While there are many interesting places to go within the Lion City, we zoom in on one of the country’s most popular tourist areas in recent years – the Marina Bay Sands.
As small as it may be, Malaysia’s southern neighbour has much to offer in terms of sights, food, entertainment and shopping, not to mention the ease and convenience of travelling in Singapore, with such efficient public transport and a number of major attractions within walking distance of each other.
While there are many interesting places to go within the Lion City, we zoom in on one of the country’s most popular tourist areas in recent years – the Marina Bay Sands.
We recently checked in at Ritz Carlton, Millenia Singapore, located only a 10-minute walk away from the Bayfront area, to explore what to do in one day. Here’s what your itinerary could look like (make sure you’ve got your camera ready because you’re in for a whole lot of sightseeing!):
8.00am: Breakfast
Starting off with the most important meal of the day, we treated ourselves to a hearty buffet spread at the Colony in Ritz Carlton and we must say, it was worth waking up early for. The spread includes a mix of oriental and Western dishes, from pastries to rice and noodles, to the usual all-day breakfast selections, topped off with yummy desserts. Breakfast is inclusive for all in-house guests of Ritz Carlton and available to walk-in guests at $45 per adult and $22.50 per child (6 to 12 years old).
9.30am: Helix Bridge
After a heavy breakfast, walk it off along the Helix Bridge, a pedestrian bridge expanding across the Singapore river to connect the CBD with the Bayfront district. Inspired by the structure of DNA, the steel bridge is the result of an international architectural competition brief to represent Singapore’s identity as an interconnected city hub. Impressive enough on its own, pedestrians also get a stunning view of the CBD and promenade from the bridge, making it a perfect spot for photo ops.
10.00am: ArtScience Museum
At the end of the Helix Bridge, you will find yourself near the renown ArtScience Museum, home to creative exhibitions fusing art and science together for the best of both worlds. One full exhibit ($17) should take about 60 to 90 minutes. We were feeling incredibly curious, so we bought ourselves the double exhibitions ticket ($28) to Future World: Where Art Meets Science and HUMAN+ The Future of Our Species. The former features futuristic art displays and child-friendly interactions, while the latter offer a more serious encounter, challenging our perception of the possible future.
1.00pm: Lunch at The Shoppes
Now that we’ve gotten food for the brain, it’s time to replenish the food in our stomach. Right next to the museum is The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands, an iconic complex offering an opulent shopping and dining experience. There’s plenty of dining options to choose from – the only thing harder than deciding where to eat is stopping ourselves from getting distracted with shopping!
2.30pm: Gardens by the Bay Conservatories
Walking around Singapore in the afternoon can get a tad bit uncomfortable, seeing as they share Malaysia’s all-year-round hot weather. That’s why we’d recommend heading to the two Conservatories at Gardens by the Bay to escape the scorching heat and enter a cool, lush green paradise. The Flower Dome conservatory is the largest greenhouse in the world, featuring flowers from the cool-dry climate in Mediterranean regions like South Africa, California and parts of Spain and Italy. On the other hand, the Cloud Forest boasts a 35-metre-tall mountain shrouded in tropical vegetation along with the world’s tallest indoor waterfall. Standard admission rates for double conservatories is $28 for adults and $15 for children aged 3 to 12.
5.30pm: Marina Bay Sands Skypark
If you happen to be staying at Marina Bay Sands, then now would be a good time to head back to rest and relax by the exclusive infinity pool located on the 57th floor of the hotel. By now, the sun will be going down and you may be able to catch a beautiful sunset view of the city skyline. Don’t worry, outside visitors can also enjoy a birds-eye view of the Bayfront area all the way up to the Singapore Strait from the Sands Skypark Observation Deck at $23 for adults and $17 for children aged 2 to 12.
7.00pm: Dinner at Supertree Dining
For dinner, we suggest making your way from the Skypark to the Supertree Grove, the towering vertical gardens that provide shade in the day and a mesmerising light display at night. Among the many restaurants available at Supertree Dining, IndoChine is one of those that stands out with spectacular views from the pinnacle of the tallest Supertree. Serving a blend of IndoChinese and Western cuisine, guests can opt to dine in either the fully air-conditioned lounge or at the al-fresco rooftop bar.
8.30pm: Supertree Grove & OCBC Skyway
After a satisfying dinner, it’s time for more sightseeing at the Supertree Grove. Stay on to see the captivating Garden Rhapsody music and light show at 8.45pm, then take a leisurely night stroll on the 128-metre-long OCBC Skyway sitting 22 metres above the ground. Alternatively, you can head over to The Shoppes for some last minute shopping before the night is over and catch the water and light show at the promenade (see below).
10.00pm: Spectra Light & Water Show
Yet another stunning display not to be missed is Spectra, a free public outdoor light and water show at the Event Plaza along the promenade just outside The Shoppes. This 15-minute show tells a unique series of stories through a beautiful symphony of music, water and light that’s powered by advanced lasers, fountain jets and visual projectors. It’s simply a calming and romantic way to end the night.
Log on to the official website here for more ideas to maximise your time in and around Marina Bay Sands the next time you’re in town.