13 Best Things To Do In Orchard Road Singapore Besides Shopping & Eating

Thinking of heading to the city area during the weekends, or are you on a holiday in Singapore?

You’re bound to come across Orchard Road as one of the best things to do in Singapore!

Known to be one of the best tourist spots to foreigners and even locals, you won’t be bored spending a day or two at Orchard Road.

Use this list as a guide for you to plan your itinerary as you explore the wonders of Orchard Road:

1. Enjoy The Breeze On Top Of Orchard Central Rooftop Garden
2. Take In The Beautiful Views From The 56th Floor At ION Sky
3. Bury Your Nose Deep In Books At The National Library
4. Take A Walk Through History At Fort Canning Park

13 Best Things To Do In Orchard Road Singapore

1. Enjoy The Breeze On Top Of Orchard Central Rooftop Garden

Who doesn’t love panoramic views of buildings surrounding the city?

At this rooftop, you don’t only get to see a fantastic view of Singapore, you could also opt to dine in the many fine-dining restaurants available.

Image source: flickr.com/photos/hanks55/

Highlights:

• A calming mini waterfall surrounded with pretty flowers
• A children’s playground inspired by a Japanese artist

Reminder: There are no shades so make sure to bring an umbrella or a hat!

2. Take In The Beautiful Views From The 56^th Floor At ION Sky

The Rooftop Garden isn’t the only place for views of the city! At ION Orchard, aside from the 360 view of the city, you’ll also get to enjoy a unique multimedia experience.

Highlights:

• The Salt Grill & Sky Bar Restaurant
• A unique show about local dishes for children
• Learn about the history of the Orchard Road through a multimedia show

Tip: Visit on a clear day as if it’s cloudy, you won’t get much of a view.

3. Bury Your Nose Deep In Books At The National Library 

If you’re an avid book reader, you have to include this aesthetic library in your list of things to do in Orchard Road Singapore!

Even if you’re not a bookworm, nevertheless, you’ll still appreciate the interior design of the library.

Highlights:

• There are two floors – a studio and a loft for you to choose the right spot
• A unique book tree consisting of 4 collections – People, Space, Product & Visual Design
• A community learning session held on every fortnight
• Take a look at the magazine wall featuring a large collection of design magazines

4. Take A Walk Through History At Fort Canning Park

Go on a historical journey at this historical landmark. You could take a hike or walk on the many trails.

Highlights:

• An underground tunnel built during WWII (Battle Box)
• Maritime Corner where you can learn about the story of Singapore
• An interesting fortress, the Fort Gate, built in the 19^th century

5. Feed Your Eyes With The Beauty Of Opera Gallery Orchard

Love seeing unique artwork painted by artists? Pop by the Opera Gallery and check out the visually appealing artwork by famous artists!

View amazing art pieces from Picasso, Miro, Murakami and many more.

You could even purchase these artworks and display them in your home or office.

6. Observe The Historical Buildings At Emerald Hill Road

Get to know Peranakan’s heritage with the many buildings containing colourful tiles and windows that are stained along the road.

It’ll be a whole new perspective of Orchard Road, compared to the hustle and bustle of the city.

Highlights:

• The many unique Peranakan houses
• Head over to Acid Bar for drinks and live music

7. Surround Yourself With Nature At Botanic Gardens

When looking for free things to do in Orchard Road, you can’t miss this hidden gem located nearby.

Home to many joggers and those taking a break from the hectic city life, the Botanic Garden stretches from 60 acres of land.

Highlights:

• The National Orchid Garden where certain orchids are named after famous celebrities such as Jackie Chan
• Check out the Heritage Museum for various exhibits and panels featuring details of the Garden’s heritage.
• Kids can enjoy the Jacob Ballas Children’s Garden, a place for them to have fun and learn a thing or two about plants

8. Practice Your Cool Tricks At Somerset Skate Park

Are you the type of person that prefers activities over sight-seeing? Well, why not get your hands on a skateboard and hang out with other extreme sports enthusiasts?

Known as one of the best skate parks in Singapore, you’ll catch many locals and even kids taking skate lessons and performing different stunts.

Highlights:

• Ramps and structures catered to beginners and advanced skaters
• Cool street art on the walls to take pictures of

Reminder: Be wary of the kids that are wandering around with their scooters or skateboards.

9. Bounce Your Way To Singapore’s Biggest Trampoline Park

You’re never too old for playgrounds! Trampolines are not just meant for children, jumping on trampolines can be a great stress-reliever for adults too!

Being the largest in Singapore, there are more than 28 trampolines to jump from one to another.

Among all the fun things to do in Orchard Road, this tops the list!

If you’re worried about your children’s safety, they also provide trampoline classes.

Highlights:

• Indoor climbing walls
• A dedicated dodgeball area and basketball ring

10. Experience Living In A Palace At The Istana

Have you ever wondered what it’s like being the President of a country?

Here’s your chance to get up-close of the Singapore President’s office.

Beautiful flora and fauna surround the palace where you could take pictures of.

Highlights:

• Tours are available to enter the palace. Check out the selected timings here.
• Guides containing information of the gardens (it used to be a nutmeg plantation!)
• Visit the Istana Heritage Gallery to learn more about the history

11. Sing Your Heart Out At HaveFun Karaoke

Nothing’s better than a good ol’ karaoke session with your loved ones! Luckily for you, in Orchard Road itself, there are more than 5 places you could sing at.

The best karaoke to visit is HaveFun Karaoke, featuring 28 themed rooms, including Street Racing, Football, Batman and more!

Highlights:

• They also have pool tables, darts machines, private cinemas, basketball machines
• A bar & grill section for all your BBQ needs
• Song choices are available in Mandarin, English, Indonesian and Malaysian

Tip: Make sure to make a reservation in advance as the rooms will be packed and fully booked during peak hours.

12. Spend A Relaxing Day Visiting National Museum Of Singapore

Even if you’re one of those people who finds museums boring, you’ll be captivated by the amazing rich information of Singapore’s history and culture.

Also known as the oldest museum in Singapore, many visitors have said to spend nearly 5 hours exploring the entire place!

Highlights:

• Many historical exhibits with sculptures and paintings
• Information of Singapore’s flora and fauna
• Special digital displays you could fully immerse yourself in

13. Learn All About Urban Farming At Comcrop

Want to know how you could grow your own greens and herbs at your very own garden?

At Comcrop, you’ll get a tour of the farm located on a rooftop.

Highlights:

• The plants and greens are all free from pesticides and herbicides
• Farmer’s Markets are held regularly selling fresh Pesto, Cai Xin and many more

Reminder: You can only visit by making an appointment, on every first Saturday of every month.

What are you waiting for? Head down to Orchard Road along with your loved ones and spend some quality, fun time surveying every corner of Orchard Road.