Singapore Travel Guide.

Asia, Singapore, Travel Guides, Where to Stay

Singapore is the smallest country in Southeast Asia, but, in our opinion, it’s definitely not one you should skip over. It’s such a unique city that really feels like no where else we’ve ever been before, and we absolutely fell in love with it. It’s so clean, well-organized, and all of the people are so friendly and kind. We didn’t expect to love it so much, but we kept saying it’s the type of place where we’d love to live, because it’s feels so modern and more Western than other Asian countries. Singapore is the perfect place to visit if you’re looking for great shopping, delicious food, and a unique city experience. Here’s our Ultimate Guide to Singapore:

The Ultimate Travel Guide to Singapore:

WHAT TO KNOW BEFORE YOUR GO:

Best Time of Year to Visit Singapore:

The average temperature year round in Singapore is about 80 degree Fahrenheit, so it’s pretty much always hot and humid. However, you’ll likely have the best weather during the dry season, which is from February to April. Wet season is from September to February, so if you’re planning a trip then, be prepared for some rain.

Getting Around Singapore:

The easiest way to get around is to use the Mass Rapid Transit (MRT). Singapore isn’t really a “walking city,” but there is plenty of affordable public transportation. The average ride on the MRT costs around $1.50 SGD (about $1.20 USD). The MRT is pretty easy to navigate and figure out, and it’s the cleanest public transportation system we’ve ever experienced. It’s also air conditioned, so it’s a really great way to get around. If you plan on exploring all over the city, be sure to get the Singapore Tourist Pass, so you can get unlimited rides on public transport at a better rate.

Taxis in Singapore are pretty reasonable. Our taxi ride from the airport to our hotel, which was about a 25 minute drive, cost $20 USD. All taxis are metered, so you don’t have to negotiate and you don’t have to worry about getting scammed. Taxis do charge more after 6 pm, so consider hopping on the MRT or taking a “Grab” (a rideshare service like Uber), if you’re riding later in the evening.

Other Things to Note:

While Singapore is definitely more expensive than its neighbor countries, it’s still not quite as expensive as major U.S. or European cities, like Los Angeles or Paris.

Most places accept credit cards, but bring cash for the MRT and food stalls.

Almost everyone in Singapore is proficient in English, so it’s really easy to communicate with locals.

Most places in the city have free wifi, so it’s pretty easy to get around just relying on wifi.

The local currency is the Singaporean dollar, and $1 USD = $1.36 SGD (as of November 2019).

WHAT TO DO:

Gardens by the Bay Supertree Grove:

Gardens by the Bay is a nature park with three waterfront gardens. It’s one of the most iconic landmarks in Singapore. Wander through the Supertree Grove or get a view of the city’s stunning skyline walking between the trees on the the 22-meter high OCBC Skyway.

Cloud Forest:

The Cloud Forest is part of Gardens by the Bay and houses what used to be the largest indoor waterfall (before the Jewel that’s now at the Singapore airport), and it’s truly breathtaking. The whole place is set up to display plants and flowers on a mountain as they would actually thrive on a mountain in real life. It’s a conservatory for rare plants, like Venus Fly Traps, and disappearing vegetation.

The Cloud Forest’s mission is to promote sustainability and fight climate change to protect these plants and the planet, so they have tips and information on things we can to do help protect them. It costs $18 SGD (about $15 USD) to get in. You can add on the Flower Dome and go to both the Cloud Forest and the Flower Dome for $28 SGD (about $21 USD), but unless you really love flowers, we suggest just going to the Cloud Forest.

Newton Food Center:

If you’re a Crazy Rich Asians fan, this is the place at the beginning of the movie where Nick and Rachel go to eat with his friends as soon as they arrive in Singapore. Even if you don’t care about the movie, this is a must on your Singapore to-do list. The atmosphere is so fun, and it’s truly a cultural experience. If you want to try a local dish, the Chili Crab is the way to go. We had soup dumplings and Indian food, and it was absolutely delicious. Some of the stalls are even Michelin Star winners.

Little India:

Little India is a neighborhood that really has the feel that you stepped off the train and into India. Grab Chicken Tikka Masala and take pictures at the colorful Tan Teng Niah house. You can also visit the Hindu Temples Sri Veeramakaliamman and Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple while you’re there.

Joo Chiat Houses:

Head down to the colorful Peranakan houses on Joo Chiat Road. This historic neighborhood is full of old shop houses are so cute and picturesque. Be sure to bring your camera, because you’re definitely going to want a photo. The MRT doesn’t go here, so you’ll either need to take a few buses or a taxi to get to this street.

Central Perk:

If you love the show Friends, then you HAVE to go the Central Perk Cafe while you’re in Singapore! It’s an actual restaurant and the whole place is set up just like the set of Friends, and it even has the iconic orange couch and a projector screen that plays Friends all day. The menu in the restaurant is Friends themed too and the menu items are something like “The One With…” or “Joey’s Meatlover Pizza.” And everything features little bits from the show like “Ross’s Unagi” and “Joey Doesn’t Share Food.” If you love Friends, it’s honestly so fun!

Art Science Museum:

The Art Science Museum is unlike any other museum we’ve ever been to. It’s interactive and so much more than art hanging on the walls. It’s mission is to bring art, science, culture, and technology together and it definitely brings you into the future. We absolutely loved the “Disney: Magic of Animation” and “Future World: Where Art Meets Science” exhibits. Tickets to one exhibit are $18 SGD or two exhibits are $30 SGD. You can buy tickets in advance online here: Art Science Museum tickets.

Light Show at Gardens by the Bay:

Every night at 7:45 pm and 8:45 pm, there is a light show at Gardens by the Bay at the Supertree Grove called Garden Rhapsody. There’s music and the Supertrees light up and change colors, and it’s definitely worth seeing.

Fountain Show at Marina Bay Sands Harbor:

After you’ve watched the light show at the Supertree Grove, head over the bridge to Marina Bay Sands harbor and watch the fountain and laser show on the water. The Marina Bay Sands show goes every night at 8:00 pm and 9:00 pm and there’s a 10 pm show as well on Fridays and Saturdays. The best place to view it is right outside the shoppes at Marina Bay Sands. There’s a viewing platform and you can watch the fountains and lights and get the audio experience from there too. Since the Light Show at Gardens by the Bay and Marina Bay Sands are right across from each other, we suggest going to the Light Show at 7:45 pm and then heading over to Marina Bay Sands to catch the 9:00 pm fountain show.

Old Hill Street Police Station:

This colorful building is no longer a police station, but its rainbow colored windows make it the perfect picture spot.

The Jewel:

Okay, I’ve never put an airport in a travel guide before, but the Singapore airport is truly one of a kind! Visit The Jewel in Terminal 1 of the airport. It’s the world’s largest indoor waterfall, and it is truly unlike anything we’ve ever seen before. At night, they even do a light show on it. You can walk all around it on various levels, so you can see if from every angle. The airport also has a garden and flower exhibit as well as a slide, hedge maze, and butterfly garden. It’s definitely an airport experience you’ll never forget.

We suggest spending time there when you land, so you don’t have to stress about seeing it all before you leave and making it to your flight in time. But if you choose to go on your way out, make sure you give yourself enough time to take the train or bus to get to the other Terminals and check-in on time.

WHERE TO STAY:

Hotel Jen Orchardgateway:

Hotel Jen Orchardgateway is known for its rooftop pool and for a good reason! It was voted the Best Rooftop Pool in the World by Top Hotels, and it’s seriously the best rooftop pool we’ve ever experienced! You get to see the whole city from above, and it’s the perfect place to relax and cool down in the Singapore heat and just enjoy the city skyline views. Hotel Jen Orchardgateway is located right on top of a mall and MRT station, so it’s super convenient to come and go to wherever you need to around town. It’s also located right on Orchard Road, which has the best shopping in Singapore. Be sure to upgrade to the club level, so you can have an easier check-in and check-out experience, and enjoy unlimited drinks and snacks all day long. You can even enjoy breakfast and afternoon tea from their club lounge too.

BOOK YOUR STAY AT HOTEL JEN ORCHARDGATEWAY HERE!

Four Seasons Singapore:

We love love loved our stay at Four Seasons Singapore. Everything about the Four Seasons Singapore lives up to the Four Seasons name and really makes you feel so comfortable, relaxed, and right at home. The staff was SO kind and accommodating and made sure we had everything we needed at all times and even recommended certain unique things to do in the city for us. We’ve never experienced such helpful and kind staff at any other hotel before. They really made us feel like we were their friends and the service at Four Seasons Singapore is truly unmatched.

FS Singapore just recently redesigned their rooms and their fitness center, so everything is beautiful, clean, and up to date. There are two pools, a rooftop pool on the 20th floor with views of the city, and a pool on the third floor, which also has a jacuzzi. They also have a Michelin Star restaurant on site, so if you’re looking for a delicious place to eat, book a reservation at Jiang-Nan Chun.

We also highly recommend eating at One-Ninety restaurant, because not only is the food delicious, the atmosphere is so charming and comfortable. If you eat there, be sure to meet Ivan, the general manager. He is truly such a kind person and made sure we got to try some of the local dishes! The entire atmosphere at Four Seasons Singapore is so aesthetically pleasing and really makes you feel so comfortable, which is such a luxury while you’re traveling. We loved everything about our stay at Four Seasons Singapore, and we couldn’t recommend it enough!

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November 22, 2019

Singapore