Late Checkout: How to Spend a Week in Nature-Preserved Singapore

When to Visit

With average temperatures of 89-110°F, Singapore can get very humid in the summer, so the best time to visit is between February and April, during the dry season. During these months, you can also experience the Singapore Night Festival, Beer Fest Asia, Singapore Grand Prix, and the Singapore Food Festival.

The Airport

I would be remiss to begin this guide without starting with award-winning Jewel Changi Airport. If, like me, you are a person who prefers to get to the airport when boarding is just about to start or hop in a train or car to your destination the minute you land, I urge you to think twice when it comes to Jewel Changi Airport. Spread out between four terminals, the airport is one of the biggest hubs in all of Asia.

Inside the lush airport is not only art installations, a rooftop swimming pool, and free movie theaters — but the world’s tallest indoor waterfall, known as the Rain Vortex. The waterfall dispenses 10 gallons of water a minute, circling inside the Shiseido Forest Valley, a tropical garden with more than 900 trees and 60,000 shrubs spread out between walking trails that passengers can experience. Although the water starts to fall from 11 am, seeing it at night (at 8 and 9pm) is the real beauty as TeamLab collective illuminates the trees for a light and sound show. 

On the rooftop in Terminal 1 lies an outdoor cactus garden filled with more than 100 species of cacti and arid plants. Terminal 3 has a water lily koi pond and the world’s first airport butterfly garden where you can find more than 1,000 tropical butterflies from 40 different species. A lot of the butterflies are flying around freely, while the more rare ones are a bit encased. If you’d prefer to stay active during a long layover, head over to the Jurassic Mile, the 0.62 mile jogging and cycling trail or Climb@T3 in Terminal 3 to engage in rock climbing and bouldering. 

Even if you aren't nature- or active-obsessed, Changi Airport will leave you in awe.

The Culture

Known as the Lion City, Singapore is a beautiful mix of old culture and lighting-quick advancements and the only place that is a city, country and island all in one. Its melting pot roots are all thanks to the strong population of Chinese, Malay, Indian, Euriasian, African, and Singalege people.

Although English is the de facto, the island is home to four official languages: English, Malay, Mandarin, and Tamil. Following the country’s credo “equality for all”, on any given street you’ll find a Buddhist temple, church, and mosque — all playing into the inclusive atmosphere you’ll see throughout your stay. 

The Singaporean government believes in taking care of its people and is very dedicated to assisting residents. A large majority of locals live in affordable public housing that’s subsidized by the government.

Where to Eat

You simply cannot visit Singapore without going to a hawker center, or food courts with affordable eats and community seating — the very heart of the country, recognized by UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage list. There are more than 100 hawker centers and over 6,000 licensed hawker stalls. 

From breakfast to late bites, each hawker meal is a celebration of the deeply diverse melting pot the country has established. Everyone will tell you to go to Chinatown’s Maxwell Road Food Centre (pro-tip: get a house-special omelette) but personally, I loved Newton Food Centre the best. Not only is the hawker center featured in Crazy Rich Asians, but it also has the most incredible variety of foods and isn’t as touristy. Outside of Hawkers, be sure to try out the world’s first Michelin-starred Peranakan restaurant, Candlenut.

If you are interested in cocktails with a view, you simply can’t miss Marina Bay Sands iconic hotel rooftop. There you will overlook the Gardens by the Bay lightshow of the Supertree Groves. Secondly, go for a drink at Raffles Hotel to have the classic Singapore Sling in the Long Bar. As tradition has it, the hotel is the gin-based cocktails’ birthplace. And if crossing off locations on the World’s 50 Best Bars is your thing, grab another gin-based drink at Atlas, located in Parkview Square and home to more than 1,300 gins with some bottles dating back to 1910. This is a great place for solo travelers as the bar tends to be filled with them. When I went alone, I made friends with the bartenders and other customers. And for another solo-adventure, grab cocktails or really intricate mocktails at Jigger & Pony.

Where to Stay

Solo travelers will also appreciate that Singapore was rated the second safest city in the world in 2024, just after Tokyo. Regardless of where you choose: Orchard Road, Clarke Quay, Little India, or Chinatown, the majority of the neighborhoods are relatively safe to stay in. I stayed at the recently opened Artyzen Singapore, located on Orchard Road. Previously the tropical-garden mansion, named Villa Marie, the now 142-room hotel feels private enough to be boutique, and historical enough to feel like you’re in the real Singapore – make sure you check out all the art in the rooms. Artyzen has wonderful plants, water stations, and colorful furniture and decor. You can lounge about in the soaking tubs or balconies, enjoy traditional meals in the lobby restaurant, or experience the energy at the rooftop pool. 

What to Do

Even if you’re not familiar with public transit, navigating your way through Singapore is made easy with the Mass Rapid Transit System, locally known as the MRT. This train system is fast, safe and efficient — connecting the entire country. 

I spent my time exploring tons of wellness options, popular streets and landmarks, as well as, engrossing myself in all the nature offerings. If you have time, do go to Soma Haus. Founded and owned by Singaporean, Kathy Gabriel, it’s a great place for integrated wellness and the perfect recovery option from hours of galavanting the city. You’lll enjoy ice baths, infrared saunas, sound baths, and more. 

You’ll also want to visit Katong-Joo Chiat, the center of Peranakan culture — a mixture of Chinese, Malay and Indonesian cultures. The quickest and most enjoyable way to learn about Peranakan culture is through the Intan Museum, translated as “My Rose Cut Diamond.” Home to the museum’s founder, Alvin Yapp, here you’ll encounter traditional Peranakan stories, craftsmanship, music, and foods. When you’re done soaking up the history, grab a coffee from Common Man Coffee Roasters or eat at Chin Mee Chin Confectionery.

One of my favorite things about Singapore is their dedication to preserving and celebrating nature. There are hundreds of laws that protect wildlife, flowers and plants, and water in Singapore with their overall goal to make it a greener place. In fact, Singapore's National Parks Board estimated that in 2020, just under 50% of Singapore's land was covered in green space, making it one of the greenest cities in the world. Meaning, make sure you explore all the eco-friendly aspects of the city. 

Lastly, do go to Chinatown as Singapore’s version is one of the world’s oldest Chinatowns. This is the only Chinatown with a Buddhist temple, mosque and Hindu temple on a single street, and where you can learn more about how the many religions found their space at the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple and Museum. 

Where to Shop

There are two places where I purchased gifts for my family and myself: Marina Bay Sands and Haji Lane. At Marina Bay Sands you’ll find all the high-end stores like Gucci, Channel, Manolo, and Prada. Whereas, Haji Lane is more like thrifting or vintage shopping in London — it’s filled with lively bars and cafes, as well as smaller businesses with one-of-a-kind Singaporean jewelry, leather goods, and more.