Garden party: Directly behind Marina Bay Sands, an elevated walkway leads to the award-winning Gardens by the Bay.
Gardens by the Bay
Supertrees: This 101-hectare wonderland provides a futuristic ecosystem full of aerial walkways above the canopies, lakes, sculpture parks and 164-foot-tall Supertrees -- vertical gardens that harvest solar energy.
Zexsen
Singapore Botanic Gardens: Founded in 1859, the UNESCO World Heritage site is home to all kinds of walking trails, raw rainforest, sweeping green lawns and an immaculately manicured Orchid Garden with more than 1,000 orchid species.
National Parks Board
Heritage trail: A walk through the central area will take travelers on a heritage trail that passes the grand City Hall and Old Supreme Court, the Peranakan Museum, Fort Canning Flagstaff, St. Andrew's Cathedral, Victoria Theater and Concert Hall and The Arts House.
National Gallery Singapore
National Gallery Singapore: It is a popular stop thanks to its ever-changing interactive exhibits, including last year's show by Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama (pictured).
ROSLAN RAHMAN/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
Bay breeze: Hugged by futuristic skyscrapers on all sides, Marina Bay is where you'll find Singapore's collection of modern architecture. The centerpiece is, of course, Marina Bay Sands -- a 55-floor hotel and entertainment mecca.
Singapore Tourism Board
Best views: Atop the hotel, there's an infinity pool and lookout point.
Andrew Tan
Rooftop drinks: This is also where you'll find Ce La Vi bar and restaurant.
Singapore Tourism Board
Melting pot: Singapore is a melting pot of cultures with a diverse population that hails from Malaysia, China, India and more. In Chinatown, the skyscrapers of Marina Bay fade into the background and three-story shophouses transport travelers back in time.
Courtesy Alpha/Creative Commons/Flickr
Cheap eats: The island is home to the world's cheapest Michelin-starred meal -- Hong Kong Soya Sauce Chicken Rice & Noodle -- a humble hawker stall that sells a famous chicken and rice dish for just S$2 ($1.42).
Yong Teck Lim
Taste of Singapore: At one of the 100-plus hawker centers, travelers can indulge in tasty noodle dishes. The options are endless and all delicious, from the flaky roti prata to grilled satay, kaya toast (a coconut-like jam served with half-boiled egg), Hokkien mee noodles, laksa, Hainan chicken rice, chili crab, and ice kachang -- a dessert made with shaved ice, condensed milk, and assorted toppings such as red beans and mango.
Singapore Tourism Board
Hawker 2.0: For a contemporary take on the traditional hawker center, Timbre+ is an artsy outdoor gastropark with more than 30 food stalls, food trucks, craft beer vendors and live music nearly every night of the week.
Timbre+
New wave: Ultra slick Potato Head stretches across three floors in a heritage shophouse, now home to an intimate cocktail bar and rooftop restaurant.
Potato Head Singapore
Classic sips: Singapore might be known for its Singapore Slings -- best savored at the famous Long Bar inside the 19th century Raffles Hotel -- but that's not the only tipple worth a try.
Raffles Hotel
Side street: Speakeasy 28 Hongkong Street serves up American-style classic cocktails and barrel-aged favorites.
28 Hongkong Street
Asian inspiration: Bitters & Love specializes in Asian-inspired cocktails with quirky presentations (like a Kaya Toast cocktail served in a mason jar).
Bitters & Love
Side trip: Most people think of Singapore as a cosmopolitan city, but there are actually 62 islands off the coast. For a family-friendly side trip, Sentosa Island provides an easy option. Located on Singapore's southern shore, the manmade island is home to Universal Studios, as well as golf courses and a few luxury resorts, such as Capella Singapore (pictured).
Robert Reck
Island hopping: For a more rustic adventure, we'd recommend Pulau Ubin or the Sisters' Islands (pictured) -- perfect for scuba diving, snorkeling, hiking and lounging around on the clean beaches.
