So. Is Singapore worth visiting?
I asked myself that exact question while half-asleep on a flight, scrolling through photos of infinity pools, spotless sidewalks, and food that looked too perfect. Like… suspiciously perfect. The kind of place that makes you think, Cool, but will I feel awkward there? Will I accidentally break a law by blinking wrong?
I’m from Queens, NYC. I grew up with noise, chaos, corner stores that sell everything except what you actually went in for, and neighbors who will absolutely tell you if you’re blocking the sidewalk. So yeah—Singapore felt intimidating before I even landed.
Clean. Polite. Organized.
I thought I might stick out like a guy wearing Timbs to a yoga retreat.
But here’s the thing I didn’t expect: Singapore slowly disarms you. Not all at once. It doesn’t scream for attention. It just… sneaks up on you. And suddenly you’re like, Oh. Oh wow. I get it now.
So yeah. Let’s talk honestly. No tourism brochure nonsense. Just real talk.
The Question Everyone Asks (Even If They Pretend They Didn’t)
Is Singapore worth visiting, or is it just a really nice airport with good PR?
Because let’s be real—Singapore Airport alone has waterfalls, butterflies, and vibes. You could land, hang out there for six hours, and still tell people you had a “great experience.”
But the city? The actual Lion City?
Yeah. That’s where things get interesting.
I didn’t fall in love immediately. It wasn’t fireworks-on-day-one love. It was more like that friend you think is quiet and then three hangouts later you’re like, Wait—why didn’t you tell me you were hilarious??
First Impressions: Why Does Everything Feel So… Put Together?
I walked out onto the street and immediately noticed two things:
- It was clean. Like, drop-a-french-fry-and-consider-eating-it clean.
- Nobody was rushing me. No one bumping shoulders. No subway rage.
Honestly? It threw me off.
I kept waiting for the catch. The moment where it felt fake or sterile or boring.
It didn’t come.
Instead, I found myself relaxing. Like my shoulders physically dropped an inch. Which never happens. Queens trains you to stay alert at all times. Even when you’re asleep.
The Food Situation (AKA Where Singapore Flexes Hard)
Let me say this slowly:
Singapore’s food scene alone makes it worth visiting.
And I don’t mean fancy Michelin-star places (though those exist… casually). I mean hawker centers. Plastic chairs. Shared tables. Dishes passed down through generations.
I walked into one thinking I’d “grab a quick bite.”
Three meals later, I was Googling how to move there permanently.
Chicken rice that made me emotional. Laksa that hit like a warm hug and a mild identity crisis. Satay skewers so good I ordered more before finishing the first round—because what if they disappeared??
You don’t need a plan. You just point. Eat. Smile. Repeat.
“But Isn’t Singapore Boring?” (No. And Also… No.)
People love saying Singapore is boring. Usually people who haven’t been. Or people who went for 36 hours and only saw malls.
Singapore is like an onion. Or a playlist on shuffle. You peel layers or switch tracks and suddenly—boom—new mood.
One minute you’re in a hyper-modern district with glass towers. The next you’re walking past a temple with incense smoke curling into the street. Then suddenly you’re eating South Indian food at midnight wondering how you got there.
Is it loud like Bangkok? No.
Is it chaotic like NYC? Also no.
But boring? Nah. It’s confidently calm, which is a flex in itself.
Getting Around: A Love Letter to the MRT: Is Singapore Worth Visiting
As a New Yorker, I don’t say this lightly.
Singapore’s public transportation is… perfect.
Clean. On time. Easy to understand. No mysterious delays blamed on “signal issues” that may or may not exist.
I stood on a platform once just staring at the map like, Is this real? Is this allowed?
It made me slightly mad. Because now every subway ride back home feels personal.
Gardens by the Bay: I Didn’t Expect to Feel Feelings
I thought Gardens by the Bay would be cool. Pretty. Good for photos.
What I didn’t expect was to stand there during the Supertree light show with my mouth open like I forgot how gravity works.
Music. Lights. Metal trees glowing against the night sky. People lying on the ground just… watching.
It felt futuristic but gentle. Like nature and technology decided to stop beefing.
I don’t cry at stuff like this. But I did get that tight feeling in your chest. You know the one.
The Neighborhoods Are the Real Story
This is where Singapore really wins.
Chinatown
Not frozen in time. Alive. Messy. Old temples next to cocktail bars. I bought tea from a shop where the guy gave me life advice unprompted.
Little India
Color overload. Music everywhere. Spices in the air. I got overwhelmed in the best way and immediately needed snacks.
Kampong Glam
Street art, mosques, coffee shops, textiles. The kind of place where you say, “Let’s just walk” and suddenly it’s dark out.
Each neighborhood feels like its own personality. Together, they make the city feel human.
Is Singapore Expensive? Yes. Also… No?
Here’s the truth:
- Hotels? Can be pricey.
- Attractions? Some are expensive, some are free.
- Food? Shockingly affordable if you eat like a local.
You can spend $6 on a meal that ruins you for life. Or $200 on dinner if that’s your thing. Singapore doesn’t judge. It just offers options.
Which, honestly, I respect.
Things That Surprised Me (In No Order)
- How safe it feels. Like, walk-at-night-without-clutching-your-bag safe.
- How friendly people are once you stop assuming they’re not.
- How much green space exists in a dense city.
- How fast time passes when you’re not stressed.
Also—yes, rules exist. No, it’s not scary. Just… don’t be a jerk. You’ll be fine.
So… Is Singapore Worth Visiting?
Here’s my messy, imperfect answer:
If you want chaos, Singapore might feel calm or want calm, Singapore might feel perfect.
If you like food, culture, design, and cities that actually function—yeah. It’s worth it.
Singapore doesn’t scream for your attention. It doesn’t try to impress you.
It just quietly shows up, does everything well, and lets you decide.
And somehow… that’s what makes it special.
