Things to do in Singapore
April 21, 2019 2:12 PM Subscribe
My Dad and I are considering a week in Singapore. He is mid 60s, I am mid 30s and female. Between us we like: museums, history, scenery, ballet, art, shopping, science and of course good food. We are middle class so don’t have endless funds but can afford a splurge now and then.
What are some fun things to do?
Also is there anywhere in Singapore a white female should not go by herself?
#1: Botanical Gardens. Go at the crack of dawn and you'll be all alone in the rain forest section, walking through strands of cobwebs across the footpath.
posted by TWinbrook8 at 2:51 PM on April 21, 2019 [4 favorites]
posted by TWinbrook8 at 2:51 PM on April 21, 2019 [4 favorites]
Pretty much everywhere is safe. You can walk around at 3am clueless and not get hassled. And also get decent food.
The zoo is mandatory, it is excellent. The night safari is good too if the heat bothers you. There are plenty of museums, pick whatever looks interesting. The science museum is really for kids though. If you like jungle, I recommend a day trip to pulau ubin and kayaking in the mangroves there. You can get decent seafood there too.
I don't get the hype over the supertree grove but I think the view from the bar at the top there is as good as marina Bay sands and a lot cheaper.
Little India is really fun shopping at Mustafa (24 hours!) And there's so much good food. You will need an app. Ladyironchef is a blog I refer to fairly often for reviews but usually at food courts you can look for the longest queue. You must eat chicken rice and laksa and satay and mee siam at least. And popiah and prata. And claypot something. Do not go to Newton's circus. Adams road is ok. There are food courts and hawker centers everywhere.
Take cabs - they're cheap and fast. Download the grab app, a local cab app and switch between options so you can avoid price surges and use the train in town only. Watch out for rush hour, it's very crowded. Google maps will give you bus directions and the buses are easy to o when it's rush hour. You can buy a train and bus transport card for tourists.
Singapore is really designed for tourists and it's very pleasant to visit. Shopping wise, it's big brands not bargains. If you have specific things to look for, you will probably find them and it's a fun place to window shop if you enjoy endless giant malls for literal miles.
There might be a ballet performance on while you are visiting but you'd have to schedule - it's not regular here.
posted by dorothyisunderwood at 3:21 PM on April 21, 2019
The zoo is mandatory, it is excellent. The night safari is good too if the heat bothers you. There are plenty of museums, pick whatever looks interesting. The science museum is really for kids though. If you like jungle, I recommend a day trip to pulau ubin and kayaking in the mangroves there. You can get decent seafood there too.
I don't get the hype over the supertree grove but I think the view from the bar at the top there is as good as marina Bay sands and a lot cheaper.
Little India is really fun shopping at Mustafa (24 hours!) And there's so much good food. You will need an app. Ladyironchef is a blog I refer to fairly often for reviews but usually at food courts you can look for the longest queue. You must eat chicken rice and laksa and satay and mee siam at least. And popiah and prata. And claypot something. Do not go to Newton's circus. Adams road is ok. There are food courts and hawker centers everywhere.
Take cabs - they're cheap and fast. Download the grab app, a local cab app and switch between options so you can avoid price surges and use the train in town only. Watch out for rush hour, it's very crowded. Google maps will give you bus directions and the buses are easy to o when it's rush hour. You can buy a train and bus transport card for tourists.
Singapore is really designed for tourists and it's very pleasant to visit. Shopping wise, it's big brands not bargains. If you have specific things to look for, you will probably find them and it's a fun place to window shop if you enjoy endless giant malls for literal miles.
There might be a ballet performance on while you are visiting but you'd have to schedule - it's not regular here.
posted by dorothyisunderwood at 3:21 PM on April 21, 2019
My mom was just telling me about Jewel Changi Airport, so be sure to take that in.
posted by foxjacket at 3:31 PM on April 21, 2019
posted by foxjacket at 3:31 PM on April 21, 2019
Avoid western restaurants, too expensive. Eat at hawkers. Very cheap & very good.
posted by armoir from antproof case at 4:03 PM on April 21, 2019 [1 favorite]
posted by armoir from antproof case at 4:03 PM on April 21, 2019 [1 favorite]
You may be interested in the performance season web page for Singapore Dance Theatre. The next two public performances are in early June and mid-July. I do recommend "Ballet Under the Stars", which is an outdoor, informal event.
I also recommend the National Gallery. The Singapore Art Museum is, unfortunately, currently closed for renovations until 2021.
The bar at the top of the Supertree Grove is closing by end of April 2019.
posted by applesurf at 5:46 PM on April 21, 2019
I also recommend the National Gallery. The Singapore Art Museum is, unfortunately, currently closed for renovations until 2021.
The bar at the top of the Supertree Grove is closing by end of April 2019.
posted by applesurf at 5:46 PM on April 21, 2019
Yeah, you gotta go to Gardens by the Bay. I've been going to Singapore my whole life, but this really blew me away when it opened. The waterfall ecosystem (Cloud Forest) they have set up - incredible!
I also enjoy a stroll around the Jurong Bird Park.
Make sure to try and eat some chendol, my favorite dessert, and Kaya toast for breakfast. Try to find some crab if you can, it's gigantic there. And then all of the classic foods in hawker markets like roti, satay and chicken rice.
posted by thebots at 9:47 PM on April 21, 2019
I also enjoy a stroll around the Jurong Bird Park.
Make sure to try and eat some chendol, my favorite dessert, and Kaya toast for breakfast. Try to find some crab if you can, it's gigantic there. And then all of the classic foods in hawker markets like roti, satay and chicken rice.
posted by thebots at 9:47 PM on April 21, 2019
This is a particular kind of nerdy but the Singapore City Gallery is worth a visit if you are interested in city planning and history. They have excellent displays and models of the past and future plans for Singapore. And because it's a somewhat autocratic city-state the planning is quite a bit more interesting than most cities. Only go if you are interested in urban planning; otherwise you will be bored to death.
I'd also consider signing up for some kitschy Crazy Rich Asians tour of Singapore. And absolutely see the movie before you go, if you haven't already.
posted by Nelson at 8:55 AM on April 22, 2019
I'd also consider signing up for some kitschy Crazy Rich Asians tour of Singapore. And absolutely see the movie before you go, if you haven't already.
posted by Nelson at 8:55 AM on April 22, 2019
I was in Singapore fairly recently to visit family, and spent most of my time stuffing myself stupid. The following locations were all recommended by my relatives (Singaporean locals) and are locatable via Google Maps.
Famous Laksa Places
Sungei Road Laksa – located in a hawker centre. Long lines, small servings – probably need to order two bowls if you’re eating without side dishes. Order drinks from the roaming waitresses.
The Original Katong Laksa - in a food court on the ground floor of Roxy Square in Katong. I prefer this place over Sungei Road Laksa, both in terms of (a) taste and (b) the absence of long queues. Order a small-sized bowl so you can then move onto ...
328 Katong Laksa – one Michelin star. Very close to The Original Katong Laksa, so you can basically try two of the best laksa places in Singapore in the space of a single lunch-time.
Yum Cha
Si Chuan Dou Hua - located at level 60 of the UOB Plaza building. Has nice views over the city, but note that there are only two window-side tables - essential to book these specifically in advance. Note that chairs at those window-side tables are on the tall side - roughly the height of bar stools.
TimHoWan - this is a chain with quite a few locations in Singapore. Highly recommend the baked BBQ pork buns (amazingly crispy crust) and Hong Kong braised beef noodles.
Seafood
Jumbo Seafood – great seafood, and especially famous for their black pepper crab. Things can get pretty hands-on - they provide you with bibs for a reason.
No Signboard Restaurant – famous seafood restaurant in Geylang. Not sure if this place is as accommodating to English speakers as the other places on this list.
Other Places to Eat
Satay by the Bay - hawker-style centre near the Gardens by the Bay. Eat the rojak and the satay. The satays are on the small side, adjust your order accordingly.
Old Street Bak Kut Teh – chain of restaurants specialising in bak kut teh (pork-on-the-bone in a soup). Free soup refills! The fried dough tastes amazing when you dip it into the bak kut teh and let it soak up the soup. The one I visited in Kallang had electronic menus built into little sliding drawers in the tables – you can change the menu language to English in the settings. Cutlery drawers were also built into the tables, which took me an embarrassing amount of time to figure out.
Mizzy Corner – famous nasi lemak place in a hawker centre in Changi. The fried chicken is nothing special, go for the fried fish / fish fillet.
Tiong Bahru Galicier Pastry - a lot of places in Singapore sell pineapple tarts, but the ones sold by this bakery specifically are fantastic and made fresh on-site. Make great souvenirs for friends back home, though they're best consumed within a week of buying. No problems with Australian Customs in my experience.
Hai Di Lao Hotpot - known for their excellent service. They provide you with a protective sleeve for your phone, periodically present you with hot towels to freshen up throughout your meal, and do all sorts of acrobatic things with noodles. Essential to book ahead, and to arrive on time - they will give your table away if you're even slightly late. Even if you have a booking, when you arrive it's normal to wait in line for a while in a seated area (~15 mins or so?) - however, they provide tea, snacks and little games while you wait, so it's not too bad. A bit pricier than most Singaporean eating options though - worked out to about SGD$40 when I ate there.
Dian Xiao Er - known for their herbal roast duck.
If you're feeling a little more adventurous - you can try some turtle soup at Tan Ser Seng in Geylang (menu is only in Chinese, but our waitress spoke English just fine) or frog porridge.
Tips
(1) Bring cash for the hawker centres.
(2) Bring a packet of tissues with you everywhere, because (a) the concept of serviettes has not quite caught on in Singapore; and (b) in hawker centres and food courts it is common practice to chuck a packet of tissues on an empty table to "reserve" it while you go off and order.
(3) Nearly everyone speaks pretty decent English, but it doesn't hurt to download the Google Translate app (plus the Chinese language pack for offline use). This came in handy once or twice.
Non-Eating Recommendations
When people think of Singapore they don't normally think of nature, but I really enjoyed trekking around MacRitchie Reservoir, Bukit Timah and Mount Faber. Happy to provide more details if this is up your alley.
Unsafe Places
I tend to agree with dorothyisunderwood regarding Singapore being a very safe place. The only place you might want to avoid is the one seedy part of Geylang that is a red light district, particularly at night.
posted by yours in calendrical heresy at 9:16 AM on April 22, 2019 [5 favorites]
Famous Laksa Places
Sungei Road Laksa – located in a hawker centre. Long lines, small servings – probably need to order two bowls if you’re eating without side dishes. Order drinks from the roaming waitresses.
The Original Katong Laksa - in a food court on the ground floor of Roxy Square in Katong. I prefer this place over Sungei Road Laksa, both in terms of (a) taste and (b) the absence of long queues. Order a small-sized bowl so you can then move onto ...
328 Katong Laksa – one Michelin star. Very close to The Original Katong Laksa, so you can basically try two of the best laksa places in Singapore in the space of a single lunch-time.
Yum Cha
Si Chuan Dou Hua - located at level 60 of the UOB Plaza building. Has nice views over the city, but note that there are only two window-side tables - essential to book these specifically in advance. Note that chairs at those window-side tables are on the tall side - roughly the height of bar stools.
TimHoWan - this is a chain with quite a few locations in Singapore. Highly recommend the baked BBQ pork buns (amazingly crispy crust) and Hong Kong braised beef noodles.
Seafood
Jumbo Seafood – great seafood, and especially famous for their black pepper crab. Things can get pretty hands-on - they provide you with bibs for a reason.
No Signboard Restaurant – famous seafood restaurant in Geylang. Not sure if this place is as accommodating to English speakers as the other places on this list.
Other Places to Eat
Satay by the Bay - hawker-style centre near the Gardens by the Bay. Eat the rojak and the satay. The satays are on the small side, adjust your order accordingly.
Old Street Bak Kut Teh – chain of restaurants specialising in bak kut teh (pork-on-the-bone in a soup). Free soup refills! The fried dough tastes amazing when you dip it into the bak kut teh and let it soak up the soup. The one I visited in Kallang had electronic menus built into little sliding drawers in the tables – you can change the menu language to English in the settings. Cutlery drawers were also built into the tables, which took me an embarrassing amount of time to figure out.
Mizzy Corner – famous nasi lemak place in a hawker centre in Changi. The fried chicken is nothing special, go for the fried fish / fish fillet.
Tiong Bahru Galicier Pastry - a lot of places in Singapore sell pineapple tarts, but the ones sold by this bakery specifically are fantastic and made fresh on-site. Make great souvenirs for friends back home, though they're best consumed within a week of buying. No problems with Australian Customs in my experience.
Hai Di Lao Hotpot - known for their excellent service. They provide you with a protective sleeve for your phone, periodically present you with hot towels to freshen up throughout your meal, and do all sorts of acrobatic things with noodles. Essential to book ahead, and to arrive on time - they will give your table away if you're even slightly late. Even if you have a booking, when you arrive it's normal to wait in line for a while in a seated area (~15 mins or so?) - however, they provide tea, snacks and little games while you wait, so it's not too bad. A bit pricier than most Singaporean eating options though - worked out to about SGD$40 when I ate there.
Dian Xiao Er - known for their herbal roast duck.
If you're feeling a little more adventurous - you can try some turtle soup at Tan Ser Seng in Geylang (menu is only in Chinese, but our waitress spoke English just fine) or frog porridge.
Tips
(1) Bring cash for the hawker centres.
(2) Bring a packet of tissues with you everywhere, because (a) the concept of serviettes has not quite caught on in Singapore; and (b) in hawker centres and food courts it is common practice to chuck a packet of tissues on an empty table to "reserve" it while you go off and order.
(3) Nearly everyone speaks pretty decent English, but it doesn't hurt to download the Google Translate app (plus the Chinese language pack for offline use). This came in handy once or twice.
Non-Eating Recommendations
When people think of Singapore they don't normally think of nature, but I really enjoyed trekking around MacRitchie Reservoir, Bukit Timah and Mount Faber. Happy to provide more details if this is up your alley.
Unsafe Places
I tend to agree with dorothyisunderwood regarding Singapore being a very safe place. The only place you might want to avoid is the one seedy part of Geylang that is a red light district, particularly at night.
posted by yours in calendrical heresy at 9:16 AM on April 22, 2019 [5 favorites]
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posted by emd3737 at 2:43 PM on April 21, 2019