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If you’re reading this article, you’ve probably checked out Gardens by the Bay’s grandeur, admired the city skyline, and strolled along Orchard Road one too many times. We feel you! If you find yourself falling into this category, here’s an offbeat weekend guide that will come in handy the next time you think this lovely lion city of ours is getting boring.
Whether you’re a local or a foreigner, we promise these 10 activities will introduce you to a smashing and exciting side of Singapore you’ve yet to discover.
*Hours or services of establishments recommended in this article might differ. Please check their website for the latest information.
Image credit: Ola Beach Club
Why swim when you can fly? Imagine the euphoria of jetskiing, cable skiing, and paragliding rolled into one. Check out Asia’s first and only water-propelled jet-blade/jetpack ride, which will rocket you over 10 metres above water!
Getting there: Ola Beach Club is located along Sentosa Beach Walk, a 10-minute stroll from Beach Station on the Sentosa Express.
Price: From $80
Image credit: SushiAirways Singapore
If you’re too broke to travel, perhaps having a meal onboard Singapore’s first aircraft-themed restaurant can satiate your wanderlust, even for just a bit? SushiAirways offers its ‘passengers’ one of the most interesting gastronomical adventures, complete with ‘flight attendants’ and an ‘air crew’ that will welcome you on board. Besides the novelty of the restaurant’s dining concept, SushiAirways serves up some of the freshest sashimi to their guests, giving the Japanese food chains in town a run for their money.
Getting there: 20a Baghdad Street, Singapore Singapore 199659
Image credit: V-room
Instead of being glued to your computer screen, why not game with the real deal using Virtual Reality? With over 20 VR games to (quite literally) immerse yourself in, V-room is one of Singapore’s few virtual reality arcades that have taken the gaming scene to a whole new realm. Choose from a variety of game options, from exploring the streets of Tokyo with Google Earth VR, to freeing yourself from a ticking time bomb, or even being the protagonist of your own horror story.
P.S. We’re warning you – you might get a little too addicted to this one.
Getting there: Orchard Gateway, #02-02, Singapore 238858 (Nearest MRT station: Somerset)
Price: $30/room (maximum of three players)
Coney island is a 50-ha park most distinctive for its rich biodiversity, bird-spotting opportunities, and best of all – its rustic and incredibly photogenic forest-like setting. Now, this is that one place that you can convince your friends you’re in a Norwegian forest or something, when really, you’re in Singapore’s very own Punggol.
Tip: Best explore this nature wonderland with one of the free-sharing bicycles lying around!
Getting there: From Punggol interchange, take bus 84 to Punggol Point Park/Punggol Settlement. Walk about 500m east along the Punggol Promenade Nature Walk to get to Coney Island West Entrance.
Price: Free
Travel back in time and experience Singapore away from the bustling city. Perched between Pulau Ubin and Changi Ferry Terminal, this modern kelong promises an enjoyable and nostalgic experience for urbanites looking for a getaway. Dine in the sunset out at sea, try your hands at fishing for your own food and satisfy your tummy as you indulge in the freshest seafood tastefully cooked according to your preference.
To commemorate our local craftsmen who shaped Singapore’s culture and history, we highly recommend Village Hotel Bugis’s Rediscover Our Village staycation package to rekindle the inner kampung spirit in you. This experience will uncover a largely unseen side of Singapore, guaranteed!
Image credit: Gallop Stable
Come next weekend, extend your rides in Singapore beyond just the MRT and buses, but to these friendly hoofed friends too! Equestrian, or more commonly known as horseback riding, is a leisure activity that’s totally feasible, yet many of us have overlooked. There are a handful of stables in Singapore that provide the public riding lessons, trail rides for non-experienced riders, pony feeding (n’aww), and even photoshoots with their horses!
Getting there: Find out more about the different locations here.
Price: $20/adult
Image credit: The Plant Story
This hangout spot is the perfect place to be at if you’re sick of the usual cafe-hopping dates. Cosily nestled in Marina Bay, The Plant Story is a gardening workshop AND a cafe rolled in one. And if you’re wondering if this garden cafe serves anything more than vegetables, think beef lasagna, chicken mushroom baked rice, butter croissant, cheesecakes… Let’s stop before anyone reading this gets hungry.
The Plant Story offers a variety of workshops for its patrons – from urban farming to terrarium-making, home apothecary, and miniature gardening.
Getting there: #02-03 11 Rhu Cross Singapore 437440 (Nearest MRT station: Stadium. Take bus 11 from Stadium MRt station and alight at Costa Rhu Condominium)
Price: Workshops from $80 including high-tea
Image credit: DECK
From art book fairs to architectural photography exhibition, DECK is an art gallery you can count on if you’re out of plans this weekend. This independent container art space is every photographer’s haven – not only for the ceaseless photography happenings and events being held there every week, but also as a platform for the local photography community to get together, inspire, and influence one another in their works.
Getting there: 120A Prinsep Street Singapore 187937
Image credit: The Analog Vault
If you wish to take music-hunting off Spotify for once, make your way to The Analog Vault, one of Singapore’s few vinyl record shops left standing. Besides vinyl records, this rustic store also offers analog music goods, books, and magazines relating to the widest spectrum of music genres – from your favourite local underground artists to experimental bands you wished you have discovered earlier.
Getting there: Esplanade Mall, 8 Raffles Avenue, Singapore 039802
Image credit: The Projector
Interested in foreign films? Or just looking to enjoy our usual blockbuster movies in a more chilled-out theatre experience? Luckily for us, The Projector is an independent cinema that offers a welcome alternative to mainstream cineplexes. Shows screened here are carefully handpicked for movie enthusiasts – from genre classics to Sundance winners to experimental pieces. You might also be pleased to hear that The Projector serves up hot food items like sliders and chilli dogs and even alcoholic beverages to savour alongside your indie favourite.
Getting there: Golden Mile Tower, #05-00, 199589
Still think Singapore is boring? These activities aside, there’s still a wealth of unconventional, yet equally exciting activities for you to embark on in this thriving city! Ditch the guidebooks, stray off the beaten path occasionally, and be rewarded with such unexplored gems that are bound to pleasantly surprise you. And yes, you don’t have to take a flight out for your next weekend getaway anymore!
Unconvinced? Hear what our experts have to say on the staycation phenomenon to give you that extra push.
Brought to you by Far East Hospitality.
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