Though the weather in Singapore could range from smoldering heat to pouring rain, the city made sure its visitors are comfortable and have plenty to do regardless of the conditions outside. It built enormous indoor entertainment complexes and hotels with so many amenities and activities that you never have to go outside. It connected shopping malls with underground tunnels and grew botanical gardens inside glass domes. Here are a few indoor options for rainy or muggy days.
Waterway Point
To cool off, head to the Waterway Point shopping mall. In the basement, you’ll find the Cove — an amphitheater made into an aquatic play area for both kids and adults. Its akin to a fantasy world with several themed areas, such as one inspired by Alice in Wonderland. If you’d rather stay dry, head to the second floor to find yourself a nice read at Singapore’s largest bookstore.
Orchard Road
Stretched over 2.2 km, this one-way boulevard is the most famous shopping district in Singapore. Its iconic shopping malls, restaurants, and hotels cover 800,000 square meters. The options vary from budget-friendly to extravagant. Beautifully landscaped with lush greenery and Angsana trees, Orchard Road offers plenty of shade and cool areas. You can also stay completely inside, as the malls connect to each other and to the subway system via underground passageways.
The Long Bar
Your Singapore adventure isn’t complete without tasting its famous national drink, the Singapore Sling. For the most authentic version, head to the place that invented it — the Long Bar at Raffles Hotel.
The hotel has been around since 1887, and its bar was a prominent gathering place for the community. Etiquette of the period forbade women to consume alcohol, so they opted for fruit juices and teas. In 1915, the bartender Ngiam saw an opportunity and created a special cocktail for ladies, made with pineapple and lime juices, grenadine, Dom Benedictine, cherry brandy, and Cointreau. Due to its rosy color, the cocktail could easily pass for fruit juice and quickly became a socially accepted drink for women.
The Long Bar stays true to the tradition ― it features earthy decor of Malayan plantation life, serves the drink with peanuts, and encourages guests to throw the shells on the floor.
Marina Bay Sands
Image via Flickr by DaveR1988
Almost as large as a city, this premier entertainment complex has it all: a hotel, a shopping center, an ice rink, a theatre, a museum, nightclubs, casinos, and over 80 restaurants. To start your explorations and enjoy panoramic views of the city, head to the SkyPark on the 57th floor featuring a world-renowned 146-meter-long infinity pool and observation deck.
National Museum
Founded in 1887, this is the oldest and largest museum in Singapore. Designed in a colonial style, the museum offers a unique historical experience through creative storytelling. It holds extensive collections in cultural literature, antiques, art, and fashion, and features a myriad of activities and events throughout the year. For a complete experience of Singapore, the museum’s three restaurants treat visitors to authentic local flavors.
These fun indoor activities are just a few of the many things that the city offers its visitors. Whether it rains or shines, you are sure to enjoy your time in Singapore.