7 Best Destinations in Singapore for a Family Holiday
Summer holidays are here and it is time to plan for that memorable family holiday. But, here comes the usual conundrum… Where should I go? Will my kids have a good time? Will it be too expensive? From the top of my head, I can think of 3 destinations that are not too expensive, are located not too far away from India and they offer a plethora of options for kids of all ages. In fact, they are fabulous family holiday destinations too. These places are Singapore, Abu Dhabi and Hong Kong. Out of these 3, Singapore happens to the eternal favorite for Indian family travelers. It could be due to the proximity. It could be because of its world class facilities and status. It could be because of its small size and hence easy commutes. Or it could be because of the sheer number of things that one can experience in this city country. Whatever the reason may be, Singapore is an amazing family holiday destination.
If you agree and are planning a holiday to Singapore, then do make sure that you manage to add these 7 best destinations in your Singapore family holiday itinerary.
1) Universal Studios Singapore
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A one-of-its kind theme park in Asia, Universal Studios Singapore is definitely a top attraction for a Singapore family holiday. Located on the happening Sentosa Island, Universal Studios Singapore is home to 24 rides, shows and attractions across seven different themes. It doesn’t matter whether you are thrill seekers, selfie lovers, super hero lovers or cartoon lovers, you are bound to love your time here. If you are a true thrill seeker, you will absolutely adore the world’s tallest duelling roller coasters Battlestar Galactica: HUMAN vs CYLON.
There are a whole bunch of options when it comes to tickets, so you can either choose based on the type of ride, show or theme that you are interested in or you could opt for an all-in ticket. For the best deal on Universal Studio Singapore tickets, do ensure that you book well in advance.
2) Gardens by the Bay
_(2).jpg "Tower Gardens of Gardens by the Bay, Singapore")
This nature park with its vertical tower gardens are a sight to behold and are one of the most photogenic places of Singapore. Such is its charm that it is listed as the top attraction in Singapore on Tripadvisor and it features in the world’s top 20 most checked-in places on Facebook. It’s top attractions include the Supertree Grove and OCBC Skyway, Cloud Forest, Flower Dome, Children’s garden. The Gardens by the Bay is also one of the best places to see a bird’s eye view of Singapore.
3) Sentosa Island
Sentosa Island is that place in Singapore where theme parks, beaches, nature, dining, shopping, golf, hotels and spas all come together, thus making it the top destination in all Singapore tours. It is home to everything from waterparks to butterfly kingdoms, skywalks and cable cars to Segway adventure, Madame Tussads to S.E.A Aquarium and from Universal Studios Singapore to Wave House. My favorite things to do here are chill at Palawan beach, go on a sunset themed cruise on Super Yacht Royal Albatross, Asia’s only luxury tall ship, get a bird’s eye view of Singapore from inside Singapore cable car, enter the marine realm at S.E.A Aquarium, indulge in some jet packing at Ola beach club and lose myself amidst the myriad of colors at the butterfly park and insect kingdom.
4) Singapore Zoo and Jurong Bird Park
Considered as one of the top 3 zoos in the world, Singapore Zoo is the best place to see animals in a heavily forested habitat. The popular animals here are orangutans, baboons, mandrins, elephants, white tigers and giraffe. It is a great place to see animals in its natural habitat, learn about them, feed them and even touch some of them. Apart from the zoo buggy ride, one can also indulge in a night safari and river safari.
If you are interested in birds, then you should head to Jurong Bird Park, which is also managed by Wildlife Reserves Singapore, which manages Singapore Zoo. Penguins, raptors, hornbills, lories, lorikeets, parakeets and many other vibrant and colorful bird species can be seen here. You can feed them, hold them, talk to them and even take selfies with them.
5) Chinatown
Chinatown is a tapestry of cultural diversity, food stalls and shopping. This colorful region of Singapore is where I would head to in the evening for an authentic Singapore food experience, followed by some souvenir hunting and inexpensive shopping. The top highlights of Chinatown are Chong Wong We – Singapore’s oldest Chinese School, Tong Ah Eating house, the rich heritage of Hotel 1929, an authentic tea experience at Pek Sin Choon, Tong Heng for the egg tarts and Chinatown complex for some of Singapore’s best food stall experience.
6) Haji Lane, Kampong Glam
Famous for being one of the narrowest streets in Singapore, Haji Lane in Kampong Glam is known for its hipster vibes. It is known for clothing boutiques, vintage cameras, cafes, bars and restaurants. It is one of those neighbourhoods where you go for lunch or for an evening walk. And while you are enjoying your drink, sipping on your coffee or relishing your meal, do not miss out on its amazing murals and street arts.
7) Little India
Head to Little India if you are missing your home food, aroma, culture and bustle. One of Singapore’s vibrant districts, Little India’s Serangoon road and neighbouring streets are full of Hindu temples, flower markets, spice shops and Indian restaurants. This whole district smells, looks and feels like India. If you feel like Indian food (North or South Indian), this is the place you want to be. And while you are in this area, do remember to visit Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple, one of the more beautiful Hindu temples located here.
Photo Courtesy: Some photographs in this article have been borrowed from wikipedia.org under the creative commons license. Each image has been linked to their host page on wikipedia.
