9. LEGOLAND Malaysia
Johar, Malaysia
No matter where in the world you are, LEGOs are fun! When visiting Singapore, get your LEGO fix with a visit to LEGOLAND Malaysia. The theme park is in Johor, just across the border from Singapore.
We’ve visited the LEGOLAND parks in California and Florida, and the Malaysia theme park has a similar layout and feel to the others. You’ll also find many familiar rides at this park like LEGO Ninjago and Driving School. This park also has The Great LEGO Race which is a LEGO virtual reality roller coaster. Riders wear a VR headset while riding the roller coaster. In all, there are 70 rides and attractions here.
Miniland is always a popular stop for our family. We particularly enjoyed the Miniland in Malaysia because it features famous sights from 17 Asian countries like India’s Taj Mahal, China’s Great Wall and, of course, Singapore’s Merlion.
KidTripster Tip: The sun can be intense here, but there are several air-conditioned locations around the park where you can escape and cool off.
Or to beat the heat, head to the water park, located just steps away from the LEGOLAND entrance. The water park has attractions for all ages from little kid playgrounds to big kid slides. There’s a wave pool and a lazy river where you can build your own LEGO raft.
Admission is affordable. Combo ticket to theme park and water park: about $36, depending on the exchange rate, when purchased online in advance.
KidTripster Tip: Stay at the LEGOLAND Hotel to maximize your time and get the full LEGOLAND experience. The hotel is just steps from the theme park and water park. Each hotel room is themed: Kingdom, Pirate, and Adventure. The hotel rooms have bunk beds, kiddie sinks, and, you guessed it, LEGOs. My kids loved this hotel! Even the elevators were fun with hanging disco balls and the song Everything is Awesome blaring inside. From the minute we arrived, it was LEGOs everywhere, starting with a giant play area in the lobby. There’s a hotel pool on the roof with floating LEGO bricks. The hotel has a few restaurants on-site, so you don’t need to leave the resort during your visit.
KidTripster Tip: Although the trip from Singapore to Malaysia isn’t that many miles, be sure to factor in the time that crossing the border may take. We’re talking around 2 hours! You’ll be passing through two border checkpoints each direction. Depending on the time and day, it can be slow-going. This delay can cut into your time at LEGOLAND which is why staying at the resort so appealing. You can get to LEGOLAND by catching a LEGOLAND-operated shuttle bus from Singapore, taking public transit, or hiring a taxi or car service.
10. Haw Par Villa
262 Pasir Panjang Road
It’s truly hard to describe this place. Haw Par Villa is creepy and captivating at the same time. I promise that once you visit it, you’ll never forget it.
Built in 1937, it was originally called Tiger Balm Garden, as it was built by the creator of Tiger Balm. The park honors the Asian region, culture, and philosophy and is filled with 1,000 sculptures and dioramas.
The park is a mix of cute and weird statues; the longer you roam the Villa, the weirder everything seems! The kids enjoyed seeing all the crazy dioramas, but just be aware that there are several displays depicting violence and the occasional nude statue. The really graphic content, the Ten Courts of Hell, is kept in a separate building and features some pretty disturbing stuff – even for some adults. Don’t even bother going in there with your kids.
There are fish ponds in the park where – for a few cents – you can purchase a bag of food and feed the fish.
Plan on visiting for an hour or two. Cost: Free.
KidTripster Tip: It’s really easy to get here by train. Arrive at the Haw Par Villa Station, and you’ll see the park’s entrance just steps away.
11. Singapore Neighborhoods
While there are plenty of attractions to visit, be sure to spend some time walking and exploring Singapore’s many distinct and colorful neighborhoods with your kids.
In Chinatown, you’ll find bright lanterns, endless souvenir shops, and all kinds of places to eat. Some famous temples are located in Chinatown, like the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple and Museum, a 5-story temple housing Buddhist relics. There’s also the Sri Mariamman Temple, which was built in 1827 and is the oldest Hindu temple in Singapore. Be sure to look up to see its grand tower entrance with its elaborate and ornate detailing.
Another colorful neighborhood is Little India where you’ll also find food, shops, and temples. Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple is one of Singapore’s oldest Hindu temples and a Little India landmark. You’ll want to visit the House of Tan Teng Niah, a brightly painted, historic Chinese villa that stands in the center of Little India. Stop here for an Instagram-worthy photo.
The largest landmark in Kampong Glam is the Sultan Mosque with its massive golden domes. It was built in 1824 for the first Sultan of Singapore. There’s lots more to see and do in Kampong Glam like shopping on Haji Lane.
KidTripster Tip: You don’t need to visit a particular neighborhood to find great shopping in Singapore. It’s everywhere. Expect to see a mall on every other corner, each deceivingly large with multiple floors of retail and food. These are great places to cool off and grab a bite, because even the mall food in Singapore is good.
This writer received some complimentary admissions for the purpose of this review. However, all opinions expressed are solely her own.
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