The one thing that never fails to amaze me on every visit to Singapore is how amazing Marina Bay Sands is. Whatever length of stay, a visit here is a must, because it is just such an interesting area with so much to do.
Staying at the Marina Bay Sands hotel has its advantages, including access to the infinity pool on the roof, and easy access and various discounts to all the entertainment around. But if you don’t plan to stay at the hotel, that’s ok too because you can still enjoy Marina Bay Sands.
Below is a list of my top 8 things to do here.
Table of Contents
1. Marvel at the Marina Bay Sands
There are many areas around the bay to soak in this amazing piece of architecture. My favourite spot to see Marina Bay Sands, or MBS as locals will refer to it, is from across the bay where the Fullerton Bay Hotel is located. You will also get great views from the Gardens by the Bay area as well.
2. Have Sunset Drinks on Level 57
Head up MBS to level 57 to visit the Skypark. You will have the option to visit the observation deck, but instead I recommend having a drink during sunset at either the Flight Bar & Lounge or the restaurant Ce La Vi. I prefer the Flight Bar & Lounge, because you don’t have the view of the observation deck when you take photos.
The atmosphere at the Flight Bar is fantastic and goes right into the night, plus you’ll also get excellent views of the infamous infinity pool. If you are not staying in the hotel, there is an entrance fee you will need to pay before you can head up.
It does get busy and crowded on Fridays and the weekend, so if you can, try to head up during the week where it is not so busy. But if you are looking for a good night out, head there on the weekend and do make a booking.
You won’t be able to swim in the infinity pool – this is only available to hotel guys. But at least you get to enjoy the great atmosphere and views of Singapore from up here.
3. Eat Cake at the Rise Lounge
You can keep marvelling over the exterior architecture of MBS, but the interior is just as awe inspiring. So much thought and effort has gone into the overall construction that you need time to admire it.
The interior design of the lobby area of the Marina Bay Sands is just as spectacular and worth seeing. So make the visit even more special by having afternoon tea at the Rise Lounge. In the afternoons, they serve up delicious pastries and cakes. Sit here and just gaze at the interior of the MBS lobby and people watch.
4. Get Your Retail Therapy
Go shopping! If luxury brands are your thing, then the stores at Marina Bay Sands is the perfect stop for you. You can even step it up a notch and visit the Louis Vuitton store that sits over the bay – it’s definitely a sight to be seen.
There are also so many other brands you can shop at, such as Zara and Bath n’ Body Works, which are affordable. And if you get hungry along the way, there is a food court on the lower level of the mall.
5. Eat at a Celebrity Chef Restaurant
Marina Bay Sands is home to a number of celebrity chef restaurants. While you are here, it is worth eating at one of them, such as Gordon Ramsey’s Bread Street Kitchen. It does get busy, especially on Fridays and the weekend, so I highly recommended making a reservation. Pricing is a bit on the higher side, but for the quality of food and atmosphere, it is worth it.
If you are looking for something more on a budget, there are cheaper cafés and restaurants. You could even head to the food court on the lower level of the Marina Bay Sands shops area, which has a good selection of food.
6. Watch the Water & Light Show
Every evening Marina Bay Sands runs Wonder Full, a water and light show. It’s truly a spectacular show filled with colour, music, laser, water and even fire, that goes for around 13 minutes twice in the evenings.
The show was made to be watched at the Event Plaza at the Promenade in front of Marina Bay Sands. But I loved watching the show even better from across the bay near the Fullerton Bay Hotel area. You could even take a boat on the bay to watch the show.
7. Bet on Winning at the Casino
The Sands Casino at MBS is huge, open 24/7 and there is so much to keep you busy… like 4 levels across 15,000 square meters of keeping you busy. Even if it’s just to people watch and not gamble, the casino is worth visiting.
To get in, you will need to bring along your passport, be over 21 years old and there is an entrance fee for Singaporeans and Singaporean PR holders. On Fridays and the weekends, it can get busy so there may be a line up to get in.
8. Get Artsy at the ArtScience Museum
The ArtScience Museum is located in the flower like structure that sits on the bay, not far from the Louis Vuitton store. The exhibition does change, but when I spoke to a lady at the front counter, she advised that the Future World exhibition is a more permanent feature of the museum.
The Future World exhibition combines art with elements of science and technology to show predictions of the world in years to come. With 15 art installations, the exhibition is interactive, fun, yet powerfully informative about the potential environmental outcomes in the future.
There’s quite a number of things to do at Marina Bay Sands to keep you busy, and even more do in Singapore. So if you’re planning your next trip to Singapore, it’s a good idea to give yourself at least 2-3 days to explore the various sights and sounds this country has to offer.
Please note that my visit to Marina Bay Sands was independently paid for and no compensation was received for this post.
I'm Soraya, travel & food blogger and sunshine chaser at Hello Raya. You know that travel bug? I have been well and truly nipped, infinite times.This is my online nook to share my lifelong experiences of travel & food in hopes to inspire you to explore our beautiful world. 18 Comments on Top 8 Things to do at Marina Bay Sands
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I love Marina Bay Sands, it is my constant stop over when I go to Germany,have not been to the Artscience Museum…but it is on my list for the next visit. Love your blog, it has soooo many good tips:-) Keep them coming!
Thank you Gerda! It is my favourite spot too and each time I go, I always find new things to do, especially when it comes to food. The ArtScience Museum was really interesting and interactive. I think you would really enjoy you it on your next trip.
Yes I been there, it is amazing:-) Love your blog Soraya!
Great post! Marina Bay Sands is a fantastic place in Singapore. I very much enjoyed my visit there, especially to the observation deck. I look forward to my next visit and will make sure to catch the light show this time.
It is a fantastic place to visit! You should also try the restaurant on level 57, it was delicious!
I loved Marina Bay when we visited a few years ago. Only thing I would say is avoid the Brazilian restaurant. It was over priced and ordinary.
Thanks for the tip! I have never been to the Brazilian restaurant so I’ll avoid it when I am there next.
A close friend has been living in Singapore so this post was like scrolling through her Instagram feed 🙂 It is a goal of mine to travel to Singapore, and I have a few more things to add to the Must-See list now 🙂
Hi Amanda! Singapore is an amazing place and it’s awesome you know someone living there, because the best way to explore Singapore is with someone who knows the place. I even did a walking tour with two locals who showed me some hidden gems that only locals really know about. It was great!
Wow! What gorgeous images! I’m yet to venture away from Australia but this looks like one place to add to my wishlist! 🙂
Thanks Karen! Singapore is a fantastic place. Many people use it as a transit city before heading to places like Europe, so it’s a great spot to add to your travel list.
I love Singapore too, it’s such a fun city. Great photos of Marina Bay Sands.
Singapore is on our list of places to see and Marina Bay sands looks amazing . I will definetly asd this to the list of places to see.
Hi Jules! Singapore is a fantastic city, I think you guys would love it. Marina Bay Sands is on my must-see in Singapore list. The architecture is so impressive and there’s so much to do.
This list would have been very handy, when I was there last year, – missed some of these – such a big place, can be very overwhelming, thanks for sharing
Hi Julie, Thanks for visiting and hope you’ll get to visit Singapore again and check out all the wonderful things to do at MBS.
Hi Soraya. I love the suggestions you gave about MBS. I’m going to SG this October, and in my personal itinerary I really wanted to spend one day roaming around MBS area to get day and night shots. Haha. Just a question, are the bars on Level 57 accessible to non-hotel guests with no entrance fees? I’m planning to go Observation Deck but I kinda take your suggestion to go Flight bar instead. I like to experience bars in SG 🙂 Any suggestion maybe? Thanks
Great list. I am definitely going to try these out when I visit Singapore next.