Experience The Best of Marina Bay | Must-See Waterfront Attractions

The iconic Marina Bay in Singapore is a vibrant mix of sleek cityscapes, lush greenery, and the bustling bay. It offers many captivating experiences, from the shimmering skyline dominated by the futuristic Marina Bay Sands, the striking ArtScience Museum, and the majestic Merlion Fountain that symbolizes Singapore itself, to the serene, yet futuristic beauty of the Supertree Grove, the Cloud Forest, and the Flower Dome at Gardens by the Bay. As the sun sets, this space comes to life in a way no other city does, turning into a dazzling spectacle of light and the perfect backdrop for unforgettable memories. This post covers the best attractions in Marina Bay, which promise something for everyone.

Shortcuts For Marina Bay Attractions

• Marina Bay Sands
• Gardens by the Bay
• ArtScience Museum
• Merlion Fountain
• Spectra Light & Water Show
• Singapore Flyer

Marina Bay Sands

The Marina Bay Sands is one of the largest and most iconic attractions of Marina Bay. Not only is it an architecturally stunning, and incredibly opulent hotel, its 57 floors offer amazing views and is a mecca of shopping and entertainment. And besides enjoying your richly anointed room and its view, guests can enjoy the rooftop SkyPark Infinity Pool on the 57th floor. It offers stellar views of the city, lush lounge chairs with umbrellas, and fluffy, white towels, while on the Gardens by the Bay side, there is a row of jumbo hot tubs to enjoy that overlook the gardens.

Either is an ideal way to start the day and it’s open until midnight, so it’s an even better way to end it. This is the largest rooftop infinity pool in the world and one you simply must experience. It’s so beautifully done, it not only feels exclusive, it also has a magical air about it.

If you’re not a guest, you can still enjoy the incredible rooftop at its SkyPark Observation Deck (for a fee). This is on the north side of the Marina Bay Sands rooftop. In additional to sweeping views of both the sparking city and techno-lush Gardens by the Bay, there are several restaurants like, CE LA VI Singapore or its Skybar and LAVO.

A reservation at one of these restaurants or bars currently provides access to the SkyPark Observation Deck without the fee. It’s always best to verify this detail in case of changes though. While the SkyPark Observation Deck is amazing, it doesn’t have the same exclusive vibe of the SkyPark Infinity Pool side of the rooftop. Yet, the deck and its restaurants are busy every night. Especially near sunset and especially on weekends. This means you need to make a reservation well in advance. The SkyPark Observation Deck is open until 10:00 PM, while the restaurants stay open later.

Other rooftop restaurants at the Marina Bay Sands include the Spago Bar & Lounge and the Spago Dining Room, which are on the SkyPark Infinity Pool side. Both, however, are still accessible to both guests and visitors. These also book up quickly so make sure to reserve in advance.

Staying at the Marina Bay Sands is definitely expensive, but I think it’s 100% worth it to really experience the vibrant, lush vibe of Marina Bay. Plus there’s so much more to this complex with its high-end retail shops, the Marina Bay Sands Casino, and many more dining choices.

To get to Marina Bay Sands, take the MRT the Marina Bay MRT Station, which is on the Orange Line.

Gardens By The Bay

Gardens by the Bay is an innovative and ecologically sustainable super attraction located just outside the Marina Bay Sands hotel complex. Its unique design was created to be one of Singapore’s top urban outdoor recreation spaces and spans over 250 acres.

Some of its most compelling attractions of Gardens by the Bay are listed below. Note that access to the park is free and very popular, so gets busy. Especially as the sun starts to set and temperatures cool down a little. Some attractions, however, do have entry fees and require tickets, which are noted below.

The Supertree Grove

My favorite attraction in Gardens by the Bay is its innovative Supertree Grove. The Supertrees are colossal structures, as high as 160’ (50 m). There are 18 Supertrees, each covered with over 150,000 plants. They are also techno-rich and perform tree-like functions like collecting rainwater for irrigation and absorbing sunlight during the day to generate energy for their dazzling color and sound show at night.

Visiting the Supertree Grove and watching the light show is free, but there is a small fee for the OCBC Skyway, which is a walkway suspended between two of the Supertrees, 22 meters off the ground (above).

In addition to the amazing technological aspects of the Supertrees, they present a nightly light and music show called Garden Rhapsody. It’s held at 7:45 PM and 8:45 PM, with each show lasting about 10–15 minutes.

One thing to be aware of is that during special events (like Chinese New Year and other holidays), the Supertree Grove area becomes packed. Make sure to arrive early so you don’t miss the show by queuing to get in.

The Cloud Forest

The Cloud Forest is my second favorite attraction in Gardens by the Bay. It sits near the Supertree Grove and next to the Flower Dome (below), each housed under its own massive, design-forward, glass and metal domes.

Highlights of the Cloud Forest include an indoor waterfall that is 115’ (35 m) tall and “mist” events that happen throughout the day (and evening), giving this forest its name by filling the upper area of the dome with clouds. See gardensbythebay.com for the most up-to-date misting times to make sure you don’t miss it.

The mesmerizing waterfall sits right near the entrance, so it’s the first thing you will experience. As you walk around the dome, you gradually make your way up to the top of it. You don’t need to walk all the way up as there is an elevator to help with part of it.

There are also other features of the Cloud Forest, including Crystal Mountain, an Orchid Haven, the Cavern, and the Cloud Forest Theater where you can learn more about this attraction.

The Cloud Forest is open from 9 AM to 9 PM, but always check the schedule for closures and hour changes. I visited during the afternoon, but visiting the Cloud Forest at night would be amazing as you would be able to see the Supertree Grove, Marina Bay Sands, and the Singapore Flyer lit up at night through the glass dome as you spiral to its peak.

Tickets are required to enter the Cloud Forest. Most people chose to combine this attraction with the Flower Dome below, but you can also purchase a ticket to see the Cloud Forest exclusively. See the link above for ticket prices.

The Flower Dome

The Flower Dome, which sits next to the Cloud Forest, is the world’s largest glass greenhouse. It features flowers and plants from around the world. It also has an exhibit hall, which was featuring art and graphics from Claude Monet when I visited. There is also a restaurant, Hortus, inside the Flower Dome with small plates, salads, and entrees for lunch and dinner.

While I enjoyed the Flower Dome, I found the Cloud Forest the to be the more interesting of the two attractions. I also found the Claude Monet exhibit a little underwhelming, but I have seen many Claude Monet exhibits around the world. This said, the cost for both attractions is only a few more dollars than the Cloud Forest itself, so it’s up to you if you want to visit both or not.

Heritage Gardens

The Heritage Gardens at Gardens by the Bay contain a collection of 4 outdoor themed gardens relating the main heritage groups of Singapore. Each with unique features and plants to honor that heritage. There is a Chinese Garden, Indian Garden, Malay Garden, and Colonial Garden.

These gardens are free to wander and explore, but there is also a 20-minute Outdoor Audio Tour to guide you around if you prefer. It leaves outside the arrivals gift shop.

Satay By The Bay

Satay by the Bay is an open air food area with many vendors near the waterfront in Gardens by the Bay. This is one of Singapore’s newest hawker centers, so it is very clean.

It offers a variety of foods from satay, to BBQ, chili crab, steamboat, and more at very affordable prices.

ArtScience Museum

The ArtScience Museum blends art and technology housed in a unique, lotus flower-shaped building just outside the shops at Marina Bay Sands. There is one permanent exhibit, called Future World: Where Art Meets Science, and usually at least one, but sometimes more, changing exhibits.

Future World features several immersive experiences that merge art, science, and technology. The time needed to explore this exhibit depends on how long you interact with each exhibit. I walked through in less than 20 minutes. If you have children, expect it to take longer.

The temporary exhibits when I visited included The World of Studio Ghibli, which is a Japanese animation studio from Tokyo that was co-founded by Hayao Miyazaki, creator of the animated films “Spirited Away” and “Princess Mononoke”, and Altered States, which features some cool, colorful art.

You can buy a ticket for all of the exhibits, although this can get a little expensive, or just purchase tickets for select exhibits. At the very least, I recommend the permanent exhibit, Future World. It’s best, however, to read the details on each option in advance at marinabaysands.com/museum. There’s really not much information at the ticket counter, and it can feel a little overwhelming to choose in the spot, so it’s better to arrive prepared.

Tip: Come back at night to walk the promenade and see the exterior of ArtScience Museum during the Spectra Light & Water Show. You’ll see light and color dance across its architecture.

Merlion Fountain

Merlion Fountain is another one of the top Marina Bay attractions. In fact, it’s an icon of Singapore. The sculpture’s unique fish body signifies Singapore’s origins as a fishing village, while its lion head signifies its founding name, Singapura, which means “Lion City”. Singapore was given this name after a Sumatran Prince who believed he saw a lion there upon landing.

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There are a series of theater-like steps at Merlion Fountain, where you can sit and enjoy the view of the bay. The fountain, and the view, is especially alluring at night. You’ll see Marina Bay Sands and the Singapore Flyer lit in brilliant colors, and colorfully-lit boats cruising in the bay. It becomes a very lively space at night as many people congregate here to see the view and the Spectra Light & Water Show.

Spectra – A Light & Water Show

The Spectra Light & Water show is a free nightly choreography of fountain jets, visual projections, lasers, and mist. The show is in the water in front of Marina Bay Sands, just south of the ArtScience Museum. Showtimes are Sunday through Thursday at 8 and 9 PM and Friday and Saturday at 9 and 10 PM.

You can see the show from the Marina Bay Sands hotel, Promenade, and across the bay at Merlion Fountain. Obviously some are farther ways than others, so keep this in mind when choosing where to watch it from. But, this show is more about jazzing up Marina Bay with color and sound than sitting still and watching it. I saw it multiple times. Once or twice from my room, above it at the infinity pool, and at Merlion Fountain. I would not say one was better than the other. Each perspective just added a different ambiance.

Singapore Flyer

The Singapore Flyer observation wheel in another one of the incredible Marina Bay attractions. It stands taller than the London Eye and offers stunning views of the bay. One complete spin takes about 35 minutes in a climate-controlled capsule.

There are also different packages, including an option to sip a Singapore Sling while riding in your capsule. For details and all ticket options see singaporeflyer.com.

Take A Tour

There are several fabulous tours to take in Marina Bay for its attractions. You can choose to see it lit up at night or learn about its history during the day. Here are three outstanding tours by Viator.

• Singapore Starry Night : Cruise, Garden Rhapsody & Spectra Show
• Lion City Bike Tour of Singapore
• Singapore Street Food Tour with a Local: A Feast for Foodies

Or, choose a free (tip based) walking tour to uncover the best Marina Bay highlights and attractions. Here are two by GuruWalk that are excellent.

• Stroll Through the Past Present and Future of Singapore
• Nice to meet you, Singapore! Your Lion City Adventure Begins

Where To Stay In Marina Bay

• If you want the splurge experience of Singapore, stay at Marina Bay Sands. Even if you only stay a night or two. The rooms are stunning (as is the view) and the amenities are top notch.
• If you would prefer luxury on the opposite side of the bay, by the Merlion Fountain, consider staying in the 5-star Fullerton Bay Hotel. Some rooms feature views of the Marina Bay Sands Hotel.
• Raffles Hotel is another well-known luxury hotel. It’s located closer to the city center, not directly in Marina Bay, but is another iconic hotel. It offers historic charm and outstanding service. And of course you must visit the Raffles Long Bar for the obligatory Singapore Sling (where it originated).

For a full list of the best places to stay, in a variety of areas and at a variety of price points, see my post on The Best Places To Stay in Singapore | The Ultimate Guide.

Want To See More Of Singapore?

Marina Bay is definitely one of the highlights of Singapore, attracting many travelers, but there’s so much more to this incredible island.

For all my other favorite places, see the posts below.

• Hidden Treasures & Things To Do In Chinatown Singapore
• The Charming Arab Quarter of Singapore
• 7 Must-See Sites in Little India Singapore
• Joo Chiat Road | Colorful Shophouses, Culinary Wonders & Cultural Fusion
• Is It Worth Visiting Sentosa Island?

Safe Travels!

Julie

If you’ve visited Marina Bay in Singapore and have other great attractions to add, please drop me a note below.