On the second day of our DIY trip to Singapore, my mother and I made the most of our time by exploring Marina Bay and the nearby attractions.
Marina Bay Sands is one of Singapore’s most iconic landmarks, renowned for its striking architecture and its role in transforming the city into a global tourism and business hub. The Marina Bay Sands Hotel is also a great place for shopping, as it houses many luxury brands. However, if you’re looking for more affordable finds, there are plenty of other places in Singapore worth exploring.
The concept of Marina Bay Sands was introduced as part of the Singapore government’s initiative in the early 2000s to boost tourism. True enough, it has become a must-visit destination for many travelers, admired for its modern design infused with greenery and sustainability—features that have earned it numerous awards.
Without further ado, here are the attractions we visited:
Merlion Park
This is a free attraction. We arrived at 8 AM, but there were already a lot of people, making it difficult to take a good photo with the Merlion.
The Merlion is Singapore’s iconic symbol, featuring a lion’s head and a fish’s body. It represents:
- Lion Head – Symbolizes Singapore’s original name, “Singapura”, which means “Lion City” in Sanskrit.
- Fish Body – Represents Singapore’s humble beginnings as a fishing village called Temasek.
Art Science Museum
From Merlion Park, we ate at Subway in Esplanade Mall and bought drinks since the walk to the ArtScience Museum was quite long. Plus, the heat in Singapore is no joke! You can also take a bus—just check Google Maps for the nearest bus stops.
The ArtScience Museum in Singapore is an iconic museum at Marina Bay Sands, known for its futuristic design and immersive exhibitions. Here are some of its top attractions and exhibits:
Permanent Exhibition: Future World: Where Art Meets Science 🌟
This is the museum’s most famous exhibit, created with teamLab, a Japanese art collective. It features:
- Nature – A digital waterfall and interactive floral displays.
- Town & City – Kids can draw buildings or cars and see them come to life in a virtual city.
- Space – Walk through an immersive galaxy filled with lights and digital stars.
This is the attraction I booked through Klook for ₱1,244.80/ USD 21.48/ SGD 28.70. Prices may vary, so be sure to check Klook for the latest rates!
At Future World, you can draw a fish on paper, and it will be projected into a digital space, making it look like it’s swimming alongside other fish created by fellow tourists.
The entire exhibition showcases modern art with a futuristic twist, featuring vibrant neon colors and interactive installations powered by technology. Please see my video below.
@9jammovesIs this what they call detachment?♬ original sound – Keegan
Touring & Special Exhibitions 🎭
The museum frequently hosts international exhibitions from The British Museum, Smithsonian, and NASA. Past exhibits have included:
- Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience – A stunning digital journey through Van Gogh’s paintings.
- NASA: A Human Adventure – Showcasing real astronaut gear and space exploration history.
- Marvel Studios: Ten Years of Heroes – A deep dive into the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Interactive Digital Installations 💡
- Crystal Universe – A mesmerizing LED light installation that makes you feel like you’re inside a galaxy.
- Sketch Aquarium – Draw a sea creature and watch it swim in a digital ocean.
The Oculus & ArtScience Cinema 🎥
- ArtScience Cinema – Features documentaries, indie films, and museum-related screenings.
- The Oculus – A unique water feature that drains into the Marina Bay Sands canal.
The exhibits change regularly, so it’s always worth checking what’s on before you visit!
Cloud Forest
I bought tickets for the Cloud Forest and Flower Dome + Monet exhibition on the day itself for Php 2,695.84 each/ USD 47.30 / SGD 63.17. I had actually purchased a voucher from Agoda prior to the trip, but when we got there, the ticket attendant said the voucher wasn’t valid and advised me to contact Agoda. I tried to contact Agoda at the time, but they never responded—and the link is no longer accessible on their site. Even the printed voucher turned out to be useless. I guess I got scammed—lol.
Don’t get me wrong though, I still book hotels through Agoda all the time. But I guess the lesson here is: when it comes to tourist attractions, it’s better to book through Klook, just like I did for Singapore Zoo.
Flower Dome + Impression of Monet
During our visit, there was a Claude Monet exhibit, so I’m not sure if it’s still the same at the time you’re reading this. The Flower Dome felt like a dreamy garden paradise, filled with a stunning variety of flowers from South America, Australia, and California.
The dome is fully air-conditioned, and sunlight filters beautifully through the transparent glass panels, making it feel like eternal spring inside. Check out my video to see more!
@9jammovesRaise your vibration ✨♬ sonido original – E Ceron Sr
Spago Restaurant at Marina Bay Sands
I was considering booking tickets to the SkyPark Observation Deck to enjoy the panoramic view of Singapore’s skyline for Php 1,535 per person (or Php 3,070 / USD 53.87 / SGD 71.94 for two). However, I learned from TikTokers that you can enjoy the same view by dining at either Spago or LAVO, as both restaurants are located on the 57th floor of Marina Bay Sands Hotel.
I decided to go with Spago and secured a reservation a month before our trip through their official website. You can check their menu there as well.
We ordered the Chicken Laksa Spring Roll, a burger, and one drink, and the total came to Php 3,551.34 / USD 62.31 / SGD 83.21. So, compared to the Php 3,070 cost of the Observation Deck for two people, I’d say dining at Spago was definitely the better choice to enjoy the view from the top.
Check out my video to see the stunning view from Spago!
@9jammovesWow ang taas ko na. Step by the step♬ original sound – Sir Thata Channel
Supertree Grove Rhapsody Lights
This one’s completely free! Be sure to catch the show at 7:45 PM and 8:45 PM daily. I just love the feeling of seeing tourists from all over the world gathered in one spot, all watching the lights together—it’s such a magical moment.
Check out my video again here!
@9jammovesShow me a garden bursting into life♬ original sound – Ja9
Transportation
All of our activities for Day 2 were in one location—the Marina Bay Sands area. While the attractions are within walking distance of each other, they are still quite spread out. As a result, we ended up booking Grab for transportation at times. This was probably the most tiring day, but I just wanted to make the most of the attractions’ proximity to each other.
Overall Expenses for Entrance Fee
