Singapore. This island city-state off of southern Malaysia is a multicultural hub comprised of Chinese, Indian, Malay and European cultures. And although small, there is still plenty to do.

Here are my top 5 picks for activities in Singapore:

Shopping on Haji Lane and Arab Street

Haji Lane and Arab Street is a must do on your Singapore check list if you’re looking for unique middle eastern inspired finds that you can’t get anywhere else (except maybe the Middle East, obviously). I was lucky to have a friend in tow who was a seasoned veteran at this part of town.

We started our shopping escapade on Haji Lane. Here, you’ll find a lot of clothing shops and cafes. We stopped at I Am for some of their infamous rainbow cake and coffee. The verdict? It was Instagram-worthy, yes, but the flavor did not live up to the hype. Oh well.

Next, we headed to Arab street, which is just one road over from Haji. This is where unique tapestries, carpets, scarves, and other local trinkets can be found. I could have spent all day on Arab street. The fabrics here are seriously unlike anything I’ve ever seen, with many items available for customization. I walked away with six wicker-like placemats for our kitchen table and a lovely silk scarf that I debated buying in six other variations, but instead practiced some self-control, so go me!

Orchard Road

If you’re looking for some additional shopping that’s a little more traditional (think: shopping mall) this is where you need to be. Orchard Road is Singapore’s largest retail and entertainment strip.

I happened to be in the market for sandals because these Hong Kong summers are rough. And because I have a sandal addiction. And no offense Hong Kong, but your shopping prices are a little too high for someone like myself. Anyway, I found myself at the Takashimaya Shopping Centre – a very Macy’s-esque kind of place that carries a lot of familiar brands. I was able to snag two pairs of summer sandals for less than $100 USD.

Gardens by the Bay

Gardens by the Bay was number one on my Singapore to do list immediately after seeing a YouTube video of the lights displayed at night. This section of Singapore is all horticulture land featuring three gardens with plants rarely seen in Asia, as well as species from cool, temperate climates to tropical forests and habitats.

Although packed with tourists, I was not disappointed with my experience here.

My only regret was not waiting in line to go up to the stands which connect the larger trees and reveal a beautiful scene of the city (as shown in the photo below). Nonetheless, the ground views were definitely worth it when the music and light show started – which is what the Gardens by the Bay are most popular for. You do not want to miss these trees light up at night, which is when I recommend visiting.

Just to walk around the gardens is free. For other garden attractions such as the flower dome and cloud forest, tickets can be purchased upon entry for $18 Singaporean Dollars (about $13 USD).

Botanic Gardens

On my next trip to Singapore, I will certainly be spending more time at the Botanical Gardens. As one of the worlds leading tropical botanic gardens, with more than 150 years of history, the 82-hectare (more than 202 acres) Gardens holds a unique and significant place in the history of Singapore and the region.

There are multiple walking and running trails throughout the space. Some of the trails take as long as 90 minutes to complete, so you could really spend a good portion of your day exploring here. I enjoyed my short time at the Botanic Gardens a little more than Gardens by the Bay just because it was a larger space, less crowded and very peaceful.

With two extremely large garden areas, it’s no wonder they call Singapore the “Garden City”.

Singapore Zoo

I have to admit. I am a full grown adult and have never been to a zoo. My parents say I went when I was a little kid, but I have no memory of it, so it doesn’t count. Knowing this, I was excited to spend the day at the Singapore zoo – seeing giraffes and elephants up close for the first time was a bucket list item of mine.

The great thing about the Singapore Zoo is that its designed with an “open enclosure” concept. Meaning the animals are not kept in cages, but instead, live inside enclosures with natural barriers, such as moats and grassy hedges. A little freaky at first because you realize if these animals wanted to escape, they wouldn’t have much trouble getting out. And the opposite is true as well, if a human wanted to get inside, it wouldn’t be difficult to. As soon as you walk in, monkeys are climbing just above your head and all around you. I could honestly reach out and touch them if I wanted (although I do not recommend that you do that).

Night Safari

The night safari is hands down one of the most popular things to do in Singapore. My trip was too short for this (and the zoo by day was enough for me), but many people rave about it. If you’re interested in being taken around the zoo via cart and looking at the animals during the night time – then this will be something for you. I think it’s a fairly unique experience and it does appear that you can get pretty up close and personal with some of the animals, so it might be worth it!

What are your favorite things to do in Singapore?

Top 5 things to do in Singapore