TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Singapore is often a choice for family vacations. There are several reasons for this, including its proximity to various cities in Indonesia, visa-free visits, various direct flight options from various airports, and activity choices for all ages.
If you are planning a vacation to Singapore with your family, here are five must-visit tourist destinations, as recommended by the Singapore Tourism Board in a written statement.
Singapore Family Vacation Destinations
1. Sentosa
Sentosa has several holiday attractions designed to offer exciting and enjoyable experiences. In addition, it is easily accessible via MRT, bus, taxi, and cable car from the airport or the city center. There are more than 43 attractions, ranging from amusement parks, one of the largest aquariums in Asia, beaches and nature trails, to historical sites.
One of them is Universal Studios Singapore, a blockbuster film-themed amusement park loved by both parents and children. For Harry Potter fans, you must not miss Harry Potter: Visions of Magic. This multi-sensory installation seems to explore the world of magic and interact with the magical elements that bring the world of Harry Potter to life.
While at Sentosa, take the time to visit the newly opened Weave Mall on July 1, 2025. The three-story mall, designed with environmentally friendly architecture, offers a variety of tenants such as restaurants, cafes, ice cream shops, and popular fashion brands. Not far from Weave, there is the Singapore Oceanarium. Formerly known as the S.E.A. Aquarium, one of the largest oceanariums in the world now has 22 multi-sensory zones and offers various immersive programs.
2. Mandai Wildlife Reserve
Want to introduce animals and wildlife to your children? The Mandai Wildlife Reserve could be the next choice. There are five parks with different themes. Singapore Zoo with its collection of animals in a natural open habitat; River Wonders, a river-themed zoo; Night Safari, the world's first nocturnal zoo; Bird Paradise, the largest bird park in Asia, and; Rainforest Wild Asia, which has just opened.
Each park has its own uniqueness. For example, if you want to teach your children about wildlife, visit Rainforest Wild Asia. In addition to seeing flora and fauna, there are also exploration options, ranging from leisurely walks to climbing sessions with a guide. Still in the Mandai area, take your family to explore Bird Paradise, which has more than 3,500 birds from 400 species in eight aviaries. If you want to see other animals, also visit the Singapore Zoo, which has more than 4,200 animals.
3. Gardens by the Bay
Located in the iconic Marina Bay area, Gardens by the Bay offers an educational and entertaining experience through its gardens and regular events. This award-winning tourist destination consists of three main areas, namely the Cloud Forest, Flower Dome, and Supertree Grove.
This summer, children can meet their favorite dinosaurs at Jurassic World: The Experience in the Cloud Forest, or meet their favorite characters at the Disney Garden of Wonder installation at Floral Fantasy. End your visit to Gardens by The Bay by enjoying the art installation themed the Northern Lights, Borealis, which presents a combination of stunning lights and sounds at Supertree Grove every Saturday, Sunday, and Monday at eight o'clock in the evening local time.
4. Merlion Park and the Marina Bay Precinct
A family vacation to Singapore would not be complete without a visit to Merlion Park. From taking family photos at the Merlion, the most iconic statue that is the pride of Singapore, and visiting the Singapore Flyer, the tallest ferris wheel in Asia that offers panoramic views of Singapore.
If you still want to stroll around Marina Bay, there is the ArtScience Museum, which is also interesting to visit. There are interactive exhibitions such as Mirror Mirror: Journey Into The Mind, which combines the latest technology and immersive art that explores the creativity of the human mind, or the exhibition Mind and Body: The Art and Science of Being Human, which prompts us to contemplate and discover humanistic aspects within ourselves.
If you want to be more artsy, invite your family to visit the "Pop Air - Art Is Inflatable" exhibition. Held by the Balloon Museum collective that successfully presented an exhibition enjoyed by seven million visitors from around the world since 2021, this exhibition can now be enjoyed in Singapore for a limited time.
5. Jewel Changi Airport
While waiting for boarding time, you can explore Jewel Changi Airport. In this mall integrated with Changi Airport, there is the Rain Vortex, a 40-meter indoor waterfall that is the tallest indoor waterfall in the world. This month, there is a Nintendo Pop-Up Store at Jewel Changi Airport, which sells official merchandise from popular Nintendo games such as Super Mario, Animal Crossing, The Legend of Zelda, Splatoon, and Pikmin which were previously only available for purchase in Japan.
Tips for First-time Visitors to Singapore
There are several things to prepare before departure. This preparation is to ensure that a family vacation to Singapore runs smoothly and enjoyably. The first thing to do is to fill out the Singapore Arrival Card or SGAC, an electronic embarkation form that must be filled out by foreign visitors before entering Singapore. SGAC can be filled out at least three days before arriving in Singapore, through the ica.gov.sg website or through the MyICA application on your mobile phone.
Next, prepare a debit card or credit card with contactless features that will facilitate the process of purchasing public transportation tickets while in Singapore. In addition to debit and credit cards brought from Indonesia, you can also purchase a Singapore Tourist Pass, a special travel card for tourists visiting Singapore.
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