A First Timer’s Guide of Things To Do in Singapore – The Lion City!
Chances are, when you think of Singapore, it seems like a far-off exotic place. Spoiler: It is! LOL. I know that’s how I thought of it, having never been to Asia before. Now that I’ve been though, I think the city is a unique way to experience many different Asian cultures in one city, while still getting the benefit of having everyone speak English. Making communication and navigation much easier than many other Asian destinations. This is why many people use the city as a gateway or jumping off point to the rest of Asia. And why you often only see 2 to 3 day itineraries to the amazing Lion City. However, there are so many things to do in Singapore and it is such a unique place, that it’s worth a little more of your time.
There is also probably another word that comes to mind when you think of Singapore. EXPENSIVE. But, I’m here to show you that, even though it may be one of the most expensive places on the planet, there are ways to save and ways to splurge.
Getting There
I know, I know… But before we can talk about all the amazing things to do in Singapore, we have to talk about getting there first. Because let me tell you, it is freaking far! Especially, if you are traveling from the East Coast of the United States. This beautiful city is on the literal other side of the world! So that you’re not completely jet-lagged, either on the way there or the way back, we need to talk about my first splurge recommendation. The flight.
Before you go rolling your eyes talking about, “I can do it, no big deal,” Let me break it down for you. The flight from New York’s JFK to Jewel-Changi is the longest flight in the world. It is almost a 19-hour long flight. Believe me when I tell you that that’s a long time to sit in a metal-tube with limited space. I even connected through Seoul, which was a 16 hour flight, and it still was like torture. And I was so thankful I had the forethought to stop in Seoul for the night. I went straight to the hotel and put my feet up against the wall. Just to get the blood flowing in a different direction.
Travel Tip: This is as good a time as any to remind you to buy travel insurance! Especially when you are traveling so far. I use Travel Insurance Master to price the perfect travel insurance for any given trip.
So, at least splurge on premium economy. And use points or miles to upgrade to business class if you can. If this splurge is out of your budget, then consider flying with an airline that has a stopover program. Stop halfway for a 2 to 3 days in Amsterdam, Lisbon, Dubai, Istanbul, or any other potential stopover location in order to give yourself a break from all the compressed air. This way you will have two 8 to 10 hour flights, instead of one long 20 hour flight. And arrive in Singapore rested and ready to conquer the city!
Where To Stay
Let me tell you, hotels in this fantastic city are expensive. For sure. So the best way to save on where you stay, is to get an Airbnb or rent an apartment. We stayed at the Quincy House in the Holland Village area. It may seem far away from the Central Business District, but since Singapore has amazing public transit (another amazing way to save), there’s not really a location that is inconvenient to all the activities that the city has to offer. However, there are a couple of amenities you’re going to want to make sure you have as part of your stay.
A Pool
Out of all the things there are to do in Singapore, relaxing by the pool is definitely an option that you’re going to want. It is a very hot and tropical climate. In the hot afternoons, when it is too hot to basically do anything outside, you’re going to want to just chill by a pool with a cool beverage. If you don’t have a pool, you’re going to want to make sure you plan indoor activities with plenty of air conditioning in the afternoons.
Free Laundry
In the same vein as the pool, an apartment with free laundry services is also a must. Again, the Lion City is a hot place. You’re going to sweat. Even if you’re like me, and not a heavy sweater… you’re going to sweat. Being able to wash and dry all your clothes, for free, prior to having to re-pack them is a life-saver. Even the thought of having to re-pack sweaty clothes grosses me out. I’m thankful the Quincy House had free machines for use of the tenants.
Splurge – At Least One Night at the Marina Bay Sands Hotel
One of the top things to do in Singapore is to explore the Marina Bay Sands area. But I say, take it one step further, and splurge, on at least one night at the Marina Bay Sands Hotel. This is the only way to access what is probably the most famous pool in the world. The Marina Bay Sands infinity pool at the top of the hotel. Now the hotel is not cheap. I paid $900 for one night. But it is a splurge that is worth it.
Not only are you super close to be able to enjoy all the things in the area, but you can use the pool up until 5PM the next day. Yep, you heard me right. Checkout might be at 11AM. But the hotel staff will give let you check your baggage and give you a special key that gets you into the pool the entire next day. So you can really get your moneys worth.
Travel Tip: There are bathrooms with showers in a gym/locker area of the hotel by the pool. If you’re worried about being able to shower before a flight like we were, just have a change clothes with you and you are good to go. Or you can be like me and shower in the airport lounge. LOL.
Travel Tip: There are people in the pool taking pictures that you can then buy afterwards. It’s worth the splurge!
Tours
I think not splurging on tours is where a lot of people go wrong in the lovely Lion City. Because people visit the city as a gateway to Asia, they spend 2 to 3 days hopping around the Central Business District and Marina Bay Sands area and then think that’s all they need to see. WRONG. Singapore is a small place but also a big place with lots to see! I maybe wouldn’t splurge on every tour available, but there are 2 tours I would definitely splurge on. A biking tour and a food tour.
Biking Tour
On our very first full day, we got up early and did an incredible biking tour. Now, it was a very active tour and we biked a full 12 miles. And it starts early in an attempt to beat the heat. But it was a great way to get your bearings of the city, learn some of the history, and try some food. The city has several distinct neighborhoods, from Chinatown to Kampong Glam (the Malay and Arab district). And a biking tour is a great way to see them. However, if you’re uncomfortable on a bike, or don’t like city bike riding in general, then I would at least opt for a walking tour.
The biking tour also helped us save while in the city, because the tour guide had discount codes to the various attractions throughout the city!
A Food Tour
Of all the things there are to do in Singapore, eating food will and should be a top priority. It is a food city! And there are tons of different foods to try. From the cheapest Michelin starred meal in the world to Indian street eats. There is something for everyone in this city. Even at a full week, there’s no way to eat it all. So, I definitely recommend a food tour. Especially a tour that will take you to some Hawker Center spots that only the locals know about. And show you the best way to eat carrot cake (not the carrot cake you’re thinking of) and where the best Hainanese chicken is.
More Food
Now, the Hawker Centers are a great way to save on food when in Singapore. Not to mention they are an UNESCO World Heritage site for their unique stall and street food culture. The Hawker Centers were the city’s answer for cleaning up the streets of their market stalls and making food consumption safer (something I learned on the bike tour!). A typical meal at any Hawker stall is likely going to be under $10 making them the perfect option for breakfast and lunch. And allowing you to try lots of different food and stalls over the course of a week. However, there are restaurants in the city that are definitely worth splurging on also.
Chatterbox
I’ve had a lot of great food all over the world. From the 12th best restaurant, Pujol, in Mexico City. To the 16th best restaurant in the world, Dom, in Sao Paulo. So let me tell you, I don’t say it lightly that the meal I had at Chatterbox is something I will be dreaming about for a long time. Chatterbox is a traditional Singaporean cuisine restaurant. I had the lobster laksa and chendol, and both were amazing. Highly recommend it.
Tamba
Tamba is an African restaurant in the Duxton Hill area of the city. I ordered the fixed course meal here, and I honestly can’t remember everything I ate, but it was all delicious. The main outlier here though, was the staff. They were ridiculously knowledgeable about everything that had to do with the restaurant. You could tell they really loved their jobs and were very passionate about the meals they were serving. It is a very unique experience, even for this unique city!
Travel Tip: A note about alcohol in Singapore. It’s a splurge. There is no way around it. Drinks are incredibly expensive in the city. That is because there is a special tax on alcohol. The average drink was $30 Singaporean Dollars (about $25 USD). Just be prepared to pay!
I honestly could go on forever, but for the rest of my recommendations check out my custom made Google Map.
More Things To Do!
If you’re still with me, you can clearly see why 2 to 3 days in not nearly enough for this city. But a great way to save is by doing all the free things there are to do in Singapore. I’m sure the below list doesn’t even encompass all the free things to do, but at least it’s a start, and a great way to save!
- The Botanical Gardens – completely enchanting and huge! Free tours of different areas of the gardens at different times, but mainly in the morning. Registration required 15 minutes before tour start time.
- Masjid Sultan Mosque – Free tours 10AM – 12PM and 2PM – 4PM, very interesting to learn about the pillars of Islam. Can make a small donation to the mosque.
- Buddha Tooth Relic Temple – free to walk through, also can make a small donation.
- Sri Mariamman Temple – free to walk through, also can make a small donation.
- Light show at the Super Tree Grove in Marina Bay Sands – shows are at 7:45PM and 8:45PM. Can splurge and pay to get up on the walkway amongst the trees
- Spectre light show – light show at 8PM and 9PM.
- Light show at the rain vortex at Jewel-Changi airport – light show at 8PM.
- Fort Canning Park – awesome place for pictures!
Wowza, I probably could have made 2 blog posts but decided to squeeze it all into one! Anyway I hope this guide of the ways to save and the ways to splurge on all the things to do in Singapore is helpful in your upcoming trip planning. And remember, give the beautiful Lion City a fighting chance and give it more than 3 days. You won’t regret it!
Did I miss anything in this guide? Let me know in the comments! And don’t forget to follow @TheGlobetrottingAccountant on Instagram and Tiktok for more content!
