Sitting nearly on the equator, Singapore is just as tropical and steamy as the rest of Southeast Asia, but its first-world status is very different from its neighbors and even puts America to shame in many respects. It gets a reputation as being sterile and bland, but it’s also clean, safe, well-organized, well-covered by public transportation, and has plenty to do, see, and eat.
The travel suggestions here are based on a trip that Lummi and I took in December and are by no means exhaustive. In fact, they’re quite basic, since we had only a few days to explore the city and I was working during the week. That said, I really enjoyed my time there and would absolutely go back.
In no particular order, here are some suggestions for enjoying Singapore.
Food Centers
Also known as “hawker centers”, these bustling markets of street food should be on every traveler’s itinerary. The food is incredibly cheap, fast, and delicious. Each center has different specialties, so try to hit as many as you can! Maxwell Food Center is known for Tian Tian chicken rice, so my friend Laurie and I made sure to get some when we visited, along with dumplings, bok choy, sugar cane juice, cendol, and passion fruit juice. Lummi and I went to Newton Food Center one evening on our way home – only because it was the closest food center to our Airbnb – not realizing it was the large, outdoor center that’s featured in the beginning of Crazy Rich Asians. We treated ourselves to fried crab, an oyster omelet, and “carrot cake”, a local specialty that’s absolutely nothing like what you think.
Drinks
We didn’t go out for drinks too much on this trip, but Operation Dagger is a must-go for anyone who appreciates cocktails. It’s very pricey, but the underground space is trendy and the drinks themselves are incredibly inventive and tasty. And for a bit of a WTF curveball, the bathroom has a fake CCTV camera inside and a TV outside that shows the “feed”.
Joo Chiat
This neighborhood has a lot of history, culture, architecture, and mixing of ethnicities – which is an excellent microcosm of Singapore – but is also going through an almost hipster resurgence, with lots of new, modern restaurants and shops. A walking tour is an excellent way to see the neighborhood and learn about the history and I highly recommend Jonathan on Airbnb. You’ll see temples, classic shophouses, Peranakan culture, historical residences, street art, and even the North Korean embassy. Food-wise, you better come hungry, because Jonathan will introduce you to Katong laksa, roti prata, Nyonya sticky rice dumplings from Kim Choo, and putu piring, a delicious dessert made with palm sugar and shredded coconut.
Other honorable mentions for the area include Guan Hoe Soon, the oldest Peranakan restaurant in Singapore (Anthony Bourdain went there in the Singapore episode of Parts Unknown), and Cat Socrates, a really cute and fascinating shop with lots of great Singapore-themed gifts. You will not come out of there empty-handed.
Marina Bay Sands
Of course you’ll end up here at some point, since the massive hotel that looks like a ship (or spaceship, I think) is the undisputed icon of the city. If you’re lucky enough to be staying here, make sure to spend some time in the most famous infinity pool on the planet. If you aren’t, then go up to the rooftop lounge a bit before sunset, order some tasty cocktails, and watch the sun set and the city lights come alive. Singapore is most definitely a city that looks its best at night and Marina Bay Sands is by far the best place to gawk at the skyline and the water below.
Gardens by the Bay
Another staple on every Singapore itinerary, come here to marvel at the supertrees, a uniquely Singaporean experience. Your best bet is to come at night, when the weather is a bit cooler and the lights of the trees are magical. Try to catch one of the shows as well, where the lights dance in sync with the music.
