Singapore Zoo is one of the world’s first ‘open concept’ zoos and home to more than 2,500 animals from across the globe. Immerse yourself in the wild, surrounded with over 300 species of animals including pandas, white tigers, red pandas, orangutans and more living in landscaped enclosures spread across the 28-hectare piece of land.

This area, also known as Kampong Gelam, was once reigned over by Malay Sultans, but those days are long gone. The neighbourhood has since transformed into one of Singapore's oldest (and hippest) enclaves. It is now a melting pot of vibrant cultures from all over the world, majestic cultural buildings, eye-popping street art, myriad restaurants and bars, and trendy shops.

Considered one of Singapore’s most iconic structures, the stunning hotel features three floor-to-ceiling windowed towers, 200 metres in height. But there's more to explore than just the hotel – like the sprawling Shoppes at Marina Bay, which is packed with boutiques, and the lotus-shaped ArtScience Museum, which houses cutting-edge exhibitions that combine art, pop culture, history and technology.

Few buildings have created such a stir as this one. Opened in 2002, the eye-catching bayfront complex has been dubbed ‘the durians’ by locals because of its resemblance to the spiky tropical fruit. Built at a cost of $600 million, the Esplanade is Singapore’s premier performing arts centre and often draws comparisons with the Sydney Opera House.

This majestic dome is home to the tallest indoor waterfall in the world and over 280 dining and retail outlets, with some open around the clock – so, you can dine at ungodly hours at American fast-food chain A&W or food court Five Spice, or killing a couple of hours with a movie at 24-hour Shaw Theatres. Besides shopping and dining at Jewel Changi Airport, you can also catch the hourly light and sound show at the HSBC Rain Vortex, the mall’s 40m-tall indoor waterfall, from 7.30pm to midnight.

At the heart of the State of Fun – aka Sentosa – is a massive theme park featuring seven themed zones and over 25 rides and attractions for families and thrill-seekers. The perfect getaway for adrenaline junkies, USS prides itself on having the world’s tallest duelling rollercoasters, an indoor thrill ride, a 3D Transformers experience, and a soaking white water rafting that ends in a hair-raising drop. There are also kid-friendly attractions for the young and faint-hearted.

Once a convent school, CHIJMES has transformed into a hip lifestyle enclave brimming with bars, restaurants and cafés. Come down at night to experience the romantic vibe at one of the restaurants that offer outdoor seating or drop by in the day for some brunch in the garden or a spot of day drinking.

Sixty-four thousand square metres, spread across two monumental buildings, with thousands of pieces of art on its walls – that’s the scale of the National Gallery Singapore. Formerly the Supreme Court and City Hall, this behemoth of an art museum focuses on Southeast Asian art from the 19th century up until today. Round off the day by having a cocktail at the museum's rooftop bar, Smoke & Mirrors, which overlooks the Singapore skyline.

A Singapore icon, this majestic, gargantuan space is a sight to behold. Surrounded by exotic foliage, it's home to various outdoor and indoor gardens. The outdoor gardens spotlight the country's rich history through plants, while the indoor Cloud Forest, Flower Dome, and Floral Fantasy feature themed displays of colourful blooms from all around the world. The main stars, however, are the colossal Supertrees. For panoramic vistas of the gardens, head up to these futuristic-looking trees.

Located between Sentosa’s Siloso Beach and Tanjong Beach, this stretch of calm water and fine-grain sand is considered the most family-friendly of the three. From the shore, there’s a small island that’s easy to swim out to. Otherwise, landlubbers (and Instagrammers) can cross over to the Southernmost point of continental Asia (also Asia's closest point to the equator) using the suspension rope bridge. Climb up the tower for a bird’s eye view of Sentosa.

This wetland reserve is home to mangrove swamps, ponds, and over 140 species of bird, as well as a diverse array of local wildlife. Whether you’re a nature lover or simply looking for a change of scenery for your weekend walk, you can choose between three nature trails to soak up the views of the Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve. Look out for the mudskippers, monkeys, climbing crabs – and the odd crocodile – on the mangrove boardwalks.

Whether you’re on a hunt for the city’s best street art or hungry for an assortment of noodle dishes, look no further than the two-storied Amoy Street Food Centre. It is decked out with wall art that reflects its heritage, as well as a smorgasbord of hawker choices, from spicy Thai dishes and hearty congee to delicious pasta and traditional biryani.

The Koon Seng Road shophouses are an iconic photography spot in Singapore, but this is also where you can start your heritage walk on all things Peranakan culture in the Joo Chiat and Katong neighbourhood. Take a stroll around and discover old eateries, a home museum and mural art that pays homage to the Peranakan heritage.

This vibrant heritage enclave is filled with a tantalising blend of restaurants dishing out traditional South Asian dishes, buildings stamped with contemporary street art, and age-old places of worship like the Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple. Whether you're looking to learn more about Singapore's Indian community, get your fill of biryani, or shop for beautiful sarees, Little India is the place to be.

The area around the southwest bank of the Singapore River was designated by Raffles as a Chinese Campong (or kampong). This self-contained community settlement became home to many Chinese immigrants, and later a transit point for coolies going to Malaya. It thrived over the years, eventually becoming Chinatown. Now, the bustling neighbourhood is home to a good mix of hawker fare and swish eateries, history and architecture. Chinatown is a riot of colour and things to see and do.