attachment_1986747" style="width: 1010px" class="wp-caption alignnone">

Hanna McLean/Daily Hive

Known as the “City in Nature” and famous for its bustling hawker centres and stunning architecture, it can be slightly overwhelming to prioritize everything you can do in this unique place during a single trip.

Located in Southeast Asia, off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, Singaporeans enjoy summer all year round. The destination typically boasts a tropical climate anywhere from 25 to 33°C.

The country is a rich cultural mosaic with a population of five million people from four major groups: Chinese, Malay, Indian, and Eurasian.

For English speakers, Singapore is a great place to start when exploring Southeast Asia. The languages of Singapore include English, Chinese, Malay and Tamil, and keep an ear to the ground for the local lingo, Singlish, in your travels, too.

Hungry? Thirsty? Craving the opportunity to tick something off your global bucket list? Singapore is the place to be.

I spent five full days here doing just that. Here are seven unforgettable things to do when in Singapore.

Devour bites at a Hawker Centre

Hawker Chan is the world’s first hawker awarded one Michelin Star. (Hanna McLean/Daily Hive)

A variety of cultures living in close quarters typically means a fantastic mix of eats, and Singapore takes the cake in this department.

While there are ample critically acclaimed cocktail bars and dine-in table service restaurants to check out, Singapore’s hawker food is the highlight when it comes to grub, at least, for me it was.

There are popular hawker centres island-wide. During my trip, I visited one of the most popular — Chinatown Complex Food Centre. This is the largest hawker centre in Singapore, so you can imagine I was spoiled for choice.

Centres offer first-come-first-serve seating, and there’s an etiquette when it comes to dining in these communal spaces.

Folks can reserve a seat by leaving a personal item, like an umbrella, in their place while they purchase food at a stall. Sitting with other people is expected, and table littering is a no-no, punishable by a fine in Singapore.

Hanna McLean/Daily Hive

Singapore’s world-class hawker fare includes dishes from all over the globe. One must-try dish I had to seek out was the Chicken Rice. I quickly gathered this was an iconic Singaporean staple dish.

Tender chicken, fragrant rice, and toppings like garlic paste, chili sauce, and more make this offering simple yet addictive. Upon tasting it, I instantly understood the hype.

Other morsels to note? Chilli Crab, Char Kway Teow (aka fried carrot cake), Nasi Lemak, Roti Prata, Laksa, and Kaya Toast.

Variety of dishes at Chinatown Complex Food Centre. (Hanna McLean/Daily Hive)

Stroll through Gardens by The Bay

Hanna McLean/Daily Hive

One of Singapore’s most recognizable landmarks has got to be the spectacular Supertrees at the Gardens by The Bay, which you can find in the open air.

In the evenings, these Supertrees are part of a spectacular light and sound show.

Gardens by The Bay also features two large air-conditioned conservatories, open-air gardens, and incredible views.

One of the two domes, the Cloud Forest Dome, aims to replicate a tropical montane climate while the Flower Dome recreates a Mediterranean climate, offering a cool and dry place to enjoy nature.

The Cloud Forest dome also houses one of the world’s tallest indoor waterfalls.

They say the domes will take 2.5 hours to get through, but you could easily cover both in 1-1.5 hours based on my experience. Admission fees do apply for entry to the domes, but they are relatively reasonable, especially considering all the great photos you’ll get at this attraction.

Cloud Forest Dome (Hanna McLean/Daily Hive)

Sip and Savour the Cocktail Scene

Hanna McLean/Daily Hive

Singapore is famous for its cocktail scene, so if you’re willing to indulge in a spirit or two during your visit, please read on.

Aside from enjoying a Singapore Sling, which is known as the country’s national drink invented at the Long Bar at Raffles Hotel, folks should seek out sips from Brass Lion Distillery, or even better, check out the distillery itself.

I was told Brass Lion was the first of its kind in Singapore, a fully operational distillery creating its signature Singapore Dry Gin.

Founded by owner Jamie K, who also operates another popular watering hole, Chupitos Shots Bar in Clarke Quay, Brass Lion serves up a true Singaporean product that’s made in Singapore, something Jamie said was of the utmost importance during my facility tour.

Hanna McLean/Daily Hive

Cocktail enthusiasts should be warned that you could truly bar-hop for days in Singapore. If you’re looking to narrow down your list, the most recent iteration of the World’s 50 Best Bars is a great list to reference.

Singapore’s legendary cocktail scene is typically well-represented on the list year after year, some notable ones to check out include Jigger & Pony, Sago House, and Atlas.

Considering hospitality is the name of the game in this country, you can also bet your hotel has a solid spot for sips as well. One-Ninety Bar at the Four Seasons Hotel Singapore is a great one; take it from me.

Stop and smell the flowers at the Singapore Botanic Garden

Hanna McLean/Daily Hive

Singapore is home to the only tropical botanic garden on UNESCO’s World Heritage List, the Singapore Botanic Gardens.

The perfect place to stop and smell the roses, so to speak, people who head to this stunning spot can enjoy the National Orchid Garden. This area features a whopping 1,000 species of orchids and 2,000 hybrids, all on display in the picture-perfect setting of the gardens.

The National Orchid Garden has many must-see attractions to check out, including the Tropical Montane Orchidetum and the Sembcorp Cool House.

After taking in the beauty of the impressive array of orchids, greenery, and nature displays, garden-goers can enjoy a seated lunch at The Halia Restaurant, which is located within the destination’s Ginger Garden.

Dine at a Michelin-Starred Restaurant

Candlenut (Hanna McLean/Daily Hive)

Singapore’s array of Michelin-recognized dining options makes it tricky to land on where to eat, especially if it’s your first time visiting the country.

Lucky for me, we were directed straight to Candlenut, the world’s first Michelin-starred Peranakan restaurant.

Chinese, Malay, Indian, and Eurasian techniques and ingredients go into this popular style of cuisine.

Michelin outlined that Candlenut was known for its many “one-bite” dishes, and I certainly experienced that. But beyond the one-bite wonders and other Peranakan eats with an Indonesian twist, the warm service and airy yet cozy space hit the spot.

While à la carte is an option here, I’d recommend anyone dining at Candlenut for this first time do the chef’s tasting menu, aka Ah-Ma-Kase, as it’s a fantastic experience available during lunch and dinner service.

Candlenut (Hanna McLean/Daily Hive)

Restaurant Fiz was another Michelin-recognized destination I visited, and it was outstanding.

This concept from Chef-Owner Hafizzul Hashim is located in Tanjong Pagar, a historic district in the Central Business District of Singapore.

Fiz describes its fare as an “exploration into Southeast Asia with the merging of ancient and contemporary cuisine.” Those who snag a reservation are in for a treat.

Restaurant Fiz (Hanna McLean/Daily Hive)

The meal I had took my dinnermates and me down a path of intrigue and amazement. Each dish is thoughtfully curated to tell a story of Chef Fiz’s childhood growing up fishing and camping, as well as his experiences travelling the world.

Restaurant Fiz recently received the Michelin Green Star in Singapore. This is a sustainability award from the prestigious organization, recognizing a combo of culinary excellence and an outstanding commitment to being eco-friendly.

Soak in the Panoramic Views at Marina Bay Sands

SkyPark Observation Deck (Hanna McLean/Daily Hive)

If there was one place to soak up what Singapore has to offer, it’s hard to deny that Marina Bay Sands would be the spot.

The SkyPark Observation Deck is 56 storeys up and offers panoramic views of the city and its iconic landmarks, including Gardens by the Bay, the Supertree Grove, and more.

Hanna McLean/Daily Hive

While I did enjoy seeing the observation deck, someone suggested a drink on a patio at one of the rooftop restaurants was the real way to observe these amazing views without bumping elbows and iPhones with dozens of other eager tourists. That, quite frankly, sounded better.

This notion prompted a visit to Lavo Italian Restaurant, where I “braved” the heat and sun, with a Singapore Sling in hand, to enjoy the sprawling outdoor terrace, 57 storeys up.

If you’re coming to this destination, a rooftop patio would be my recommendation to really bask in the views. My only regret is not trying Lavo’s famous 20-layer Chocolate Cake.

Hanna McLean/Daily Hive

The Marina Bay Sands has ample selection when it comes to places to eat and drink. It boasts an impressive lineup of celebrity chef-approved concepts along with world-class retail options.

Shopping here is a no-brainer as this spot houses 19 duplex and flagship stores by coveted luxury brands. Highlights include the world’s only floating Louis Vuitton Island Maison and an Apple store surrounded by water.

Explore the Diverse Neighbourhoods

Ice Cream Sandwich (Hanna McLean/Daily Hive)

Like any other city you are visiting, exploring and meandering the streets and neighbourhoods is always a must.

Singapore is known for having several distinct and must-visit areas, including places like Chinatown, Kampong Gelam, Little India, Marina Bay, Sentosa Island, and the Singapore River, to name a few.

Embarking on a Singapore River Bumboat Cruise is a fantastic way to break up your day and experience the iconic and historical district.

This area boasts an electric nightlife scene when the day is done and features many important sights, such as the Asian Civilisations Museum.

Sri Mariamman Temple is Singapore’s oldest Hindu temple (Hanna McLean/Daily Hive)

On Sentosa Island, you’ll find sandy beaches, a Hard Rock Cafe location, and Universal Studios Singapore.

You can even get a bird’ s-eye view of the island via the Singapore Cable Car, which takes passengers 100 meters above sea level and connects Mount Faber, HarbourFront, and Sentosa Island.

While in the cable car area, people can experience another global first: Singapore’s SkyOrb Cabins are the world’s first chrome-finished spherical cable car cabins.

Hanna McLean/Daily Hive

In addition to the cultural and religious wonders, one must not forget to fuel themselves by picking up a snack (or two) every chance they can.

From nostalgic childhood delights like pastel-coloured Singapore ice cream sandwiches to the iconic treat and perfect pairing with kopi (aka coffee), kaya butter toast, there’s no shortage of things to taste as you explore Singapore’s various neighbourhoods.

Kaya Butter Toast from Nanyang Old Coffee (Hanna McLean/Daily Hive)

Milk Tea from a market in Little India (Hanna McLean/Daily Hive)

After several days of exploring the different pockets of the city, one can’t help but feel grateful for the opportunity to see this part of the world.

It always seems that the smallest places have the most to offer. In Singapore’s case, food, culture, hospitality, nature, and architecture buckets overflow with options for visitors, and that simply means a return trip has got to be in the cards.

At least, for me it is.

A Street in Singapore’s Chinatown (Hanna McLean/Daily Hive)

The author of this article was hosted by Air Canada.