Carmen Jenner is a travel writer, blogger and author based in Boorloo/Perth. In Partnership with Singapore Tourism, we asked Carmen to share places to discover in the Lion City that she can't get enough of.
The diamond-shaped metropolis of Singapore is so much more than a launchpad for other adventures. Passing through or staying longer, some things are an absolute must-do—from sampling the best Hainanese chicken rice and black pepper crab, to marvelling at Gardens by the Bay or seeking out the latest towering rooftop bar. These are the things I'm always heading back for in the city that never sleeps and always eats.
Soak In The Skyline From A Rooftop Bar
I can’t think of a better way to get my bearings than from a rooftop bar. For panoramic vistas best enjoyed with a colourful cocktail in hand, visit Southbridge, or Kinki’s red lantern affair. I also always return to 1-Arden, which is perched 51 storeys above the city and boasts the world’s tallest urban farm.
While you're on high, head to the world’s tallest urban microbrewery at Level 33, or go all out at the Marina Bay Sand’s Ce La Vi Skybar for a bird's-eye view into their gravity-defying infinity pool. At 63 storeys, NOVA is the perfect place to entice your senses—expect global tunes spinning alongside the hovering star-shaped ASTRA sculpture.
Tuck Into Ocean Treats At The East Coast Seafood Centre
As the self-proclaimed creator of black pepper crab in Singapore, Long Beach lives up to its bold claim. Situated at the East Coast Seafood Centre and easily reached by taxi, it’s worth making a mess of yourself for their crab and the array of other sea creatures on offer.
If Long Beach is too busy, you can’t go wrong at Jumbo Seafood, one of the first restaurants to land at East Coast. And if seafood isn't your thing, they also whip up a great satay and noodles.
Be whisked away to spicy Sri Lanka at Ceylonese Crabs, or indulge in Chinese classics like radish cake (aka carrot cake) and clay pot dishes at Lux Cove Seafood. Then cycle, skate or walk off any indulgences along the 15-kilometre coastal strip.
Catch The Spectra Light And Water Show
Dancing lasers, water jets and art projections are all unmissable parts of Singapore’s Spectra Light and Water Show. Head to the Event Plaza in Marina Bay Sands for up-close views, or join a river cruise for an immersive experience from the water.
Score a riverside spot at Clarke Quay or The Clifford Pier in front of the Fullerton Bay Hotel, and start your night out with a bang. Set to an orchestral soundtrack, this nightly 15-minute spectacle is completely free.
Head For A Night Out At CQ @ Clarke Quay
Perched on the edge of the Singapore River, CQ @ Clarke Quay teems with riverside restaurants, bars, nightclubs, entertainment, boat tours and restored shophouses. Easily reached from the Clarke Quay MRT or Fort Canning MRT stations, this labyrinth of indulgence has recently undergone a $62 million upgrade which has totally redefined the precinct.
Next time, I’ll be heading straight for the music and lifestyle store at Swee Lee Clarke Quay, Neon Pigeon izakaya, 28 HongKong Street bar, and the bottomless brunch at Oche Clarke Quay.
Snap A Selfie With The Merlion
If you haven’t visited the Merlion, then you haven’t really been to Singapore. Featuring the body of a fish, the 8.6-metre statue symbolises Singapore’s origins as a fishing village, while the lion head spurting water into Marina Bay is a nod to Singapura, meaning “Lion City” in Malay.
Located in front of the Fullerton Hotel, it’s always busy, but if you’re prepared to brave the crowds, time your selfie to coincide with the Spectra Light and Water Show with the celebrated Marina Bay Sands twinkling in the background.
Swing By Chinatown
From roasted chestnuts at Bugis 102 Roasted Chestnut Chinatown, to the Hainanese chicken rice at Maxwell Food Centre, (where I’m always prepped to join the snaking queues at Tian Tian Hainanese Chicken Rice), you could spend a lifetime sampling all the dishes in Chinatown and still not try everything.
Sprawling with specialty stores, restored shophouses, boutique hotels, murals, museums and temples—like the ornate Buddha Tooth Relic Temple and Museum—Chinatown is vibrant by both day and night. If you’re short on time, join a tour on foot or by trishaw. Chinatown is easy to reach via the MRT, including the new Maxwell MRT Station, delivering you to the heart of all the tasty action right next to the Maxwell Food Centre.
Explore Gardens By The Bay
If you only do one thing in Singapore, make sure it’s Gardens by the Bay—followed by the smoky goodness wafting from Satays By The Bay. Head to the iconic Supertrees (where that infamous wedding reception in Crazy Rich Asians was filmed) and Flower Dome, showcasing an ever-changing display of trees and blooms from around the world.
I like to challenge my fear of heights on the Cloudwalk in the Cloud Forest, to admire the world’s tallest indoor waterfall and scope the 72,000 exotic species. And topping my list for the next visit is the digital art experience at The Hidden Forest, and the Jurassic Nest food hall for Michelin-rated delights at Hawker Chan.
Rest And Recuperate At Aramsa Garden Spa
An indulgent oasis awaits at Aramsa Garden Spa, moments from the CBD's heart. Drawing on a mix of Eastern and Western techniques, rejuvenating treatments include signature massages and water therapies.
Set within the 62-acre Bishan Park 2, Yoga Seeds Shala offers yoga sessions among birdlife, butterflies and wildflowers drawn to the meandering Kallang River.
Safari Through Mandai Wildlife Reserve
Just 30 minutes from Singapore's CBD, an exotic paradise awaits at the Mandai Wildlife Reserve. Get up close and (not too) personal with giant capybaras rodents, jaguars and pandas on the River Wonders boat safari. Or venture over to the Night Safari as the Asian elephants, Tasmanian devils and sloth bears come to life.
If you've got time, the newly opened Bird Paradise showcases vibrant flamingos, scarlet macaws, Papuan hornbills and adorable penguins. And for a behind-the-scenes sneak peek into the zoos, check out the Avian Healthcare programme or become a Zookeeper for a Day.
Get Some Sun At Sentosa
Only a few minutes from Singapore by the Sentosa Express and cable car, Sentosa is a destination in itself. Here you'll find Resorts World (Universal Studios, Adventure Cove Water Park, Dolphin Island and SEA Aquarium), high-end resorts, restaurants, day spas and beach bars galore.
I’m a fan of the beachfront Shangri-La Rasa Sentosa, as every room has a balcony with epic views—and it’s easy to reach the Fort Siloso Skywalk and Sentosa Musical Fountain. The Italian restaurant Fiamma at the beachside Capella resort is top of my list for its wood-fired fare, as well as the luxe adults-only +Twelve beach club at the newly opened Palawan Sentosa.
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Image credit: Carmen Jenner