Singapore: Things To Do

Asian Civilizations Museum Explore the roots of Singapore's diverse heritage here. Themed galleries in two separate buildings use artifacts like ceramics, costumes, and Buddhist statues to highlight Asian civilizations ranging from the Javanese to the Chinese. Raffles Place, Armenian St. (Gallery 1); 1 Empress Place (Gallery 2); 011-65-6332-7798; www.acm.org.sg
family | culture | history | art

Colonial Tour Retrace Singapore's rise from fishing village to bustling metropolis on walking tours through historic Chinatown and Orchard Road. Chinatown, RMG Tours Pte Lt; 011-65-6336-5465; www.rmgtours.com
family | tour | outdoors

Duck Tour Explore Singapore via this 75-minute, amphibious expedition. Highlights include the civic district, where travelers see Singapore's supreme court, and a trip to the harbor to see the city's emblem – a statue of Merlion, the mythical, half-lion, half-fish. 011-65-6333-3825; www.ducktours.com.sg
family | tour | outdoors

Singapore Art Museum Head to this restored, 19th-century mission school to see the largest collection of 20th-century, Southeast Asian contemporary art in Singapore. Exhibitions rotate frequently. Raffles Place, 71 Bras Basah Road; 011-65-6332-3222; www.singart.com
culture | art

Singapore National Museum Housed in a lovely Victorian building, Singapore's biggest natural history museum dates to 1887. Renovations completed in December 2006 brought the establishment up-to-date with a café, gallery theater, and public sculpture garden. Dhoby Ghaut; 93 Stamford Rd.; 011-65-6332-5642; www.nationalmuseum.sg
family | architecture | history

Singapore Zoo Enjoy a personal encounter with the zoo's resident orangutan, otter, and python over breakfast – don't worry, they won't steal your food! Then, catch glimpses of tigers and elephants on a tram ride through the zoo. Jurong; 80 Mandai Lake Rd.; 011-65-6269-3411; www.zoo.com.sg
family | wildlife | outdoors | zoo

The Botanic Gardens Dating from 1859, this 129-acre park covers exhibits like the National Orchid Garden with its 20,000 orchids, Heliconia Walk, and the Children's Garden, where kids under twelve learn more about flora through interactive exhibits. Bukit Timah; Cluny Rd.; 011-65-6471-7361; www.sbg.org.sg
family | outdoors

The Singapore Science Center Visit the center for its creative, interactive exhibits and multimedia galleries. Kids love the Discovery Zone, where they learn about science by making movies and taking a virtual “human cell” tour. Jurong; 15 Science Center Rd.; 011-65-6425-2500; www.science.edu.sg/ssc
family | science