10 things to do in Singapore

Since moving to Hong Kong in 2021, I've had the opportunity to explore Southeast Asia for the first time and have loved every destination I've been to - from the stunning temples of Northern Thailand to the lush mountains of Vietnam and the dreamy beach clubs of Indonesia. But when I shared my travels with friends, they were often surprised that I had been to these places, but not Singapore. In many ways, Singapore is one of the easiest places to visit in Southeast Asia. Similar to Hong Kong, it's a city that's safe, convenient and easy to explore within a few days.

Like many in the U.S., I became more curious about visiting Singapore after Crazy Rich Asians came out in 2018. The book's author, Kevin Kwan, said in an interview that he had one goal for the book: “I wanted to introduce a contemporary Asia to a North American audience.” And he did just that. In fact, following the film's release, organic search interest in Singapore tripled in the U.S. Admittedly, the movie made me most excited about trying street food at the legendary hawker centres and witnessing architectural wonders like Marina Bay Sands.

What I didn't expect, however, was Singapore's incredible greenery. Often called The Garden City, Singapore combines elements of nature with urban design, creating a lush oasis that is unparalleled to any other city I've traveled to so far. If you're visiting for the first time, here are 10 must-do experiences to add to your bucket list.

1. Linger at the world's best airport

There aren't many cases where the airport is also the destination, except when it's Jewel Changi Airport. At the heart of Jewel is the Rain Vortex, the tallest indoor waterfall in the world at 40 meters. During the day, sunlight streams through the glass dome, illuminating the cascading water. And at night, there's a daily light and music show at 8 p.m. The airport was also named the world's best airport, so whether you're arriving in Singapore or catching a flight, be sure to set aside time to experience it.

2. Eat your way through Singapore's legendary hawker centres

Hawker culture in Singapore dates back to the 1800s when immigrants throughout Asia moved to Singapore for work. Craving the familiar food from their home countries, they began setting up hawker stalls to serve quick versions of their favorite dishes. Today, these open-air food halls are a melting pot of cuisines, with some of the most delicious and affordable food in the city.

We went to Maxwell Food Centre in the morning, where some of my favorite stalls and dishes included The 1950's Coffee (Stall 90) for kopi (robusta coffee) and kaya (coconut jam) toast dipped in soft-boiled egg, Tian Tian Hainanese Chicken Rice (Stalls 10-11) for poached chicken and fragrant rice cooked in chicken broth, Hock Lai Seng Teochew Fishball Bak Chor Mee (Stall 26) for minced pork noodles and Lao Ban Soya Beancurd (Stall 91) for a smooth and silky soft tofu pudding. For the best experience, make sure to bring cash, claim a table by placing down a packet of tissues and follow the stalls with the longest queues.

3. Step into a tropical wonderland at Cloud Forest

Built as a contemporary greenhouse, Cloud Forest is a climate-controlled tropical wonderland. It features an indoor waterfall, lush greenery and rare plant species — all of which you can observe up close as you stroll along its winding aerial walkways. Cloud Forest is located within the Gardens by the Bay, and requires a separate entrance fee of 32SGD (24USD) to enter this area. It's open daily from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., but it's best to come on weekday mornings to avoid crowds.

4. Savor the best satay of your life alfresco at Satay Street

At Lau Pa Sat, Singapore's largest open-air satay street is buzzing with energy. As soon as you enter the vibrant area in the evenings, you're hit with sizzling grills and the aroma of smoky, charred meats. Groups of hungry diners fill up the long tables, creating the perfect setting for an authentic hawker experience. There are plenty satay vendors to choose from, but we followed the queues and landed at Best Satay 7 & 8. It was about a 20-minute wait, but did not disappoint. The chicken and BBQ prawn were juicy and grilled to perfection, beautifully complemented by the rich, nutty satay sauce.

5. Step into the future at Supertree Grove

It's Singaporean structures like these that make you feel like you're in 2050. The Supertree Grove, located in the Gardens by the Bay, is home to 12 futuristic-looking structures called supertrees. They've become an iconic part of Singapore's skyline, but they're not just for show - these sustainable vertical gardens serve multiple functions by generating solar power, collecting rainwater and supporting a thriving ecosystem of over 162,900 plants of over 200 species. It's open daily from 5 a.m. to 2 a.m. with free admission. It's also worth coming at night for the daily light and sound show at 7:45 p.m. and 8:45 p.m.

6. Indulge in a local favorite, Singaporean chili crab

Chilli crab is the kind of dish that you don't stop dreaming about. It was invented in Singapore in the 1950s and has since grown to become one of the country's signature must-try dishes. Keng Eng Kee's version is a legend, stir frying fresh crab in a sweet, savory and spicy sauce made with limes, sambal, chilis, eggs and seafood stock. It was even featured in Netflix Street Food! After we finished the meal, we recognized the co-owner, Paul Liew, who shared more about the food culture in Singapore over a sizzling bowl of his grandma's signature claypot pork liver. Today, Paul and Wayne Liew continue the family legacy as third-generation owners, preserving the heritage and craft of local, iconic dishes like these.

7. Spend the morning at the world's largest rooftop infinity pool

Staying at Marina Bay Sands was a bucket list item and I'm so grateful we got to stay here on our final night. At the top of the hotel is the largest infinity pool in the world and in my opinion, the most iconic. I remember first seeing this on Tumblr in high school and dreaming about making it out here one day. It's reserved for hotel guests only and the rooms are definitely a splurge, but being able to spend the night and morning here was a dream come true.

8. Try grilled freshwater eel three different ways

Every trip has that one meal that takes you by surprise. In Singapore, it was the hitsumabushi, or grilled freshwater eel served over rice, at Man Man Unagi Restaurant. After watching the chef grill the eel right in front of us, we were served our lunch and instructed to enjoy it in three ways. First, we tried it as is, with the eel, rice and sauce. Next, we elevated the flavors by adding the condiments, including spring onions, seaweed, wasabi and sauce. They even give you the Japanese horseradish stem to grate the fresh wasabi yourself. Lastly, you add in the dashi stock for a warm, nourishing finish to the meal. The unagi was incredibly fresh and balanced, with tender meat and crispy, caramelized skin. Add in the sticky, sweet sauce and the meal was perfection.

9. Take a stroll through history at Fort Canning Park

Perched on a hill in Singapore’s downtown district, Fort Canning Park is a historic landmark where history and nature intertwine. It was previously the headquarters of the British military operations until WWII, and has since transformed into a lush park that's filled with historical artifacts, majestic trees and even the city's most diverse spice garden. What's made this place famous for photographers in recent years is the Fort Canning Tree Tunnel, a picturesque spot where a spiral staircase perfectly frames the canopy of lush trees and open blue skies above.

10. Discover local small businesses

Singapore is home to many amazing local small businesses, from artisanal crafts to handbags and fashion. During my trip, there were two gems that I stumbled across. The first is Crafune, a small leather crafting atelier tucked away in Haji Lane. Specializing in handcrafted small leather goods and workshops, they caught my eye at their shop in Changi Airport, where I immediately fell in love with their daifuku bag in “milk tea.” They even offered hot stamping for my initials and a cute cat icon that I chose. The second brand was The Missing Piece, a Singaporean fashion label that specializes in modern cheongsams. I picked up this elegant jumpsuit with an asymmetrical top, which is a style I hadn’t seen before. If you have time to shop, it’s definitely worth hunting for other hidden gems that this city has to offer.

For more everyday videos and moments from my trip to Singapore, check out my Instagram Story Highlights.