green and leafy suburb with plenty of cool things to do. We’re talking fruit-themed playgrounds, Insta-tastic architecture and more fantastic parks than you can shake a very large stick at. And shopping. Lots of shopping. Read on to discover our favorite things to do in Tampines, Singapore, including:

  • Shopping malls galore
  • Tampines Eco Green
  • Hawker centers
  • Sun Plaza Park
  • Tampines Quarry
  • The Chinese Temple
  • Tampines Regional Library

Scratch Your Selfie Itch

Insta-tastic photo opportunities abound in Tampines, where architectural wonders and sassy street art are sure to zhuzh up your social media feeds. Get snap happy on Avenue 9, where monochrome apartment blocks bring a modern twist to ye olde English Tudor style. Check out the beautifully hand-painted 3D-effect paper crane mural on the side of the Tampines West Community Club building and conjure up yet more Instagram magic at the dramatic Chinese temple, complete with a huge dragon sculpture on its roof. You can even become part of the art yourself at Block 478 Tampines Street 44, where benches and tables allow you to sit and blend with local artist Francis Theo’s colorful 1960s mural, featuring a barbershop, provisions store and traditional Peranakan houses.

Tampines Eco Green

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Nature lovers will be in clover in Tampines, where vast green spaces teeming with native flora and fauna abound. Tampines Eco Green is one of the finest tracts of parkland in the district, with 88 acres of tropical rainforest, grasslands, wetlands and more to explore. A trio of trails offer splendid opportunities for walkers, joggers and keen photographers to enjoy the landscape. Pause at the bird hide to spot superstars of local wildlife including the towering purple heron, noisy red-breasted parakeets and – if you’re lucky – the brilliant blue flash of a collared kingfisher diving for its supper.

Foodie Fantasia

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One of the best things to do in Tampines (as indeed in just about any Singapore neighborhood worth its salt) is to sample local street food at a hawker center. Chief among these is the Tampines Hub Hawker Center where more than 40 stalls serve up Malay-Chinese-Indonesian fusion specialities and the aromas of sizzling BBQ pork, lime-drenched chili crab and zingy fried noodles are enough to make a grown man weep. Try local favorite satay bee hoon – rice vermicelli with pork or prawns liberally smothered in spicy hot sauce – for the win.

Sun Plaza Park

Sun Plaza Park provides yet another opportunity to enjoy Tampines’ abundant natural wonders. Kids will love the sensory garden with 10 interactive play areas including tactile walls of plants, musical tubes and chimes and much more. Challenge your friends to a contest on the woodball course or – if all that sounds a little strenuous – enjoy a lazy picnic on the manicured lawns. There’s even an amphitheater that hosts outdoor concerts, exhibitions and performances when the weather is fine.

Hike Tampines Quarry

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If you’re looking for hidden gems in Tampines, then look no further! Abandoned to nature many years ago, Tampines Quarry is now a lush oasis, thick with tropical vegetation. Space-age water towers mark the beginning of the trail at the northern entrance, leading to dirt tracks that lead to the lake at the bottom of the quarry. Negotiate rickety makeshift bridges across tiny streams and keep your peepers peeled for colorful native butterflies like the Plain Tiger flitting among the dense undergrowth. You might even be lucky enough to spot the occasional monitor lizard dozing on the banks of the lake.

Tampines Central Park

This lush green space pays homage to Tampines’ illustrious fruit-farming past, with kids’ playgrounds that contain rides, slides and various other structures in the shape of mangosteens and watermelon slices. It’s a fab community space, where locals gather to gossip beneath swaying palm trees, to jog the many marked pathways and to watch regular musical events and theatrical performances. Nearby, Our Tampines Hub is a community-led initiative that features a climbing wall, laser tag, play areas, a swimming pool and a rooftop running track with park views.

Shop ‘Til You Drop

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You’ll find not one, not two, but THREE major shopping malls within stumbling distance of Tampines MRT station. Tampines 1 boasts hundreds of shops and restaurants over seven floors, as well as a swimming pool for showcasing that expensive new swimwear you’ve just treated yourself to. Nearby Century Square and Tampines Mall offer more of the same, adding food courts, cinema screens and other entertainments into the mix. Spending money has never seemed so easy; they don’t call this neighborhood the Orchard Road of the east for nothing, you know!

Chinese Temple

An extraordinary 270-meter-long dragon sculpture stands sentry atop this traditional pagoda-style temple, an amalgamation of the 12 Taoist temples that stood in Tampines prior to its redevelopment in the 1980s and 90s. Inside, colorful altars, murals and shrines provide a place for quiet reflection and, of course, some of those all-important photo opportunities.

Tampines Regional Library

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If you’re looking for a place to chill in Tampines, you could do far worse than the epic five-story library at Our Tampines Hub. Kids can enjoy the vast collection of children’s storybooks, many in English, and let off some steam in the playhouse on the ground floor, while adults find a cozy nook and lose themselves in a good book. There are coding and programming labs for teens and you can even get involved in cookery workshops by the cookbook section. Suffice to say, it's no ordinary library!

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
Stuart Bak
Freelance travel writer

Stu caught the travel bug at an early age, thanks to childhood road trips to the south of France squeezed into the back of a Ford Cortina with two brothers and a Sony Walkman. Now a freelance writer living on the Norfolk coast, Stu has produced content for travel giants including Frommer’s, British Airways, Expedia, Mr & Mrs Smith, and now Go City. His most memorable travel experiences include drinking kava with the locals in Fiji and pranging a taxi driver’s car in the Honduran capital.

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Best Museums in Singapore 

Wandering the galleries and halls of a well-curated museum is a wonderful way to while away the hours. Lucky for museum lovers, Singapore is packed with blockbuster art galleries, top-notch museums, and one-of-a-kind cultural institutions. From contemporary art and natural history to thought-provoking science and technology - whatever your interests, there is a museum in Singapore to explore. Here's our list of the best museums in Singapore. National Museum of Singapore 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. The museum houses two main galleries - the Singapore History Gallery and the Singapore Living Galleries. Start in the Singapore History Gallery and learn the intriguing history of Singapore from its humble beginnings in the 14th century to the present day. Interactive and immersive exhibitions highlight Singapore’s development into a global powerhouse. Your next stop is the Singapore Living Galleries where you’ll exhibits themed around food, fashion, film, and photography. Don’t miss the museum's permanent exhibition, Story of the Forest, which brings the treasured William Farquhar Collection to life through a fantastic digital presentation. Use your pass to gain access to this fantastic museum. Opening hours: Daily: 10AM – 7PM Singapore Art Museum 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. The main wing of the museum is housed in the former St Joseph’s Institution – the oldest Catholic boys’ school in Singapore. With a striking design that harkens back to the European Renaissance, you’ll be amazed by its beauty before even seeing any art. The museum’s extraordinary collection of 20th-century Asian art is exhibited in small and unusual gallery spaces. Nooks and crannies hold impressive works across various mediums and around every corner is another delight. While the museum has never presented blockbuster exhibitions due to its size, it does take part in the Singapore Biennale, and if you’re around for that, it’s well worth visiting. Opening hours: Mon – Thu: 10AM – 7PM Fri: 10AM – 9PM Sat - Sun: 10AM – 7PM   National Gallery 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. Housed in the former Supreme Court and City Hall building, the sprawling museum building is an architectural wonder in itself. Inside, vast galleries display over 8,000 modern Southeast Asian artworks. Wander around the airy exhibition spaces and admire works by pioneer Singaporean artists like Cheong Soo Pieng and Georgette Chen. You’ll need more than a few hours to explore the entire museum. Head to the Keppel Centre for Art Education where the kids can get creative with a range of artful and active learning activities. When you need to re-energize, the museum has several casual cafés and fine dining restaurants. Head up to the rooftop cocktail bar, Smoke and Mirrors, for a quiet drink and spectacular views of the city. Don’t forget to use your pass to get free access to the National Gallery Singapore. Your pass also allows you to join complimentary tours like Highlights of the Gallery and Building Highlights Beyond their exhibitions and programs, National Gallery Singapore houses a range of art-inspired shops and restaurants, including the three MICHELIN-starred Odette, and one MICHELIN-starred Art. Top Tip: Avoid long queues and visit on a weekday and book your tickets in advance. Opening hours: Mon – Thu: 10AM – 7PM Fri: 10AM – 9PM Sat - Sun: 10AM – 7PM   ArtScience Museum No matter what your age, visiting Singapore’s ArtScience Museum is a must! Based in a striking building overlooking Marina Bay, the museum brings together culture and technology in fascinating ways. Wander around internationally acclaimed exhibitions that explore the fusion of art and science with some amazing interactive multimedia. You can’t miss the museum building. Designed by Israeli architect Moshe Safdie, it looks like a gently unfurling lotus flower. Inside, the art continues with a variety of world-class exhibitions. Marvel at works by Eames, Dalí, Warhol, and Van Gogh or travel back in time to the world of dinosaurs and Genghis Khan. You’ll also find film sets and props from blockbuster films like Harry Potter and Titanic. Don’t miss the interactive journey of lights, digital art, and magic show designed by Japanese arts collective teamLab. The ArtScience Museum is part of the luxurious Marina Bay Sands complex. Why not head up to the CÉ LA VI SkyBar on the 57th floor of Marina Bay Sands for a drink against a backdrop of breathtaking vistas. Use your pass to enjoy a complimentary drink and kick back and enjoy the views. Opening hours: Daily: 10AM – 7PM   Asian Civilisations Museum Singapore is a cultural melting pot and one of the best places to delve into its rich multicultural roots is at the Asian Civilisations Museum. You’ll find the museum at the stunning Empress Place, fittingly located at the mouth of the Singapore River, once the center of global trade. Meander around the galleries boasting thousands of artifacts relating to different cultures from around the continent. Gain an integrated perspective of pan-Asian cultures and civilizations and discover how they have come to define Singapore as it is today. When you are done, relax over a coffee at the museum café and take in the beautiful views of the Singapore River and city skyline. Visit the museum store and pick up a few stylish Singaporean design gifts. Remember to use your pass to gain free access to this museum. Opening hours: Daily: 10AM – 7PM Fri: 10AM – 9PM Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum The Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum is a treasure trove of natural history and museum that needs a few hours of exploration. An impressive collection of more than 2,000 specimens of Southeast Asian fauna and flora is spread across two floors and 15 zones. You’ll find a wealth of fascinating finds from the skeleton of a sperm whale to 150-million-year-old dinosaur fossils. Apollonia, Prince and Twinky - three humungous dinosaur skeletons greet you in the main atrium of the museum and your journey through the history of the natural world begins. Wander through themed galleries of fungi, plants, and mammals; get up close to dinosaur bones, and see the largest species of turtle ever recorded. Take a stroll through the museum’s beautifully themed gardens from mangroves to dryland swamps and marvel at the cliff-like façade and living museum of local plants on the front of the building. Opening hours: Thu - Sun: 10AM – 5PM   The National Design Centre of Singapore A nexus for all things, the National Design Centre of Singapore is a design lover's paradise. Housed in an art décor building in the trendy Bras Basah-Bugis arts and culture district, the center hosts design exhibitions and events that draw Singapore’s coolest crowd. Discover the evolution of Singaporean design at the permanent exhibit, 50 Years of Singapore Design, or attend one of the many art-centric events promoting Singapore’s design scene. Check out Hong Kong-based cult lifestyle and design boutique, kapok NDC for stylish apparel. After all that browsing and shopping, put your feet up and enjoy a cocktail at Tanuki Raw. Opening hours: Daily: 9AM – 9PM   Indian Heritage Centre The Indian Heritage Centre may not be up there with the big guns, but it’s a great little museum that focuses on Indian and South Asian history and is well worth a visit. Located in the heart of the Little India Heritage District, the four-story Heritage Center features chronologically arranged themed galleries that explore the distinctive Indian cultural heritage of Singapore. Activity spaces and interactive displays add an element of fun and special gallery houses touring exhibitions. You can use your pass to visit this fascinating museum, and don’t forget to swing by the museum shop to pick up a souvenir or two after your visit. Opening hours: Tues - Sun: 10AM – 6PM   Madame Tussauds What would a visit to a major international city be without popping into Madame Tussauds? Head to the Singapore outpost at Imbiah Lookout at Sentosa for a few selfies with the stars. Mingle with the usual coterie of international celebrities in the A-List Party section like Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie. You’ll also see local superstars like Gurmit Singh, Jack Neo, and Singapore’s Prime Minister, Lee Hsien Loong. Hop on the Spirit of Singapore Boat Ride for a multi-sensory journey through Singapore's rich culture. Sing and dance with some of Bollywood's top celebs and enjoy a 4D experience with your favorite superhero. Bear in mind you can use your pass to gain free entry into the wax museum and enjoy all the extras at no extra cost! Daily: 10AM – 6PM Tues: 10AM – 5:30PM   Of course, there's a lot more to Singapore than just museums. Fancy seeing all the best Singapore attractions without breaking the bank? Pick up a Singapore Pass and save while you sightsee!
Alex Birungi
Temple in Little India, Singapore
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Things to do in Little India

Spend some time away from the bright lights and crowded Marina in Singapore, and you’ll discover delightful, multicultural districts dotted like small, colorful time capsules hidden around the city. Once such enclave is Little India, north of the center on the other side of the Rochor Canal. Noisy, bustling and bursting with life, it’s a welcome reprieve if the somewhat sterile efficiency of the rest of the city is getting you down. Everything here is walking distance from everything else, so head here on the Big Bus Red Route, then wander the narrow lanes, try a Roti Prata (grilled pancake with a Singaporean twist) and shop for shimmering silks or bright flower garlands. Other things to check out while you’re here include: Festivals The Indian Heritage Center A puzzle hunt Temples Shopping centers Festivals Though busy and bustling most of the time, Little India is particularly vibrant during festival times. Check your calendar and be sure to swing by if you happen to be in town when any of these are happening: Deepavali Also known as Diwali, this Hindu festival takes place every October or November and celebrates the triumph of good over evil. It’s also called the Festival of Lights, because many homes light oil lamps and the narrow lanes are lit up with lights and lanterns hanging from one building to another. Visit during this time and you’ll see streets filled with art, have a chance to try special Diwali-inspired food and adorn yourself with flowers or a henna tattoo. Pongal This South Indian harvest festival takes place over four days in the new year and celebrates prosperity and new beginnings. Each day is devoted to a different practice, but each involves light displays, traditional dress and street performances. In the spirit of the abundance, locals consume plenty of rice and vegetables and fill the streets with music and dancing. Thaipusam Honoring the Hindu deity Lord Murugan, Thaipusam is celebrated every year in late January or early February. Devotees pierce their cheeks, tongues and bodies with metal skewers, then process through the streets carrying arches decorated with flowers and peacock feathers. This practice is considered to be an act of thanksgiving for answered prayers, and requires a particular amount of physical and mental fortitude! Navratri If you happen to be in Little India in September or October, you may be fortunate enough to witness the celebration of Navratri, which lasts for nine nights and ten days. This Hindu festival pays respect to the nine forms of the goddess Durga, and each of the nine days is marked by a different color. On the tenth day a silver chariot carrying a statue of the goddess is paraded through the streets, celebrating her victory over the buffalo-headed demon Mahishasura. Indian Heritage Center Though it’s only been called ‘Little India’ since the 1980s, this area of Singapore has been home to an Indian community since early colonial times. Visit the Indian Heritage Center to learn more about how they came to be there, see the interesting collection of Indian artifacts and top up your knowledge of south Asian history while you’re at it. There are plenty of interactive displays and interesting exhibitions, making it a nice escape from the heat and crowds outside. Temples Though predominantly a Hindu district, Little India is surprisingly diverse when it comes to religions. If you find your spiritual side needs a pick-me-up, take yourself on the self-guided ‘Walk of Faiths’, which goes past eleven religious sites over a one-and-a-half-mile route. Along the trail, you’ll see the Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple, decorated with colorful statues of various Hindu deities, the pyramid-shaped Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple and the Chinese Buddhist Kwan Im Thong Hood Cho Temple. There’s also the Sakya Muni Buddha Gaya Temple, known the Temple of a Thousand Lights because of the chain of lights surrounding the giant Buddha statue, as well as a couple of Christian and Muslim buildings. Take your time wandering from one building to another, or hire a bike if you prefer a more whistle-stop version. Puzzle Hunt If you need a little guidance on your explorations, or are looking for a fun group activity, try a Little India Puzzle Hunt, which is a kind of outdoor escape room. This immersive puzzle-solving game will take you all around the district as you search for clues and learn fun facts along the way. Be sure to take time for a photo opportunity at the colorful Chinese villa known as The House of Tan Teng Niah, and if you’re hungry grab a biryani or some spicy prawn noodles from a street food stall at the Tekka Center. Shopping If you didn’t get all your shopping done during the day, don’t worry, because the Mustafa Center in Little India is open 24 hours. Hidden within the organized chaos of this four-storey mall you’ll find clothes, perfume, electronics and jewelry, as well as locally made accessories and souvenirs. There’s also the Little India Arcade, where you’re likely to find locals shopping alongside the tourists. Whatever your preference, be sure to pick up some of the district’s most famous export, Tiger Balm! Explore Little India with Go City Whether you prefer feasts or festivals, temples or trinkets, there’s something for everyone in Little India. Be sure to get a pass from Go City before you go, so you can save on all your favorite attractions while you’re exploring!
Karleen Stevens
View looking up at skyscrapers in Singapore's CBD on a sunny day.
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Singapore in June

Hot, steamy and sticky, June sees Singapore’s peak season get into full, glorious swing. The streets teem with sightseeing vacationers, the summer shopping season peaks during the Great Singapore Sale and hotel prices rise more sharply than the midday mercury. In short, it’s an expensive but fun time to visit, assuming you can stand the heat. Here’s our expert guide to what to expect when vacationing in Singapore in June. Visiting Singapore in June Temperature: 75–88°F • Average Rainfall: 19 days/month • Average Sunshine: 8 hours/day If you remember to pack just one thing for your June break in Singapore, make sure it’s sunscreen. The sun is hot and relentless at this time of year, even when there’s cloud cover. So do yourself a favor and slap on the factor 50 to avoid the shame (and discomfort) of a ‘Singapore tan’. The heat and humidity also encourage the wearing of light, loose-fitting cotton or linen clothes and broad-brimmed hats. Heck, maybe even stuff a parasol in your backpack along with the water bottle and city map, just to be on the safe side. You’ll also want a proper umbrella: June sees the start of the southwest monsoon season, with regular afternoon downpours that increase in intensity, frequency and duration as the month progresses. Nicknamed the ‘Sumatra squalls’ these sudden, heavy downpours are usually heralded by strong gusty winds and peals of thunder. If you spot the signs in time, we’d advise ducking into the nearest café or mall until the rain passes because, frankly, no umbrella is going to keep you completely dry when torrents of accumulated water begin gushing around your feet, like a miniature version of The River Wild. Hotel prices do also increase at this time, but not crazily so. As always, we advise booking your accommodation as far in advance as possible to lock in the best deals. Things to do in Singapore in June It’s just too damn hot to do most anything other than meandering gently down a lazy river in a giant donut, right? Right! Good news! Singapore is just a hop and a skip from its tiny island sibling of Sentosa, reachable via road, monorail, pedestrian bridge or (hands down the most fun and scenic option) cable car. Once there, you have access to a veritable playground of sunny day activities including, yep, the biggest and best water park in Singapore. Hit up Adventure Cove for the aforementioned lazy river, with 14 different zones that include a verdant jungle garden, a secluded grotto, and a spectacularly trippy underwater tunnel teeming with tropical marine life. Hop over to the park’s Rainbow Reef, where another 20,000 or so watery critters are waiting to say hello to snorkeling tourists. There are fun wave pools for the kids as well as, inevitably, a handful of heart-pounding high-octane flumes for adults. Ever wanted to know what it feels like to be flushed down the loo? The Riptide Rocket and Spiral Washout rides have your name written all over them! Adventure Cove is part of Sentosa’s enormous Resorts World complex, where there are more drinking and dining options than you can shake a stick at, as well as an aquarium, the awesome Universal Studios Singapore theme park, and more. Want beaches? Sentosa has those, too. Whether a history buff, an adrenaline fiend or, you know, simply in the market for sipping cocktails beneath the shady fronds of a coconut palm, the island’s man-made trio of sandy beaches will have something for you. Stroll the elevated walkway through the treetops to Fort Siloso, soar high over Siloso Beach on a giant swing, or strap on your snorkel and flippers for a spot of marine sightseeing in the emerald-green waters that lap the shore. A free shuttle operates along the southwest coast, linking the three beaches. There are plenty more activities to keep outdoor types occupied in Singapore in June. Take to the waters in a kayak around the coastal waters and mangrove forests of Pulau Ubin, a boomerang-shaped island just off the northeast coast. Slap on the sunscreen and hit the 26 kilometers of lush cycling trails around the Northern Eastern Riverine Loop, pausing for breath in wetlands, woodlands and beach parks along the way. Commune with nature at the MacRitchie Reservoir, or meet the ferociously cute inhabitants of the sprawling Singapore Zoo. And if the June heat doesn’t have you scurrying for the nearest air-conditioned building, the afternoon downpours surely will. In fact, they’re as good an excuse as any to while away a few hours browsing the vast collection of Singaporean and Asian art in the National Gallery or indulging in a traditional tea ceremony in Singapore’s biggest and oldest traditional teahouse, a venue once visited by Queen Elizabeth II, no less. And if it’s good enough for Her Majesty... What’s on in Singapore in June? You’ll also want to spend time in the malls. Regardless of what the weather’s doing outside, June is prime time for picking up a bargain as the annual Great Singapore Sale gets into full swing. You might want to pack an empty suitcase for this one, because it’s a whopper. We’re talking hundreds of participating stores offering unheard-of discounts of up to 70% on designer goods, big-brand electronic gadgets, homeware and more. Head to the famous malls along Orchard Street for some of the most sensational bargains in town and a veritable festival atmosphere amongst feverish shopaholics. You’ll also find some fine bargains in and around the atmospheric lanes of Kampong Glam (pictured above), where even the independent boutiques and souvenir stores are getting in on the action. Easily June’s most enjoyable Singapore spectacle, the Dragon Boat Festival has its roots in a tale about ancient Chinese poet Qu Yuan. It’s said that when he threw himself into a river in despair after being banished by the king, locals beat the water with oars and threw in rice dumplings to prevent fish from devouring his body. Weird, right? Anyhoo, this annual festival commemorates that legendary event by way of colorful dragon boat races along the island’s rivers, accompanied by a loud beating of drums and the sound of millions of Singaporean’s tucking into those delectable little dumplings – glutinous, sticky blobs of rice warped around any number of delectable sweet and savory fillings. Yum. 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
Stuart Bak

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