Not Your Usual Travel Guide: 10 Alternative experiences to try in Singapore

Kanako Sugawara 13 Jun 2018

1/10
Haw Par Villa (Theme Park)
Known for their rather gruesome depictions of Chinese folklore’s 10 Courts of Hell, Haw Par Villa is a theme park located along Pasir Panjang Road. The park contains over 1,000 statues and 150 giant dioramas depicting scenes from Chinese mythology, folklore, legends, history, and illustrations of various aspects of Confucianism. Head there if you want to have an albeit unconventional arts and culture experience!

Where: 262 Pasir Panjang Road, Singapore 118 628

Photo: Haw Par Villa
2/10
Andsoforth (“Nomadic” Dining & theatrical experience)
Influenced by the underground dining sub-culture in London, Andsoforth creates series of theatrical feasts immersed around stories and theatrical drama. After prior online booking, diners are informed of a meeting location on the day of the feast and strategic clues along the way to guide them to the final venue. After they reach the venue, diners are surprised with an immersive theatrical dining experience from a team of artists that includes actors, makeup artists, and directors!

Where: Refer to website for location updates.

Photo: Andsoforth
3/10
Henndrawn (Jagua Henna)
Have you always wanted an edgy tattoo but couldn’t take the leap of faith? Are you deathly afraid of needles yet want to have something etched onto your skin? Look no further, Jagua Henna by Henndrawn offers very realistic-looking but temporary tattoos made from an organic fruit-based ink originated from South America - which stains the skin a beautiful tattoo-blue colour. The stakes are low (as it will disappear in about 2 weeks’ time) get that beautiful design you’ve always wanted!
Where: 164 Gangsa Road, Singapore 670164 (14th floor)
Photo: Henndrawn
4/10
Bollywood Veggies (Farming experience)
Tired of being stuck in a concrete jungle? Head north to Bollywood Veggies Farm and get back in touch with nature! Bollywood Veggies Farm offers guided farm tours, potting sessions, on-hand harvesting, and terrarium making classes for people of all ages. The company makes it a point to hire challenged and less fortunate Singaporeans, and the farm is run as sustainably as possible with no pesticides or fertilizers used on site, making it very planet-friendly!

Where: 100 Neo Tiew Road, Singapore 719026 (Kranji)

Photo: Bollywood Veggies
5/10
Singapore Turf Club (Horse Racing)
The one and only racing turf in Singapore, Singapore Turf Club’s history stretches back all the way to 1842. Race meetings run at the Singapore Turf club on a regular basis, normally twice per week on the weekend (do check their website for specific times and details). Dress code is casual, but make your visit an opportunity to dress up and enjoy the bougie atmosphere of the turf club (and the restaurants within it!)
Where: 1 Turf Club Avenue, Singapore Racecourse Kranji, Singapore 738078
Photo: Singapore Turf Club (Facebook)
6/10
Kelly (Oracle & Tarot Readings)
Feeling a little lost in life? Trying to move on from a life-changing event? Kelly Tan offers card consultation services, spirit communication services, animal therapy services, and crystal healing services for those who need that extra boost of confidence to find their way in life.

Where: 1 Maju Ave, Singapore 556679

Photo: Kelly Tan
7/10
Palm Avenue Float Club (Floatation therapy)
Feeling overwhelmed by everything in your life? Head on over to Palm Avenue Float Club, where you can immerse yourself (literally) in a pod that allows you to float your stress away. Some benefits of flotation therapy include the relieving of stress, gaining of mental clarity, and being able to experience deep muscle relaxation. Guests can choose from either a 60 minute session or a 90 minute session, according to what they are comfortable with.

Where: 66 Kampong Bugis, #05-01, 338987

Photo: Palm Ave Float Club (Facebook)
8/10
The Fragment Room (Rage Room)
Have an absolutely crappy day at work? Singapore’s first Rage Room, The Fragment Room will allow you to release your inner frustrations and smash it into smithereens. The Fragment Room offers three packages--the “single” mini-release, the “annihilation”, and the “double”, were you can have the cathartic experience with a good friend!

Where: The Fragment Room 3 Balestier Road Singapore 329671

Photo: The Fragment Room Facebook
9/10
Peroni Sunset Cinema (Outdoor Movie Theatre)
It might be difficult to park a huge pickup truck and watch a movie from the backseat (like they do in those American movies) here in Singapore, but you can still enjoy a similar experience at the Peroni Sunset Cinema! This film festival is only held once a year, however; so check this list for other outdoor cinemas in Singapore!
Where: Sentosa's Tanjong Beach
Photo: Peroni Sunset Cinema (Facebook)
10/10
Nox Dine in the Dark
Here’s one place you can’t take a flatlay of the aesthetic food you eat! Nox offers a dining experience completely deprived of light. Once you enter the restaurant, you will be guided and served by blind or visually impaired individuals who have been specially trained to offer guidance and reassurance to sighted guests. They also offer a vegetarian menu upon request. Learn to rely on other senses other than sight while you eat unique modern European cuisine!

Where: 269, Beach Road Singapore 199546

Photo: Nox Dine in the Dark (Facebook)

Fancy visiting a rage room or getting a ‘fruit juice tattoo’? Singapore might be known for its iconic landmarks, but it’s also home to cool, alternative experiences – check them out!

Are you tired of hanging out in the same ol’ neighborhood cafes and restaurants? Or perhaps you’re paying a visit here soon and want a Singaporean experience that the travel guides don’t tell you. If yes – well, you’re in luck.

Singapore might be known for its iconic Marina Bay Sands infinity pool and otherworldly supertrees at Gardens by the Bay, but this little red dot of an island is also home to some pretty unconventional experiences too.

From “rage rooms”, where you can vent your frustrations by smashing objects to your heart’s content, to having the ultimate country farm experience at Bollywood Veggies farm, here are 10 out-of-the-box, unique things you can do in Singapore!

Kanako Sugawara

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