The ultimate guide to Gardens by the Bay

The Supertrees are an indelible part of Singapore's skyline. Visit the cluster of 12 trees at the Supertree Grove – you'll feel small in the shadow of their towering trunks and broad canopies. Entry to the grove is free, but a modest fee will get you up onto the OCBC Skyway, a 128-metre-long walkway with amazing views of the gardens and Marina Bay area. A new Supertree Observatory gives you some space to pause and soak in the views from the open-air rooftop deck or The Social Kitchen dining venue. 

Book for the OCBC Skyway here.

When night falls, the Supertree Grove transforms into Singapore’s most dazzling free spectacle. The 18 towering structures light up in a choreographed symphony of music, lights, and colour that radiates across the gardens. The soundtrack changes periodically, ranging from cinematic scores and retro classics to festive seasonal tunes. The best way to experience it is to grab a spot directly beneath the canopy, lie back, and watch the canopy glow above you. Arrive 15 minutes early to secure a comfortable view before the crowds gather.

The Garden Rhapsody light show happens daily at 7.45pm and 8.45pm (around 15 minutes per show). 

Not forgetting the kids, the Far East Organisation Children's Garden has a water play area and multiple features to keep the kids busy. Toddlers have a dedicated zone to play among fish sculptures, sway bridges and stepping springs, while older kids can monkey around at the rainforest tree houses and mini water park that has motion-activated sprinklers. Bring along your swimwear!

A sanctuary tucked away near Satay by the Bay, Kingfisher Wetlands is one of the Gardens’ best-kept outdoor secrets. Spanning 15,000 square metres, this freshwater habitat features trickling streams, aerating cascades, and over 200 native mangrove trees planted to absorb carbon and encourage urban biodiversity. Keep your eyes peeled at the Wildlife Lookout deck, and you might spot native kingfishers diving for fish, migratory birds, butterflies, and the occasional monitor lizard soaking up the sun.

Have a rocking good time at The Canyon, an outdoor garden with the largest collection of sculptural rocks. Sourced from Shandong, China, these ancient rocks have been artfully placed along a 400-metre-long dragon-shaped trail. Keep a lookout for the 'dragonfly', 'marco drago' and Chinese totem sculptures, as well as plants from arid regions – including the powder blue leaves of the beaked yucca, the red flowers of the cockspur coral tree and the spiny trunk of the pochote. 

Curate your own sculpture trail at Gardens by the Bay. There are more than 40 art pieces scattered around the Gardens, promising something new every time you visit. Highlights include Planet, a large reproduction of the artist's son that seems to float in midair; Fiore, of a woman's head with a flourishing headdress; Diaspora, which pays homage to early Chinese immigrants; and Moongate, an abstract piece that nudges us towards fresh narratives of Singapore. 

Get Michelin-rated hawker eats alongside dinosaur shows at Jurassic Nest Food Hall. First, the food: you'll be spoiled for choice when it comes to Michelin-awarded eats like soya sauce chicken rice and noodles at Hawker Chan, biryani at Bismillah Biryani, Indonesian nasi lemak at Nasi Lemak Ayam Taliwang, and ramen at Tsuta. Stick around for the hourly Jurassic Nest Show, featuring 15 animatronic dinosaurs like T.rex and Oviraptor in a roaring display. This runs from 11.45am to 9.15pm, every 30 mins at the Alfresco Area. 

Sandwiched between Gardens by the Bay and Marina Barrage, Satay by the Bay recreates the nostalgic vibe of the old '80s Satay Club. The 1,000-seat open-air food court features al fresco pushcart stalls with rustic wooden tables set against unbeatable Marina Bay views. For satay, City Satay is a popular option with succulent beef, chicken, and pork skewers. Also dig into favourites like BBQ chicken wings, sambal stingray, and hokkien mee for some true local flavour. 

A new dining attraction blooms within the Flower Dome at Gardens by the Bay. Nestled inside the world’s largest greenhouse, lush garden café Hortus serves up a slice of the Mediterranean. Dine on the sun-drenched terrace or under a romantic pergola while enjoying the cooled conservatory. The light, woodfire-cooked menu features dishes like roasted pumpkin and ginger soup, mint-scented amberjack crudo, watermelon salad with feta and confit olives, and smoky grilled octopus. Don't miss the Venus clams ($35) with pita bread, Turkish eggs, and seasonal desserts like salted caramel tart. Diners also enjoy complimentary access to explore the Flower Dome.

If a walk in the gardens has got you famished, that's nothing a good ol' burger can't fix. Head to Shake Shack's seventh outlet at Gardens by the Bay, where a bit of the outdoors spill into the interior. The nature-inspired space is decked out with coral bells, calla lilies, asparagus ferns, and even a floral chandelier. Keep it classic with the Shackburger, a well-executed cheeseburger, or up the indulgence with the SmokeShack, which comes with crispy applewood-smoked bacon. Sample some outlet-exclusive concretes –Berries by the Bay, where vanilla custard comes swirled with forest berries and shortbread, and Tropic Like It’s Hot, sweetened with mango and passionfruit.