24 hours in Singapore

You can never imagine what you can do in just one day in Singapore. Be inspired by the distinct arts and cultural scene, satisfy your palate with the must-eats and shop at the newest haunts in town. You might even have time to grab a drink and bask in the city’s upbeat energy.

I recommend you about 8 places to visit:

1. Maxwell Road Hawker Centre

 

Experience an authentically Singaporean dining experience by having a meal at a food centre here. Located in the heart of Chinatown, Maxwell Road Hawker Centre has over 100 stalls, providing one of the biggest varieties of local food in Singapore. Even with the influx of vendors, the stalls’ offerings are very varied and you will easily spoilt for choice here.
Some must-try items here at Maxwell Road Hawker Market include the famous Tian Tian Chicken Rice, the traditional congee with pork and century egg from Zhen Zhen Porridge stall and the popular char kway teow from the Marina South Delicious Food stall.

2.Red Dot Design Museum

The second red dot design museum was established in Singapore in November 2005. The museum is the anchor tenant and key attraction at the red dot traffic, a creative hub located at Maxwell Road, the former Singapore traffic Police Headquarters.

The red dot design museum in Singapore is the physical embodiment of the red dot design awards, an exclusive exhibition venue for red dot design award winners. It is here that products and brands communicate their design excellence and differentiate themselves from the mediocre. It also provides important orientation to businesses, design professionals consumers on what or who has the best design. 

3. ION Orchard

The imposing and majestic ION Orchard is the newest addition to the famous Orchard Road shopping strip. Amongst the largest in Singapore, this shopping mall has more than 300 food and retail outlets. Big luxury brands with new-concept shops and flagship stores here include Prada, Cartier, Louis Vuitton, Dior and Dolce & Gabbana.

ION Orchard is also the scene of many shopping debutants to Singapore, such as Dunkin Donuts and ThreeSixty. But ION is much more than just a shopping mall; it’s more of an extravagant shopping destination that simply has to be experienced. ION Orchard also has a media façade, a multi-sensory canvas media wall that changes colours depending on the mood, and a massive public square for events.

It also has its own art exhibition called ION Art, and a huge observation deck named ION Sky, which opens in late 2010, making it the trendiest new shopping venue around. For a brand-new shopping experience that is sure to satisfy, visit ION Orchard today, and don’t forget also to see the skyline from its 75,000 sq foot garden on the ninth floor.



4. Mandarin Gallery

Set your pulse racing at the sleek Mandarin Gallery. A must-visit during your Orchard Road jaunt, it’s a sophisticated mall that’s home to some of the most elegant labels and tantalising eateries. An adjunct of the five-star Mandarin Orchard hotel, this mall will take your breath away with its range of shopping options.
The ground level features high-end brands like Just Cavalli, Vertu and Montblanc, while on the second floor you’ll find Singapore’s most famous fashion designer, Ashley Isham’s boutiques. With Bathing Ape, D&G, Galliano and Emporio Armani stores also here, pick out a simple outfit or a stunning suit or cocktail dress and turn heads on the street.
The Mandarin Gallery is also the place to relish great food. Try Wild Honey for an eclectic range of Asian and International fare – their sumptuous all-day breakfasts are quickly becoming the talk of the town, while steak lovers can savour the wonderful cuts of meat at Lawry’s the Prime Rib. Creamy tonkotsu ramen can also be enjoyed at Ippudo’s first outlet in Singapore, although its high popularity means you might have to wait in line a while.
Just before you head home, pick up some groceries at jones the grocer, a minimalist designed supermarket that supplies your fill of pasta, coffee and even cake mix. Mandarin Gallery is the perfect place for the fashionista looking for quality labels, or the gourmet seeking a satisfying meal.

5. Peranakan Museum

The Peranakan Museum explores the culture of Peranakan communities in the former Straits Settlements of Singapore, Malacca and Penang and their links with other communities in Southeast Asia. It is a boutique museum with one of the finest and most comprehensive collections of Peranakan artefacts in the world.  Three floors of permanent galleries illustrate important rituals, practices and the material culture of the Peranakans, as well as how this unique fusion culture is viewed today.

The Peranakan Museum provides an enjoyable and educational experience for all, with intricate displays innovatively presented in ten galleries, children's interactives and special merchandising in two shops. Two temporary exhibition galleries will present a programme of special exhibitions throughout the year.

The Peranakan Museum is a National Heritage Board Museum under the Asian Civilisations Museum.

6. Singapore Flyer

At a height of 165m, Singapore Flyer is the world’s largest Giant Observation Wheel and is set to be one of Asia’s biggest tourist attractions.

Featuring fixed capsules the size of a bus, the spectacular monument is capable of holding up to 784 passengers. Each capsule has a 28 person capacity and each revolution takes approximately 30 minutes.

Singapore Flyer was conceived and designed by Dr. Kisho Kurokawa and DP Architects, Singapore. It held its groundbreaking ceremony in September 2005 and was launched in 2008. It promises more than just a view, but a panorama that captures Marina Bay’s skyline with a glimpse of neighbouring Malaysia and Indonesia.

With high standards of service, the dedicated team at Singapore Flyer Pte Ltd is committed to providing visitors an experience to remember.

7. Makansutra Glutton's Bay

Surrounded by retro-inspired push-carts and offering a spectacular view of the Marina Bay skyline, this open-air, moon-lit food centre is a hotspot for visitors and the sleepless in Singapore. Take your pick from a wide range of famous local treats such as fried carrot cake, oyster omelette, chilli crab and roti jala (lacy pancakes served with delicious curry), or try the more unusual roti kaya fondue.
A must-try is the roti john or egg with minced lamb loaf, which many claim to be a creative delicacy concocted by an enterprising Malay chef to cater to his meat loaf-loving visitors from overseas. Also enjoy an ice-cold glass of beer while watching free street performances frequently organised by arts centre Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay, located just next door.

8. Paulaner Brauhaus

A little slice of Bavaria can be found right next to Suntec Convention Centre in downtown Singapore. From its costumed staff and pork knuckles, to its beer brewed specially in-house, Paulaner Brauhaus gives you a real Bavarian dining experience.
The restaurant offers traditional Munich dishes, like wiener schnitzel and brotzeibrettl, as well as other international The restaurant offers traditional Munich dishes, like wiener schnitzel and brotzeibrettl, as well as other international staples. In keeping with the authentic Bavarian way, the big meals are even served in cast iron pans and on wooden pans. A meal at Paulaner Brauhaus wouldn’t be complete with a tour of its very own house brewery, where you can learn exactly how the famous beers are made.

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