From the world's first Apple Store that sits on the water to Singapore's remaining iconic Merlion, rediscover Marina Bay on a weekend adventure!
Located in the central area of Singapore, Marina Bay is a treasure trove of activities for both tourists and locals alike, with iconic attractions such as the Merlion, the three towers that form Marina Bay Sands (MBS) and the ArtScience Museum!
From art gallery runs, cycling along the waterfront to chilling by the MBS promenade in the evenings with the beautifully lit CBD skyline as your backdrop, there's so much to explore in the Marina Bay area, and we promise, it won't put a hole in your wallet.
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1. Visit Singapore's newest Apple Store
With futuristic interior design, free interactive workshops and the latest technology on display, a trip to the Apple Shop is akin to a trip to an art gallery! It was recently announced that Singapore would be getting a third Apple Store, and it's even the first store in the world that sits on water!
Apple's has not put a fixed date on the new store's opening but this is one attraction that we're definitely excited to see.
Address: 2 Bayfront Ave Marina Bay Sands, 018972
2. Take a picture at Singapore's iconic Merlion Park
An iconic sight against the Marina Bay waterfront, are you even Singaporean if you don't have a funny picture of yourself with the Merlion's water sprout! With the recent demolition of the Merlion structure in Sentosa, the Merlion statue at The Merlion Park is one of the remaning structures of this Singaporean icon.
#Klooktip: If you're looking to get a perfect picture of the Merlion, we recommend heading over in the early morning or late evening to get that golden hour light
Address: Merlion Park, Singapore
How to get there:
- A 10-minute walk from Raffles Place MRT, exit via Battery Road (Exit H) and walk towards Fullerton Road
- Cross the road towards One Fullerton and walk to your left towards the Merlion
Operating hours: Daily 24 hours
For a refreshing treat, Hop on over to Leeu Singapore to get your Merlion popsicles! These almost too cute to eat popsicles are the perfect solution to the Singapore heat. Choose either the Strawberry with Vanilla or Raspberry Yoghurt and Chocolate flavoured treat or better yet, get all 3 flavours to share with the squad!
Address: The Esplanade, #02-07, 1 Esplanade Dr, Singapore 038981
Opening hours: Sunday-Thursday: 12:00pm-9:00pm | Friday-Saturday: 12:00pm-11:00pm
3. Enjoy a relaxing boat ride down the Singapore River
To get an overview of the iconic spots scattered around Marina Bay, hop onto the electric River Cruise bumboat. The 40-minute relaxing cruise will bring you around Singapore River to discover the highlights of Clarke Quay Boat Quay, Marina Bay and Marina South.
Get a seat outside and enjoy the breeze while getting the 360-degree view of the surrounding. Or if you want to experience Singapore’s nightscape, take an evening boat ride and catch the sunset and watch the city light up!
#Klooktip: Sit on the right side of the boat! There’s an audio guide which explains the landmarks on your right, on your way to and from Clarke Quay Jetty.
You can also alight at any jetty along the river — just make sure you tell the staff in advance! Do note however that re-entry onto the board is not allowed.
Be sure to grab a free map from the ticket booth to get a heads up on the route and what you can expect to see on the tour. Plus, it will come in handy for navigating around the bay area and locating the various attractions you wish to visit!
Location: Location varies. Seven jetties scattered around the river bank serve as starting points.
Operating hours: Daily 9am to 11pm. Last boat departs at 10:30pm.
How to get there: Embark from Merlion Park Jetty.
Can't get enough the Marina Bay area? Why not go on a staycation by the waterfront too!
4. Appreciate art at the National Gallery Singapore
Art and culture enthusiasts should pay National Gallery Singapore a visit to catch the latest art exhibitions from the region.
Home to 8,000 art pieces of famous local and regional artists, interactive exhibitions are also rolled out every few months to give you an immersive experience in the museum.
Explore every single corner of the museum and admire architectural marvels like the high ceiling, dome, huge pillars and symmetrical corridors. They sure make a perfect shot for your Instagram feed! If you are looking for a quick bite, head to the rooftop for some booze or sumptuous meals with a breathtaking view of the Civic District.
#Klooktip: Head to the Visitor Services room at level B1 to rent a Samsung Galaxy Tab S2 device for audio commentary. You may also borrow headphones from the audio guide counter.
Address: 1 St. Andrew’s Rd Singapore 178957
Operating hours: Saturday to Thursday 10am to 7pm | Friday 10am to 9pm (Admission ends 30 minutes before closing time)
How to get there:
- From Fullerton Jetty, cross Cavenagh Bridge and continue onto Connaught Drive
- From there, turn left into Parliament Pl and follow the road till you reach National Gallery
- OR Alight at City Hall MRT, take Exit B, walk through the Art Connector.
5. Take a romantic stroll along the Helix Bridge
There is no shortage of photo spots in this city and one photo opportunity you should not miss out on would be the Helix Bridge along Bayfront Avenue. Take your #ootd shots at this DNA inspired architecture which leads you from Esplanade drive to The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands.
Nerd out and spot the letters c, g, a, and t on the bridge which represents the four chemical bases that make up DNA! You can also catch a final glimpse of the rainbow of seats of the Marina Bay Floating Platform before it gets renovated!
Address: Helix Bridge, along Bayfront Avenue, Downtown Core
How to get there: From Promenade MRT station (Circle Line), walk from Temasek Avenue to Bayfront Avenue
Operating hours: Daily 24 hours
6. Go on an ethereal journey at the ArtScience Museum
Opened in 2011, the lotus-shaped building is better known as the ArtScience Museum – dedicated to art, science, culture and technology. With various large-scale exhibitions by world-renowned artists such as Leonardo da Vinci, Andy Warhol and Vincent Van Gogh, as well as various science-related exhibitions such as HUMAN+ The Future of Our Species, this is the place to be if you’re an art or science junkie!
The permanent exhibit at ArtScience Museum, Future World: Where Art Meets Science, draws locals and tourists with its futuristic installation. The exhibit is divided into four main narratives: Nature, Town, Park, and Space.
Children will most likely enjoy exploring “Town” filled with interactive installations such as Sketch Town. Your little ones (or yourself) can pick from a range of templates of cars, trucks, houses, or even draw something of their own with the crayons and paper provided at the interactive exhibit. The 2D drawings can then be scanned and turned into 3D animated figures in the large “Town” map.
Of course, the favourite exhibit for many visitors here is the Crystal Universe from the Space narrative. Get lost amongst the 170,000 LED lights and feel as if you are in outer space, watching the stars and planets move around you. The staff will ask you to keep your selfie stick away as it may hit the LED lights along the walkway, so ask your friends to help you take that Insta-worthy shot instead!
Address: 6 Bayfront Ave, Singapore 018974
How to get there:
- Walk towards the Art Science Museum Building that is right outside The Shoppes
- 10-minute walk from Bayfront Station/15-minute walk from Promenade Station
Operating hours:
- Daily 10am to 7pm. Last admission at 6pm.
- Admission to Future World: 10am, 11:30am, 1pm, 2:30pm, 4pm and 5:30pm (last entry)
7. Explore the Digital Light Canvas
If you’ve always wanted to paint but art is not your forte, you can paint with your feet at this interactive art exhibit by teamLab, Digital Light Canvas! Watch the fishes swim around your feet while staring up at the waterfall of lights! You might just be able to spot digital birds flying.
This interactive art exhibit even allows you to send your own fireworks up to the sky. Simply connect to the ‘Digital Light Canvas’ Wi-Fi and head to the Crystal Fireworks website, or scan the QR code available at the signs around the area. Choose your favourite Crystal firework, swipe it towards the light sculpture and watch it crackle in front of your eyes! You can also choose to display a digital text for that special occasion for a price of $50.
Address: Marina Bay Sands, Level B2, Skating Ring, 10, Bayfront Avenue, 018956
How to get there:
- Exit the Art Science Museum and walk into The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands
- Head towards Level B2
OR
- From Bayfront MRT (Circle & Downtown Line), walk towards exit C or D to get to The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands and head to level B2
Operating hours:
- Daily: 11:30am to 8pm
8. Chill down and enjoy the beautiful flora at Gardens by the Bay
A nature park atop reclaimed land, Gardens By The Bay is one of Singapore’s top attraction. A futuristically styled, this garden within the city is home to a wide range of flora and fauna from all over the world.
Gardens By The Bay is divided into three distinctive waterfront gardens — Bay East, Bay South and Bay Central. If you’ve got a time cramped itinerary, head to Bay South that houses the iconic Supertrees, Flower Dome and Cloud Forest.
Step into the Cloud Dome to learn how cloud forest functions and to admire the world’s tallest indoor waterfall. As you walk up the bridge, you can get up close to the tropical highland vegetation and the mist waterfall.
Make sure to stay till dark and wind down with the exciting music and light performance at 7.45pm and 8.45pm daily by the Bay Garden Rhapsody at Supertree Grove.
Address: 18 Marina Gardens Drive, Singapore 018953
How to get there:
- From The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands, head towards Bayfront MRT
- Take Exit B and follow the underground linkway
- Exit and cross the Dragonfly Bridge or Meadow Bridge into Gardens by the Bay
Operating hours: Daily 9am to 9pm (last admission at 8:30pm)
Bay Garden Rhapsody showtime: Daily 7:45pm and 8:45pm
9. Enjoy a delectable spread at Satay by the Bay
Singapore is a foodie’s paradise, a melting pot of different cuisines from various parts of the world. To feed your growling stomach after spending hours at Gardens By The Bay, head to Satay By The Bay. Here, you can indulge yourself in the best of Singaporean dishes such as satay, rojak, carrot cake and kueh pie tee. Order a few dishes to share so you can try a little bit of everything!
As you can expect from the name, the hawker centre has several vendors selling satay. Sticks of skewered marinated meats such as mutton, chicken, beef and pork are grilled over a charcoal flame. Dip the chunks of grilled meat into the peanut sauce to for an earthy kick.
As for the carrot cake, it is not the typical sweet carrot cake you get from the bakery. In fact, this carrot cake doesn’t have carrot at all and is actually made of radish! The white radish cubes are fried with eggs and preserved radish, giving an eggy texture and savoury note in your mouth.
The hot weather also calls for a thirst-quenching drink or dessert. Grab some fresh coconut water or choose anything from the wide array of Singaporean cold desserts like soursop!
Short on local currency and you can’t find an ATM? Not to worry as Klook’s got you covered! Book your Satay by the Bay food vouchers on Klook for a 5% discount and eat all your favourite foods without a worry.
Address: 18 Marina Gardens Drive #01-19 Singapore 018953
How to get there: From Gardens by the Bay, walk along the Marina waterfront and follow the direction sign along the way
Operating hours: Food: Daily 11am to 10pm | Drink: Daily 24 hours
10. Spectra Light Water Show
Source: Marina Bay Sands Singapore
[Do not that Spectra – A Light & Water Show is temporarily suspended until further notice.]
Be wowed by the symphony of lights, music, and dancing streams of water, illuminated by sensational lights and lasers at the Spectra Light Water Show. The highlight of the show is the 12 metre-high glass prism centrepiece that contains over 60 lights! Accompanied by the show’s symphonic soundtrack, the prism bursts into various colours that light up the sky!
This immersive experience with four different acts tells the Singapore Story through lights and sound. The soundtrack is composed by local music producer Kenn C who’s worked with various celebrities like A-Mei and Stefanie Sun.
#Klooktip: Keep your eyes peeled for the rainbow burst of colours that form Kaleidoscopes in Act III – reflecting the multicultural society of Singapore Society.
Source: Marina Bay Sands Singapore
Address: 2 Bayfront Avenue, Event Plaza, 018972
How to get there:
- From Gardens by the Bay, take the Dragonfly Bridge or Meadow Bridge to Bayfront MRT Station
- Walk towards exit C/D and head to The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands
- OR take the Lions Bridge and cross via the Garden Bay Bridge to get to The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands
- Walk towards Marina Bay Sands Event Plaza located outside the Rain Oculus
Operating hours:
- Sunday to Thursday 8pm and 9pm
- Friday to Saturday – 8pm, 9pm and 10pm
11. Enjoy the beauty of Singapore's skyline at Sands Skypark Observation Deck
The 200-metre-tall observation deck gives you a scenic view of Marina Bay area from the top of Marina Bay Sands. A great spot to end your day, come in the evening for the sunset! Or visit the deck at night to catch the city lights from up above. You can even get an unobstructed view of the Spectra Light Water Show from here!
Source: vickiima on Instagram
If you’re looking to wind down after your long day of exploration, treat yourself to some fancy cocktails at the rooftop bar – Ce La Vie. With their signature selection drinks such as the rum-based Cuban No. 57 or a glass of Sauvignon Blanc, have a toast with your buddies to commemorate your Marina Bay adventure!
#Klooktip: Head to Sands Skypark Observation Deck at around 6pm to catch the sunset
Address: Marina Bay Sands Hotel Tower 3 Level 57, 10 Bayfront Ave Singapore 018956
How to get there:
- From Gardens by the Bay cross via Lions Bridge to get to Marina Bay Sands Hotel
- OR Alight at Bayfront MRT and walk to Marina Bay Sands Hotel
- Go up to level 57 of the hotel
Operating hours: Monday to Thursday 9:30am to 10pm | Friday to Sunday 9:30am to 11pm
Bonus: If walking is not your thing, why not make your day at the bay unique by zooming around on a Segway! Rent a Segway, bicycle or e-scooter and glide through all the top destinations around the bay area at your own pace. You can cover twice the amount of attractions within the same time frame!
