10 Best Budget Things to Do in Singapore

Gardens by the Bay

You’ve probably heard about Gardens by the Bayand its temperate climate biodome with (of course) an indoor waterfall, walkways with city views, restaurants atop “giant trees” and more. But these paid events are not all that is offered. Entry to the gardens is actually free and you can find yoga pavilions, gorgeous winding paths (that kids will love exploring), bridges and boardwalks, lakes, a great children’s play area and stunning flora and fauna (during the stop we hung out with wild chickens). You’ll find it all on a huge website that doesn’t cost you a dollar.

Stroll through Chinatown and Little India.

While Singapore may be known for its towering skyscrapers, its more humble and eclectic beginnings can still be seen in the cultural districts of Chinatown and Little City. India. Stop by the low-rise buildings and narrow, pedestrian-friendly streets to sample the diverse ethnic cuisines for which Singapore is famous. You can also visit temples and old shops, buy a souvenir or three, and admire how Singapore’s many cultures and traditions live side by side in harmony.

Museum of Art History

The Art and Science Museum is part of Marina Bay Sands Development (near the famous hotel, casino and shopping centre), so you can sign up for a free Sands Lifestyle membership and get 30% off tickets to this fabulous and fascinating museum. Tickets can still be expensive for the list of world-class and time-limited exhibitions (there is no permanent collection), but our kids spent hours at one of the current exhibitions. The world of the future: where art meets scienceinteracting with light displays, climbing through tunnels, going down slides and completing obstacle courses. Perfect food for Instagram.

Sound, light and water show

If you visit the Museum of Arts and Sciences in the early evening, grab a bite to eat at Food court or one of the Shoppes restaurants at the Marina Bay Sand Mall opposite, before strolling along the beautifully landscaped promenade. Evening is a great time to admire the river and city lights in cooler weather, and at 8pm and 9pm you can enjoy a free 15-minute sound, light and water show called Spectra, telling “the story of Singapore in four acts” .

Track the monkeys and soar over the water from Mount Faber.

Make the (slow) climb up the mountain to Mount Faber to cross the water to the smaller island of Sentosa via cable car, which offers both fun and mode of transport, as well as excellent photo opportunities. Along the way, you may encounter wild monkeys loitering in the greenery along the side of the trail. Visit on a weekday and you’ll avoid the weekend crowds, and you’ll have a better chance of meeting new animal friends (don’t feed them!). Mount Faber Park is also part of the Southern Ridges Trail, offering 10 km of parks and trails connected by bridges leading from the waterfront to Kent Ridge Park.

Pedal along the East Coast Park

Singapore’s goal is to become not just a garden city, but a “city within a garden”, and evidence of the success of this mission is all around you. There are many parks, gardens, and park connectors crisscrossing the island, and one of the original (and best) of them is East Coast Park.

Built on reclaimed land, with man-made beaches, sports fields, fishing spots and (of course) shopping centers, East Coast Park is perfect for a day spent on two wheels. Rent a bike from one of several bike rental shops in the park itself, or even bring a street bike, e.g. Anywheels – Singapore Bike Rental Service: From the city to riding along the 15 km coastline while enjoying the sea breeze.

Go to the beach

Singapore may be bustling, but it’s also surrounded by tiny island sanctuaries with beautiful beaches. Take a short ferry ride to Lazarus Island (via St. John’s Island and a short walk) or Kusu Island for a tranquil desert island oasis of white beaches, palm trees, jungle and a break from the hustle and bustle. Kusu even has a turtle sanctuary where hundreds of turtles live. A pleasant contrast to the bustling skyscrapers in the center of Singapore itself. Take the ferry from the South Marina Pier, which can be reached by metro.

Get your Singapore Sling at Raffles

I can’t afford to stay in famous Raffles Hotel? This symbol of Singapore’s colonial architecture and history is worth a visit. Head to the Long Bar, where the famous Singapore Sling cocktail was invented, for a refreshing drink in an old-school atmosphere. The Long Bar is perhaps the only place in the country where littering is encouraged, with customers encouraged to brush peanut shells directly onto the floor.

And don’t forget Merlion

Singapore is known as the Lion City (in Malay “singa” means “lion” and “pura” means “city”) and its symbol is the merlion – half lion, half fish. The story goes that in 1299, the emperor of the Srivijayan Empire, which included Malaysia, Singapore and all of Sumatra, wanted to build a new capital for his empire and decided to find it by sea. After some difficulties, he landed in Singapore and saw a lion in the jungle, which he took as a good omen and renamed what had previously been known as Temasek (a sea town in the old Javanese language) as Singapore, or Singapore. See the famous statue at the mouth of the Singapore River at Merlion Park.

Checklist

SINGAPORE

GET THERE

Fly non-stop from Auckland to Singapore with Singapore Airlines in about 11 hours.

DETAILS

visitsingapore.com/en