9 Whimsical Things to Do in Singapore
Are you on the hunt for whimsical things to do in Singapore? From unique activities and delightfully interactive museums to fabulous dining experiences, you’re sure to find a few wonderful, whimsical things to do in the Lion City on our list.
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Plan to head to the airport early to enjoy Jewel at Changi Airport.
What’s a vacation without crawling through a secret passageway to find your dinner or getting lost in a maze of mirrors and twinkle lights?
Singapore is, hands down, one of the most vibrant and surreal places I’ve had the privilege of visiting (and that’s not just the jet lag delirium talking).
From innovative architecture showcasing sky-high gardens to colorful, brightly-lit attractions, you’re going to get a cramp in your neck from swiveling your head every which way as you take it all in.
My husband and I are fresh off a whirlwind 6-day stay in the “Lion City,” and it became a running joke how often we’d stop in our tracks and say, “Oh, wow!”
Since this was a high-pressure work trip for me, I wanted to escape and relax during my downtime while still exploring this fascinating metropolis (save cocktails by the pool for another trip). Fortunately, you’ll find something whimsical, otherworldly, and captivating around almost every corner - or unassuming refrigerator door.
Here are my picks for the most whimsical things to do in Singapore. Happy exploring!
Wonderfully Whimsical Things to Do in Singapore
Bring your sense of adventure for an epic dining experience with Absurdities.
Absurdities
So, what is Absurdities? Think Meow Wolf meets Alice in Wonderland, but with a tasty six-course meal instead of that weird tea party our gal got caught up in.
While I’m dying to hash out every amazing detail of our experience, I also don’t want to spoil the surprises for you. Dress to climb and crouch, arrive hungry, embrace your sense of adventure, and expect the unexpected: it’s going to get weird in there… but in the best of ways.
Notes: Tickets to Absurdities aren’t cheap, but I can tell you from personal experience that they’re worth the splurge.
And just FYI, Absurdities’ location is provided to diners 48 hours before their experience.
Wander the winding gardens at Singapore’s Flower Dome.
Gardens by the Bay: Flower Dome
There’s a lot of hype around Gardens by the Bay, and for good reason: the 260-acre master garden and tourist attraction features 1.5 million plants from every continent (except Antarctica). Run by a multidisciplinary team of professionals, including landscape designers, arborists, and turf management experts, every inch of Gardens by the Bay is a stunning horticultural achievement.
Frolic among the flowers at the Flower Dome, and keep an eye out for upcoming special exhibits, such as the current Impressions of Monet installation. You’ll fall in love with this romantic, perfectly manicured exhibit of stunning live blooms, housed in the world's largest greenhouse (as declared by the Guiness Book of World Records).
You’ll want to mentally prepare yourself for the throngs of selfie-takers and influencers (they’ve actually banned tripods at this attraction for the sake of crowd control), but don’t let it dissuade you from soaking up the winding paths of lush gardens, overflowing flower beds, and bloom-covered miniature houses.
Arrive early to pick your spot for the free light show at the Gardens by the Bay Supertree Grove.
Gardens by the Bay: Light Show at the Supertree Grove
What’s that? A whimsical Singapore experience that’s also free? That’s right, friend! Gardens by the Bay hosts a nightly light show where the dozen 50-meter Supertrees sparkle and pulse in perfect time to a curated musical selection. The larger-than-life illuminated structures dazzle against the inky night sky, and they’re sure to fill you with wonder.
I’m not going to lie; the word is out about this very cool Singapore experience, and it gets crowded. Arrive early to claim your spot, but expect to be a little squished by the time the show kicks off. We snuck out a few minutes early to escape the departing throngs of people, and it was still a great evening.
Wizard’s Brew
Live out your wildest Hogwarts dreams at Wizard’s Brew, one of Singapore’s two Harry Potter-themed cafes. (They’re owned by the same group.) Traipse up the unassuming staircase to a dimly lit wonderland, where book pages hover in mid-air, candles flicker, and witches glower at you from the wanted posters papering the walls.
Add even more magic to the experience by ordering the Witch’s Har, which involves a flaming paper hat and delicious chocolate mousse. And, because we’re really two kids at heart, we also ordered the Phoenix and the Wizard’s Brew.
The Phoenix is served with a fiery and impressive bevy of sparks and you actually get to concoct your own flickering, bubbling potion when you order the Wizard’s Brew. Of course, it wouldn’t be a wizard bar if the tumultuous concoction wasn’t served in a tiny cauldron.
Always check to see what special exhibits are featured at Jewel Changi Airport.
Jewel Blooms in Changi Airport
Does a theme park inside the airport sound like a dream come true? Jewel is a sleek shopping mall and entertainment park connected to Singapore’s Changi Airport. Not only can you check in for your flight early at Jewel, you can also securely store your luggage - for a fee, of course.
Jewel encompasses multiple stores of luxury retail, restaurants, and activities, but the crown jewel (har har) during our visit was the Jewel Blooms experience.
Passing through the glowing archway of larger-than-life flowers felt like stepping back into my childhood secret garden fantasy, but where oversized blooms and Venus fly traps softly opened and closed while enormous, glowing butterflies gently flapped their wings.
Though the enormous flowers, bloom-encrusted archways, and petal-covered topiaries are clear highlights of the exhibit, I fell in love with the giant goldfish pieces, which magically floated over a mist-shrouded pond.
While Jewel Blooms is slated to run through August 11, here’s hoping this whimsical exhibit stays just a little longer. If it doesn’t, however, you can rest assured that whatever takes its place at Jewel Changi will be equally ethereal and inspiring.
Note: Jewel Blooms was delightfully not crowded during our experience, likely because it is a ticketed portion of Jewel Changi.
The terraced garden at the Shiseido Forest lights up at dusk.
Jewel Rain Vortex and Shiseido Forest Valley inside Jewel Changi
Speaking of Jewel Changi, you should plan to arrive extra early for your flight to soak up an extra dose of Singaporean magic before heading off to your next adventure. You’ll find the awe-inspiring Rain Vortex fountain, the world’s largest indoor waterfall, roaring in the center of Jewel. While the 7-story tall water feature is an architectural and artistic masterpiece at any time of day, it features brightly colored lights and whimsical clouds of mist starting at dusk.
Admittedly, it can be hard to tear your eyes away from the Rain Vortex, but you also don’t want to miss the Shiseido Forest Valley, which winds its way up to the park on the top floor. Stretch your legs before that red-eye flight by climbing up the trail through the terraced gardens, or refuel at a cafe with an elevated view of the gardens and waterfall.
Step into the pages of your own story at Singapore's first 2D cafe.
Cafe Monochrome
Step into the pages of your own storybook by sitting down for a meal or specialty coffee drink at Cafe Monochrome, Singapore’s first 2D Cafe.
The oft-Instagrammed black and white interior makes you feel that you’ve entered an alternate reality (or are starring in a coloring book), but fortunately, one with tasty snacks and refreshing beverages.
My husband loved his Aglio e Olio pasta, and the Iced Yuzu Tea was a welcome treat after a sweltering day shopping in the Singapore heat.
Lose yourself in a shimmering maze at ArtScience Museum.
ArtScience Museum
Without a doubt, Singapore’s ArtScience Museum was one of my favorite experiences during our trip.
TeamLab’s Future World: Where Art Meets Science is an interactive art exhibit that responds to you. Take a few steps or wave an arm, and you’ll unleash a cloud of butterflies, a waterfall of cheerful sunflowers, or an explosion of petals, basically making my four-year-old self’s dreams a delightful reality.
Additionally, the ArtScience Museum currently offers stations where you can draw your own fish, bird, or butterfly, which they scan in and “bring to life,” incorporating it into a giant wall of whimsical, moving illustrations. Watching my artwork come alive was nothing short of magic, and the experience really stuck with me. Whether you’re young, young at heart, or in need of a little inspiration, the coloring station is a must-visit.
Cafe Kreams features a whimsical forest canopy filled with twinkle lights.
Cafe Kreams
Life looks a little brighter when you’re surrounded by flowers, am I right? Singapore’s Cafe Kreams is a forest-and-flower inspired wonderland with really tasty pastries and delightful mocktails (especially the yuzu one!).
Cuddle up at a table under the brightly-hued forest canopy, and let the twinkle lights melt your troubles away.
Have you been to Singapore? What are your favorite whimsical experiences, exciting eateries, and magical must-sees? Drop ‘em in the comments below!
