Monday, August 12, 2013

Family attractions in Singapore


Tropical paradise meets adventure playground – spoil your family in Singapore

With summer holidays just around the corner, vacation plans are top of mind. But with Mum dreaming of spa treatments and discount designer shopping; Dad hoping for gizmos and golf; and the kids wanting theme parks, animal attractions and underwater adventures, it often seems the only thing everyone can agree on is sun. If this sounds like your predicament, the answer lies just a short flight away on the island nation of Singapore.
Here we provide our top tips to summer fun in the Lion City, so that you can plan a spectacular summer break sure to see the whole family smiling.
1. Get out and about

Singapore offers a raft of outdoor activities that the little ones will love, from national parks and gardens to theme parks and animal attractions, that will see the whole family entertained from dawn to dusk.

Zoo
Enjoy a breakfast feast with the orang utans at the Singapore Zoo before exploring the 28-hectares of “open” zoo, home to more than 3,200 mammals, birds and reptiles. Relax as the kids run rampant at Rainforest@KidzWorld, where they can enjoy pony rides, horse carriage rides, splash around in the water wonderland, or fly down the flying fox. www.zoo.com.sg

Bird Park
Animal lovers of all ages will delight in Jurong Bird Park, home to 9000+ colourful, chattering birds. Feeding the Lorikeets in their loft is a firm favourite with the kids, as is the daily Birds of Prey Show, and Mum and Dad will delight in lunch at the Lodge on Flamingo Lake. www.birdpark.com.sg

Little nature lovers will love exploring the Jacob Ballas Children’s Garden in the Singapore Botanic Gardens while parents wander the breezy paths of the National Orchid Garden. Then settle down for an afternoon picnic.. www.sbg.org.sg

Energetic balls of fun will love East Coast Park with its long stretch of coastline, sparkling waters and winding boardwalk perfect for walking, blading and biking. Mum and Dad can sit back and watch the ships roll into port, while the kids “wheel” up a storm - with roller blades, bikes and skate boards all available for hire. And when hunger calls, East Coast Lagoon Food Village is the perfect place to grab something to eat - while keeping your toes buried in the sand. www.nparks.gov.sg

For those looking for night-time adventure, an incredible experience awaits at the world’s first night zoo – Singapore’s Night Safari. Here you will discover nocturnal creatures as they too enjoy a night under the stars amidst 40-hectares of lush forest.www.nightsafari.com.sg

2. Action and Adventure

Sentosa, Singapore’s island playground, offers a raft of adventure activities. Ride up the hill via the Skyride chairlift before flying down on the Luge, soar through the treetops on the Megazip – the longest and steepest zip wire flying fox in Asia, or immerse yourself in a 4-dimensional wonderland at Sentosa 4D Magix. Head to Underwater World to come face to face with sharks, sting rays and the famed dugong, and while the kids explore Mum can rejuvenate her feet with fish reflexology,where tiny finned ones will nibble dry skin from her tootsies, leaving them smooth as silk. Make sure you check out Sentosa’s brand new Wave House, with its three wave pools catering for everyone from pro-surfers to learners.

Other activities on Sentosa include CineBlast - a state of the art cinema simulation ride, Butterfly Park & Insect Kingdom - a must for a budding insect enthusiastic, and the mesmerising Songs of the Sea show. www.sentosa.com.sg

No summer holiday could be complete without a trip to a water-park, and Playground@Big Splash is the perfect place to soak up the summer fun. As well as water attractions it boasts an indoor mini-golf course, inline skating school, and numerous dining, shopping and entertainment facilities. www.playground.com.sg

Offering hours of water slide fun, Wild Wild Wet is a local favourite. With a meandering ‘river’ spanning the perimeter of the park, there’s no need to leave the coolness of the water when venturing from the rapid raft rides to the relaxing wave pools.www.wildwildwet.com

And if all that fun in the sun has got you beat, leave the heat outdoors at Snow City to test your skills at skiing, tubing or the traditional snow ball fight. www.snowcity.com.sg

3. Look, Listen and Learn

A city of contrasts, a trip to Singapore can be as educational as it is entertaining.

To learn about Singapore’s rich cultural history, pop into the new National History Museum. Here you can walk through time discovering Singapore’s past through the eyes of the locals, or explore the Living Galleries with their state-of-the-art interactive touch and smell exhibits. www.nationalmuseum.sg

Engage with the local Chinese, Malay or Peranakan people with a visit to one or all of the ethnic precincts. Soak up Singapore’s spiritual side in Chinatown with its temples, or experience its hectic street markets and food stalls at the Chinatown Night Markets and adjoining Food Street.

Lose yourselves in Little India, where the maze of streets and laneways are crowded with small eateries and shophouses selling everything from silk saris and jewellery to homewares and electronics. Then proceed to the cool of the newly opened Peranakan Musuem, housed in a conserved heritage building.

Or learn more about Singapore’s Malay populace in Kampong Glam and Geylang Serai, where the Malay Heritage Centre and Malay Village provide the perfect starting point to explore the Lion City’s traditional ‘Kampong Days’.www.visitsingapore.com

For the big picture, take a spin on the world’s largest observation wheel – the Singapore Flyer – which offers an educational commentary as you enjoy panoramic views across Singapore and beyond. www.singaporeflyer.sg

4. Eat Up!

After a busy day enjoying the sights and sounds of Singapore, it’s time to indulge in Singapore’s pastime by tucking into a feast. No matter what your appetite desires, Singapore has something to tantalise everyone’s tastebuds – and to suit all budgets. With restaurants and cafes renowned for their children’s menus and kid-friendly attitudes, whether you fancy eating along the Singapore River, in one of the fascinating cultural enclaves, or in a restaurant surrounded by natural flora and fauna, you’ll be spoilt for choice.

Absolute must try’s are located in Singapore’s wealth of local hawker cuisine where a full feast can be enjoyed for under $10!. Try traditional favourites such as Laksa, Singapore Chilli Crab, Roti Prata and Ice Desserts from famed food centres like Lau Pau Sat Festival Market – Singapore’s first food centre; Gluttons Bay Food Centre – set alongside the picturesque Marina Bay; or Tiong Bahru Market & Hawker Centre – widely recognised for its delicious local food and fabulous atmosphere.

And as you wander the streets during the day, make sure you sample a S$1 ice-cream from an umbrella street vendor – heavenly!

For further information on Singapore’s family friendly activities, or itinerary suggestions, visit www.visitsingapore.com

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