3 Days in Singapore
As an island city-state, Singapore has an angelic almost preserved feel to it where everything has a place but what really got me was the calculated use of plant life. This is a city alive with the power of plants and it’s uniquely inspiring.
From the Botanical Gardens, which are truly incredible, to buildings that look like they are growing, Singapore a lesson in the value of greenery around us; a living breathing plant life canvas. There are also many architectural marvels to gawk at and if you’re an architecture geek like me you can spend a day just wandering around looking at all the beautiful buildings. Beyond that there is a lot to do and see on the island and no lack of amazing food. Enjoy a few picks below that from my point-of-view are not to be missed on a perfect 3 day tour of the city.
Parkroyal Hotel on Pickering
Insider Tips
STAY
Parkroyal on Pickering, pictured above, for the most lush hotel experience available.
EAT
Burnt Ends for tasting menu; Neon Pigeon for Izakaya; Odette for modern French; Tiong Bahru Market
Day 1
Gardens by the Bay & Marina Bay Sands
Start your day by visiting the Gardens by the Bay, Singapore’s nature park that includes two massive eco domes, Cloud Forest and Flower Dome. Cloud Forest is the largest greenhouse in the world and you truly feel like you are walking through the Avatar movie. The conditions are meant to replicate the tropical mountain regions found on South-East Asia and Middle to South America. Upon entering you are met by a massive waterfall and proceed to walk around and up into the peak of the dome via a skybridge.
Flower Dome in contrast is meant to replicate a more mild climate that is much dryer featuring plants found in the Mediterranean, Australia, South America and South Africa. Plan to eat lunch in Flower Dome at Pollen a cute little bistro right at the back of the dome. After you’ve explore both domes make sure to walk through the park under the Super Tree forest and check out the massive art installations throughout the park itself which are really impressive in scale.
Looking back at the Marina Bay Sands from across the bay.
After exploring the park head over to the Marina Bay Sands to get the view of a lifetime. Comprising of three towers connected by roof garden that looks like a boat floating in the air. There’s a bar, restaurant and infinite pool. Situated downtown you get amazing views of the bay and city scape on one side and the Gardens by the Bay on the other which is incredibly fun to have a birds eye view of what you’ve just spent most of the day exploring. I recommended heading up around 6pm for drinks and dinner. This way you get the view in the daylight and once dark, Gardens by the Bay puts on a light show at 7:45pm and 8:45pm that is pretty spectacular to see from above. If you’re looking for time to kill between Gardens by the Bay and heading up for your sky high views, hit up the mall in the base of the Marina Bay Sands. I highly recommend taking a stroll through the Louis Vuitton at Marina Bay. It’s an experience in itself. And if you’re feeling cheeky make sure to ask for a glass of Champagne while trying on a few or ten pairs of shoes - decadence at it’s best!
Looking down on at the Gardens by the Bay from Marina Bay Sands.
Top of Marina Bay Sands looking out over the infinity pool.
Luis Vuitton at Marina Bay
Day 2
Explore Tiong Bahru
Make today about integrating into a bit more of the local Singapore culture in Tiong Bahru a hip pocket of the city. Start the day by grabbing coffee and a bit of brekkie at Forty Hands, a casual cafe. There are a handful of really cute design and fashion shops around that are really fun to explore including a fantastic book store called Books Actually, who also do their own publishing. For a late lunch hit up the Tiong Bahru Market for noodles and fish balls. After lunch if you want to get some serious shopping done head to Orchard Road which has every designer you can imagine all in a single swoop. Or if boutique shopping is more your thing, head to Tanjong Pagar to explore the markets and shops. This will set you up for dinner at the delicious Burnt Ends which has an excellent tasting menu. They have limited reservations so check what’s available or show up early get your name in and go across the street to design forward Potato Head for a drink on the roof while you wait.
Day 3
National Gallery Singapore
Start out day three with a trip to the National Gallery Singapore which contains the world’s largest public collection of Singaporean and Southeast Asian art. No surprising, the architecture is outstanding. A design competition was held in 2007 to design the new museum one of the consideration was a vision for integrating the new build around two National Monuments, the former Supreme Court Building and City Hall. The result is really unique; a beautiful juxtaposition between old and new. After a good wander around the museum make your way to the roof for a an afternoon drink at Smoke and Mirrors. You’ll have a great view of a cricket pitch below and of course the Marina Bay Sands in the distance. If you want to stick around for Dinner head downstairs to Odette. A modern french restaurant on Asia’s World’s 50 Best Restaurants list. The decor alone is worth the trip.
View from Smoke and Mirror Roof Bar, National Gallery Singapore
Happy hunting!
All images via She The Huntress
