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The last few times I visited Singapore, I was bored out of my mind.
I’ve spent school holidays visiting family here, so it was no surprise I ran out of fun/touristy things to do!
I’ve just left Singapore after spending a month living here, and came to realize there was so much to do in Singapore beyond the regular tourist activities! There is so much more to Singapore beyond Marina Bay Sands, Gardens by the Bay and Chinatown.
For my friends who are visiting Singapore for a short stopover, make sure you check out this guide to spending 24hrs in Singapore.
Now, to share my favorite “less touristy” activities, I’ve created a guide to exploring Singapore off the beaten path:
1. Visit the Peranakan Museum
“Peranakan” means “child of” or “born of” in Malay, and is used for those of mixed ethnic origins. Most Peranakan are of Chinese and Malay origins, but there are also Peranakan communities of other ethnicities, including Indian and European heritage.
The Peranakan museum celebrates the unique culture of the Peranakan communities and is worth a visit especially if you aren’t familiar with this part of Singaporean culture. Here you’ll find personal artifacts and cultural display. My favorite (and also the most eye-catching in the museum!) is the selection of wedding jewelry, wear, and rituals.
Address: 39 Armenian St, Singapore 179941
Opening hours: Sat – Thurs 10 am – 7 pm, Fri 10 am – 9 pm
Cost: $10 SGD entry for adults
A tea set at the Peranakan Museum
2. Learn about Singapore’s Chinese Migrant history at the Chinatown Heritage Centre
For most tourists, Chinatown is an obligatory stop where you take photos with some of the lanterns and eat a meal at one of the many restaurants. I’m here to tell you – if you do just this, Chinatown is almost underwhelming. BUT if you include a visit to the Chinese Migrant history, you may come to appreciate Singapore’s hardworking and humble beginnings.
The Chinatown Heritage Centre isn’t a regular run-of-the-mill museum. Grab an audio guide and explore life-size replicas of a shophouse, filled with families living in tiny spaces. This was one of my favorite experiences in Singapore. As someone of migrant parents, I find that the migrant experience isn’t celebrated in the form of museums often enough.
Address: 48 Pagoda St, Singapore 059207
Opening hours: 9 am – 8 pm daily
Cost: $15 SGD for adults / $11 SGD for children
3. Cafe hop at Tiong Bahru, check out boutique shops or take in the art deco-inspired architecture
Tiong Bahru feels like hipster heaven. Filled with cute cafes (including some of the best European style coffee in Singapore!) and independently owned boutiques, this suburb is a great place to spend a lazy Saturday morning. The area also has beautifully styled Art Deco buildings (if you love architecture this is a great place to visit!)
Some of the beautiful art deco style architecture in Tiong Bahru
4. Go shopping at the MAAD (Market of Artists and Designers)
MAAD is a market filled with goods from creative entrepreneurs. It’s held on Fridays once a month at the Red Dot Design Museum and is a must-visit if you want a unique souvenir to bring home with you. Make sure you check out their website first, as dates can vary depending on the time of year!
Address: Red Dot Design Museum, 11 Marina Boulevard Singapore 018940
Opening hours: Check their website here, as times and dates vary
5. Walk amongst the trees at the MacRitchie Treetop Walk
Singaporeans love to experience the outdoors (must be all that city living!) I’m always hearing from my Singaporean cousins about how much they love hiking and camping.
It’s no surprise how popular this treetop walk is. Located at MacRitchie Reservoir, this treetop walk is over 250 m long. If you’re afraid of heights, I’d give this a miss (the suspension bridge is 25 m/ 82 feet above the forest floor).
If you’re not afraid of heights, however, this is a great way to escape the hustle of city living.
Address: the walk starts at the Venus Drive Carpark
Opening hours: Tues – Sun 9 am – 5pm, CLOSED Mon
Cost: free entry!
View from the treetop walk
6. Learn more about Peranakan history at the Baba House
Near Chinatown, the Baba House is a completely restored (thanks to the National University of Singapore) Peranakan House from the 1920s.
You can do a guided heritage tour here, or a self guided visit. If you’d like to visit (regardless of whether on a tour or via the self guided tour) you will need to book in advance. Check their website for updated tour times! Bookings open from the 15th of every month, 2 months ahead.
Address: 157 Neil Rd, Singapore 088883
Opening hours: Heritage tours are held Tues – Fri 10 am, self guided visits are available on Saturdays 1:30 pm, 2:15 pm, 3:15 pm and 4 pm
Cost: $10 SGD per person
7. Visit a local Hawker center (my favorite is the Old Airport Road Hawker Centre!)
Nothing gives you better insight into true Singaporean life than a visit to a local hawker center. Hawker centers are the heart of local Singaporean food. Filled with small family owned food stores, these are great places to enjoy a cheap local meal.
Most tourists visit Maxwell Food Center as it’s home to Tian Tian Chicken Rice (one of the best places in Singapore to have chicken rice!) This hawker center is catered towards tourists, and you see very few Singaporeans eat here.
If you want a true hawker center experience, I’d recommend you visit a local non-touristy one. The experience is different, and you feel more like you’re in the hustle and bustle of things! My favorite is the Old Airport Road Hawker center, which is arguably (according to my relatives) one of the best hawker centers in Singapore.
Address: Old Airport Road Hawker Centre, 51 Old Airport Rd, Singapore 390051
Opening hours: daily 6 am – 11 pm
8. Visit the colorful Peranakan houses
Located on Koon Seng Rd (the section between Joo Chiat Rd and Tembeling Rd), this was one of my favorite experiences when here. As a self-proclaimed lover of colorful walls and buildings, I can’t help but fall in love with these houses.
The Peranakan houses are beautifully maintained and restored houses from Peranakan families. That is, families of mixed origins (mainly Malay and Chinese) in Singapore. The road can get pretty busy, so watch out for cars when photographing. When you’re done, you should stroll down to East Coast Road for some delicious food (more on that below!)
Colorful Peranakan houses on Koon Seng Rd
9. Explore East Coast Road – filled with delicious food and colorful shop fronts
We spent our last weekend in Singapore here on East Coast Road. The recommendation came from one of our Singaporean friends, and we loved it! The area is filled with lots of delicious food and the shop fronts along this road are colorful and fun to look at.
Kaya toast and tea with an iced milo – the perfect Singaporean breakfast!
Some food recommendations:
Chin Mee Chin (204 E Coast Rd, Singapore 428903)
If you haven’t had kaya toast + eggs in Singapore, this is the place to do it! The shop front is very “homely” and has a traditional feel. Grab a seat and order your breakfast (or snack!) from one of the aunties who work here.
Brownice Italian Vegan Ice Cream & Kitchen (53 E Coast Rd, Singapore 428771)
For my vegan friends, you need to hit this shop up! They serve Italian vegan meals, but the best part is that they have vegan ICE CREAM (!!) yes my vegan and lactose intolerant friends. Their ice cream is made from brown rice so you can feel healthy at the same time.
So there you have it, my local recommendations for off-the-beaten-path activities in Singapore!
After spending a month in Singapore and getting bucket loads of suggestions from my Singaporean friends and cousins, there is so much to do here beyond Gardens by the Bay and Marina Bay Sands.
I’d love to hear from you- have you ever been to Singapore?
Would you ever plan a trip?
Why or why not?
Leave me a comment below!
These looks like really cool spots to check out! I love those colorful houses of the Peranakan houses so much, and the Treetop walk looks so cool! That toast looks delicious as well. Definitely saving this for when I finally get over there!
Thank you, Caroline! The Peranakan houses were my favorite too. Hope you get to visit Singapore soon!
Love reading off the beaten recommendations in any city and this list is awesome! I would love to explore a different side of Singapore when I go there than what you’d normally see on social media.
I’m so glad to hear this Richa! It’s definitely a wonderful city to explore and has so much beyond the typical touristy sites!
I am always searching for those non-touristy, off-the-beaten path activities when traveling. Thanks for these new ideas for Singapore! The food you shared looks and sounds so good!
I’m glad you found this useful, Louise! The food was so delicious, I can’t wait to go back again 🙂
Thanks for the suggestions! We’re going to Singapore at the end of the month, and will definitely try some of these!
I hope you have a wonderful time, Jen! Feel free to reach out if you have any questions!
I’ve always wanted to go to Singapore! Thanks so much for sharing this.
I hope you get to visit Singapore soon, Amanda! It’s a great city to visit!
Thank you for this awesome post and for recommending the Old Airport Road Hawker Centre! I’ve read one guide book and what’s weird- the author only mentioned the Maxwell Hawker Centre and Lau Pa Sat Food Court! I would definitely like to try the food in less ‘touristy’ place so thanks for the tip!
The Treetop also seems to be a great activity, I have a fear of heights but I like to challenge myself 🙂 Is it easy to get to the starting point? Are the trails in the forest easy to follow? I would not want to get lost there!
Thanks,
Zooey
Hi Zooey,
So glad to hear you’re planning a trip to Singapore!
One thing to remember about Singapore is that food is taken *really* seriously – every Singaporean has an opinion on where to get the best Chicken rice or where the best hawker food is. Most guide books recommend the 2 hawker centres you listed as they are more “touristy” and well-known. If you want to try a Hawker centre with less tourists and more locals, then I’d recommend Old Airport Road, but honestly the food is still good at the Maxwell Food Centre and the Lau Pa Sat Food Court!
As for the Treetop Walk, it’s accessible via public transport (or you can take a taxi!) as for getting lost, I think you should be ok – there are signs, and if you’re unsure, follow the crowds (the walk gets especially busy on weekends). This is also a really helpful resource with a trail map if you’re worried: https://www.nparks.gov.sg/~/media/nparks-real-content/gardens-parks-and-nature/diy-walk/diy-walk-pdf-files/treetop_walk_eguide_lres.ashx
Hope you have a fun time in Singapore!!
i was planning for a office trip there, and luckily found this amazing guide…
thanks a lot as this guide will help me for the travel trip… briefly explained travel guide…!!