We arrived in Singapore 26 days ago and we’ve managed to cram a lot into our time here since then. So here, in no particular order, is my list of the best things we’ve seen and done on this beautiful island up to now.
1. Cloud Forest at Gardens by the Bay
This 35 metre tall mountain is an absolute must-see for adults and kids alike. Covered in beautiful plantlife, it is one of the main attractions here in Singapore and it’s easy to see why. It boasts the world’s tallest indoor waterfall and is guaranteed to take your breath away. It’s housed in a giant dome which is kept at a cool 22-24 degrees – exactly what you need to get out of the hot Singapore sun. Once inside you follow the path round the bottom of the mountain then take the elevator to the highest point where you can walk around the mountain on a suspended walkway. There is also the option to access each level via escalator if heights aren’t your thing! Definitely a great experience for kids big and small and there is the added bonus of easy wheelchair/pram access both up to the top of the mountain as well as on the suspended walkway.
2. Tasting Menu at The Tippling Club
This place is a real treat for adults although I wouldn’t recommend bringing the kids here. The tasting menus are set and I can’t think of anything on it that any of my children would have been overly happy about eating (think scallops, cheesecake pills and very unusual flavour combinations). You can choose from the ‘classic’ or ‘gourmand’ menus, each comprising of snacks, starters, mains and desserts. The small tasting menu will set you back $170 per person with wine starting at around $100 per bottle. The staff tell you all about the dish when they bring it to you and each dish has an incredible amount of thought, care and attention to detail behind it. Each course is a work of art! Definitely worth checking out if you’re looking for something modern and quirky, or even just to try out some new foods.
3. Little India
I love to wander around Little India – so many pretty shops and market stalls with fresh produce. It’s a real feast for the senses with flower garland stalls and the smells of incense and delicious food. There are also gorgeous temples dotted around.
4. Sentosa
Sentosa is a small island off the South coast of Singapore. You can get there by road bridge, monorail or cable car. We decided to take the cable car for more of an adventure and I’m really glad we did. We (just!) managed to squeeze the Joie double stroller in the cable car with the four of us but with a slightly larger side-by-side buggy you’d really struggle. There is so much to do on Sentosa including a fantastic water park, Madame Tussauds and Universal Studios. We went with the intention of having a look around in this first visit there and ended up at the Butterfly and Insect World where the kids had a fantastic time holding butterflies and seeing unusual birds. We’ll be back soon but the cable car is the priciest way to get there – will probably taxi next time.
5. ArtScience Museum – Future World
The ArtScience Museum is a beautiful building located below the famous Marina Bay Sands Hotel. It’s unique water lily shape is like nothing I’ve ever seen before. The Future World exhibit we saw is exactly as the name suggests – a futuristic mix of light, sound and interactive technologies. I was pretty worried about how much the toddlers would enjoy it as they haven’t been to a museum before but they probably got more out of it than any of us. The mix of lights and sounds made a great sensory experience for them and the wonder and joy in their faces will stay with me forever. Fair warning on this one – no prams or buggies allowed into the exhibit.
6. Botanic Gardens
The Botanic Gardens are so close to our condo I find myself there all the time with the twins and I don’t think I’ll ever get bored of it. There’s lots to explore all round the gardens but the best bit for kids is the Jacob Ballas Children’s Garden. Here there is a large sandpit, a farm, a forest walk and a maze. Lots for little people of all ages to see and do!
7. Clarke Quay
Clarke Quay is located in central Singapore and is a buzzing, metropolitan cluster of bars and restaurants. Each unit is a different color making it one of the most vibrant places I’ve ever been on a night out. It’s also the location of the only Scottish bar I’ve been to so far – The Highlander. Great food, great drinks and super friendly service (a theme throughout Singapore). Also loved the Crazy Elephant bar for a glass of beer bigger than my hand could hold.
8. Haw Par Villa
Haw Par Villa is an amusement park built in 1937 by the ‘Tiger Balm Kings’ the Haw brothers. The park has little changed since then and is eerily frozen in time. Filled with brightly coloured statues and water features, this park is a hit with adults and children alike. It’s home to the famous Ten Courts of Hell exhibit which gruesomely depicts punishments for sin including being sawn in half and thrown on spikes (parental discretion required). An added bonus is it’s free and there’s an MRT station right outside.
9. Matchaya
I’ve followed Matchaya on Instagram since looking into moving to Singapore and it was very high on my list of places to visit. Safe to say it didn’t disappoint! Myself and the kids absolutely love their soft serve (matcha is my favourite). Stores at The Cathay and Icon Village.
10. Baker & Cook
Finally, the bakery. We have a Baker & Cook directly across the road from our condo and it’s the best location ever! We’ve been there pretty much every day since moving for their amazing coffee, cakes and breads. They also have a wide range of delicious deli products like quiche and salads and the café has a wonderful menu for brunches and lunches.
Looking forward to reviewing this list in 6 months’ time and seeing how much it has changed from now.
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