With Singapore being so close to us and not requiring a tourist visa, it’s no wonder why it’s such a favorite for Filipinos to travel to for leisure any day of the week. But after going there a few times, one might start to wonder: what else is there to do?
Well, we had the privilege of exploring Singapore again recently and we were surprised to discover all the new and unique activities that are available for all to enjoy, whether you’re a tourist or a local. Here are just some of them that we recommend!
1. Visit Singapore Bird Paradise
@wheninmanila HOW MANY BIRD SPECIES CAN YOU SPOT IN THIS VIDEO? The newly-opened Bird Paradise which is home to over 3,500 birds at the Mandai Wildlife Reserve (where the Singapore Zoo and Night Safari are) is definitely a MUST-VISIT when in Singapore! 🦩 #MadeInSingapore #PassionMadePossible #birdparadise #mandaiwildlifereserve #wheninmanila #wheninsingapore #Singapore #singaporetourismboard #whattodosingapore #fyp #wheninmanila #newsph #trendingnewsph #tiktoknewsph #breakingnewsph #entertainmentnewsph #socialnewsph ♬ original sound – WhenInManila.com
Bird Paradise Park by the Mandai Wildlife Reserve, which is the largest bird park in Asia, opened just last May 2023 following the relocation of thousands of birds from Jurong Bird Park. Right now, you’ll be able to see over 3,500 birds from 400 different avian species in 8 different sections around the park, segmented by the different habitats—from the dense African rainforests and South American wetlands to the Southeast Asian paddy fields and Australian dry eucalyptus forests.
Everyone’s favorite to visit in Bird Paradise Park is Penguin Cove which is near the entrance. There, you can see cute penguins swimming or waddling under a domed sky.
It was so fun trying to spot different birds around the park and learning more about them and the importance of conservation to prevent their extinction. It’s great to know that Bird Paradise has plenty of sustainable programs aimed at the rescue and protection of these birds, especially those that are already rare species.
The presentations at the Sky Amphitheater are also a must-watch! They have two shows: Wings of the World and Predators on Wings which play twice daily and last for just 15-20 minutes.
If you get hungry during the day, there are plenty of food and beverage spots around the park as well as the Crismon restaurant which serves delicious, sustainable meals curated by local celebrity chef Eric Teo.
Bird Paradise is truly a must-visit when in Singapore! It’s located beside the Singapore Zoo and Night Safari. Tickets cost SGD48 for adults, SGD33 for children, and SGD20 for seniors.
2. Have breakfast at the Singapore Zoo
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Did you know you can have Breakfast at the Singapore Zoo? At Ah Meng restaurant, named after the well-loved orangutan that became the face of the zoo until she passed in 2008, you will not only get to eat local and international cuisines in a cozy and breezy area, but you will also have the amazing opportunity to meet some of the zoo animals!
It truly was a highlight to get up close and personal with unusual animals like the coatamundi and an iguana. (Watch the video above to see my pictures with them!)
The brunch ended immediately after meeting the animals and you can go and spend the rest of your day exploring the Singapore Zoo.
I highly recommend going here when in Singapore. You can get tickets for the breakfast experience at 45 SGD for adults and 35 SGD for kids. A separate admission ticket for the Singapore Zoo is needed beforehand.
3. Take the Vespa City Tour
@wheninmanila When in Singapore, take the Vespa tour which brings you around the city while riding a Vespa sidecar! Huge thank you to Singapore Tourism Board for the fun and memorable experience! #singapore #visitsingapore #madeinsingapore #passionmadepossible #vespatour #vespasg #vespa #singaporetourismboard #marinabaysands #whattodosingapore #kampongglam #fyp #wheninmanila #newsph #trendingnewsph #tiktoknewsph #breakingnewsph #entertainmentnewsph #socialnewsph ♬ original sound – WhenInManila.com
When in Singapore, one of the must-try activities is the Vespa tour – which takes you around the city while riding a Vespa sidecar!
We took a night tour around the Civic District and Kampong Glam area in Singapore, passing by many different iconic spots like the Marina Bay Sands, the National Gallery, the Singapore Flyer, and more. It took about an hour but you can also choose a 2-hour and 3-hour duration which offers more activities like Shophouse visits and kopi breaks.
I highly recommend booking the experience at nighttime so it’s not too hot. Shout out to my driver Yusri who was such a joy to talk to and who took amazing pictures and videos of me without me needing to ask!
With the Vespa City Tour, you’ll get to discover a unique charm to the colorful and lively city and bring home amazing memories that are #MadeInSingapore.
4. Make your own bag at GINLEE Studio
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I had the best time trying this unique and hands-on experience at a local retail shop in Singapore called GINLEE where I got to make my own pleated bag that suits my style.
It was an easy process and the staff who were there guided us every step of the way, from choosing the colors of our bags and the pattern we wanted, to ultimately assembling everything.
The bag body itself is made with 100% polyester material which is vital for ensuring that it conforms to the pleats and lasts for a long time.
The first step is to choose your pleated pattern and then, with your chosen colored bag, you’ll have to sandwich it between two pieces of cardboard which the staff made themselves, before scrunching up the whole thing like closing an accordion. We then let it steam for 20 minutes in their built-in steamer at the shop. This is how the bag gets its pleats!
Now, it’s just a matter of assembling the whole thing which I did myself too—from cutting the cord, to pressing the eyelets in, to attaching the plastic coverings to keep the strap in place and prevent fraying at the ends, which I did using a heat gun.
And that’s it; you now have your bag that you can proudly claim that you made yourself! I love it so much and I’m pleased that it can hold a lot of items inside and that it feels durable and high quality. Plus it’s easy to maintain—just hang it up when you’re not wearing it, use a claw clip to preserve the pleats, and only handwash it to clean—no ironing.
This GINLEE make cOts bag is a perfect memento to keep after a Singapore vacation and you can make your own by checking out the GINLEE shop at Raffles City Shopping Centre.
5. Go on a Distillery Tour
@wheninmanila Tag a friend who lives gin!!! #gin #tanglingin #singapore #wheninsingapore #madeinsingapore #passionmadepossible #fyp #wheninmanila #newsph #trendingnewsph #tiktoknewsph #breakingnewsph #socialnewsph #entertainmentnewsph #travelph #traveltiktok #whattodoinsingapore ♬ original sound – WhenInManila.com
Calling all gin lovers, this is one spot you’ll have to visit when in Singapore: the country’s first-ever distillery, Tanglin Gin, where you can experience a guided tour and have a taste of their award-winning creations.
Tanglin Gin, located in Dempsey Hill, is Singapore’s pioneer distillery which offers a cozy respite for all gin enthusiasts around the world.
Here, you can either drink expertly crafted cocktails at the Tanglin Gin Jungle bar or sign up for a guided tour inside their Creations Lab to learn all about the brand, how they make their award-winning gins, and their advocacy of utilizing ingredients that are locally sourced.
After the tour, you’ll be able to savor four different Tanglin Gin expressions and, to perfectly cap off the experience, a gin & tonic of your choice!
The best perk in participating in this distillery tour and tasting is getting to purchase their bottles at cellar door pricing which is about a 15% discount. A perfect souvenir to enjoy at home!
Tanglin Gin Distillery is definitely a paradise for gin lovers and an experience to be had in Singapore that’s out of the ordinary. Visit them at Dempsey Hill and indulge in the flavors of an award-winning gin that’s #MadeInSingapore!
6. Eat at a secret restaurant at Circular Road
@wheninmanila Can you keep a secret? 🤫😛 Check out the secret restaurant The Dragon Chamber when in Singapore! #thedragonchamber #singapore #wheninsingapore #madeinsingapore #passionmadepossible #fyp #wheninmanila #newsph #trendingnewsph #tiktoknewsph #breakingnewsph #socialnewsph #entertainmentnewsph #travelph #traveltiktok #whattodoinsingapore #wheretoeatsingapore #chope #wimyummy #foodietokph #foodieph #masarapba #singaporefood #singaporetiktok ♬ original sound – WhenInManila.com
There’s a secret restaurant hidden behind a beer fridge at a seemingly ordinary coffee shop along Circular Road in Boat Quay. This speakeasy, called The Dragon Chamber, can only be accessed through this magical door which actually leads to a secret entrance into the spacious and impressively designed restaurant!
The food and drinks are equally as spectacular so you can forgive yourself for splurging a little for this one-of-a-kind dining experience. Watch our video above to see what you can expect!
The Dragon Chamber can be found at 2 Circular Road.
7. Make your own single-origin chocolate bar
@wheninmanila Yes, you can make your own chocolate bar while also bringing home delicious, sustainable chocolate desserts from Mr. Bucket Chocolaterie in Dempsey Hill, Singapore! 🍫 #chocolate #wimyummy #masarapba #singapore #dempseyhill #mrbucketchocolaterie #mrbucket #wheninmanila #fyp #newsph #trendingnewsph #tiktoknewsph #breakingnewsph #socialnewsph #wheninsingapore #madeinsingapore #passionmadepossible ♬ original sound – WhenInManila.com
Indulge in a sweet experience at a local chocolate shop in Singapore, Mr. Bucket Chocolaterie at Dempsey Hill, where you won’t only get to learn about how chocolate is sustainably made, but also create one yourself!
It’s super easy to assemble. You just have to choose between dark chocolate and oat milk chocolate and pick up to 3 different toppings, then wait for the bar to set.
In the meantime, you can indulge in the many sweet treats and coffee that are available in the chocolate shop’s cafe area. I personally got to try a delicious bean-to-bar tasting set which was an introduction to a cacao’s journey from the farm to our plate.
When you’re done, it’ll be just the right time to pick up your DIY single-origin bar!
Mr. Bucket Chocolaterie is truly a must-visit to sink your teeth into all these beautifully handcrafted treats that are #MadeInSingapore.
8. Go bookstore-hopping
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One of my favorite things to do in another country is visit bookstores and Singapore has plenty of them around the city, each offering a different vibe and a unique set of titles. Just a few of the bookstores I got to visit were Second Story by Thryft, which is a thrift shop for clothes and books, Books Kinokuniya Main Store, which has almost all kinds of books in stock, Littered With Books, an independent bookstore housed in a conservation shophouse with a wide range of carefully curated books you won’t find in mainstream stores, and Book Bar, which puts a spotlight on local writers!
9. Dine at the world’s highest rooftop urban farm
@wheninmanila When In Singapore, you must dine at the world’s highest urban farm, with breathtaking panoramic views of #Singapore and delicious farm-to-table coastal Australian meals! #wheninsingapore #visitsingapore #madeinsingapore #passionmadepossible #singaporetourismboard #whattodosingapore #fyp #wheninmanila #newsph #trendingnewsph #tiktoknewsph #breakingnewsph #entertainmentnewsph #socialnewsph #1arden #1ardengarden #capitaspring #capitaspringskygarden #masarapba #wimyummy #foodietokph #foodieph #chope ♬ original sound – WhenInManila.com
When In Singapore, you must dine at the world’s highest rooftop urban farm, with breathtaking panoramic views of Singapore and delicious farm-to-table coastal Australian meals!
Located on the 51st floor of CapitaSpring, 1-Arden Food Forest is a stunning sky-high destination with its own urban farm and restaurant, Kaarla Wood-Fire Grill. Watch our video above to see what we ate at this luxurious spot.
(ALSO READ: Singapore’s Largest Indoor Festival Artbox Returns in January 2024—Here’s What Tourists Can Expect)
Which of these activities are you looking forward to trying soon? Share your stories with us in the comments!
#MadeInSingapore #PassionMadePossible
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