Exploring Singapore: Top Things to Do Near Gardens by the Bay

Big day at the Gardens? Here’s where to head next for adventure, views, and fun.

Published: April 22, 2026
Gardens by the Bay

So, you’ve got Gardens by the Bay on your Singapore bucket list—excellent choice! Those Supertrees, vibrant domes, and blissful gardens are just the start. The area around Marina Bay is packed with fantastic sights, sounds, and flavors. Whether you’re itching for spectacular skyline views, keen on exploring world-renowned museums, or craving Singapore’s legendary food, you’re in exactly the right place. Let’s map out your perfect Marina Bay day with our favorite things to do right nearby. 

Our top things to do near Gardens by the Bay include: 

  • Marina Bay Sands SkyPark Observation Deck 
  • Marina Bay Night Bicycle Tour by Let's Go Tour 
  • Satay by the Bay 
  • Hop-on Hop-off Big Bus: Discover Tour 
  • Historic Raffles Hotel 
  • Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay 
  • Clifford Pier and Marina Bay Waterfront Walk 
  • Singapore DUCKtours 

Marina Bay Sands SkyPark Observation Deck  

Craving panoramic city views? The Marina Bay Sands SkyPark Observation Deck is just a hop from Gardens by the Bay and it’s the ultimate spot to soak in Singapore’s spectacular skyline. Thirty-seven stories up, you’ll see the city laid out before you—think harbor sunsets, glittering skyscrapers, and the Gardens’ Supertrees from above. The deck feels airy and open, perfect for photo ops or simply marveling at this futuristic city-state. 

Evenings have an extra dash of energy when the city lights and laser shows turn Marina Bay into a neon playground. Many visitors pair their visit with dinner at one of the rooftop restaurants for next-level ambiance, but even a quick visit delivers views you won’t forget. Pro tip: time your stop for dusk and you’ll catch the magic hour when sky and city start to glow. 

Marina Bay Night Bicycle Tour by Let's Go Tour

Marina Bay at Night

Cycle fans, this one’s for you! The Marina Bay Night Bicycle Tour is a fresh, fun way to see the city when the temperatures cool and the skyline lights up. Knowledgeable local guides lead the way along quiet riverside paths, breezy parks, and city highlights—all aglow after dark. You’ll get stories about Singapore’s history, secret foodie stops, and tips on the best photo angles. 

Tours are lively and sociable with easy-to-ride bikes, making it a hit for first-timers. Expect plenty of stops to snap gorgeous nighttime shots of the Gardens by the Bay light show, Marina Bay Sands, and the futuristic Helix Bridge. It’s the kind of tour where you’ll return feeling full of local lore, new friends, and a camera roll packed with stunning cityscapes. 

Satay by the Bay  

After working up an appetite exploring the Gardens, stroll to Satay by the Bay—a welcoming open-air food court that’s big on local flavors. Here, hawker stalls grill up skewers of smoky, marinated satay, while the aroma of barbecued seafood and spice-laden laksa fills the air. 

The best part? You dine under the trees with bay breezes and a view of the Supertrees lit up in the evening. Don’t let the casual setting fool you—the satay is grilled fresh to order, the house-made peanut sauce is legendary, and there’s plenty for vegetarians too. Grab a cold sugar cane juice or a local beer and enjoy the lively mix of families, tourists, and locals unwinding Singapore-style. 

Hop-on Hop-off Big Bus: Discover Tour  

Want to explore Marina Bay without breaking a sweat? The Hop-on Hop-off Big Bus Discover Tour loops you around Singapore’s most famous corners. Convenient stops whisk you from Gardens by the Bay to Chinatown, Little India, Orchard Road, and more. It’s ideal if you’re short on time, traveling with kids, or just want an easy way to sightsee. 

Breezy open tops, live commentary in multiple languages, and flexible ticket options mean you can explore at your own pace. Riders love the freedom—dwell at a stop for shopping or lunch, then simply hop back on for your next adventure. It’s sightseeing made simple! 

Historic Raffles Hotel  

For a dash of old-school elegance, nothing beats a trip to Raffles Hotel just a short ride from Marina Bay. Stepping inside this gleaming, white colonial landmark is like time-traveling back to Singapore’s glamorous past. Palm-lined courtyards, breezy verandas, and genteel service—no wonder royalty and celebrities have called it home. 

We always recommend treating yourself to a Singapore Sling at the Long Bar (where it was invented). The bar’s quirky tradition of peanut shells on the floor adds plenty of charm, while ceiling fans lazily swish overhead. Whether you stop by for drinks, afternoon tea, or a peek at the boutiques, you’ll leave feeling like you’ve brushed shoulders with history. 

Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay

View of Esplanade Theaters and Other Buildings in Singapore City Centre

Art lovers—Esplanade is your hotspot. Its spiky exterior is affectionately nicknamed “the durian” (after the famous fruit), but inside you’ll find one of Asia’s busiest performing arts centers. The schedule runs the gamut: orchestral concerts, ballet, world dance, jazz—to say nothing of free fringe performances in the outdoor spaces overlooking the water. 

What really stands out is the buzzing creative vibe. Whether it’s families sprawled on the roof garden, urban sketchers capturing the architecture, or music lovers queuing for tickets, the place bubbles with energy. Check the program for something that catches your eye; you don’t even need tickets to soak up the view and enjoy the lively waterfront. 

Clifford Pier and Marina Bay Waterfront  

Just across from Gardens by the Bay, the Marina Bay waterfront is tailor-made for an easy stroll. Start at Clifford Pier, where colonial glamour mixes with harbor history. The white-arched interiors of today’s restaurant nod to its past as a landing point for early immigrants. Stop for a meal or cocktail and watch the bumboats putter by. 

From here, amble along the promenade past art installations, playful fountains, and skyline reflections dancing on the water. There’s endless people-watching—joggers, couples, families, everyone soaking up Singapore at its liveliest. Sunrise or sunset, it’s pure city magic. 

Singapore DUCKtours  

Up for a wacky way to see Singapore? Hop on the DUCKtours amphibious bus. This WWII-style craft takes you on a city sightseeing adventure—first rolling past landmarks on land, then splashing straight into Marina Bay for water views of the skyline and Gardens by the Bay. 

Guides keep the banter lively, pointing out key sights and sharing quirky stories. The switch from city streets to open water always gets a laugh, and everyone onboard ends up waving at bystanders. It’s a lighthearted tour that families absolutely love—and a truly unique angle on the city. 

 

Remember, Singapore’s charm is in how easy the sights blend together—one minute you’re under neon Supertrees, the next you’re sipping a Singapore Sling, riding a giant wheel, or cycling under glittering lights. Plan to linger a little longer; around Gardens by the Bay, there’s always another adventure waiting just around the corner. 

Enjoyed this? Check out Everything You Need to Know About Go City’s Singapore Passes or Things to Do Near Universal Studios Singapore 

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Singapore skyline at night with colored lights
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Best night clubs in Singapore

Looking for somewhere to dance the night away in Singapore? You’re in luck! With its warm evenings and lively nightlife spots, this city is the perfect place to be nocturnal. From rooftops to resorts, house to hip-hop, there are clubs for all tastes here – and if you happen to stay out all night, there are plenty of picturesque spots for watching the sunrise. Our list of Singapore’s best night clubs includes: Zouk Ce La Vi Headquarters Marquee Tanjong Beach Club 1-Altitude Raffles Hotel Zouk One of the oldest and most famous clubs in Singapore, Zouk began life as a renovated warehouse complex in 1991. The first in the city to introduce house music, the club grew and expanded until it was relocated in 2016 to its current premises in Cannery Block in Clarke Quay, near Fort Canning Park. Past and future collide in this new, two-floor, five-bar compound, as it still has the feel of an industrial warehouse but with super-modern LED lights everywhere. Zouk always boasts an impressive list of resident and guest DJs – past artists to have led the rave here include Chemical Brothers, Avicii, Bjork, Louie Vega, Roger Sanchez and Primal Scream. And the DJs aren’t the only ones mixing things up here – there are karaoke rooms in the Red Tail Bar, and Spin classes available every day with Absolute Cycle X. Ce La Vi SkyBar If you’re going to scope out the night scene while you’re in Singapore, then you absolutely have to try the 57th floor Ce La Vi SkyBar at the Marina Bay Sands. Its lofty position attracts some of the best local and international DJs, so you can be sure you’ll be dancing to the best and freshest tunes. Enjoy unmatched views over the city, looking down on the Gardens by the Bay to the Marina and the river beyond. If you’re peckish, there’s a menu of tapas-inspired treats perfect for sharing, and their signature cocktails are inspired by classic favorites with a local twist. Party until the small hours with the stars overhead and the twinkling metropolis below. And the best part is, with your Go City Explorer or All-Inclusive pass, the first drink is already paid for! HeadQuarters by the Council If underground vibes are more your thing, head for Headquarters on Boat Quay opposite the Asian Civilizations Museum. Run by local music agency The Council, Headquarters hosts parties every Wednesday to Sunday night, showcasing local and guest DJ’s playing the best and newest house, techno and disco music. Red laser lights and a giant cage set the scene here – but if you’re feeling a bit more mellow, head upstairs to find a cozy balcony with sweeping city views. ‘Chilled’ is the catchword here, and there’s no dress code – instead Headquarters recommends you wear your most comfy shoes (though they do politely note that ‘slippers are not encouraged’). Marquee Another offering from the Marina Bay Sands, this time indoors – not that you’d know it, because this epic adult playground boasts 70-foot-high ceilings and around half an acre of floor space. Accurately calling itself the biggest nightclub in Singapore, Marquee fills its ample space with massive LED screens and cutting-edge sounds from the latest DJ heavyweights (previous acts include Tiesto, Afrojack and Steve Aoki), so it’s a properly immersive experience. As if that wasn’t enough, there are three-storey-high slides to ride down and an 8-pod Ferris Wheel with individual photo booths and epic views over the whole club. You’ll probably have to queue at some point, but it's worth it because this mega-venue is genuinely mind-blowing. Tanjong Beach Club Since we’re talking about clubs in Singapore, we can’t not put a beach bar on the list. There are plenty, but Tanjong is the one to beat. Snuggled on the western edge of Sentosa Island (just down the beach from the Wings of Time light display, if you want to make a proper evening of it), the Tanjong Beach Club was launched in 2010 by two brothers from Australia who felt that party goers in this very by-the-book sort of city needed a place to let their hair down. Pop by during the day for chill out music, beach volleyball and awesome seafood, or turn up on the right night and you can join one of their famous ‘Smack my beach up’ celebrations, where you’ll find plenty of opportunities for beer pong, cocktail buckets and whatever subsequent consequences might ensue. 1-Altitude Another one on Sentosa, this time a terrace bar taking up the entire roof of the Outpost Hotel. It’s easily recognizable thanks to its modern black and white exterior, and the entire hotel is adults-only so you can come here any time of the day or night to get your grown-up beach bar fix. It’s right in the center of the island, so if you’ve spent the day meeting your heroes at Madame Tussauds or pumping adrenaline at Universal Studios you can head here afterwards to sip a cocktail and enjoy 360 degree views of the sunset. Then get your dancing heels on (or kick them off, whatever suits) as this daytime oasis transforms into a trendy chill-out bar with sleek dance sounds and night sky views all around. Raffles Okay, this is not strictly a nightclub (unless you define night club as somewhere that serves drinks after sunset, in which case we’re good), so consider it our alternative suggestion for anyone who’s more into history than hangovers. Easily visited via the Red Line of the Big Bus Tour, this colonial-style villa is one of the oldest in the city and has a past-guests list brimming with celebrity and royalty. Raffles is also the birthplace of the Singapore Sling, invented in a time when it was considered impolite for ladies to consume alcohol in public. The bartender saw an opportunity and disguised it in a juice drink, and unsurprisingly it was a massive hit. You can try one in the historic Long Bar, or you might prefer the more sophisticated interior of the Writer’s Bar, named for the numerous literary greats who’ve stayed in the hotel over the years. Dance the night away with Go City In Singapore, you can sightsee all day and party all night with a Go City Explorer or All-Inclusive pass. You’ll save on all your favorite attractions and have a vacation that’s truly one to remember!
Karleen Stevens
Young family eating lunch together
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Family-Friendly Restaurants in Singapore

What makes a restaurant family friendly? Ask most parents of small kids and they’ll likely say play areas and activity corners first, baby-changing facilities second and a decent kids’ menu third (or, better still, a kids-eat-free option). Good news: Singapore is a fab destination to visit as a family, boasting not only a world-class zoo, great theme parks, an aquarium and dozens of other kiddie-tastic attractions, but also a plethora of cafés and restaurants that are perfect for families and that raise the bar well above the usual soulless international fast food joints. Don’t worry though, there are plenty of those too! We’ve rounded up a few of our favorite family-friendly Singapore eateries, from toddler-pleasing cafés with playgrounds to rip-roaring restaurants for ravenous teenagers. Open Farm Community Let’s start as we (sort of) mean to go on with a healthy option that won’t have the kiddos turning their noses up in disgust. The Open Farm Community is a verdant urban oasis, just south of Singapore’s sprawling Botanic Gardens. Wander among beds of organic herbs and vegetables in the restaurant’s expansive grounds, the air heavy with the scent of basil and thyme. Pause for family selfies by the arty sculptures and challenge the kids to a game of bowls on the lawn. Appetite well and truly worked up, you’ll love the menu of garden-fresh crowd-pleasers that includes bolognese, fish and chips and flatbreads for the kids, and sharing platters of salmon, duck and eggplant for the grown-ups. Yum. Find it: 130E Minden Road, Singapore 248819 Tiong Bahru Bakery Safari Sticking with the green theme, Tiong Bahru Bakery Safari is pretty much next door to the Open Farm Community, so an ideal pitstop if you’re staying in the sassy Dempsey Hill neighborhood. Expect a range of breads and pastries and dine-in dishes including sourdough waffles and fresh garden salads. The safari theme includes plenty of lush tropical foliage around a large tent (for that outdoorsy eating vibe), as well as a fab playground and an edible garden for intrepid young jungle explorers to discover. It’s from right here that the ingredients for this eatery’s salads are plucked daily, though you can of course opt for a great big slab of carrot cake and a coffee instead. Find it: 130E Minden Road, Singapore 248819 Bayswater Kitchen Lazy weekend brunches don’t get much more perfect than at Bayswater Kitchen, a breezy, informal diner overlooking Keppel Bay Marina. The Sunday menu, served 11AM–3PM (also public holidays), is particularly good. Parents can grab a table al fresco and gorge on freshly shucked oysters and whole grilled snapper with bottomless prosecco while watching the yachts bobbing gently in the turquoise waters. For kids: classics including burgers and fish and chips. Foosball and ping-pong tables and a playground should also keep them entertained long enough to justify just one more glass of prosecco... Find it: 2 Keppel Bay Vista, Singapore 098382 Trapizza Just across the bay on the northern tip of sunny Sentosa Island, Trapizza is about as family-friendly as Singapore restaurants come. Close enough to the shore to dip your toes in the bay’s warm waters, this is a pizza joint par excellence, with a huge range of 16-inch sharing options with classic toppings from Siciliana to quattro formaggi and – love it or loathe it – Hawaiian. Kids can go solo with build your own bento lunches including a choice of pasta, sauce, veggies and juice, plus a slice of pizza on the side. Dedicated play zones and a coloring corner will also keep little uns busy while the grown-ups finish their Singapore Slings. Find it: Shangri-La Rasa Resort, 101 Siloso Road, Singapore 098970 SandBank You don’t need an excuse to visit Singapore’s East Coast Park with its white sands, swaying coconut palms, abundant wildlife and – critically – excellent play areas. But if you did, SandBank is it. A dedicated kids’ menu and a 15-meter plunge pool keep kids of all ages entertained, while parents tuck into chargrilled meat and seafood dishes, handmade pizzas and freshly baked treats from the on-site bakery. Find it: 920 East Coast Parkway, Parkland Green, Singapore 449875 Platform 1094 Singapore’s roster of themed restaurants ranges from Hello Kitty to Japanese animé. Harry Potter-inspired eatery Platform 1094 lies somewhere in between, with wizard-themed decor, fun dressing up materials and, naturally, oodles of Instagram opportunities. We’re talking cute owl-shaped cookies, wizardy tableware, cauldron-shaped serving plates, Quidditch-themed desserts, and magical dry smoke effects aplenty. There are brightly colored flaming cocktails for the grown-ups, too. For a treat, book the Enchanted Afternoon Tea which includes savory snacks and sweet treats such as chocolate frogs and golden blood mousse. Find it: 1094 Serangoon Road, Singapore 328192 Baker & Cook Baker & Cook’s belly-busting brunches and foot-log sourdough pizza ‘planks’ are fast earning it a reputation as a Singapore institution. Hit up the Dempsey location for all of the above, plus a kids’ menu that includes irresistible Nutella sandwiches, truffle fries and mini cheeseburgers with fries. The airy glasshouse dining area overlooks a large leafy garden with a shaded play area, so the kids can let loose while adults enjoy some much-needed downtime accompanied by great pizza, healthy garden salads, grazing platters and a long list of excellent red and white wines from New Zealand. Find it: 30C Loewen Road, Singapore 248839 Waffle Place Kampong Glam, Singapore’s Muslim district, isn’t short on great places to eat, but for family-pleasing goodness, the Waffle Place is hard to beat. This eye-catching halal café serves up a kaleidoscope of waffle toppings with flavor combinations to satisfy every palate. Try crispy-skin salmon with spicy mentaiko mayo sauce or go for crispy chicken with fried egg, mayo and maple syrup. Kids will no doubt insist on sweeter options like strawberry cheese and classic apple pie flavors, or can have fun creating their own topping combos with fruit, marshmallows, chocolate flakes, whipped cream and more. Find it: 56 Kandahar St, Singapore 198904 Hawker Centers Singapore’s legendary hawker centers are a sensory explosion of steaming hot plates, heady spice-laden aromas and Instagrammable food stalls. Take the kids to any one of around 100 of these bustling foodie meccas across the city for maximum selfie opportunities and to give them as wide a choice of different cuisines as you’re likely to find under one roof. Sizzling BBQ pork, zingy fried noodles, fish head curry and lime-drenched chili crab might be at the more adventurous end for younger kids, but sticky peanut satay, melt-in-the mouth steamed bao buns and more takeaway desserts than you can shake a very large stick at should be enough to keep everyone happy. Check out the likes of the Old Airport Road Food Centre, Ghim Moh Market and Adam Road hawker center for some of the most mouthwatering snacks in the eastern hemisphere! Find them: everywhere! 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
Colorful parrots at Bird Paradise in Singapore
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The Best Places to See Wildlife in Singapore

An urban megalopolis it may be, but step out from the shadows of Singapore’s skyscrapers and you’ll discover green spaces that teem with native wildlife. There’s the epic Mandai Wildlife Reserve, of course. But that’s not all. You can also spot wildlife in locations like the Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve and MacRitchie Reservoir. Read on for our guide to the best places to see Singapore’s wildlife.
Stuart Bak
Stuart Bak

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