The best indoor things to do in Singapore on a rainy day

If you're craving a bit of greenery but can't head to the park because it's pouring, then you have an option: Gardens by the Bay. The Flower Dome and Cloud Forest are gigantic, air-conditioned, and filled with lush plants and beautiful blooms. See carnivorous pitcher plants and explore limestone forests and caves in Cloud Forest; meanwhile, Flower Dome is a beautiful showcase of the flora in the Mediterranean and subtropical regions of the world.

The rock climbing and bouldering community in Singapore has been growing in recent years. No surprise – as it's a fun indoor sport that you can take part in no matter the weather. Not only does it build strength, it also tests your mind as you have to figure out efficient and strategic routes up the wall. Climbing may seem like a solo sport, but there's actually a wonderfully welcoming and supportive community of enthusiasts – so strike up a conversation the next time you're at a climbing gym. We recommend Ground Up climbing, as day passes start from $22, and they offer courses that are beginner-friendly.

Get your creative juices flowing and try out tufting at Singapore's first tufting studio Tuft Club. Using yarn, a tufting gun and with the help of a projector, you can create rugs and other fluffy works of art that you can either use or hang on the wall as a nice display piece. It's a simple activity you can do with your family, friends, or significant other.

Perfect for rainy days, a bubbling hot pot meal always satisfies and nourishes. From the flavourful broth and an extensive range of ingredients to a host of side dishes and customisable sauces, the hot pot experience offers an irreplicable sense of communion between friends and loved ones. All made better by being indoors in the rainy weather. We recommend Xiabu Xiabu Hotpot, with its dual hotpot configuration and value for money sets that are paired with bubble tea from Tea Mi Tea, you are sure to have a wonderful meal experience.

Families with active tots can also have some fun at the various baby-safe indoor playgrounds around the city. One of them is Kiztopia, where your little ones can spend the entire day running around and exploring different games. From obstacle courses, train rides to giant slides and VR experiences, it truly is a little piece of heaven for your toddlers.

Next time you’re having a crappy day, vent your frustrations at The Fragment Room. The rage room allows you to literally smash any objects you wish to release all that pent up anger. Each session at The Fragment Room provides you with items such as plates, cups and vases, and electronics like TVs and radio sets. Just suit up, and have a smashin’ good time! 

Another activity that’s tucked away in air conditioning comfort is prawning. Fish @ Bugis+ has a rooftop indoor prawn fishing spot that is also family-friendly. There’s a tiny pond built for kids to fish in and a bar for you to grab a drink while admiring the skyline.

This nostalgic after-school hangout will never get old. Whther you love shooting basketball hoops, playing pinball, battling a friend over air hockey, or driving in bumper cars, arcades provide endless hours of fun and entertainment. Timezone offers a variety games and attractions, and they have 16 venues scattered all over the country, so find the closest one near you and go wild.

Adulting can be overwhelming at times. But fret not, you can let loose at some of the city's indoor playgrounds– think trampoline parks, obstacle courses, rock climbing walls, and even a mini-gold arena. If you're a member of HomeTeamNS, gather your army of adrenaline junkies for Adventure HQ at Khatib Clubhouse which features a 233-metre-long roll glider, a 14-metre-long slide, a 165-metre-long artificial cave, a 15-metre cloud climb, and a two-tiered, 16-obstacle indoor challenge rope course. 

Stick your nose between the pages of a fictional bestseller or learn something new from a non-fiction pageturner at one of the city's cosiest reading spots or public libraries. Library@Orchard is decked with modern interiors and an extensive list of titles that include magazines, video, and audio.

Good news: plays, dramas and musicals as well as live performances are back on stage. Keep your eyes peeled for plays at the theatres including Singapore Repertory Theatre and Ngee Ann Kongsi Theatre, as well as music performances at the Esplanade and Victoria Concert Hall. Other theatre companies that are worth checking out also include Pangdemonium, Wild Rice, and The Theatre Practice. Whether online or offline, there are always performing arts events dotted around the city to showcase fresh talent, so you'll always be entertained on a rainy day.

Take off on a completely unique adventure at the Flight Experience centre on Raffles Avenue. Here, you get some pre-flight training and fly on an ultra-realistic Boeing 737-800 simulator. A licensed pilot is also there to guide you through take-offs, cruising and landings. Choose over 24,000 airports and fly over some iconic cities either at night or day, including Hong Kong’s harbour airport and the Manhattan skyline. Packages start from $175.

While Tiger Beer isn’t a foreign brand in Singapore,  have you ever wondered how Tiger Beer is made? You can now take a tour of the Tiger Brewery and discover the fascinating history while learning each step of the brewing process. The guided visits also allow you to see how the beers are packaged. There’s also a 45-minute, unlimited tasting session at the end and you try your hand at tapping your very own pint of beer.

Whether you sip or quaff, enjoy a tipple (or two) and drink the bad vibes away with some friends at the city's top bars including those that chart 2023's World's 50 Best Bars list –Jigger and Pony, Sago House, and Atlas. From joints stocked with quality vino, speakeasies hidden behind unmarked doors, dens devoted to whisky, craft beer breweries, and much more, we doubt you'd stop at one drink – just make sure you have a safe ride home.

If you're yearning for a winter holiday, lace up your skates and immerse yourself in the cold at the city's largest ice skating rink, Kallang Ice World. There's a variety of courses, ensuring that skaters of all levels will have a good time.
 

Whether you're jumping on the Tik Tok trend-wagon, or revisiting a popular pastime, HiRoller Indoor Skating Rink in Pasir Ris offers state-of-the-art experiences on both inline and roller skates – think disco lighting and thumping music. It's also a great spot to introduce the kids to both inline and roller skates. You won't even have to worry about your kids falling flat on their faces – there are inline skating athletes and certified instructors to guide them through the glide.

Changi Airport is known for being one of the world’s best airports for a good reason, and with Jewel Changi Airport, you've got a solid excuse to visit even if you're not catching a flight especially in these times. Here's where nature, play and over 280 retail and dining options including the much-raved burger stand Shake Shack, Pokémon's merch store, dessert haven Läderach and A&W's highly-anticipated comeback, come together under one roof. Also marvel at the gorgeous attractions such as the Shiseido Forest Valley and HSBC Rain Vortex or keep yourself and your little ones entertained for the day with the Canopy Park and Manulife Sky Nets. Terminal 2 has also reopened with amazing new features – check it out. 

Topple some bowling pins at the city's various bowling alleys. Dance to the latest pop hits at the neon-lit K-Bowling, and while you are scoring those strikes and spares, check out the darts and an arcade right beside it, ensuring you'll be having a ball of a time indoors.

Been toying with the idea of getting a tattoo for forever? Take advantage of a rainy day to spend some hours indoors – at a tattoo studio, getting the tatt of your dreams. Check out some of the best tattoo artists in Singapore if you're ready to manifest some permanent body art. If you're still hesitating, then henna, jagua ink and other temporary body inks might just be for you. Here are ten best henna artists in Singapore that you can turn to with your wildest designs. 

Fancy some cheap thrills? If you prefer brains than brawns, test your board game skills at cafés where there are 700 varieties to choose from. But if you want to mix 'em both, team up for one of the city's escape rooms where you'll have to beat the clock and solve a variety of puzzles to escape. Otherwise, round up the crew for a game of laser tag at LaserOPS or prepare for a shootout with blasters loaded with darts at NERF Action Xperience. If you prefer flying solo, defeat the baddies of virtual reality at Headrock VR or Zero Latency.

If there’s one thing Singapore takes pride in, it’s the myriad of tourist attractions we have scattered across the island. Head down to Gardens by the Bay and marvel at the beauty of nature at attractions like Cloud Forest, Flower Dome and Floral Fantasy or snap a picture with your favourite celebs in full wax form at Madame Tussauds. Discover underwater life at the S.E.A Aquarium where you can get up close and personal with sharks, manta rays and even jellyfishes. The underwater world carries over 1,000 species across 50 different habitats, so have a day of fun meeting various marine life at the aquarium. 

Sometimes, being all cooped up in an office cubicle for hours can drive even the calmest of us mad. And though working from home can be the comfiest option, it might not be as productive. Venture beyond your friendly, neighbourhood Starbucks and settle down with free Wi-Fi, power points, and a good cuppa at these quiet cafés to get your productivity game on. And if you're looking for a more indulgent alternative, book a night's stay at any one of these hotels offering working staycations.

Whether you’re a shopaholic or a foodie, there’s a mall for both. Singapore’s cornucopia of shopping centres house lifestyle shops, fashion boutiques, specialised stores, restaurants, as well as cleverly curated multi-concept stores that are ace at shaking up your retail therapy session. The good news is that most malls are located in close proximity to or above an MRT station so you can stay dry even without a brolly.

When it comes to museums in Singapore, there's more than meets the eye. With a broad spectrum of genres, spanning from state-of-the-art science, vintage memorabilia, cultural artifacts and historic treasures with interesting backstories, our museums feed curious minds. Try the National Museum of Singapore, Art Civilisations Museum, or go for an experience that's much more clandestine at a secret museum. Another highlight is the ArtScience Museum — home to interactive eye-catching exhibits that all you shutterbugs will love.

Here's one for the artsy types – art galleries such as National Gallery Singapore, Goodman Arts Centre and those at Gillman Barracks house gorgeous masterpieces by both local and international artists. While some captivating art exhibitions are permanent, the temporary displays are worth checking out too – if only for the 'gram.

If Netflix and chill at home won’t do, you can opt for a new box-office screening at the cinema. For the ultimate movie experience, there's the IMAX theatre at Shaw or catch an under-the-radar indie flick at alternative film venues like The Projector and Oldham Theatre. 

Going for a run in the rain can be quite risky. For safety reasons, opt to break a sweat indoors. Encouraging a healthy and active lifestyle, Singapore is never short of places to keep you active. Enjoy a good view of the city skyline while whipping that body into shape at indoor gyms and fitness studios such as Virgin Active at Tanjong Pagar Centre.

In need of some rest and relaxation? Take advantage of the cool weather by pampering yourself at some of the best spas in Singapore. From luxury therapies to pocket-friendly massages of various types, these spas offer relaxing full-body rubdowns, revitalising treatments, invigorating scrubs, or rejuvenating facials perfect for a gloomy day pick-me-up.