One of the most must-visit destinations when traveling to Singapore is Gardens by the Bay, a vast green park located in Marina Bay. This captivating attraction features a plethora of plants, conservation areas, and thrilling rides and attractions.
On our vacation to Singapore, we decided to explore Gardens by the Bay, with the primary intention of visiting the Flower Dome, Cloud Forest, and witnessing the enthralling light show at Supertree Grove. Additionally, we were excited to explore the various thematic gardens within the park.
To reach Gardens by the Bay, we took the MRT to Bayfront Station, accessible via the Circle Line and Downtown Line. The station is directly integrated with the entrance of Gardens by the Bay, making it a convenient starting point.
Upon exiting Bayfront Station, we arrived at the Bayfront Plaza area, which serves as the main entrance to Gardens by the Bay. In this area, visitors can purchase tickets for various rides and attractions.
However, if you simply wish to stroll around the gardens or enjoy the light show, no tickets are required, as access to the majority of the park is free.
We planned to visit Flower Dome and Cloud Forest so we had pre-purchased our tickets online. It allowed us to bypass queues at the ticket counter. We just scanned the barcodes to gain entry to these two attractions with our smartphones.
Besides the ticket counter, Bayfront Plaza provides some facilities, including restrooms, dining options, and shuttle services. These shuttles enable visitors to conveniently access various attractions within the park, particularly if they choose not to walk.
We decided to explore the park by foot to thoroughly enjoy its stunning landscape. Please note that daytime weather can be boiling, so it is advisable to schedule your visit for either the morning or late afternoon to ensure a more comfortable experience.
Once we got through Bayfront Plaza, we casually walked down the path and stumbled upon the gorgeous Dragonfly Bridge. This scenic spot boasts amazing views of famous landmarks such as Marina Bay Sands and the Singapore Flyer.
As we went on with our adventure, we came across the Malay Garden and Chinese Garden. These themed gardens showcase each country's unique plants and cultural decorations.
In just a quick five-minute stroll, we reached the Flower Dome and Cloud Forest, both located in the same area. The tickets for these two attractions are bundled together, so you can't buy separate tickets for each one.
We started by checking out the Flower Dome, known as the world's biggest greenhouse. It's home to an amazing array of native plants from various regions across the globe. Please take a look at our story when visiting Flower Dome to explore the place.
After checking out the Flower Dome, we headed over to the Cloud Forest, just across from the Flower Dome. As soon as we walked in, we were blown away by the incredible indoor waterfall.
The Cloud Forest also lets you climb to the top for a one-of-a-kind experience, offering stunning panoramic views of Marina Bay. Curious about this place? Please see our story when visiting this indoor waterfall at Cloud Forest.
After soaking in the beauty of the Cloud Forest, we took a break and chilled by the waterfront, where there were plenty of spots to sit and relax. We also saw a lot of people jogging or running around this area.
Time flew by, and before we knew it, it was already 6 pm, leaving us with about two hours until the light show started. The show happens at the Supertree Grove area, so we immediately went there.
On our way, we came across some pretty cool themed gardens, like the Children's Garden, Sun Pavilion, and Golden Garden. We even grabbed a quick bite at the McDonald's in the Golden Garden.
Once we finished eating, we carried on to Supertree Grove. When we arrived, it wasn't too packed, but people were beginning to gather. Like us, most of them were there to enjoy the Garden Rhapsody light show.
Besides the light show, Supertree Grove offers two paid attractions for visitors to try: the OCBC Skyway bridge and the Supertree Observatory. Both options provide stunning views from above.
Since we came just for the light show, we started looking for the perfect spot to watch. It wasn't too crowded though, so we had our pick of the best places. When it's packed, finding a great spot can be tricky.
People typically watch the light show while sitting or even lying down to fully appreciate the display. But be warned, sitting for too long might give you a sore neck!
The light show kicked off at around 7:45 pm, featuring a cool retro music theme. It was genuinely spectacular, with all the Supertrees glowing in vibrant colors, perfectly synced with the groovy tunes.
The show lasted for 15 minutes, and we were blown away by the experience. Those 15 minutes were well spent, and trust us, no trip to Singapore is complete without catching this dazzling light show.
Once the light show wrapped up, we figured it was time to head home since we were starving. Gardens by the Bay is truly beautiful at night, with lots of twinkling lights guiding your way.
Gardens by the Bay is open from 5 am until 2 am, so you can totally explore it after midnight. Plus, there's a second light show happening at 8:45 pm if you happen to miss the first one.
On our second visit, we tried a different entrance, going through the recently opened Gardens by the Bay MRT Station on the Thomson-East Coast line.
As soon as we stepped out of the station, we were greeted by the impressive 350-meter-long Marina Barrage. It primarily functions as a dam, but it's also a great spot for some leisure time.
The area around Marina Barrage is filled with wide-open spaces perfect for picnics. You'll see folks laying out mats and chilling while they enjoy a bite to eat.
It's also a popular spot for kite flying, thanks to the breezy conditions. You can even walk across the dam to get to the Bay East Garden area, and if the water's just right, give kayaking or other water sports a go.
Once we'd checked out Marina Barrage, we made our way to Satay by The Bay hawker center, which is just a short walk from the dam. True to its name, this spot is famous for its mouthwatering array of satay options.
Sadly, when we arrived, it was packed, and there wasn't a single table available. Since we weren't super hungry at that time, we figured we'd skip the hawker center and continue our adventure.
We strolled along the edge of Gardens by the Bay and eventually reached Marina Bay Sands. We weren't there to stay overnight; instead, we were excited to catch another light show right in front of the mall.
While the Supertree Grove light show focuses on the artificial trees, the Spectra light show centers around a water fountain in the middle of the bay. The show runs for about 15 minutes, with two performances every night at 8 and 9 pm.
A little tip: if you want the best view, make sure you're positioned right in the center to see the light patterns clearly. But don't get too close to the water – you might end up getting splashed during the show!
So there it is – our Gardens by the Bay adventure. Trust me, this is a must-see spot when you're in Singapore. Whether or not you opt for the paid attractions, the free areas are totally worth exploring.
Have any of you been to Gardens by the Bay? Share your experiences in the comments below!
