According to the Singapore Tourism Board the average visitor stays 3.5 days. If this describes you, there's still plenty of good stuff to see and do before you depart. An early-morning visit to the Singapore Botanic Gardens is especially recommended for joggers and photographers. Once the sun has burned away the dew, head for the newly renovated National Museum of Singapore to cool off (notice I always recommend the air-conditioned attractions during the hottest time of the day). A late-afternoon visit to the Jurong BirdPark rounds out a relaxing day of sights. Start: Orchard MRT then bus no. 7, 105, 106, or 174 from Orchard Blvd.
1. Singapore Botanic Gardens
There's no reason to stop your workout routine just because you're traveling. Start your jog -- or walk -- early (it opens at 5am!) to beat the heat and so you won't feel rushed through the beautiful displays of tropical plants, shady trees, vivid blooms, and delicate bonsai, and don't forget to visit the National Orchid Garden (open at 8:30am) while you're there.
2. National Museum of Singapore
Recently redone, there's nothing musty about this history lesson. An interactive, multimedia, IMAX-ed good time, it's also highly recommended for children -- after all, the goal of the National Heritage Board was to make history accessible to everyone. They did a great job.
3. Jurong BirdPark
As long as you're in the Tropics, check out the birds in this beautifully executed park. Feeding activities, educational tours, and shows keep it lively.
