Craving a weekend getaway? Singapore beckons with a whirlwind of unimaginable meals, thriving neighborhoods, world-class museums, outside actions and a number of the world’s finest bars.
Despite being a younger nation — Singapore gained independence in 1965 — its vibrant vitality is rooted in cultures which have blended and mingled in the area for lots of of years. That wealthy historical past mixed with Singapore’s trademark sense of grabbing the longer term by the horns makes it a captivating place to go to.
I simply completed up my second ever escape to this small however mighty city-state, and I’ve created a information that will help you dream up your personal journey in this thriving Southeast Asian metropolis.
Get there
Fly to Singapore on Friday morning. For a extra reasonably priced ticket, fly Philippine Airlines with a layover in Manila. United Airlines has a direct flight from Guam, however it’s going to value considerably extra.
Don’t miss the breathtaking HSBC Rain Vortex, often known as the indoor waterfall, simply after baggage declare on the Jewel Changi Airport earlier than you make your technique to the town.
Get settled
If you’re a member of a selected resort group, rack up these factors! Singapore has accommodations from most main chains. Otherwise, Air BnBs and boutique accommodations supply a novel contact.
Neighborhood-wise, it relies on what you’re searching for! Shopaholics will discover their coronary heart’s want in the Orchard Road space, nightlife junkies can try Clarke, Robertson and Boat Quay accommodations, foodies ought to look towards Chinatown, and stay music and humanities lovers will really feel proper at residence in Kampong Glam.
If you’re touring with children and may swing the price, the Shangri-La presents an on-site water park, pool, children play space, a children baking expertise and on-site babysitting.
Pro-tip: Stay inside a 10-minute strolling distance of an MRT station for straightforward entry to public transit. Buy a card from the ticketing desk and fill it with $15 to gas your weekend jaunt.
Unfortunately, typically public transit doesn’t minimize it. Taxis can be found in most locations, however I’d suggest getting an area SIM card with some knowledge during your keep so you may benefit from native experience share apps like Grab.
Dinner and an journey
No matter the place you’re staying or what your price range is, in Singapore you’re by no means removed from an ideal meal.
I like to recommend discovering your nearest hawker middle and chowing down on native treasures like Hainanese hen rice, satay, laksa, chili crab or the rest that strikes your fancy! Wash it down with available Tiger beer or some freshly squeezed juice.
Pro-tip: Make certain you have got money readily available! Most hawker stalls don’t take bank cards. Plan on $15-20 SGD ($10-15 USD). Start by discovering a drink and a desk, then suss out the very best meals by maintaining a tally of which stalls have a line.
Make essentially the most of your first night time with sundown from the Marina Bay Sands Sky Park Observation Deck. If you need drinks or a chew to eat whereas there, reservations at rooftop bar C’est La Vie are required and are finest booked a number of weeks in advance.
Alternatively, go to the (*48*) by the Bay to take pleasure in their flowers, OCBC SkyStroll, and a light-weight present after darkish — or head to the Singapore Zoo Night Safari after dinner.
Saturday
Grab a fast breakfast in your resort, or make an journey out of it! Whether it’s a restaurant or a hawker middle, your breakfast choices alone show the unimaginable range of the town. In Singapore, consuming equates to sightseeing.
My favourite Singaporean breakfast is kaya toast — coconut jam and butter on toasted bread, paired with soft-cooked eggs, darkish soy sauce, and white pepper. Yum!
Use your morning correctly earlier than the day will get too scorching. Some temples, notably Hindu, are solely open till 12:30 p.m. — so examine them out earlier than they shut. As of this writing, most mosques are closed to guests as a consequence of COVID-19.
There are loads of temples to select from, however Sri Mariamman Temple and Thian Hock Keng Temple are inside strolling distance of each other in Chinatown and supply a glimpse into Hindu, Buddhist, Taoist, and Confucianist beliefs and customs.
These explicit temples wouldn’t have guided excursions, so perform a little research beforehand. Be certain to decorate respectfully and take note of guidelines relating to pictures.
Other outside choices embody the Singapore Zoo and the Singapore Botanical (*48*), residence to the breathtaking and expansive National Orchid Garden.
Time for lunch! Another probability for an reasonably priced and scrumptious hawker middle meal, or to discover the limitless array of eating places in whichever space you end up. Don’t be shy — ask in case you don’t know what one thing is, and benefit from the journey of making an attempt one thing new.
By the afternoon, it’s much more scorching and humid than it’s on Guam. Revel in the air con at a museum of your selection. Here are my prime picks:
- Peranakan Museum (reopening 2023)
- The National Gallery Singapore
- Singapore Art Museum
- National Museum of Singapore
- Asian Civilizations Museum
Head on over to Kampong Glam for completely happy hour and the bustling retailers of Arab avenue. Plenty of eating places can be found there or in close by Little India, which additionally deserves a go to for its meals, vibrant clothes and tailor retailers, and mesmerizing gold jewellery.
If you’re a cocktail lover, Singapore is residence to a number of of the world’s finest bars. I’ll write extra about them later in the collection, however suffice it to say that it lives as much as the hype.
Check out Native in Chinatown for a very native expertise. Their experimental cocktails harness Peranakan flavors, and all the things in their bar —from the elements to the furnishings to their aprons — is sourced from the area.
Sunday
You’ll have to fly out Sunday afternoon, however the morning is yours for the taking. Explore a neighborhood, museum, or outside tour you missed the day earlier than, or decide up items for family and friends again residence. East Inspirations in Chinatown has a lot of antiques and handmade objects for any price range.
Pro-tip: Some accommodations will maintain on to your baggage for you when you head out for the day, so benefit from that service whether it is out there!