Top Things to do in Singapore
Top Hotels in Singapore
- 1. PARKROYAL COLLECTION Marina Bay, Singapore
- 2. Pan Pacific Singapore
- 3. YOTEL Singapore
- 4. Shangri-La Singapore
- 5. The Fullerton Hotel Singapore
- 6. Sofitel Singapore Sentosa Resort & Spa
- 7. Grand Copthorne Waterfront
- 8. The Clan Hotel by Far East Hospitality
- 9. JEN Singapore Orchardgateway by Shangri-La
- 10. JEN Singapore Tanglin by Shangri-La
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Things to do in Singapore, Singapore: The Best Historic Sites
As Asia’s undisputed capital of cool, Singapore’s street food, luxury lifestyle options, and sci-fi–like architecture entrance visitors from the very beginning. Top attractions such as the futurist feel of Gardens by the Bay and the Marina Bay Sands casino symbolize the nation’s state of affluence.
Restaurants in Singapore
1. Battlebox
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 2,477 reviews
A former underground command centre in Fort Canning Hill, the Battlebox was part of the Malaya Command Headquarters during World War II. It was here that Lt-Gen Percival made the fateful decision to surrender Singapore to the Japanese on 15 February 1942. Journey back in time to 1942 and discover the true causes of the Fall of Singapore and learn how an underground command centre functioned during the war.
Reviewed By RNoonan - Calgary, Canada
February 15, 1942 was the fateful day that British Officers surrendered Singapore to the invading Japanese Armed forces. The Battle Box complex located in Fort Canning Park was part of the British Command Headquarters during World War II and provides a very real reenactment of the events that lead up to and during that fateful day. The guide we had was very knowledgeable and provided insight and commentary on the invasion of both Malaya and Singapore. Well worth taking in for both history buffs and those wishing to be better informed on the tragic events that occurred in Singapore during that period.
2. Former Combined Operations Room Exhibition
3. Sun Yat Sen Nanyang Memorial Hall
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 85 reviews
Reviewed By Kim025Singapore - Singapore, Singapore
I visited this Memorial Hall as part of a self-guided Balestier Heritage Trail. The Balestier precinct is named after Joseph Balestier, the first American Consul to Singapore, who owned a sugarcane plantation there. Hence along the street there are decorative signs showing the sugar cane motifs indicating the past history of this area. 1) I started my walk at 639 Balestier Road which is the site of the famous loong Fatt Tau Sar Piah(the oldest surviving kopitiam in Balestier). 601 to 639 is quite unique it is a single storey shophouses where double storey shophouses are more common. 2) Next stop is the Sun Yat Sun Nanyang Memorial Hall and the Maha Sasanaramsi Burmese Buddhist Temple which are next to each other. At Zhongshan Park , there are some inscriptions detailing the story of Sun Yat Sun on the floor. This Memorial is opened at 10 am. The Buddhist temple has the largest marble Buddha Statue outside Myanmar. 3) Boon Teck Road Water Kiosk no longer offer free tea and water due to the Covid-19 situation, 4) Kwan Yow Luen Shophouse at 412-418 Balestier Road was built in 1928. These richly ornamented shophouses feature detailed plaster stucco figures including two symbolic Sikh guards on their facades. The main pediment features two lions flanked by buffalo figurines. 5) Crossing over to the Balestier Market which was conserved as it is the only rural market left in Singapore. 6) Pre-war Terrace houses which are double storey residential shophouses along Martaban Road. The front doors of these houses are separated from the street by small forecourts, which provide residents with privacy from passers-by. No 13 once housed male nurses who worked at Tan Tock Seng Hospital but it is now a private home. It won the Architectural Heritage Award from URA for the quality of its restoration. 7) Sim Kwong Ho shophouses at 292-312 Balestier Road is more colourful and was built in 1926. It offers outstanding examples of Chinese baroque ( or Singapore eclectic) architecture with colourful tiles and elaborate plaster stucco work of animals such as bats and peacocks. There are elaborate wreaths and garlands placed above French style windows. 8) Balestier Point was completed in 1986 and was inspired by the work of Canadian architect Moshe Safdie. 9) Goh Chor Tua Pek Kong Temple was established in 1847 by Hokkien workers of Joseph Balestier's sugarcane estate. This temple is the oldest surviving landmark from that era. The adorable, free-standing wayang stage is the only one in mainland Singapore. 10) Art Deco Apartment block at 230 and 246 Balestier Road have corner facades with bold vertical fins to convey a sense of height and stature. A good place for refreshment would be the Whampoa makan Place with its wide choice of local and affordable food. There are also two old-school bakeries nearby which are opened 24 hours, They are Sing Hon Loong at 4 Whampoa Drive and Sweetlands at 10 Kim Keat Lane. I also bought some arabica coffee bean from Lam Yeo Powder factory at 328 Balestier Road.
4. Emerald Hill
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 319 reviews
Reviewed By luxetrip
Beautiful and colorful street! Reminded me so much of Notting HIll in London with its row of homes beautifully kept with lush trees and plants. Great to explore while taking a break from shopping in the nearby Orchard Road.
5. NUS Baba House
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 117 reviews
NUS Baba House is a heritage house which exhibits the Straits Chinese material culture in a domestic context, providing the unique experience of visiting a Straits Chinese family home dating back to the early 20th century. It facilitates research and learning about the history, culture and evolution of the Peranakan community, as well as architectural traditions, urban changes and conservation efforts in Singapore. The gallery on the third floor hosts temporary exhibitions encouraging discourses on cultural encounters, hybridity and their contemporary implications in Singapore and beyond. - English Heritage Tours Tuesday – Friday, 10am - Mandarin Heritage Tour : First Monday of each month, 10am Self-guided Visit: Saturday, 1.30pm / 2.15pm / 3.15pm / 4pm
Reviewed By katjak109 - Singapore, Singapore
I have been living in Singapore for a while now, but only recently managed to visit NUS Baba House. One of the reasons why I had put it off was that guided tours are only taking place during the week, when I am at work. However, I would highly recommend it also on a self-guided visit during the weekend like I ended up going to in the end. The house is beautifully restored bringing Peranakan heritage to life in its original setting. Even if the visit is self-guided, a short introduction will be given and several volunteer stewards are stationed around the house to answer questions. Actually the one piece of advice I would give is: do ask questions! We learnt so much about the house, the inhabitants and what life was like in a Peranakan household by talking to them. The volunteers were super knowledgeable and had so many interesting stories to share. A big thank you to them!
6. Peranakan Houses
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 17 reviews
Reviewed By JeffLeong - Singapore, Singapore
After our lunch at Hjh Maimunah Restaurant in Joo Chiat Road, we walked to Kim Choo Kueh Chang in Joo Chiat Place to buy Nyonya dumplings and desserts. From there, we headed back to Joo Chiat Road and continued our walk to the area around Koon Seng Road to see the picturesque Peranakan houses. A few of the offices and shops along Joo Chiat Road have been restored to their lovely Peranakan heritage. But it is the buildings in the vicinity of Koon Seng Road that showcase the Peranakan houses with their lively, lovely and colourful facades and accent wall tiles. The efforts to detail the architectural facades and windows are worth a visit. The palette of complementary colours and shades is Instagramable. A visit in the cool early morning or late afternoon will provide nice facade lighting. We went after lunch and it was hot. Fortunately, clouds helped scatter the harsh sunlight. There are a few other nearby lanes that we did not explore and will do so in another visit.
7. Heritage Marker SB31 - Squatters & Squalor
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3 reviews
Reviewed By KylieIsTravelling - Perth, Australia
I happened across this place when walking from my hotel near Clarke Quay on my way to Chinatown, and it was a surprising and interesting find. The history of this area is fascinating and eye opening, and well worth the visit here.
8. Katong Antique House
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 34 reviews
Reviewed By Bolomenino
The house is situated in Katong, a Straits Chinese enclave, right next to Holy Family Church. A great place to experience how Straits Chinese used to live. Many thanks to Eric who described every part of the house in detail so passionately. This 'museum' was started by Mr. Peter Wee, a well-respected doyen of Peranakan culture, who spared no effort in collecting Peranakan antiques handed down by his ancestors and other Straits Chinese. Do call to make an appoinment to visit.
9. Fort Siloso
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 694 reviews
This historic fort was part of Singapore's defenses for decades.
Reviewed By maryyeo - Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Fort Siloso was where we had to do compulsory history trips when we were younger. It wasn't much back then, but they had totally revamped the place and I'm genuinely impressed with the newly curated museum spread out throughout this coastal fort. Key highlights: - It's absolutely free for this amazing attraction! And not many people here because there's quite a bit of walking. The true history buffs will love this place. - Sky walk is a new way to enter Fort Siloso, kinda cool walking above the lush greenery facing the Habourfront bay and also over a part of Shangri La hotel. - The museums ain't just contained in one building, but rather in several buildings throughout the hilly fort. Every building is like a mini, air-conditioned museum. - Love the interactive features such as Scott the AR tour guide (Augmented Reality App) you can download on your phone, and have 3D maps and soldiers pop up and reenact a historical scene, right there on your phone's screen! - The bunkers are now fitted with motion-activated sound system. Once you enter the bunker opposite Fort Siloso Square, the siren immediately goes off and sounds of machine guns and urgent voices came onto the PA system. We found that pretty cool but our young kiddos were super scared. - The exhibits were all gold, but some of my favourites were the video interviews with real citizens who went through the war, the sketches drawn by the POW (Prisoners of War) depicting the scenes during the war, and the stories of the heroes of the war and their self-sacrificial efforts. The clear historical explanations on the boards at every significant point of the way helped lots too. Warning: LOTS of walking under the hot sun. The respites were when we entered each air-conditioned building/museum to cool down. There are several routes on this hilly coastal fort, some are harder than others. Good to have a good look at the 3D model at the beginning to decide which route is most suitable for you.
10. Haw Par Villa
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 871 reviews
Haw Par Villa - formerly known as the Tiger Balm Garden – is an 8.5-hectare Asian cultural park, the last of its kind in the world. Built in 1937, Singapore’s largest outdoor art gallery is the brainchild of Aw Boon Haw, millionaire philanthropist and marketing extraordinaire who gifted the world Tiger Balm. The eclectic park is a treasure trove of Asian culture, history, philosophy and religion – quirky yet enlightening at the same time. Since 2015, it is managed Journeys Pte Ltd, an award-winning heritage specialist passionate in preserving and bringing the heritage gem to greater heights.
Reviewed By Flower53_10 - Tbilisi, Georgia
This attraction has seen its days and is not a top place to visit in Singapore anymore. However , if you have time I would not miss it. This is a park full of colourful statues depicting Chinese mythology and folklore. The part which depicts “10 courts of hell “ is a bit unpleasant and some people might get scared. The other parts are interesting even though some statues are really weird. However if you want some colourful and exotic statues, this place is not to miss. But it gets pretty hot here, so water is essential.
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