11 quirky places to take out-of-town visitors

Keen to show your guests Singapore? Here’s 11 things to do or places to visit that you can shape into your own personal guided tour for visitors. Some are a bit quirky and might not be on the general tourist route.

1. Emerald Hill

When your guests tire of shopping at the malls on Orchard Road, take them to Emerald Hill. The street is lined with Peranakan-style shophouses with colourful and intricate designs. Then Stop for a refreshment at one of the bars.

2. Wet market

If you want to give your guests a culture shock, take them to the local wet market! Here, they can see how the locals really shop for fresh food, and possibly experience and taste some new foods they have never seen before. Filled with little stalls and amazing food variety, this is a perfect morning excursion. Find markets all over the island, including Holland Road, Empress Market, Tiong Bahru, and Tekka Centre.

3. Arab Street

Another very cultural place steeped in history is Arab Street. Most well known for its Persian carpet stores, your visitors will easily spend a few hours strolling in and out of stores, purchasing everything from textiles to bottles of perfume and traditional snacks. Just be careful of the vendors, start a conversation with them and before you know it they are trying to sell you a thousand things! While you’re here, look out for the famous street art that is scattered all around the Kampong Glam area.

4. Din Tai Fung

Everyone is obsessed with Din Tai Fung, and we know your guests will be too after just one bite. The Michelin-starred restaurant dates back to Taiwan over 60 years ago. Their first outlet in Singapore opened in 2003 at Paragon. Famous for their steamed pork dumplings or xiao long bao, noodles and dim sum, you will never get bored with the menu.

5. Fish spas

Located all around the island and oh-so affordable, fish spas are a fun and very unique way to get smooth skin. Putting your feet and hands in a fish tank filled with a the fish species known as Doctor Fish may sound a little weird at first, but once you get used to the ticklish feeling, you will never want to stop.

6. Bugis Street Market

Who doesn’t want a good bargain? For great prices and an experience to remember head to Bugis Street Market. Known for its cheap prices, you can find everything from t-shirts, handbags, shoes, and even a manicure! There are also street food stalls offering Singapore classics and lots of fresh juice flavours to choose from to cool off from the heat.

7. Buddha Tooth Relic Temple

This isn’t just your normal Buddhist temple, no, this temple allegedly holds the left canine tooth of Buddha, formerly known as Siddhartha Gautama. Not only that, visitors can check out the opulent interior of the temple. If you feel like it, you can even make a small donation.

8. Hawker Centre

Want to treat your guests to some local food? Off to the hawker centre! Here, you can try authentic local delicacies at a very reasonable price. No one should leave Singapore without trying chicken rice or a steaming bowl of spicy laksa at least once. There are hundreds of food courts (another name for hawker centre) around Singapore, some bigger and more authentic than others, so it’s completely your choice where you go.

9. Mr. Prata

Another restaurant, Mr. Prata is one of the most popular places to try the Indian favourite, roti prata, and other delicious foods. With five branches around Singapore and some open for 24 hours daily, it has a great atmosphere and the food arrives at your table in minutes. Personal favourites are the mango lassi and the cheese prata, both very affordable and absolutely delicious.

10. Tree Top Walk at MacRitchie Reservoir

Catch a glimpse of the natural beauty that Singapore has to offer on this walk that takes you through the forest canopy. It will lead you to a 250 metre long and 25 metre high suspension bridge. The bridge offers panoramic views of the forest canopy and the jungle. Look out for the abundance of birds and monkeys (careful not to feed them!).

11. ION SKY

A must-visit location is definitely Orchard Rd, but no-one wants to walk around for hours in the heat. When your guests tire of shopping take them up to ION SKY, which is 56 levels above Orchard and show them a stunning 360 degrees view of Singapore.

Here are more things to do in Singapore including free water play areas your kids will love and cultural festivals in Singapore.