Best Things to Do in Singapore for Every Type of Traveler

Singapore for Every Type of Traveler

Singapore works for almost every type of traveler — but what you should prioritize depends entirely on what you enjoy. Here’s a guide organized by travel style.

For Foodies

• Old Airport Road Food Centre — locals’ favorite, best variety of hawker stalls
• Chinatown Complex Food Centre — Singapore’s largest hawker centre
• Tekka Centre (Little India) — best for roti prata, biryani, and Indian food
• Lau Pa Sat — central, beautiful building, good for satay evenings
• Long Beach or Jumbo Seafood — splurge on chilli crab once
• Tiong Bahru Market — local neighborhood hawker centre, less touristy

For Culture & History

• National Museum of Singapore — free Friday evenings
• Asian Civilisations Museum — excellent overview of Asian cultures (SGD 20)
• Peranakan Museum — fascinating Straits Chinese culture
• Chinatown, Little India, Kampong Glam — living cultural neighborhoods
• Reflections at Bukit Chandu — WWII museum, free entry

For Families with Kids

• Singapore Zoo — one of the world’s best, kids love it
• River Wonders — giant pandas and river wildlife
• Universal Studios Singapore — full day of rides and shows
• S.E.A. Aquarium — impressive marine life displays
• Science Centre Singapore — hands-on and educational
• Botanic Gardens — free, child-friendly, has a playground

For Couples / Romance

• Marina Bay Sands rooftop at sunset — the Singapore skyline at its best
• Supertree Grove light show — magical and free
• Sentosa sunset from Tanjong Beach — cocktails on the beach
• Cable car from Mount Faber — panoramic views, can dine on the cable car
• Boat Quay riverside dinner — romantic setting along the Singapore River

For Budget Travelers

• Every meal at hawker centres (SGD 3–6)
• Singapore Botanic Gardens (free)
• All ethnic neighborhoods (free)
• Supertree light show (free)
• Southern Ridges walk (free)
• Pulau Ubin island (SGD 4 bumboat, free to explore)
• Changi Beach plane-watching (free)

For Architecture Fans

• Marina Bay area — Marina Bay Sands, ArtScience Museum, Helix Bridge
• Jewel Changi Airport — even if you’re not flying, the indoor waterfall is worth visiting
• Tiong Bahru — 1930s Art Deco public housing
• Joo Chiat / Katong — colorful Peranakan shophouses
• Kampong Glam — Malay heritage architecture

Hidden Gems (Less Touristy)

• Haw Par Villa — bizarre Chinese mythology theme park, free
• Fort Canning Park — WWII history, beautiful greenery, central
• Jalan Besar — up-and-coming neighborhood with excellent coffee and food
• Sembawang Hot Spring Park — free natural hot spring, very local
• Coney Island Park — undeveloped nature reserve, good birdwatching