The traveler’s bible Lonely Planet recently voted Singapore, as the top must-visit destination for 2015. If this pronouncement has enticed you into planning a trip to this tropical paradise, you may want to read on to find out more.
Long-haul travel is always taxing and if you’re traveling to Singapore with young children it can pose even more of a challenge. However, you will be happy to know that Singapore is one of the most family-friendly destinations in Asia. It offers many entertaining and enjoyable activities for all ages. Listed below are some of Singapore’s best-known and highly recommended family-centric attractions.
Pay a visit to the Singapore Zoo
The Singapore zoo is the island state’s most popular attraction. The zoo houses a large variety of animals hailing from all over the globe. Pygmy hippos, giraffes, orangutans, lions, giant pandas, proboscis monkeys, sun bears and many others feature as exhibits at the Singapore Zoo. Aside from the animal exhibits, the zoo also has several themed areas and interactive play spaces. Zones such as the Fragile Forest, the Reptile Garden, the Australian Outback, the Rainforest Kidzworld and the River Safari are well worth a visit.
The Night Safari is an allied attraction of the Singapore Zoo. A nocturnal romp through the Singapore Zoo, leads visitors through seven geographical zones of the world aboard partially covered trams. Animals like Malayan tigers, tapirs, cheetahs and more roam unfettered in the recreated wilderness habitats. Visitors thus, have a fantastic opportunity to view these rare, exotic and even endangered creatures up close and personal as they traverse the darkness of the teeming rainforest.
Explore Sentosa Island
Renowned as a ‘luxe’ Adult playground, easily accessible Sentosa Island has much to offer for kids as well. The resort island offers a whole of host of attractions including the scope for adrenaline-pumping activities at attractions like Sentosa Skyride and Luge, Megazip Adventure Park and iFly Singapore (indoor skydiving).
Tamer experiences are on offer at Sentosa’s other attractions such as the world of virtual reality at Sentosa 4D Adventure land, Madame Tussad’s Singapore, and the awe-inspiring Underwater World.
If you are looking to kick back and relax during your time at Sentosa Island even that is possible at the island’s beaches like Palawan and Siloso, which offer a classic beachside experience.
Tour the Universal Studios Theme Park
Also located on Sentosa Island, is the fantastic Universal Studios theme park. The entertainment menu at Universal Studio features plentiful rides, shows and special events. Explore rides based on popular movies like Shrek, Transformers, Madagascar and Jurassic Park or get your thrills on the park’s roller coasters like Battlestar Galactica, Enchanted Airways and more. The park houses hotels, restaurants and hosts a variety of events and shows year round.
The Universal Studios theme park is a part of the Resorts World Complex on Sentosa. Other recommended attractions located within the resort include the Adventure Cove Water Park, the Trick Eye museum, the Marine Life Park, the S.E.A aquarium and Dolphin Island.
Frolic with birds at Jurong Bird Park
Jurong Bird Park is one of Singapore’s oldest attractions. Spanning an area of over 20.2 hectares the park hosts more than 8000 feathered creatures belonging to more than 600 species from around the world. The park’s many attractions include its enigmatic displays like the Waterfall Aviary, the South East Asian Birds Avery, the Pelican Cove, the Jungle Jewels Flight Aviary and the Hornbills and Toucans exhibit. The park also hosts various entertaining shows and offers fun interactive experiences like ‘Lunch with the Birds’ and ‘Dinner with Penguins’.
Marvel at the lush Singapore Botanic Gardens
Travelers to Singapore never fail to remark on the lush, tropical beauty of the island for it abounds with colorful blooms. The Singapore Botanic Gardens is Singapore’s main green lung and extends over 74 verdant hectares in the heart of the city. The gardens were established in 1859. The gardens enjoy the nomination as Singapore's first UNESCO World Heritage Site. Young visitors have a chance to be one with nature at the Botanic Gardens. They, also enjoy the garden’s various kid-friendly attractions like the Jacob Ballas Children’s garden. Along with the opportunity to feed fish resident at the garden's Botany Centre and visit the swans gliding gracefully on the garden’s Swan Lake.
Soar high on the Singapore Flyer
Standing tall at 165m, the Singapore Flyer is the world’s tallest observation wheel. A ride on one of the wheel’s 28 capsules affords breathtaking views of Singapore’s cityscape and many well-known landmarks like Empress Place, the Singapore River, Merlion Park, and Raffles Place. However, the views from this lofty observation deck are not limited only to Singapore for you can also espy the islands of Malaysia and Indonesia at some distance. The atrium located at the base of the flyer hosts dining and shopping outlets as well as rainforest trails and walks.
Run amok at East Coast Park
Singapore’s picturesque East Coast Park, as its name suggests, is a park that extends over 185 hectares and borders the waters of the Straits of Singapore. The park is a haven for outdoor recreation and offers opportunities for sports like volleyball, cycling, cable skiing and various other water sports. Restaurants, picnic tables and barbecue pits and even a hawker center are available onsite at the park.
Be entertained at the Amazonia Playground
Amazonia Playground is an indoor entertainment center that is an ideal choice for a rainy day. Open to members and non-members, Amazonia offers several fun-filled activity spaces. At the center it has a toddler play area, a jungle play gym, a space ball area and an indoor 9-hole putting course in a room adorned with glow in the dark artwork and props. The playground also has a café in case all this hectic play makes the young ones hungry.
Be cool at Snow City
Snow City Singapore recreates a winter wonderland in tropical always-sweltering Singapore. Snow city is not very big but offers attractions like a snow chamber where kids can go snow tubing or have snowball fights. The facility also has a climbing wall and a chamber dotted with ice-sculptures. Snow city is a fun attraction especially for kids residing in tropical countries excited by the prospect of playing with snow.
Enjoy soaking at Wild-Wild Wet Theme Park
Wild-Wild Wet theme park hosts several exciting rides like Ulur-Lah, the Professors Playground, Tsunami, Torpedo and more featuring winding water slides, water cannons, flume rides and more. A visit to the Wild-Wild Wet theme park provides a fun way to beat Singapore’s legendary year round scorching temperatures.
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