There are only so many movies and luxurious dinners that you can do with your significant other before it becomes boring. Now that a cheap Bangkok weekend is not possible for the near future, having to come up with fresh ideas every week can be challenging. But Singapore has actually quite a few fun activities up her sleeves, if you know where to look.
Here is a list of ideas that can help chalk up brownie points, keep the feeling of being stuck in Singapore at bay, while helping local businesses stay afloat.
Lovers of both food and nature will adore the lush foliage surrounding Open Farm Community, a charming greenhouse-styled restaurant that will make the two of you feel as though you are dining in the middle of a farm in Perth. Its sprawling premises house an edible garden, an al fresco area (that looks magical in the evening, by the way) and a retail shop. Dig into locally-sourced, seasonal and innovative dishes at this perfect location for a weekend brunch date.
130E Minden Road, Singapore 248819
Indulge in a nautical adventure without travelling too far away at this modernised kelong restaurant. Located just off Pulau Ubin, Smith Marine is merely a 15-minute ferry ride from the Changi Village Ferry Terminal. Here, you get to reel in your own meal at their “sure-catch pond” (at $35 per fish). Caught fishes, such as a snapper or seabass, can be cooked in a variety of ways. We found the seafood to be extremely fresh, and being so tender, it simply melts off the bone.
Pulau Ubin Coastal Area FC97E
Fancy channelling your inner Vin Diesel, Fast and Furious-style? Get your partner’s heart pumping by challenging him or her to a race (but remember to adhere to all safety requirements!), while fulfilling that race car driver dream at the same time.
Karting Arena has two circuits, one in Bukit Timah and the other in Jurong. Bukit Timah utilises electric karts, while the Jurong branch offers petroleum karts. Prices differ at both tracks, and start from $35 for a 10-minute session.
Regardless of which you choose, you’ll be guaranteed an adrenaline-filled time navigating the twists and turns.
Trot, canter and gallop at Gallop Stable, which will make you feel like you’re prancing along the English countryside. You and your date get to saddle up for an afternoon of fun horse-riding if you sign up for a semi-private lesson for two.
At $80 (on weekdays) and $90 (on weekends), you’ll get to enjoy a 45-minute session of leisure riding for novice riders. Not a fan of riding? You can feed the ponies and bunnies at the stables too at $2 per feed packet. Round up your British adventure by heading for an afternoon tea of scones and sandwiches after that.
Gallop Stable is at two locations, Pasir Ris and Bukit Timah.
Get lost with your date at this whimsical spot. With towering green hedges, rustic wooden fences and forestry all around, this enchanting maze is your next best alternative to Paris’ Jardin des Plantes during this period.
Make a day trip out of it: The rest of the park is worthy of an exploration as well. Just make sure you check the weather — you don’t want it to be sweltering, or worse, rain cats and dogs when you’re there.
98 Pasir Ris Central, Singapore 519637
After a long week at work, sometimes the best way to spend the weekend is to simply unwind. So instead of packing your date full of exhausting activities, why not escape to “Japan” for some much-needed zen? Try Ikeda Spa, which prides itself on offering an authentic Japanese spa experience. With its warm tatami rooms, wooden interior and traditional Japanese decor, it would be as though you’ve been teleported to Kyoto.
Wash away the stress of the week with your partner at their Hinoki Onsen Bath ($120 for 30 minutes for two), or relax your mind and body with a Ganbanyoku Detox Massage ($190 for 60 minutes each).
787 Bukit Timah Road, Singapore 269762
Paddling down the scenic Amazon River and exploring the diverse ecosystem of its surrounding jungle might seem like a dream, but your bank account might disagree. Go kayaking in Pulau Ubin instead — it’s less exotic, we know, but it’ll thrill any nature lover nonetheless. Follow an experienced guide as you navigate through the tranquil mangroves, and see if you and your partner can spot some wildlife such as kingfishers, hornbills and even otters!
To get there, take a bumboat ride from Changi Point Ferry Terminal to Pulau Ubin and head to the Ubin Adventures hut, No. 34, for the beginning of the tour.
Thinking of booking a hotel for a staycay with your partner? We say nay. Forget about going for that cliché hotel and go Glamping (camping, glam-style) instead!
Prices start from $299 for a couple’s package, which includes a romantically decorated (with rose petals, mmm!) medium-sized tent, a picnic set-up that can be either indoors or outdoors, a large pizza and sparkling juice. It’s a dreamy setting your date will surely appreciate.
Glamping Society has two locations, at East Coast Park Camping Area G and D, and Kranji Glamping Farm Resort.
Take to the skies with your date at Seletar Aerospace’s full-motion flight simulator, where you get to soar through the “clouds” à la Aladdin’s carpet ride and enjoy a scenic bird’s-eye “view” of the grounds below. Okay, we know it’s not real, but the experience is no less exciting. Learn all about plane controls and get a feel of how to fly a plane at this flight school.
Prices start from $130 for a 45-minute introductory flight with an instructor. Longer flight sessions are also available if you have the cash to splash.
66 Seletar Aerospace View, Singapore 797509
Set up by two friends who met at the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts, Common Touch Craft Unit offers a range of pottery workshops and classes. For those that are new to the art, go for the introductory three-hour-long Pottery Experience ($85/pax). Group discounts (for groups of four or more depending on Covid-19 rules) are available if you pair up with another couple!
You and your date will be introduced to two crafting techniques – handbuilding and wheel-throwing – with the help of an experienced staff member. Each participant will craft one or two pieces during the handbuilding segment, and mould four pieces on the throwing wheel. One piece from the wheel is included in the price, with more pieces available for purchase at S$8 each. The pieces will then go through a firing process, and be ready for collection in two months.
45 Burghley Drive, #01-08, Singapore 559022
Set sail on a private yacht across the glistening waters to explore the southern islands of Singapore. The three-hour expedition, run by Discover Sailing Asia, will bring you and your date to Lazarus island, where you’ll have one hour to idle and sunbathe on the fine sand, splash about at the cove, or explore the island and admire Singapore’s skyline from the distance. Onboard, a guide will offer fascinating maritime facts and tales, and the boat captain might even let you try steering for awhile.
We guarantee this relaxing tour will evoke the holiday vibes we’ve been missing for so long. The best part is that this tour accepts SingapoRediscovers Vouchers (when booked through Klook), so what are you waiting for?
www.klook.com/en-SG/activity/51839-southern-islands-yacht-tour
For the outdoorsy, spunky duo who crave adventure and don’t mind bashing through the rainforest to explore the wild side of Singapore, this four-hour trek ($150/pax) – run by Beyond Expeditions – is certainly not for the faint-hearted.
At the Marsiling Bunkers, you’ll encounter sprawling underground tunnels leftover from British rule, rambling jungle vines, giant geckos, ankle-high mud and more. The Beyond Expeditions team will provide powerful headlamps, and help capture memorable shots of you and your date. After the adventure, a cup of freshly brewed masala chai or coffee, and savoury biscuits will be handed out.
https://seeksophie.com/options/explore-the-abandoned-world-war-2-marsiling-bunkers
No experience is required to learn how to make a cheese or chopping board from a piece of wood with Tombalek. During the one-day, five-hour fun course ($90/pax), channel your inner craftsman as both you and your date will get to cut, sand, as well as put the finishing touches on your boards.
The best part? Being able to take home a simple, and functional piece of solid woodwork at the end of the class. If cheese or chopping boards don’t strike your fancy, Tombalek also runs other types of fun classes such as toy making, chopstick making, and knife metal classes.
7 Mandai Link, #10-22, Singapore 728664
(Here are “7 Ceramic Art Studios In Singapore To Dig Into“)
Channel your inner Katniss Everdeen or Hawkeye during this one-hour funshoot ($35/pax) which will provide you with a basic yet comprehensive introduction to archery taught by a trained instructor with at least two years of experience.
After the introduction, you and your date will get to challenge yourself (or each other) on a couple of staged challenges – a 10 arrow challenge, a balloon challenge, and the mini-target challenge. The toughest of the lot is the mini-target challenge, so do your best to hit the bullseye as you’ll get to take home your target paper as a memento.
Salt & Light Archery has two ranges, one in Punggol and the other in West Coast.
Craft a key holder, coin pouch, and card sleeve for each other, or for yourself, at this leatherworking class with Crafune. While the atelier has a list of longer workshops that materialise into handbags or pencil cases, the 3 Small Accessories Workshop ($79/pax) is the best introduction to dip your toes in leathercrafting.
High-quality vegetable tanned leather will be your canvass for the day, and during the three-hour session you’ll learn how to score, cut, glue, stitch and burnish your leather item. Finally, personalise the item by debossing or hot-stamping.
38A Haji Lane, #02-01, Singapore 189231
Forget the usual windmills or crocodile mouths, and instead, putt your stuff through a glow-in-the-dark room and pop culture references like The Flintstones, and straight into the Nine Iron Throne at the Holey Moley mini golf course in Clarke Quay.
There are 27 unique holes for you and your date to try and score a hole-in-one, but with all the twists, turns, drops, and curves, it would be close to impossible. Throw in some good music, cocktails and food from their Caddyshack bar, and you’ll get Singapore’s best mini golf course, bar none.
3B River Valley Rd, Singapore 179024
The Museum of Ice Cream is now open for business in Dempsey, the first international location outside of the United States.
The Instagram wonderland has 14 interactive installations for your #ootd, so plan your outfits carefully! Swing on a giant cherry, jump on a pink bouncy castle, and frolic in the sprinkle pool with your date. Being a museum, there are also fun ice cream facts plastered all over the outlandishly pink interiors.
Guests will also be treated to unlimited servings of ice cream. Expect the frozen treat to come as soft serves, scoops, potong sticks, and wafer blocks, in local flavours like pulut hitam and lychee bandung. Tickets start from $38 per person.
100 Loewen Rd, Singapore 248837
The tea culture in Singapore is as diverse as its local population, and Monster Day Tours wants to show you a side of the country many know nothing of. On this The Melting Pot Of Tea: A Tea Appreciation Cultural Tour ($65/pax), a guide will dole out intriguing tea facts as you and your date amble alongside in the Chinatown district. Psst, SingapoRediscovers Vouchers are accepted!
Over 3.5 hours, you’ll be walked through four different cups of tea, from traditional to modern, and learn more about than 20 unique tea blends. There will also be a chance for you and your date to take home your own blend of tea leaves and infused flavours.
Feeling frustrated that we’re stuck in Singapore with no end of the pandemic in sight? Or perhaps you’ve had a rough day at work, your job is going nowhere, and you just want to hit something? Make a booking at The Fragment Room ($75 for couples) for 40 minutes of breaking and smashing in a specially-designed rage room.
Blow off some steam by smashing cups, throwing plates, hitting glass bottles and flinging electronic appliances all about. It is a truly liberating feeling, and the best part is you don’t have to clean up after. Not to worry, you’ll also be well protected with coveralls, helmets with visors, cut-proof gloves and safety boots.
Read about our first-time experience at The Fragment Room here.
490 MacPherson Road, Singapore 368198
Had enough of the trails and forests in Singapore? This organic farming, bee keeping and honey tasting experience at The Sundowner in Siglap gives a fresh take on nature.
This hosted rooftop farm experience ($115 per pax) consists of three parts: a masterclass in organic farming, a bee encounter, and a honey tasting session. The experience ends with a round of cocktails, and you get to pick your own garnish from the farm. We hear that these sessions sell out fast, and it’s best to make your booking a month in advance.
The sessions are held from 5pm to 7pm, every Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Each session can accommodate up to five people (depending on current Covid-19 restrictions).
Read about our first-time experience at The Sundowner here.
705A East Coast Road, Singapore 459062
www.seeksophie.com/options/rooftop-farm-to-bar-tastings-learn-about-bees-and-organic-farming
If you’ve been thinking of making your own mugs or plates, this introductory session to pottery at Dirty Hands Only is right up your alley.
During the 2.5-hour session ($85), you’ll be guided on the basics of pottery by owner Tiffany Chua, who’s a great hands-on teacher. All materials are provided, and you’ll get to take home one hand-built vessel and one wheel-thrown vessel at the end of it.
Above all, the studio is an intimate, welcoming space where you and bae can get your hands dirty creatively without competition or personal judgement.
Read about our first-time experience at Dirty Hands Only here.
195 Pearl’s Hill Terrace, #01-47, Singapore 168976
www.seeksophie.com/options/2-5h-intro-to-pottery-learn-to-make-fine-ceramics-used-by-ritz-carlton
