Loading ...

14 of the Best Things to Do in Singapore for Second-time Visitors

Learn about things to do in Singapore if you've been there before. Discover the best things to do in Singapore for second time visitiors.
Singapore is an excellent hub for travel around Southeast Asia. 

We stopped in Singapore after our adventures in Cambodia and Vietnam to rest up in a bit of first world luxury before continuing #DrJSabbatical in China. 

Singapore was the one destination on our extended 6 week trip that we'd visited before. This post explores some of the best Singaporean highlights for second-time visitors.

Peranakan houses near Katong Joo Chiat in Singapore

Where to Stay in Singapore

Hotels in Singapore can be quite expensive. You could consider splurging and staying at the unequivocably fabulous Marina Bay Sands. Or, you could pick a more down-to-earth accommodation and consider staying in a serviced apartment like the Oakwood Premier OUE.

Best Things to do in Singapore for 2nd Time Visitors

Now let's look at my picks of the best things to do in Singapore for those who have been there before.

1. Singapore's Gardens by the Bay

Deer sculpture at the Gardens by the Bay in Singapore
The Marina Bay area was not at all developed when we last visited Singapore. In fact, I would definitely put the Gardens by the Bay on a list of sites that first-time visitors to Singapore should see. The Gardens by the Bay features a cluster of over-the-top attractions.

Supertrees

Supertrees at Marina Bay in SIngapore
The supertrees are the most iconic element at the Gardens by the Bay. Giant man-made structures tower above the ground with foliage grafted on.

Cloud Forest

Cloud Forest from above at the Gardens by the Bay in Singapore
The Cloud Forest at the Gardens by the Bay was pretty awesome. Located inside a giant dome (greenhouse), a waterfall and tropical plants dominate the scene.

Cloud forest and waterfall at the Gardens by the Bay in Singapore
We even saw a lego display of carniverous plants.
Lego display of carniverous plans at Gardens by the Bay in Singapore
When exploring the Cloud Forest, you'll ascend a series of elevators, escalators, and staircases to reach the top and get up close to this tropical microcosm in the middle of Singapore.

Flowers

Dragon sculpture at the Gardens by the Bay in Singapore
The Gardens by the Bay in Singapore also features an impressive botanical garden. Once again housed in a climate-controlled dome, you can explore nature in utmost comfort. Wooden sculptures add to the atmosphere.
van Gogh tulip display at Gardens by the Bay in Singapore
When we visited in May 2017, tulip displays were fashioned to resemble paintings by van Gogh. I've come to expect nothing less than over-the-top displays in Singapore so this turn of events didn't surprise me at all.
Tulip display at Gardens by the Bay in Singapore

SIDEWALK SAFARI SPOTLIGHT: Interested in experiencing other Asian cities but not sure where to go? I recommend:

May the 4th Be With You

May the 4th Be With You Star Wars Portrait at Gardens by the Bay in Singapore
We happened to visit the Gardens by the Bay on May 4th and arrived just in time for the May the 4th be With You Star Wars event. Characters were on hand for photoraphs and you could queue up for a picture with Chewbacca himself.
Chewbacca at the May the 4th Be With You Star Wars celebration at Gardens by the Bay in Singapore
When the sun went down, the supertrees lit up and we were treated to a Star Wars themed light show.
Supertrees at Gardens by the Bay lit up at night in Singapore

2. Buddha Tooth Relic Temple

Glass Buddhas at the Buddha Tooth Relic temple in Singapore
We spent a fair bit of time in Singapore's Chinatown. The Buddha Tooth Relic Temple is worth a stop. See countless colored glass Buddhas lined up in the center of the hall. It was a striking display.

3. Maxwell Road Hawker Centre

Rolled pancakes at Maxwell Road Hawker Stalls in Singapore
Chinatown is also home to the Maxwell Road Hawker Centre. I also recommended Maxwell Road's street food centre in my previous post. It's worth stopping here whether you are a first, second, third, or infinite visitor to Singapore! 

I always go for a nutty pancake and kopi (Singaporean coffee optionally made with sweetened condensed milk). Get your fill of street food in Singapore without fear since the industry is heavily regulated and all the food stalls prominently display their health rating. 

We stuck with A and B rated establishments and our stomachs thanked us.

4. Visit Kampong Glam

Artwork on the walls at Tolido Espresso Nook in Kampong Glam neighborhood of Singapore
Kampong Glam is a fascinating neighborhood in Singapore that we missed on our first visit. Grab a coffee at Tolido's Espresso Nook to fuel up before a walk around this section of town.
Coffee at Tolido Espresso Nook in Kampong Glam neighborhood of Singapore
Kampong Glam is anchored by Masjid Sultan or Sultan Mosque.
Sultan Mosque in Kampong Glam in Singapore
Street art in Kampong Glam in Singapore
A variety of shops and Halal restaurants crowd the streets around the mosque.
shopfront in Kampong Glam in Singapore

5. Geylang Serai Hawker Stalls

Hawker stall at Geylang Serai
For a more local and slightly edgier take on street food stalls, check out Geylang Serai. 
Coconut dessert at Geylang Serai hawker stalls in Singapore
We sampled a cakey, coconut flavored dessert which was outstanding after tasting a Malaysian laksa. Pro-tip: look for the stalls that have the longest queues to figure out which food is best.

6. Admire the Architecture at Katong and Joo Chiat

Peranakan house in Katong Joo Chiat in Singapore
From Geylang Serai, we made a foray into Katong and Joo Chiat. This primarily residential neighborhood of Singapore features historic and colorful Peranakan shophouses.
Peranakan house in Katong Joo Chiat in Singapore
Peranakan house in Katong Joo Chiat in Singapore
For more on things to do in Katong, head on over to the Rustic Nomad.

7. Eat Ice Kachang near Marine Parade

Ice Kachang on the Marine Parade in Singapore
Singapore's Marine Parade neighborhood is walkable from Katong and Joo Chiat. We stumbled upon a hawker stall selling huge portions of ice kachang, a Singaporean dessert featuring flavored shaved ice, jello, corn, and beans. 

I remember being fascinated by ice kachang on my first trip to Singapore and had to give it another go this time around. This huge dish of sweet Singaporean goodness cost just 2.50 Singaporean dollars.
Ice Kachang on the Marine Parade in Singapore

SIDEWALK SAFARI SPOTLIGHT: Southeast Asia is an amazing part of the world to explore, but where should you go? I recommend:

8. Take a Walk on the Beach at East Coast Park

Beach at East Coast Park in Singapore
We decided to walk off our ice kachang dessert along the beach at East Coast Park. East Coast Park was a fascinating spot for people-watching in Singapore. We visited on a Sunday and tons of locals were out hanging out with friends and having a picnic.

9. Take a Dusk Walk in Fort Canning Park

Singapore skyline views from Fort Canning Park
Fort Canning Park is a huge greenspace in the center of Singapore. It's a great spot for a walk, especially when the sun starts to go down and the heat of the day eases off a little.
Bird in Fort Canning Park in Singapore
We spotted eagle-eyed birds as we skirted the paths winding up and around this hilly park.
Walking path in Fort Canning Park in Singapore
Staircase in Fort Canning Park in Singapore

10. Explore the Tiong Bahru neighborhood

Kingfisher in Singapore
Tiong Bahru is another less touristy neighborhood in Singapore. Tiong Bahru was walking distance from our hotel and we spotted colorful kingfishers and even a ruined gravesite.
Ruined gravesite in Tiong Bahru neighborhood of Singapore
Tiong Bahru had a cool local vibe with colorful street art and a bit of art deco nuances.
Street art in the Tiong Bahru neighborhood of Singapore
Art deco apartments in the Tiong Bahru neighborhood of Singapore
Tiong Bahru Bakery is a must-stop spot in the neighborhood. We sampled the chocolate Kouign Amann which was flaky, buttery, and simply amazing.
Chocolate Kouign Amann pastry from Tiong Bahru Bakery in Singapore

11. Do Brunch with the Common Man (Coffee Roasters)

Common Man Coffee Roasters Sign Fogged Over by Humidity in Singapore
As second-time visitors to Singapore, we had the luxury of playing it cool like the locals do. Brunch is popular in Singapore and we queued up at Common Man Coffee Roasters.
cappuccino from Common Man Coffee Roasters in Singapore
The coffee at Common Man was outstanding, as you might expect, but the food also really hit the spot. Gourmet pancakes will satisfy your sweet tooth and eggs with savory greens have got you covered if you're looking for a healthy breakfast that packs a protein punch.
Pancakes from Common Man Coffee Roasters in Singapore
Egg dish from Common Man Coffee Roasters in Singapore

12. Sip Happy Hour Beers in Clarke Quay

Clarke Quay canopy in Singapore
To be honest, Clarke Quay feels a little bit fabricated in a Disney sort of way. Restaurants and bars sit in the shade of the canopy along the Singapore River. Clarke Quay is admittedly a great spot to grab a well-priced drink during happy hour, especially if you are staying nearby. 

13. Eat Rainbow Snow at WooW

Rainbow snow in an inflatable unicorn cup holder from WooW in Singapore
Since this was our second visit to Singapore, we had the luxury of slowing down a bit. We decided to walk from Orchard Road to our hotel near Clarke Quay when we discovered WooW. 

Singapore is hot and humid year round so any opportunity to take the edge off with a cool dessert is always welcome. I couldn't resist trying the rainbow snow at WooW. The dessert was extremely refreshing and extra-awesome when served in an inflatable unicorn cup-holder. 

14. Take a Morning Walk at MacRitchie Reservoir

Colorful bamboo at MacRitchie Reservoir in Singapore
MacRitchie Reservoir is where locals and expats go for a hike. We charted a course through the trails around the reservoir. We were hoping to see the monitor lizards that are known to frequent the area. 
Hiking trail at MacRitchie Reservoir in Singapore
Alas, the monitor lizards were elusive that day but we did see some cool turtles and curious monkeys.
Turtle at MacRitchie Reservoir in Singapore
Monkey at MacRitchie Reservoir in Singapore

Best Things to Do In Singapore Map (for Second Time Visitors)

Click on the image of the map below to open up an interactive version in Google Maps to help you connect with fun things to do in Singapore for your second trip to the island.

Best things to do in Singapore Map

Did you enjoy this post about the best things to do in Singapore for second time visitors? Sharing is caring...

Best Things to Do in Singapore for Second-time Visitors

Name

#DrJSabbatical,39,Adriatics,5,Africa,12,Americas,51,Argentina,7,Asia,41,Asia Pacific,25,AUNZ,21,Australia,13,Austria,5,Baltics,4,Barcelona,1,Belfast,1,Belgium,13,Berlin,3,Best of,384,Best of Europe,2,Beyond Dublin,34,Bologna,3,Boston,2,Brazil,1,Bruges,2,Brussels,2,Bucharest,2,Budapest,1,Buffalo,3,Bulgaria,2,California,13,Cambodia,6,Canary Islands,2,Canterbury,2,Cardiff,1,Central America,3,Central Europe,68,Chile,7,China,5,Christmas Market,4,Copenhagen,1,Cork,3,Costa Brava,3,Costa Rica,2,Croatia,2,Cyprus,1,Czech Republic,1,Denmark,2,Dresden,1,Dublin,47,Dusseldorf,1,Eastern Europe,8,Edinburgh,3,El Calafate,1,England,18,Essen,1,Estonia,1,Europe,212,Europe_Archive,1,Faversham,1,Featured,5,Financial District,1,Finland,3,Fisherman's Wharf,1,Flanders,1,Florida,3,France,17,Frankfurt,1,Galway,2,Gdansk,1,Germany,18,Girona,1,Granada,1,Greece,5,Greece and Cyprus,6,Hamburg,1,Hangzhou,1,Hanoi,3,HCMC,2,Helsinki,1,Ho Chi Minh City,2,Hobart,1,Hoi An,2,Hungary,1,Hurling,1,Hyderabad,2,Iceland,4,India,5,Ireland,89,Ireland & UK,117,Ireland Road Trips,16,Italy,13,Itinerary,3,Jackson Square,1,Japan,12,Kaunas,1,Kilkenny,1,Kuala Lumpur,1,Kyoto,1,Languedoc,2,Lanzarote,2,Latvia,1,Leipzig,1,Liechtenstein,1,Lima,1,Limerick,1,Lisbon,17,Lithuania,2,Ljubljana,1,Lloret de Mar,1,London,9,Los Angeles,2,Louisiana,1,Lucerne,1,Luxembourg,2,Machu Picchu,1,Madeira,3,Malaga,1,Malaysia,1,Malta,1,Marrakech,1,Marrakesh,1,Massachusetts,2,Mendoza,1,Menton,1,Miami,1,Midwest,3,Modena,2,Monaco,1,Montpellier,1,Morocco,1,Muenster,1,Munich,1,Naples,1,Netherlands,4,New England,3,New Orleans,1,New York,9,New Zealand,8,Nice,2,Noe Valley,1,Nordics,17,Norrkoping,1,North America,43,North Beach,1,Northern Ireland,1,Norway,5,Nuremberg,2,Ollantaytambo,1,Osaka,1,Palafrugell,1,Panama,1,Paris,1,Parma,2,Patagonia,3,Pennsylvania,6,Perth,1,Peru,5,Philadelphia,1,Pingyao,1,Piran,1,Pittsburgh,5,Poland,8,Porto,1,Portugal,34,Puerto Natales,2,Punta Arenas,1,Queensland,1,Recent,68,Regensburg,1,Reykjavik,1,Riga,1,Rio de Janeiro,1,Rochester,1,Romania,3,Rotterdam,1,Rovinj,1,Russia,2,San Francisco,4,San Sebastian,1,Santiago,1,Scandinavia,9,Scotland,5,Seattle,3,Segovia,1,Seoul,2,SF - Further Afield,7,Sicily,3,Siem Reap,2,Singapore,2,Sligo,3,Slovakia,1,Slovenia,2,South Africa,1,South America,18,South Beach,1,South Korea,2,Southeast Europe,15,Southern Europe,64,Spain,16,St. Petersburg,2,Stockholm,2,Strasbourg,1,Stuttgart,1,Sweden,3,Switzerland,11,Sydney,3,Taipei,2,Taiwan,3,Tallinn,1,Tasmania,4,TBEX,1,Telegraph Hill,1,Texas,3,Thailand,1,Tipperary,1,Tokyo,2,Top World Destinations,4,Torres del Paine,1,Transylvania,1,Trieste,1,Uganda,10,UK,28,Union Square,1,United States,46,Uruguay,1,Valparaiso,1,Vietnam,9,Vilnius,1,Wales,2,Warsaw,2,Washington,3,Western Australia,1,Western Europe,37,Westfield,1,Whitsundays,1,Wicklow,2,Wroclaw,1,WWI,1,Xi'an,1,Zurich,5,
ltr
item
Sidewalk Safari | Part-time Travel Blog: 14 of the Best Things to Do in Singapore for Second-time Visitors
14 of the Best Things to Do in Singapore for Second-time Visitors
Learn about things to do in Singapore if you've been there before. Discover the best things to do in Singapore for second time visitiors.
https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zuYLeKOKmXM/WWDfoo-wuYI/AAAAAAABH5g/qGwVqRHDNl4OFuJDRbtukLRiPCWv6poyQCKgBGAs/s640-rw/IMG_2685PROCESSED.jpg
https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zuYLeKOKmXM/WWDfoo-wuYI/AAAAAAABH5g/qGwVqRHDNl4OFuJDRbtukLRiPCWv6poyQCKgBGAs/s72-c-rw/IMG_2685PROCESSED.jpg
Sidewalk Safari | Part-time Travel Blog
https://www.sidewalksafari.com/2017/08/best-things-to-do-in-singapore-for-second-time-visitors.html
https://www.sidewalksafari.com/
https://www.sidewalksafari.com/
https://www.sidewalksafari.com/2017/08/best-things-to-do-in-singapore-for-second-time-visitors.html
true
2802498442123035908
UTF-8