PUBLISHED October 18th, 2016 07:00 am | UPDATED September 8th, 2017 05:12 pm
Summer all-year-round in Singapore might not be our most favourite thing in the world, but if there’s one little ray of sunshine, it’s that we can enjoy picnic weather every day and all day. Round up your mates, get out the ol’ mat, and find a basket as we present to you 10 of the best picnic spots in the city.
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Singapore Botanic Gardens
The lush and massive Singapore Botanic Gardens is surely the top contender for picnics on every Singaporean’s list, and we can see why. Aside from being one of the most romantic parks in the city, the extensive variety of flora to identify makes for a great pre-picnic activity. If you’re still hungry afterwards, walk over to Halia for some quality East-meets-West cuisine. On certain weekends, enjoy performances by local arts groups at the Shaw Symphony Stage.
Singapore Botanic Gardens is located at 1 Cluny Rd, Singapore 259569.
Fort Canning Park
This hilltop destination features rich heritage and often plays host to concerts, theatre plays, and events such as Films at the Fort, Ballet Under the Stars, and Shakespeare in the Park. Tour the various ancient monuments and artefacts (the British Army Barracks and Far East Command Centre) before laying down your mat along one of its many sprawling lawns.
Fort Canning Park is located at River Valley Rd, Singapore 179037.
Hindhede Nature Park
Right next to its big brother, Bukit Timah Nature Reserve, is the lesser-known Hindhede Nature Park. While relatively small, its lack of attention means fewer picnickers to bother you. You’ll find three resting huts here: Gaharu Hut, Pulai Hut, and Waringin Hut, all equipped with wooden tables and shelter so you don’t have to get on the floor. Make sure to pay a visit to the little quarry at the end of the trail, and see if you can spot terrapins and fishes in the water!
Hindhede Nature Park is located at Bukit Timah Nature Reserve Visitor Centre, 177 Hindhede Drive, Singapore 589333.
Esplanade Rooftop
More pretty at night than in the day, the rooftop terrace of Esplanade is a great place for an evening picnic while watching the green flood lights of Marina Bay Sands and admiring the city’s night skyline, all as the waters of Marina Bay glitter and flow beneath you.
Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay is located at 1 Esplanade Dr, Singapore 038981.
Chinese and Japanese Gardens
If you live in the west, you’re in luck. Otherwise, making a trip all the way out is still worth it for the impressive gardens. Located on Jurong Lake, cross the Bridge of Double Beauty to find a scene right out of old Asian classics, an old Marble Boat replica of the stone boat at Beijing’s Summer Palace and beautiful stone paths. There’s plenty of open spaces to picnic, and perhaps catch some Pokémon too.
Chinese and Japanese Gardens is located at 1 Chinese Garden Rd, Singapore 619795.
Punggol Waterfront
Punggol Waterway Park is simply gargantuan. Segmented into four different zones (not to mention Coney Island, accessible via a bridge) and with so much to see, the neighbourhood is perfect for bird-watching, enjoying the breeze, and to listen to the sound of flowing water. It’s a rather long walk in, so you might want to bring a cute bicycle or scooter along to ride.
Punggol Waterway Park, Sentul Crescent Road, Singapore, 822313,
St John’s Island
For a totally idyllic picnic outside of Singapore (well, not technically), head to St. John’s Island, just a 30-minute ferry ride away from the mainland. Here, the waters are clear turquoise and the beaches unspoiled by litter, and that’s just a small part of the 47 hectares of land that make up the island. Just make sure to get all the food, drinks, and consumables you need before the trip, as there are no convenience stores here.
To get to St. John’s Island, hop onto a ferry from Marina South Pier.
HortPark
More than just a great spot for picnics, HortPark lets you participate in guide workshops to learn more about the plethora of plants and flowers in the park. There’s even a gardening store for you green thumbs. Choose from one of the many themed gardens in the vicinity – including the crowd-favourite Butterfly Gardens – and start picnicking!
HortPark is located at 33 Hyderabad Road, Singapore 119578.
Telok Blangah Hill Park
Right next to the HortPark is Telok Blangah Hill Park, though it usually serves as a link between it and Mount Faber. The concrete railings and steps make a fantastic backdrop for Insta-worthy OOTDs, and picnics of course. Dine in the lonely gazebo atop the hill while overlooking the city.
Telok Blangah Hill Park is located at 10 Telok Blangah Green, Singapore 109178.
Labrador Nature Reserve
Another lesser known park in Singapore, possibly due to its obscure location down south, Labrador Park is steeped in history, with education signs telling the story of Singapore in World War II. Pick from the many pavilions available or huddle under the shade of a tree and enjoy your sandwich over marvellous vistas of the South China Sea.
Labrador Park is located at Labrador Villa Road, Singapore 119187.
Top Image: hslo