Singapore- Merlion night view
10 MORE FREE THINGS TO DO IN SINGAPORE (pt 2)
By now, anyone who knows me or has been reading LashWorldTour knows that I absolutely LOVE Singapore. I visit as often as I can, stay as long as possible, yet never get bored. On the contrary, I always find more exciting architecture, places to visit, and fun activities. And I always feel exceedingly happy from the moment I arrive til the moment I regretfully leave. (Find out why I vote for Singapore as the Best City in the World).
Despite my great love of this fabulous city-state, even I have to admit to one downfall, especially for budget travelers: Singapore is expensive! Therefore, I’m always pleased to find fun, interesting, educational, and useful things to that don’t cost anything.
Continuing from pt 1 of this series, here are 10 more great free activities in Singapore:
Singapore’s East Coast Park camping area
1. Camp on the beach
As I point out in my first post of this series, the city’s high costs particularly apply to accommodation. Whereas in most SE Asian countries you can easily find budget rooms for $6-$10 US, in Singapore a dorm bed costs $25-30 / $20- 25 US. Highway robbery! As the country’s prices steadily rise, the Sing. $ is simultaneously strengthening against most currencies, making a visit more expensive on two counts.
If you’re a budget traveler trying to minimize costs, Singapore can be quite challenging. The best way to minimize costs is to eliminate accommodation expenses. In pt 1 I recommended Couch Surfing as a way to secure free housing while also getting to know locals.
Another option for free accommodation is camping at the East Coast Park. The only step is to register beforehand. Then you’ll be treated to camping on a beautiful beach under gorgeous shady trees while gazing at the extensive harbor and the comings and goings of huge cargo ships. The park is located just on the edge of the CBD, which you can access the city center quickly and easily by bus, bicycle or on foot.
Thaipusam’s silver chariot illuminated at night
2. Join Cultural Festivals and Events
Singapore, with its multi-ethnic population of Chinese, Indian, Christians and Muslims, is bursting with amazing festivals and events. Every time I visit, there’s at least one major festival in full swing, if not more. That’s why my first stop in town is to the Singapore Information Center on Orchard Road. I highly recommend you stop by or check their website to find out what festivals and events are on during your visit so you don’t miss out.
3. Learn about Singapore’s intriguing colonial history
My favorite well-hidden museum is Raffles Hotel Museum, located on the second floor of their inner courtyard. Raffles’ website showcases the museum with an amazing presentation, but visiting the museum in person is even better.
Not surprisingly, Raffles Museum specifically focuses on the intriguing history of the Raffles Hotel: wild parties of the rich and famous, long-term stays by famous authors, the tiger in the bar incident, and other curious events. On display are photos and paraphernalia from the hotel’s glorious past. Learning about the Raffles simultaneously sheds a lot of light on the country’s history.
While you’re at there, stroll around their lovely inner courtyard, outer hallways, and superb gift shop. If you’re in a frivolous mood and have some spare cash, order up a Singapore Sling cocktail (NOT free!) at the very place where they were invented.
4. Cool off in a misty garden
The new Marina Bay Sands Hotel complex has built a lovely landscaped garden along the waterfront, complete with astounding views of soaring skyscrapers and a creatively designed curvy metal ‘sculpture’ that sprays out mist. The Mist Walk is a fantastic place to relax, marvel at the stunning skyline, and cool off.
Marina Bay Sands and harbor night view
5. Take a scenic city walk
Central Singapore is packed with gorgeous city views. Wherever you turn you’ll be treated to magnificent architecture, skylines, interesting people from around the world, and lots of greenery. Walking anywhere around the city is a visual treat. Two scenic walks I particularly recommend are the following:
1. Make a loop walk around Singapore Harbor
From the Merlion statue you can walk either clockwise or counterclockwise around the entire harbor now that Marina Bay Sands complex is completed. Walking clockwise, you’ll first cross a large bridge bursting with colorful pink bougainvillea bushes to the Esplanade Concert Hall. Continue along Esplanade shoreline then across the long Helix Bridge to Marina Bay Sands complex.
Take a break at the lovely landscaped gardens to enjoy views back across the harbor and get misted by the unique sprinkler system. Continue on past the new Financial District’s beautiful skyscrapers and along the harbor past One Fullerton Place to the Merlion.
Alternately, do the walk in reverse. Note that the views look completely different in daytime and night time. Try both!
2.Walk along the Singapore River in the evenings
The riverside comes alive in the evenings as people flock to the ‘quays’ to relax, eat, drink and socialize.
Starting from Fullerton Hotel, you’ll first walk through Boat Quay then under North Bridge Road Bridge and on to Riverside Point. You can continue along that side of the river, past a fabulous condo complex, park and riverside walkways.
Several bridges allow you to cross over whenever you feel like turning around. On the opposite side, if you’ve walked as far as the colorful bridge you’ll find Robertson Quay. Heading back on that side is the maze-like Clarke Quay, one of the city’s primary bar & clubbing areas. Continuing on you’ll eventually reach the Asian Civilizations Museum near the mouth of the river, across from Fullerton Hotel.
Singapore- Little India’s colorful shops before the crowds arrive
6. Experience India’s male-only gatherings
Every Sunday afternoon & evening Little India is completely swamped with Indian men who gather to socialize, wander the streets, eat and shop. Don’t worry- it’s nothing gang-like or sinister! There’s no machismo, fighting, or heavy drinking going on. On the contrary, it’s a rather light, lively, and happy gathering. The hundreds of men are simply following a traditional pastime.
If you’re a western woman you can go too. Although Indian women won’t attend, the community doesn’t expect tourists to comply with their customs. If you haven’t visited India or any Muslim countries before, chances are you haven’t been at an exclusively male public gathering. It’s a very different experience. Go check it out for yourself.
URA- Urban Redevelopment Authority- city model
7. Find out what’s in the plans for Singapore’s future
Singapore is constantly in flux, always expanding, adding new creative architecture and changing its skyline. I was recently told that the city skyline changes every 6 months. There’s a concrete reason for this continuous expansion: URA- the Urban Redevelopment Authority. They’ve had long-term land development plans for the entire nation in the works since way back in the 1950s!
If you’re at all interested in architecture, design, city planning, or history, get yourself to URA, at the southern edge of Chinatown on Maxwell Road. They showcase cool, room-size 3-D models of both the CBD and the entire country, as it is currently, and as it’s planned out for the future.
Their City Gallery presents 2 floors of extensive, sleek displays about all aspects of development. They also have a library full of design, planning, and architecture books. The main floor of URA has changing exhibitions such as the annual architecture, design, and urban planning awards.
Marina Bay Sands Hotel complex- under construction
Several years ago, URA is where I first learned about the upcoming Marina Bay Sands Hotel and the expanded harbor, well before construction actually began. In the following years, it was amazing for me to witness those URA 3-D models slowly come to life each time I visited.
URA is frigidly air-conditioned for some reason. Be sure to take warm clothes. Across the street is one of Singapore’s most famous food hawker markets: Maxwell Road Food Court. Nearby are many beautifully restored Chinese shop houses, now filled with boutiques, specialty hotels, restaurants, and small clubs.
If you’d like to explore Chinatown, check out my suggestions for great free things to do there.
8. Enjoy free daytime music events
Complimentary public lunch-time and Sunday afternoon concerts are often presented at the Esplanade and around the city. Esplanade’s free Sunday afternoon concerts inside the concert hall require pre-booking but other outdoor concerts don’t. Just show up and enjoy the music.
Check the Esplanade’s website for details.
9. Spend a day at a beach
Even though Singapore is a modern city packed with soaring skyscrapers, it also boasts several excellent beaches right within the city limits.
Before I visited their beaches I assumed they wouldn’t be much to rave about, especially since I’d spent so many years island hopping in Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia. So I was pleasantly astounded to discover that several beaches are really clean, beautiful and scenic. Sentosa Island and the East Coast Park both have fantastic beaches.
If you suffer from urban overload during your visit, escape the city vibes by relaxing on sand, suntanning, and taking a dip in the sea.
beautiful Muslim mosque in Little India
10. Make a temple tour
Scattered around the CBD you’ll find just about every kind of Asian place of worship as well as many churches. Take yourself on a temple walking tour around the area encompassing Little India, Kampong Glam, the Singapore River and China Town.
You’ll find gorgeously designed, colored, and decorated temples of all faiths: Indian Hindu Temples, Indian Muslim Mosques, Malay Muslim Mosques, Chinese Buddhist Temples, Churches of various Christian denominations, and more. Visitors are welcome to enter most temples, free of charge, to look around and admire their beautiful houses of worship.
That’s it for now. Hope these tips help you stretch your budget, stay longer in wonderful Singapore, and help you enjoy my favorite city in the world. Happy explorations, Lash
QUESTIONS:
Have you been to Singapore yet?
If so, what do you think of it?
What’s your favorite city in the world? Why?
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You might also like other destinations in this my ’10 Free Things to do in…’ series:
Part 3 for Singapore
Singapore’s Changi Airport
Singapore’s Chinatown
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100 Free Things to do in Asia – FREE eBook by Lash
If you found this post useful, you’ll love my FREE eBook:
100 Free Things to do in Asia. It details 10 awesome things to do in 10 different Asian cities and destinations. Download your copy by signing up to my complimentary monthly newsletter.
Check out my eBook here.
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Hi! I'm Lash, an American nomadic world traveler who's been traveling solo since 1998. I’m passionate about traveling the world nomadically and then sharing it all with you. I hope to inspire you to travel the world, to entertain you with tales from the road, and to help you reach your travel dreams. Welcome! 
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2012/10/29 at 11:19 am (UTC 8) Link to this comment
[…] LashWorldTourTravel Blog offering Cultural Insights, Travel Tips, and Tales of Adventure from 14+ years of world travelsHOMEABOUTAbout LashWorldTourAbout LashContactWhat’s in a name?LashWorldTour Travel MapLash’s Travel Fast FactsMissionsWorld Travels Overview: 1991-2011PressCOUNTRIESASIABALI- INDONESIABalinese CultureDiving in BaliBicycling in BaliAmedSanurBali MiscBANGLADESHBRUNEICAMBODIASHANGHAI- CHINAHONG KONGJAPANLAOSMALAYSIAKuala LumpurPenangLangkawiBorneoDiving in MalaysiaMYANMARNEPALPHILIPPINESSINGAPORESRI LANKATHAILANDVIETNAMEUROPEENGLANDSPAINS AMERICABRAZILUSAADVENTURESBicycle TravelCycling Bali SeriesHikingScuba DivingSky DivingSurvivor TV CrewTravel DisastersWWOOFTRAVEL TALESCULTUREPHOTO GALLERIESTRAVEL TIPS10 Free Things to do in… SeriesAccommodation TipsFlight TipsTravel Safety TipsMisc Travel TipsBeyond GuidebooksTRAVEL RESOURCESTRAVEL INTERVIEWSREVIEWSLINKSTRAVEL STOREFREE eBookTRAVEL BOOKS STORELWT CYCLING AND HIKING GUIDEBOOKS TO BALI2012 CALENDARS wp_flash_img_show will display here (config: default)« Where is Borneo?TRAVEL INTERVIEW with Tony Eitnier of Contemporary Nomad » 10 More Free Things to do in Singapore (pt 3) 2012/10/18 by Lash WorldTour Singapore10 More Free Things to do in Singapore (pt 3)Just when I think Singapore can’t get any better, I visit again and discover even more great places to go and things to do. Some are things I just hadn’t yet discovered. But most are new places, new events or new activities that have been created since my last visit.Singapore is constantly growing and developing, due to a well-organized long-term development plan for the entire country, which includes ever-expanding natural, leisure and public spaces; great architectural projects; and environmentally sustainable development.When I visited earlier this year, I enjoyed so many new adventures that I couldn’t help but write yet another post with 10 Free things to do in the best city in the world. Many of them take place around Singapore’s new Marina Bay Sands complex and neighboring parkland spaces. A few are located in other parts of Singapore.Starting at Marina Bay, here are some great new things to do for free in Singapore:Marina Bay City Gallery – Singapore Marina Bay City GalleryThis is a branch of Singapore’s URA (Urban Redevelopment Authority), the organization responsible for Singapore’s long-term planning and growth. While the main URA gallery in Chinatown showcases overall Singapore planning, the Marina Bay Gallery focuses solely on the new Marina Bay area.This gallery displays a huge 3-D map/model of Marina Bay that has descriptions of the Bay’s main points of interest and several fun interactive displays where visitors can learn the history of the bay region, how the bay is being developed, and fun things to do.The Gallery building itself was designed and built with several eco-friendly environmentally sustainable features including LED lights, solar panels and floor to ceiling walls of glass which greatly reduce the amount of electricity required.Marina Bay and Financial district – SingaporeMarina Bay 5 Walking ToursURA has laid out 5 different walking tours around Marina Bay, each focusing on a particular theme: architecture, running paths, public art, heritage buildings and the waterfront. Informative brochures for each theme give distances, expected walking/running times, and points of interest along the route. Distances are 4-6 km, tour times about one hour.Each tour showcases 12-20 points of interest. Each feature is illustrated in the brochure with a photo and a description. The self-guided tours are a fantastic way to observe things you might have otherwise missed and to learn about Singapore’s iconic buildings, history and newest additions to the city.Three running trails are suggested, ranging from 3.5 km to 9.5 km. Singaporeans are really taking advantage of their new public running spaces! You’ll see dozens of joggers around Marina Bay every evening.Marina Bay Sands Multimedia Laser Show – photo courtesy Marina Bay SandsMarina Bay Nighttime Water-Laser showEvery evening at 8 pm and 9:30 pm Marina Bay presents a phenomenal, state-of-the-art multimedia water front show that encompasses video, music, laser lights, blasting water and fireworks. According to their website, the original music score was created and recorded by a 140-piece orchestra. The complete presentation took 3 years and 100 specialists to pull together. With all that preparation, it’s not surprising to hear it’s the largest light / water show in SE Asia.If you’re anywhere around Marina Bay during show times, including across the bay at the Merlion, the Esplanade or One Fullerton Place, you can’t fail to notice something exiting happening over at Marina Bay Sands waterfront. Rather than wonder what’s happening and miss a very cool show, plan to be over there during show time one evening. Most people sit on the outdoor stone steps provided.Friday and Saturday nights there’s a third show at 11 pm. Be sure to catch the show at least once while you’re in town. Although I personally found the theme pretty cheesy, the technical wizardry is pretty spectacular.Super Trees – SingaporeSuper Trees and botanic gardensSingapore’s new high-tech Supertrees mimic functions of real trees, including producing energy (via solar panels), catching rain water, moderating temperatures and providing shade. The 18 steel-structured Supertrees, ranging in height from 25-50 M (80-160 ft), are covered in vines, flowers and ferns. They create a unique and impressive, lush forest on reclaimed land at the gorgeously landscaped Bay Gardens South.Eleven Supertrees are fitted with solar panels. Several others serve as air exhaust receptacles for the two nearby plant conservatories, dubbed Flower Dome and Cloud Forest. Still others have large rain water catchments. A sky walkway connects two of the Supertrees, offering spectacular views over the gardens and the city. One of the 50 M trees has a restaurant on top.Entrance to Bay Gardens South is free. Visitors are welcome to stroll around the extensive landscaped gardens and admire the Supertrees from ground level. On the other hand, the two conservatories and Supertrees skywalk have entrance fees. Marina Barrage (below) is also located within Bay Gardens South, further out along Singapore’s outer harbor.Marina Barrage – SingaporeMarina BarrageMarina Barrage is a unique eco-friendly building featuring a wide spiraling roof of grass that creates a giant open field on top of the building. It’s been designed with Singapore’s youth in mind as a place to fly kites, have picnics and generally hang out.There are phenomenal views of Singapore, the outer harbor and the immediately surrounding botanical gardens from the roof.new botanic gardens and conservatoriesBay East GardensBay East Gardens and Bay Gardens South are both part of the larger Gardens at the Bay Botanical Gardens, all recently opened in 2012.Bay East Gardens lie across the canal from Bay Gardens South and the Marina Bay Sands complex. The beautifully-landscaped East Gardens run along the canal for two km, offering paved pathways and open fields for walking, jogging, cycling and relaxing. There are also stunning views of Singapore and the outer harbor from the gardens.Gardens South and East are connected by a pedestrian bridge at Marina Barrage, out at the far end of Gardens South. The gardens are so large that it would be easy to spend a half day or full day strolling around, admiring landscaping and city views, picnic-ing, photographing or exercising.night view from Orchard Central Shopping Mall – SingaporeFree Rooftop City Views – Orchard Central Shopping MallQuite to my astonishment, a passing tourist turned me on to this amazing free spot to enjoy sweeping views over Singapore city. While I was standing on Orchard Road one afternoon examining the crazy escalators placed on the outside of Orchard Central Shopping Mall, a woman noticed me and stopped to fill me in on her own great discovery.She told me to go up to the roof and view the city for free. “Who needs to pay $20 to go up to Marina Bay Sands Hotel observatory when you can see the city here?” she exclaimed.As soon as I had a chance, I went up to see for myself. I thank that woman to this day for her great discovery: sweeping views of Singapore in all directions, all the way to the harbor, to Marina Bay, to Sentosa island, inland towards Malaysia and the immediate area of skyscrapers around Orchard Road.Stunning sunsets unfold there at dusk. Orchard Central’s outside-the-building escalator ride up to the roof is cool, too.Elevated Walkways on Southern RidgesHike the Southern RidgesI discovered the extensive southern ridge hiking trails this year from URA’s informative pamphlet, ‘Rediscover Singapore’.URA is bent on a serious mission to incorporate more natural spaces and outdoor activities into Singaporean life. Several projects are slowly connecting various parts of the country via walking, hiking and cycling trails. The Southern Ridges region is one of those projects.They’ve already connected Mt Faber as far as Labrador Nature Reserve. And they’ve done it with quite a flare! There’s an extensive section of elevated walkways through a forest, an award-winning bridge over a major highway, a huge horticultural park and gardening center, a jungle canopy walk and another beautifully-designed over-highway bridge connecting these once separate areas. When the project is complete, the walkways will continue all the way to Harbor Front area at the coast near Sentosa Island.As of mid 2012 you can easily hike 2-3 hours in each direction, which will give just about anyone but die-hard mountain climbers a good work out entirely surrounded by nature in the middle of the city.view of Singapore from Southern Ridges hiking trailsI started my hike on top of Mt Faber along the Faber Hill Loop. That connects to Henderson Waves, the uniquely designed wood-lined pedestrian bridge arcing 36 M above a major freeway. From there I enjoyed a lovely jungly hilltop walk on Telok Blangah Hill Park. That gives way to my favorite park of the hike, dubbed the Forest Walk, which is an extensive system of elevated steel scaffolding-like walkways and stairs set at the level of the tree tops.Next came Alexandra Arch, a graceful curvy steel bridge, which leads to a long walk through extensive landscaped gardens at the horticultural center. Finally I reached the Canopy Walk through more lush forest.I could have continued further, but I’d had enough for the day. I walked 5.5 km in each direction, 11 km total (6+ miles), which took about one and a half hours in each direction.Get detailed info for each section of the hike and free download maps/descriptions at Singapore National Parks website.bizarre Har Paw Village statue Haw Par VillageAs I mentioned in my post Five Unique Things to do in Singapore, Haw Par Village is a park you’ll find nowhere else on the planet! It’s a unique attraction that I visited on my very first trip to the country back in 1992.The entire park is so unbelievably kitsch, ridiculous, and over-the-top, that I spent an entire morning with my jaw agape and eyes bulging, while I gasped, “ohhh!” and “Look at that!” and Holy SH**” to my companion.Har Paw Garden was built by the same Chinese Singaporean brothers who invented the wonderful, multi-purpose Tiger Balm ointment. I personally swear by Tiger Balm, which I regularly use for sore muscles, insect and marine stings, headaches, and all manor of minor skin irritations. I carry it with me on all my travels.On the other hand, I certainly would not want to immerse myself in their Haw Par Villa on a regular basis! But it’s definitely worth one visit while you’re in Singapore, especially considering the entry is free! Go on out there- you’ll be amazed.QUESTIONS:Which of these activities would you most like to do in Singapore? Do you know any other great free things to do in Singapore? Share here! ————————————————————————————————————————————-For more great free things to do in Singapore, check out my 2 previous posts:10 Free Things to do in Singapore10 More Free Things to do in Singapore, pt 2————————————————————————————————————————————- var dd_offset_from_content = 40; var dd_top_offset_from_content = 0; /* /* Leave a Reply Cancel replyYour email address will not be published.Name:Email:Website:Message:You may use these HTML tags and attributes: <a href="" title=""> <abbr title=""> <acronym title=""> <b> <blockquote cite=""> <cite> <code> <del datetime=""> <em> <i> <q cite=""> <strike> <strong> […]
10 FREE THINGS TO DO IN SINGAPORE - LashWorldTour » LashWorldTour
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