Day Trip to East, Singapore : Activities and Hidden Gems for Families
Time to rediscover Singapore!
With Covid19 still rampaging worldwide, travelling overseas is out of the question for now. Given that holidays are just around the corner, it is time to look inwards and rediscover unique experiences in Singapore.
Since East has been destinated as spot in Singapore for domestic tourism, we will do our part by uncovering the hidden gems of the East. This will be part of our Rediscover Singapore series covering the whole of Singapore. To kick off the series, we will start from the EAST!
Where is the East?
We define the East of Singapore as the area from Marina East to Sengkang to Changi Airport. This is where we will seek to uncover the hidden gems of the East!
1 Visit Pulau Ubin and Chek Jawa
We start the activities with a trip out of the mainland to Pulau Ubin. Start your adventure with a 10-minute bumboat ride that cost $4 per person and head back in time to 1960. Cycle around the island to see Singapore's last kampong , the abandon quarries and explore the Chek Jawa Wetland.
We promise it will be a trip that would be unlike any other you will experience in the mainland!
Check the microsite on how to get to Paula Ubin.
There are occasional tours conducted for the island too.
- Kampong Tour - 19 Sep 2020
- Rustic Reflection 19 Sep 2020
How to get there
Bumboats from Changi Point Gerry operating from 6-7am
2 Spend a day at Changi Jetty
After your trip to Paula Ubin, head to Changi Jetty. Changi Jetty provides good food at Changi Village, a scenic walk at Changi Point Coastal Walk. Remember to take a selfie with the hand for keepsake!
Address :
51 Lorong Bekukong
East Changu
Singapore 499172
Opening Hours:
24 hours
3 Discover Peranakan Culture
From the colourful Peranakan Houses at Koon Seng Road to eating Nonya Dumplings and visiting a mini Peranakan Museums at Rumah Kim Choo and Katong Antique houses, it's time to embrace the vibrant Peranakan Culture at East Coast.
For more tips on what to do, check out our 6 must-do experiences here
Location
Katong
4 Explore the Street Art of Katong
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| Everitt Road Ernest Zacharevic Street Art |
Do you know that there is an Ernest Zacharevic Street Art in Katong?
Ernest is famed for the iconic street art of Penang. He does a few large scale street art in Singapore too and one of them is in Katong. Beside the Street Art by Ernest, there are other murals to be discovered in Katong too.
You can check out the street art of Katong here.
5 Walk the Jurassic Mile at Changi Airport
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| Photo Credit: Cheekie Monkies |
The Jurassic Mile is the newest park connector near Changi Airport T4. It allows you to walk besides dinosaurs. It's not officially open yet,, but when it does, it's sure to be a hit for kids!
How to get there
Located beside Changi Airport Terminal 4 Carpark 4A
7 Cycle at East Coast Park
You can start your cycle trip from Changi Airport all the way to Bay East Garden. It will take you at least half a day to complete this route. Cap off the day with a view of the sunset at Bay East Garden
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| Source: Npark |
There is also a cyclist park for beginners to pick up some cycling skills there!
8 Lookout for Iguana and otters at Bay East Garden
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| Photo Credit: The Wacky Duo |
Head to Bay East Garden for a picnic, a run or a walk. Enjoy the view of the city from across the river. If you are lucky you might even catch a glimpse of the residents there - Otters and Giant Iguanas
9 Play at Singapore’s largest claw machine arcade
If you are a fan of Claw Machines of Taiwan and UFO catcher of Japan, you have to head down to Play United at Kinex. This is Singapore's largest claw machine arcade with over 200 machines. It took a while to come to the East, but when it comes, boom!
The gameplay are about $0.80 per play. From experiences, you can always walk away with a toy or more for $10 spent there.
10 Eat your way through East Coast Road Eateries
Have a foodie escapade along East Coast Road.
You will never get hungry on East Coast Road. From the eateries of Siglap to Katong, you would find food that would suit any tastebuds. From local fares such as Katong Laksa and Prawn Noodles to Western Pork Knuckles and Thia BBQ Mookata, you will find it on East Coast Road.
11 Explore Pulau Serangoon ( Coney Island)
There is an island off the shores of Punggol where it was left untouched. You can hit the trail on a bike to check out coastal forests, grasslands, mangroves and casuarina woodlands. It is a place that is great for bird watching too with over 80 species of birds on the island.
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| Instagram Feed: Coney Island |
Address :
12 Shop at the outlet mall at Changi City Point
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| Photo Credit: Frasers Centrepoint Group |
The west is not the only place with outlet malls. You can find outlet malls like Nike, Timberland, Onitsuka Tiger in the mall. If you are looking for good deals, this is the place to shop in the East.
14 Go for an adventure at Singapore's first and largest treetop adventure park
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| Photo Credit: Forest Adventure |
Another accolade for the East. They have the largest treetop adventure park in Singapore for you to explore at Forest Adventure. Located at Bedok Reservoir Park, it is the place to go if you would like to challenge yourself. There are kids course for 5-9, junior course for older kids and grand course for mom and dad. If you feeling adventurous, head to the zipline for a rider 300m over water!
15 Shop for WFH furniture at Ikea
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Still, working from home (WFH)?
You would need the proper furniture to set up the mini home office. Head to Ikea to get your WFH essentials. While you are there, do not miss the legendary chicken wings and Swedish meatballs!
16 Have dinner in a floating restaurant off the shores of Changi
Looking for a special spot for dinner?
Head out to sea to a floating restaurant located between Pulau Ubin and Changi Point Ferry Terminal. Smith Marine is a Chinese Halal Seafood restaurant is only accessible by bumboat. When you are there, you could catch your own fish to cook.
You can check out the full menu here
Address :
Between Changi Point Ferry Terminal and Pulau Ubin
You would need to book a 2-way ride to get there. Call the restaurant to book. 2 Way ride cost $100 for up to 12 pax. You could call them directly to book transportation.
Contact :
97927609
17 Go back to nature @ Pasir Ris Mangrove Park
Another spot to explore in the East would be the 6 ha Pasir Ris Mangrove Boardwalk. There is a three storeys high Bird Watching Towe for bird lovers there.
Address:
Pasir Ris Park
60 Pasir Ris Dr 3
Singapore 519497
18 Relive WW2 at the Johor Battery
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| Source: Xperiencesingapore |
Johor Battery was a former British coastal artillery battery located in Changi on the easternmost side of mainland Singapore. It was built in 1939 for the naval defence of Singapore. Today, the former site of the Johore Battery now includes a replica of the large naval gun and a dummy 15-inch shell. Visitors can try to hoist to 800kg artefact. A place for the history buff, admission is free.
Address
27 Cosford Road
Singapore 499649
19 Ride the Waves at Singapore Wake Park
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| Source: Singapore Wake Park |
Surfing in Singapore?
You can do ride the waves at Singapore Wake Park (SWP). SWP is the country's only cable -ski park built in a lagoon creating a safe environment for both beginners and experienced riders looking for an adrenaline fix. Children as young as six are allowed on the skis. Check out the video for what to expect.
20 Discover the bridges of Punggol
Punggol has a number of bridges that are Instagram worthy. From Jewel Bridge to Kelong Bridge, they are great spots for a walk and to take the OOTD photos on the gram
Kelong Bridge
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| Source: Instagram |
Lor Halus Red Bridge
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| Source: Instagram |
Jewel Bridge
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| Source: Instagram |
Adventure Bridge
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| Source: Instagram |
21 Learn to skate like Tony Hawks
The East has Singapore's first International Standard Skate Park and the largest one in Singapore. Occupying a space of 1.4 ha (2.5 football fields), it has a combo bowl, a vertical bowl and a streetcourse. It is free too!
22 Start your fish hobby at Mainland Tropical Fish Farm
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| Source: Instagram |
Planning to build an aquarium or a pond at your home. If you are a starter and looking for inspiration, take a trip to Mainland Tropical Fish Farm to explore. They also have longkang fishing if you want to catch your own fish instead.
Address:
No 1 Pasir Ris Farmway 1
Singapore 519352
23 Watch Sunrise from Bedok Jetty
The sun rises in the East. The best spot to catch the Sunrise is from Bedok Jetty. Located at East Coast Park, you could watch the sunrise followed by breakfast at the nearby Parkland Green Restaurants.
24 Be mesmerised by the worlds largest indoor waterfall @ Jewel
If you have not been to Jewel, It is time to visit. The World's largest indoor waterfall is in Jewel. Stay till late to catch the nightly light show.
25 Take a Staycation at the airport
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| Source: Yotelair |
Missed Flying?
Get as close to the planes as possible with a stay at Yotelair. The rooms resemble 1st class plane cabins. You can also do plane spotting while you are there at the airport.
There you have it, activities for families and hidden gems to be discovered in the East!
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