Things to do in 

Singapore

Seek alternative things to do across Singapore’s neighborhoods and offshore islands, trading the big skyline for parks, markets, and small workshops where everyday life leads the way.

Cultural experiences: In Joo Chiat and Katong, east of the city center, join a Peranakan home kitchen to learn nonya recipes before a stroll past pastel shophouses; seniors enjoy the flat, shaded streets. In Little India along Serangoon Road, watch flower garland makers at work and taste thosai at a small tekka lane eatery. Around Kampong Glam near Sultan Mosque, browse family-run textile shops and try an Arabic calligraphy mini-class; couples often end with coffee on Baghdad Street. Over in Pasir Panjang, Haw Par Villa’s vivid myth park adds an offbeat look at folklore for curious families.

Day trip ideas: From Changi Village, 30 minutes from Marina Bay, ride a bumboat to Pulau Ubin for kampong paths, cycling to Chek Jawa, and birdwatching at low tide. Hop a ferry from Marina South Pier to St. John’s and Lazarus Islands for quiet coves and easy picnics; luxury travelers sometimes book a private yacht for the same route. In the northwest, Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve near Kranji brings mangroves, boardwalks, and migratory birds within easy reach of the MRT, while families can pair it with the nearby farms.

Explore Singapore's regions: On the East Coast, Joo Chiat’s shophouses lead to breezy bike paths at East Coast Park. In the Central area, Tiong Bahru’s curved Art Deco blocks hide indie bakeries worth an unhurried morning. Up north, Mandai’s wildlife parks sit near Kranji’s farm belt for a green day out. In the south, the Southern Ridges link Mount Faber, Henderson Waves, and HortPark with skyline views. Offshore, Coney Island near Punggol and the Southern Islands give couples and families mellow beach hours without leaving the city-state.

Travel tip: Give yourself 3–4 days for unique neighborhoods, island hops, and green corridors; 5–6 days if you want slower mornings and more nature. Consider pairing with Malaysia or Indonesia to widen your trip without long flights.

More places to see in Singapore

Beyond Singapore’s downtown and Marina Bay, the island opens up into quiet parks, lived-in neighborhoods, and offshore islets that reward a slower pace.

Joo Chiat & Katong: Stroll past pastel shophouses on Koon Seng Road, then sit down to a bowl of laksa at 328 Katong around lunch. Step into Rumah Bebe to see Peranakan beadwork and textiles, and pick up kueh from Kim Choo Kueh Chang before a late afternoon wander along East Coast Road’s bakeries and kopi spots.

Pulau Ubin: Ride the bumboat from Changi Point Ferry Terminal and rent a bicycle by the jetty. Pedal to Chek Jawa Wetlands for the boardwalk and lookout, then roll through kampong lanes where you’ll hear hornbills and see wooden houses still in use. Return in the late afternoon when the light is soft over the quarry lakes.

Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve: Come in the morning for the mangrove boardwalks and quiet hides. Watch for shorebirds at the Main Hide and keep an eye on the water for estuarine crocodiles. Pause at the Visitor Centre terrace, then follow the coastal trail where mudskippers and monitor lizards go about their day.

Southern Ridges: Link up parks on foot from HortPark to Telok Blangah Hill and Henderson Waves. Take it slow over the wave-like bridge, then drift into the Forest Walk where elevated paths cross the canopy. Finish by the water at Labrador Nature Reserve as the evening breeze picks up.

Seasonal activities

Spring: Skies turn warm and bright after the northeast monsoon, perfect for garden walks and neighbourhood food crawls. Time visits around Ramadan bazaars and evening breezes, often the best time to visit Singapore for comfortable city exploring with kids, couples, or multigenerational groups.

Summer: Dodge brief afternoon showers in museums and hawker centres, then head out as evenings cool for waterfront walks and rooftop views. In August, watch practice fireworks for National Day light the bay while planning things to do in Singapore in summer around shady parks and air-conditioned galleries.

Fall: Follow lanterns during the Mid-Autumn Festival in Chinatown and the Deepavali light-up in Little India. Expect warm days with passing showers, ideal for slower temple visits, design districts, and leisurely meals that stretch into the night.

Winter: Count on cooler, rainier spells that make indoor-outdoor days easy to pace. Christmas in Singapore turns Orchard Road into a glittering promenade, and late-January or February brings Chinese New Year lion dances, markets, and family-friendly riverfront festivities.

Annual highlights keep culture in motion: Chinese New Year street celebrations, the Hari Raya light-up and bazaars in Geylang Serai, the Deepavali displays in Little India, National Day fireworks on 9 August, the Mid-Autumn lantern shows, and the Orchard Road Christmas light-up that caps the year.