(Photos from Shutterstock, unless otherwise stated)
What makes a holiday a holiday? To some, the period is synonymous with travel, with many Singaporeans choosing to celebrate festive seasons and school breaks with a trip overseas. But give it more thought and you will find that it is really all about bonding with loved words and seeking the right fun — activities that spark curiosity and lend themselves to adventures and discoveries.
So even while countries like Japan, Taiwan and Thailand beckon, your family might prefer to skip the surge of travellers abroad and, instead, work out a local itinerary that is just as rewarding. From rediscovering neighbourhoods to enjoying world cuisines, here are some recommendations to get you going.
Explore a heritage district
Although Singapore is a young nation, its cultural and racial diversity have coloured our communities with unique identities. So why not immerse your family in a living-museum experience by exploring a heritage district?
Old shophouses such as these, which feature intricate architectural details, can be found along Jalan Besar.
Jalan Besar, best known for its hip cafes and eateries along Tyrwhitt Road, was once home to tradesmen and craftsmen of different backgrounds, including the Indians, Chinese, Peranakans, Boyanese, Europeans and Malays. This colourful mix has set a harmonious tone for the area, with businesses and clan shophouses operating side by side.
To best experience this past, go on a walking tour conducted by local operators. Pelago has a session that brings participants through the neighbourhood to learn about vanishing trades; while OH! Stories offers the audio-guided tour, New World’s End, which combines fiction and history to tell stories of Jalan Besar.
To fully immerse in the district, stay at quaint accommodations such as Wanderlust or Kam Leng Hotel that are housed in heritage buildings.
The Sultan Mosque at Kampong Glam was built in 1824 for the first sultan of Singapore.
Kampong Glam is another historical district worth discovering. This Malay Quarter has fabric businesses along Arab Street and chic boutiques at Haji Lane, and was the seat and historic home for Sultan Hussein Mohamed Shah, the Sultan of Johor and Singapore. His legacy is remembered in the majestic golden-domed Sultan Mosque as well as Istana Kampong Glam, which is today’s Malay Heritage Centre.
Explore the district by going on a self-guided walking heritage trail, or sign up for a guided experience with operators such as Klook; and stay at the aptly-named The Sultan that boasts a unique design spanning across a row of shophouses.
Enjoy nature
If the COVID-19 pandemic has taught us anything, it’s that Singapore has plenty of natural spaces to explore (as evident by the hiking boom). The best part is that the routes are often extremely accessible and include side attractions that make for a rewarding stopover. Take for example the 1932 Story Cafe. The former Bukit Timah Railway station is now an eatery thick with nostalgia and featuring an international menu — perfect for a lunch stopover when trekking the Rail Corridor Trail.
The Sembcorp Cool House has more than 1,000 orchid species and hybrids
Over at the Singapore Botanic Gardens, after a leisurely stroll, you can proceed into the Sembcorp Cool House, a temperature-controlled glasshouse of 16 to 23 degrees Celsius, designed to emulate a high-elevation montane forest.
One of Singapore’s best-kept secrets is the clean, white and sandy beach at Lazarus Island.
If the kids really need to feel like they are going “overseas”, take them island-hopping. Ferries from Marina South Pier offer daily trips to St John’s Island/Lazarus Island and Kusu Islands. These Southern islands offer untouched landscapes, and are great spots for fishing or suntanning by the white, sandy beach.
Savour Asian cuisines
Singapore’s welcoming policies have created various organic enclaves that celebrate different cultures, and we’re not just talking about Chinatown, Geylang Serai and Little India.
Tanjong Pagar is the city’s unofficial K-town with its main stretch at Tanjong Pagar Road housing various Korean eateries. Authentic fare is guaranteed here, given how many owners are Koreans themselves. About 10 minutes’ drive away is Cuppage Plaza and Orchard Plaza, known affectionately as Singapore’s Little Japan. Much like the maze of restaurants, bars and izakayas in the Land of the Rising Sun, Japanese eateries pop up in this area in hidden corners, unpretentious and brimming with energy. While the underaged may not be able to join you for a sake cheer, there is plenty of sushi and bentos for everyone.
Visit Golden Mile Complex for an authentic Thai dining experience before it closes for good in May 2023.
Golden Mile Complex has long been a haven for those seeking a genuine Thai experience in Singapore. With tenants expected to move out by May 2023 — following an en bloc sale of the iconic building — there’s no better time to visit than now.
Peninsula Shopping Centre is home to a number of Burmese businesses, and one can get a distinct adventure by exploring the many levels within, browsing through products and savouring Burmese cuisine.
Pick up a new and unique skill
Nothing engages a young mind more than learning something new. Thankfully, there’s plenty of local operators providing myriad of interesting lessons.
Try waterbiking — a novel new way to be at sea. This cross between a catamaran and bicycle requires no cycling experience. Everyone will be safely paddling themselves with life vests on, and families can choose to make it into a leisurely or “competitive” event.
Bring your children to Bollywood Farms to learn about sustainable farming, as well as try farm-to-table food based on the establishment’s seasonal menu.
As the world grapples with climate change, it is good to teach children the importance of food security. Take a tour of Bollywood Farms, then cook up a meal using the freshly-foraged produce from the gardens. Your kids will go away with a deeper appreciation of what they eat.
You can also let your kids explore their creative sides. Assemble and paint a own paper shoot camera, a D-I-Y gadget made from eco-friendly stone paper that produces film-like pictures. Or sign up for a graffiti art jam that welcomes participants to spray their art on designated walls.
Want to give an incredible gift and pair it with some cycling after? Look to Unspokin. The bike shop organises workshops to help participants customise their own bicycle. Your children will find immense satisfaction from this build-and-bike experience.
…Or Get Active at Singapore Sports Hub!
There are plenty families can do at Singapore Sports Hub:
Enjoy a leisurely water ride around the Lazy River at Singapore Sports Hub. Photo by Singapore Sports Hub.
