You are well into the year, and the novelty of going out for yet another brunch with your pals has worn off. You search ‘things to do’ on Google and are confronted with a plethora of choices but none catch your eye. Sounds familiar? Fret not – we have got you covered with our very own list of unique activities to try! From experiential blasts to the past, to NERF gun battles, check out our team’s recommendations below:
Discover new sides of Singapore
New World’s End by Oh! Stories
Find yourself looking at pictures from past travel trips? Itching to be anywhere else but Singapore? Hear this.
When night falls, take a trip into the past as you trail after the fictional romance of star-crossed lovers, Kiran and Rosa, around Jalan Besar. Relish the sights and sounds of the New World Amusement Park (closed in 1987), and find yourself immersed in a side of Singapore never seen before.
Escape the polished city we are so familiar with, into a melting pot of people and architecture through an immersive audio-guided art tour. Each ticket costs S$35 (US$26). Book your tickets here.
Event timing
Fridays to Sundays and public holidays only: 6 – 10pm.
Triad Trails organised by Architects of Life
Opium and gambling dens? These are the furthest adjectives anyone would associate modern Singapore with.
What better way to learn about the nation’s history with opium and secret societies than through first-hand accounts? Yes, the tour guides are ex-gang members who bring Chinatown’s history to life through personal experiences with the drugs and gangs scene.
The tour offers not only lifelike and authentic perspectives into the underbelly of Singapore’s past, but also the chance to converse with ex-offenders in-depth over a meal at the end of the tour. Each ticket costs S$70 (US$52). Book a tour here.
Tour timing
Every Saturday: 5.30 – 8pm.
Widen your horizons
Upclose and Personal with ex-offenders by Architects of Life
To challenge the stigma that the enigmatic and sidelined community of ex-offenders face, social enterprise Architects of Life came up with the idea of conversations over food.
Listen to table hosts share difficult memories from their troubled pasts, and how they overcame their adversities to get to where they are now – all over an indulgent meal. (Psst, one of the listed table hosts is a Forbes 30 under 30 honoree.)
What does the life of an ex-offender look like? Here is your chance to find out! Prices start at S$40 (US$30) for one meal set. Book your ticket here.
Andromeda Observatory at Woodlands Galaxy Community Club
Ever wondered what the moon looks like up-close? We may not be astronauts, but we have telescopes to help us with that.
Treat your eyes to the breathtaking sight of otherworldly celestial space at the Andromeda Observatory, run by a group of astronomy enthusiasts. It is not every day that you get to see star clusters, Jupiter and even Saturn! Admission to the observatory costs just S$1 (US$ 0.74).
Opening hours (do check to their Facebook page for reopening):
Friday and Saturday: 7.30 – 9.30pm
Nanyang Sauce Academy by Nanyang Sauce Brewery
Asian palates cannot do away with soy sauce. Just as well then that there are breweries like Nanyang Sauce who continue to manufacture this condiment the traditional way, in Singapore. Get a glimpse into the vanishing craft, and bring home your own jar of soybeans to ferment.
If making your own sauce blend sounds more intriguing, check out their sauce profiling workshop to create your unique taste profile!
For more information on prices and available workshops, check out their website here.
MakeIT at Libraries
Looking for fun ways to upskill, or in a mood to get creative? Try MakeIT at Libraries for a whole host of programmes, such as robotics workshops, coding classes, and more! Technology-centric skills aside, the programme also offers sewing classes for those who enjoy getting handy. Rediscover the joy of learning with a community of makers and pick up valuable skills to boot.
While MakeIT offers online tutorials through its Facebook Group, in-person workshops at the Jurong Regional Library, Tampines Regional Library, and Woodlands Regional Library have recently started up again.
Find out more about MakeIT’s workshops and classes here.
The Sundowner
Escape from reality at The Sundowner at Siglap, a charming bar and lounge in the East and home to a vibrant rooftop farm. With their Rooftop Farm Experience, get your hands dirty at an organic farming masterclass, and sip on fresh farm-to-bar cocktails, while relishing the chance to get up close with nature through their Bee Encounter (you may even get to harvest honey!)
For those looking to indulge, slake your thirst at desert-themed bar Bedouin’s Tent, which features real sand floors. The Sundowner also offers lounge sessions and movie screenings – perfect for intimate celebrations.
Prices for the Rooftop Farm Experience start from S$115 (US$85.06) per person for adults (aged 13 years old and above).
Bookings are subject to availability. Find out more about The Sundowner here.
Let loose and unwind
Splat Painthouse
Enjoy art jamming like you have never seen it before: down the barrel of a water gun at Splat Paint House. Nothing is off-limits here – walls and canvases alike are fair game, so feel free to leave your mark on this cosy space in Upper Thomson!
Forget paintbrushes and say ‘hello’ to a wild time of unbridled fun with other tools. From paint-loaded water guns to syringes, it is the perfect place to destress and let your kids make a mess – with a splat. Worried about getting your clothes stained? Coveralls, shoe covers, gloves and safety glasses are all provided for a fuss-free experience.
Packages start at S$43 (US$32) per person, and additional canvases and paint are available.
Opening hours
Wednesday to Friday: 3 – 9pm
Saturday: 11am – 9pm
Sunday: 11am – 7pm
Closed on Mondays and Tuesdays
Create your own hand-tufted rug at Tuft Club
Take crafting to the next level with your very own handmade rug at Tuft Club, Singapore’s first rug tufting studio. In just four hours, explore the art of hand-tufted rug making by learning to operate a tuft gun to make your own one-of-a-kind rug or wall-hanging. Look out for your unique creations in the mail, as free delivery will be provided for tufted projects within two to three weeks.
Unsure if a rug would fit your home? Tuft Club also offers workshops for plush hand-tufted mirrors, a refreshing new approach to this age-old craft.
Prices begin at S$195 (US$144) per workshop.
Opening hours
Monday to Sunday: 10am – 10pm
NERF Action Experience
Gunning for new things to try with your friends? Get their nerves tingling with the NERF Action Experience! From zombie-themed spaces to rope obstacle courses, battle your way through an arena of activity zones designed to get your adrenaline pumping. Test your speed, agility and accuracy, aka vital NERF skills, at the Challenge zone (and squeeze in a good workout while at it!).
In line with current safe-distancing measures, groups of up to five people are allowed at present, and contactless payment is encouraged. Book your tickets here.
Prices start at S$39 (US$29) per ticket.
Opening hours
Monday to Friday: 12 – 8pm
Saturday to Sunday: 10am – 8pm
With this curated list of activities, see if your cabin fever won’t go away!
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