Gardens at the Bay super trees rising against the skyline. These large trees are made of metal and have plants growing up and around them. There are smaller trees underneath the super trees and there is a bridge in the air connecting the super trees to one another.

Four days in Singapore

Maybe you didn’t know that the term “bucket list” was actually not a part of any vernacular until that movie with Morgan Freeman came out. Bet you didn’t know that. Well thanks to Mr. Freeman, that term now makes frequent appearances in New Year’s resolutions, five-year plans and post-breakup agendas. Things currently appearing on The Whalebone bucket list would be crossing the big blue to be able to explore the country of Singapore. Why Singapore you might ask? Well, the architecture and food scene should be enough to sway anyone, but the culture and feeling of the place particularly lulls us in. So with that in mind Whalebone is putting together a dream itinerary for four days in Singapore. Follow along with us. Maybe add it to your own bucket list.

First up, how we’re getting around:

Public transportation in Singapore happens to be pretty well organized. But here are a few helpful maps and guides for you to be able to sort yourself out in your new surroundings and plan out your days.

You’ll notice a few links below, a helpful look at just what exactly the SingapoRewards program is:

As abundant as the choices are, a trip to Singapore is about to get sweeter. Starting March 7, 2023, Visit Singapore is rolling out the red carpet for all travelers looking to visit through its SingapoRewards Program, to encourage the discovery of hidden gems of Singapore.

If you are visiting Singapore, you’re eligible to enjoy a free SingapoRewards experience. Choose one out of over 30 unique free experiences or get inspired by the ones highlighted in the itinerary below. Learn more here.

Marina Bay Sands Resort hotel. There is a long bridge over a lake of water that has spirals with red lights running around it. The ArtScience museum is a large spherical structure on the edge of the small island with the Marina Bay Sands mall is behind the museum and the extravagant, gigantic Marina Bay Sands hotel is in the background towering over the city. The hotel is three large towers next to one another with a flat platform stretching across the top of all three buildings.
Marina Bay Sands courtesy of Timo Volz via Unsplash

Day 1 | Crazy Rich Adventure

Rise and Shine:

Over the past decade, the Marina Bay Sands integrated resort has become one of the more iconic symbols in Singapore. Nestled directly on the bay this will likely not be the budget option you’re looking for but they don’t call it a “bucket list” for nothing. This big beauty runs the gambit of activities from gaming to art galleries. And a museum. Yes, a museum. We might recommend starting your day off with a little sunrise yoga session on the rooftop, taking in everything you’re about to explore. And of course, if you’re staying on the property, you’ll want to take a dip in the infinity pool.

Most Important Meal of the Day:

Fuel up for the day at the new Market Street Hawker Center located in the famous CapitaSpring building. Try a traditional Singaporean breakfast of kopi and kaya toast at Sunrise Traditional Coffee & Toast (Stall #02-15) or try many other breakfast favorites like wonton mee noodles and nasi lemak. To help digest it might be nice to take a walk around the local green spaces and parks in the building. To do that you’ll go to the Green Oasis at levels 17-20 to take in the vertical garden or you can head to the rooftop for the Sky Garden. 

CapitaSpring Building. There is a winding path with a bench around the edges. Plants fill in the areas on either side of the pathway.
CapitaSpring Building courtesy of Dylan Chong via Unsplash

Before the Rush:

The Gardens by the Bay is a must-see. But it’s best to get there before everyone else must see it as well. Explore the Flower Dome and Cloud Forest to take in the views and learn about their efforts toward sustainability.

Lunch:

Back to the food, the National Gallery Singapore is home to National Kitchen by Violet Oon —a restaurant by famous Singaporean chef Violet Oon, serving up traditional Peranakan dishes in an opulent setting. Peranakan cuisine combines Chinese, Malay Indian and Eurasian influences.

Outside street view photo of the National Gallery Singapore. The building has columns lining the front of it and has a green dome on top of it. There are other smaller buildings surrounding the National Gallery.
National Gallery Singapore Courtesy of Singapore Tourism Board

Afternoon:

We’re keeping the steps up by walking off lunch with a tour of the National Gallery Singapore, to learn about the rich culture and art scene of South East Asia.

Happy Hour:

A big day usually calls for a drink to recap and talk about what you loved. Naturally, you’re going to need to try the national cocktail—home of the Singapore Sling, world-renowned Raffles Hotel Long Bar has been shaking up cocktails since 1915. If coffee or tea is more your scene, you can’t miss with the afternoon tea at the Raffles Grand Lobby. 

Dinner:

Singapore has no shortage of phenomenal dining options. Try and grab a reservation at the 3 Michelin-starred Odette restaurant or Australian/Sri Lankan-inspired Cloudstreet.

Katong-Joo neighborhood with pastel-colored shophouses. There is a gate in front of each building that matches the color of the respected house. There are people out front taking pictures in front of the buildings and others walking on the sidewalk.
Katong-Joo Chiat courtesy of Winel Sutanto via Unsplash

Day 2 | Peranakan Paradise

First Thing:

A stroll through candy-colored shophouses. Explore the neighborhood of Katong-Joo Chiat and discover the Peranakan culture and relish in the charming qualities of this neighborhood. For a little more context check out the Pearl of the Peranakan Orient Walking Tour.

Lunch:

Laksa is a must-try—rich and creamy noodle soup with prawns. Local favorite 328 Katong Laksa is serving big bowls and no regrets. For something sweet after, cool off from the heat with an icy sweet house-made treat from Birds of Paradise Gelato Boutique.

Bowl of Laksa noodle soup with prawns. The dish is filled with noodles, strips of meat, prawns, bean sprouts, tofu, and cilantro.
Laksa photo courtesy of Amanda Lim via Unsplash

Golden Afternoon:

A quick taxi over to the Singapore Botanic Gardens, a UNESCO World Heritage site, to see the world’s largest collection of orchids and Singapore’s national flower, Vanda Miss Joaquim, at the National Orchid Garden.

A pathway through a tree filled garden. There are arches over the pathway that are covered in leaves and small bushes line the path. The whole garden is green and full of various trees and plants.
Botanical Gardens courtesy of Simon Wiedensohler via Unsplash

Make the Reservation:

Don’t miss out on an upscale take on traditional Peranakan food at Candlenut—the only Michelin-starred Peranakan restaurant in the world. Try the Buah Keluak nut, a Peranakan delicacy—which, fun fact, in its raw state contains deathly cyanide but when prepared and cooked properly it produces a rich and nutty flavor and is known as “black gold.” Dinner on the edge.

Red and white Chinese lanterns hanging on a line reaching across the photo. The wall behind the lanterns is a light blue color with yellow flowers painted on it.
Chinese Lanterns courtesy of Annie Spratt via Unsplash

Day 3 | Culture and Cocktails

Breakfast:

Start your day off in lively Chinatown. Pick up some street food as you walk around—have an egg tart and other pastries from the famous Tong Heng Bakery or check out the Chinatown Complex Food Centre, one of the largest hawker centers in Singapore. And if you’re a real foodie maybe give “stinky” durian fruit a try, if you dare. 

The Morning Stroll:

Chinatown exploration continues with a visit to the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple and the Sri Mariamman Temple, the oldest Hindu temple in Singapore. Afterward participate in a tea ceremony at Tea Chapter, one of Asia’s oldest traditions.

Inside of the Buddah Tooth Relic Temple. The inside of the building is covered in gold ornate decorations and red-colored walls. A visitor is blocking the view of the large Buddah statue in the middle with other statues on either side and a gold painting behind them. There are red covered tables in the room and a shrine in the middle.
Courtesy of Singapore Tourism

Lunch:

Singapore is all about sustainability and using local ingredients in its food. If you feel up for it, this farm-to-table workshop shows you how Singapore farms use hydroponics to grow fresh produce in an extremely warm climate. You even get to harvest your veggies and learn to cook some delicious Singaporean dishes.

Spend the Afternoon:

Head to the historic neighborhood of Kampong Gelam, Singapore’s predominantly Muslim neighborhood with lively street art and galleries. Home to the narrowest street in Singapore, Haji Lane, where you will find hip boutiques and cozy cafes. Sign up for this tour to learn about the rich history from a local.

Outdoor shop front in the Kampong Gelam neighborhood. The shop has small lanterns hanging all over the ceiling, intricately painted dishes, and stacks of items in boxes.
Kampong Gelam courtesy of Cecilia Chew via Unsplash

Evening:

You’ll start to notice more than a few malls—so might as well shop. Take the MRT over to Orchard Road to experience Singapore’s main shopping district where you can find high-end designers as well as local favorites. Be sure to pop into Design Orchard and check out local designers, artists and brands, including GINLEE where you can design and make your own signature bag.

Dinner:

The Newton Food Center is where you can experience dinner like a local (featured in Crazy Rich Asians, fun fact). Try the chicken satay, oyster omelet, and prawn noodles.

After Dinner Drinks:

Cocktails and nightlife are a main pillar to Singapore’s modern culture. Recommend stopping off first at Atlas, ranked #23 in Asia for Best Bars, this art deco-inspired bar features a literal gin tower at the center that the bartenders actually climb—casual.  Next, you’ll want to go to Jigger & Pony, the #2 Best Bar in Asia and #12 Best Bar in the World. You’ll be pulled in by the innovative cocktails and its cozy atmosphere. Finish the night at Nutmeg & Clove, where award-winning bartender Colin Chia serves up cocktails inspired by Singapore’s culture—at this point you might want a late-night snack, you can grab that here too.

Day 4 | Nature is Calling

Fuel to Explore:

Grab a healthy breakfast at The Glasshouse café in the CHIJMES neighborhood. This get-your-camera-ready café features artisanal toasts, pastries, a rotating and seasonal coffee menu.

Photo taken from the sky of jade green cable cars traveling back and forth on cables. Underneath the cable cars, a sandy beach lined with palm trees, small offshore islands and light blue water backs up to a forest of dark green tropical trees. White hotel-like buildings are just visible in the distance.
Sentosa Island cable cars courtesy of Singapore Tourism

Exploring the Morning:

Being outdoors and active is essential to Singaporeans. To get into step mosey over to the Southern Ridges for a morning nature walk among the trees. Cross the iconic Henderson Waves, Singapore’s highest pedestrian bridge. End at Mount Faber Park where you can catch a cable car to bring you to Sentosa Island.

Lunch:

Take a ride over to Sentosa Island for an afternoon to relax. Have lunch at the Tanjong Beach Club where you can reserve a beach cabana and be served lunch beachside. On the weekend you’ll find this place fully alive with live music and DJs. After lunch you might want to explore the neighboring Palawan or Siloso Beaches.

A small island in the middle of crystal blue waters. The island is in a backwards J shape with rocks on the shoreline and is covered with palm trees. The island back up to the sandy beach of the mainland and is connected via a thin bridge.
Sentosa Island courtesy of Singapore Tourism

Afternoon:

Once you’re back in the city after, immerse yourself in a bird lover’s dream at Bird Paradise, opening this spring. This massive aviary is home to 3500 birds and 400 species, with eight different bird habitats. 

Dinner:

For your last night, go all out in the culture at the local Hokkien zi char experience at Keng Eng Kee Seafood. Order the famous spicy chili crab with a mantou bun to soak up all that delicious sauce. Our last must-have is their signature Moonlight Hor Fun Noodles.

Departure

Bet you didn’t think you could see anything else, but turns out the airport is also a scene. Make sure to get to the airport early so you can explore the Jewel and all that Changi Airport has to offer including the world’s tallest indoor waterfall.

Changi Airport indoor waterfall. The middle of the large room has a glass ceiling with a hole in the middle that has water falling through it into a pool below. The sides of the building are all covered in trees and plants making the inside look like a large garden. There is an airport tram speeding across a rail line in the air. People are walking around the ground level with their suitcases and luggage.
Changi Airport Waterfall courtesy of Darren Nunis via Unsplash

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