From stunning free attractions to amazing indoor green houses, Gardens by the Bay is one of Singapore’s most recognizable landmarks. It features to famous Cloud Forest which contains the entryway waterfall and immersive rainforest experience as well as the lush and biodiverse Flower Dome that boasts plants from around the world across nine different biomes, to include Africa’s Baobab Trees.
There’s also the Floral Fantasy as well as dozens of outdoor exhibits and gardens for guests to enjoy, to include the SuperTree Grove. Gardens by the Bay is one of the world’s most elegant places and surely one of the city’s top ten most instagrammable spots. Let’s break down all must-know’s, good-to-know’s, and other tips regarding each attraction at Gardens by the Bay.
General Overview
Gardens by the Bay features a total of five paid attractions as well as a dozen more free ones. Below are some stats and take aways to consider before your visit. Click here for a complete list of attractions at Gardens by the Bay.
Duration: Since the property stretches across 105 hectres/260 acres, it will take about two full days to enjoy all that Gardens by the Bay has to offer. There is a lot to see and do, especially for kids. You can expect a full day if you only plan on visiting the main three domes (Floral Fantasy, Cloud Forest, and Flower Dome) and maayyybe s brief stop over at the SuperTrees. More details about expected duration is listed out with each attraction.
Interior Temps: The domes can get pretty chilly on the inside, especially the Cloud Forest – I suggest bringing a light jacket and/or a scarf to keep warm. Temperatures ranges 23C-25C/73F-77F.
Park Map: View a map of the attractions here as well as well a 3D map of attractions.
Hours: All paid Gardens by the Bay attractions are open daily starting at 9 am, with the exception of Floral Fantasy, which opens at 10 am. Most attraction close between 6pm and 9pm. Other outdoor only gardens are open from 5am to 2 am. Please see Gardens by the Bay website for all hours and seasonal events.
Maintenance Hours: It is not uncommon to experience closures on certain days, and this varies by attraction. You can expect about one down day a month per interior attraction. Find out more here by clicking on each respective attraction.
What to bring: Do not forget to bring an umbrella, bug spray, sunscreen, sunglasses, comfortable shoes, a hat, water, a small hand held fan, and a jacket if going to an indoor attraction. Bring a bathing suit for kids since there is a splash pad at Gardens by the Bay and at the Marina Barrage. Yes, you will need bug spray even at the sophisticated Gardens by the Bay. Don’t learn the hard way.
Good to Know: Many public bathrooms at Singapore attractions are in outdoor, open air settings meaning no AC for many restroom facilities. Also, many family stalls/changing rooms have a hot & cold water dispenser, one of the few public water fountains in the city that offers free chilled water. The only other one’s I’ve seen are at the airport and inside the National Orchid Gardens.
Best time to go: To beat the crowds, it is recommended to go in the mornings during a non-public holiday weekday. If you are jet lagged or an early bird, going to the Gardens early will actually allow you to enjoy much of the exterior before the heat sets in.
Tickets: Tickets can be purchased on site, online, or through third party vendors. It is hit or miss with foreign bank (debit) cards so your credit card may be your best friend when purchasing through the official Gardens by the Bay website. It is always a better deal to book a bundle if you want to see multiple attractions instead of a la carte. Keep in mind that some third party sites like Viator, Klook, or Pegalo may require you to validate a date once you receive your voucher via Whats App or email.
All tickets are based on a walk in bases, although you may have to select your date of visit when purchasing online. If the domes are too crowded, you may also be denied entry temporarily. Pro Tip: Do not purchase your tickets on site if you can help it; there is only one ticketing counter at for the main two domes, meaning that wait times just to get tickets can be over 40 minutes outside in the heat. There is a separate ticket counter at the SuperTree Grove for those attractions, but going online is best.
Prices: Varies by attraction. All rates listed here are in Singaporean Dollar & are the visitor rates (kid’s tickets are for ages 2-12 years); please read more below…
- Flower Dome & Cloud Forest Bundle: Adults are S$59 & kids are S$45; A la carte for each dome would be around S$32 for adults & S$18 for children but this is usually not offered, and honestly not recommended. Go see both!
- Floral Fantasy is S$20 for adults & S$12 for kids which also includes the 4D Dragonfly ride.
- OCBC Skyway at the SuperTree Grove costs S$14 for adults & S$10 for kids (this is the bridge between SuperTrees)
- SuperTree Observatory also costs S$14 for adults & S$10 for kids (this is the rooftop SuperTree, also has a cafe)
- All other attractions are FREE! To include outdoor gardens, splash pads, playgrounds, and the outdoor mini aquarium
Table of Contents
SuperTree Grove (OCBC Skyway & SuperTree Observatory)
Dining Options at Gardens by the Bay
Cloud Forest
One of the two major domes that makes Singapore’s Gardens by the Bay so recognizable, the Cloud Forest is the taller of the two domes (Flower Dome being the other) which contains the rainforest mount and waterfall. Its fresh atmosphere and invigorating aroma will allow you to be immersed in the true rainforest experience. Please note the following before you go:
💁This attraction is a one way walk-through type of garden where you descend on the walking ramps (once you are at the top), so you typically cannot return to a previous part of the garden; do take your time enjoying the foliage, flowers, and the attention to detail that the gardeners dedicate hours to in order to keep the attraction pristine and immaculate.
The 35 metre/115 ft indoor waterfall is located right at the entry and is stunning; you will get to walk through/under parts of the waterfall as well! Though it can get a bit shady and chilly inside, the humidity levels are at a whopping 80-90% just like the outdoors.
Without giving away too many spoilers, you will get to enjoy the mountain top garden, ramps and serene sky walkways, orchid gardens, caverns, and more. This one is a beaut and the hype is truly warranted, so enjoy the fresh air and take it all in.
If you plan to visit both domes at Gardens by the Bay, I would begin with Cloud Forest for these reasons. That way you can take your time enjoying everything inside before heading to Flower Dome and Floral Fantasy, where you are able to maneuver more freely and return to each exhibit as much as you’d like.
Misting of the entire attraction occurs at the top of even hours during opening times (10 am, 12 pm, 2pm…). This is a beautiful moment to enjoy the the the view from up top or below, but many love to capture their photos during the mist at the entryway where the large waterfall can be found.
♿ Wheelchair & stroller accessible (there are escalators AND elevators), however, there are stairs that will allow you to only access certain parts of the dome. The majority is wheelchair accessible though. Very limited seating at this attraction.
Opening Hours: Open daily 9am-9pm, last admission at 8:30pm
Duration for this attraction is 60-90 minutes
Flower Dome
The Flower Dome features plants from around the world across nine different biomes, to include Africa’s Baobab Trees. Unlike the Cloud Forest, the Flower Dome can be explored freely and areas can be revisited as desired. It is beautifully decorated for certain holidays and seasons just like many other parts of Gardens by the Bay.
The name suggests that this is a flower forward attraction, and while you will find flowers here, it is more focused on plants in general; expect to see lots of trees, cacti, and other greenery. Floral Fantasy is the enchanting flower-heavy exhibit, so they can be easy to confuse. Regardless, the Flower Dome is a unique attraction to see real plants from all over the world in one spot.
The Flower Dome is covered by 3332 glass panels which are actually awesome to look at when it’s raining. It’s interior volume is equal to that of 75 Olympic-sized swimming pools and can therefor accommodate up to 1,000 visitors! It also features two restaurants for fine and casual dining.
Free Tour: Enjoy a free guided tour of the Flower Dome on certain dates if five or more visitors have assembled. Please review dates and times here.
♿ Wheelchair & stroller accessible; mostly ramps and walkways, though some portions have stairs – elevators are available. There is a variety of seating in various sections.
Opening Hours: Open Daily 9am-9pm, last admission at 8:30pm
Duration for this attraction is about 60 minutes, though longer if you are a plant enthusiast, especially if you love cacti and succulents.
Floral Fantasy
Located between the Marina Bay Sands and Gardens by the Bay “Proper”, you will have to cross a bridge to access the Floral Fantasy pavilion if you are coming from the SuperTree Grove. It bolsters large displays of 15,000 preserved, fresh, and dried flowers. It is a beautiful location to take pictures and get out of the heat and much smaller than the other indoor gardens.
There is an indoor waterfall accompanied by many orchids and some unique wildlife. There are also seasonal exhibits with artifacts from all over the world. You can move freely in this exhibit and visit previous sections as much as you like. The entryway, waterfall, and orchid cavern are obviously a showstopper. The Dragonfly 4D Ride requires a minimum height of 1m/3’4″.
♿ Wheelchair & stroller accessible: this small exhibit is only one floor only. The 4D ride does have stationary seating for those in wheelchairs and expecting mothers.
Opening Hours: 10am-7pm on weekdays (last admission at 6:30) & 10am-8pm on weekends/PHs (last admission 7:30pm)
Duration: about 45-60 minutes
The SuperTree Grove
The SuperTree Grove consist of three areas where you can find Singapore’s iconic SuperTrees, all free to visits:
- The SuperTree Grove (main park of 12 SuperTrees; includes OCBC Skyway & SuperTree Observatory)
- The Golden Garden (three trees near the car drop off point)
- The Silver Garden (three trees down the hill from Flower Dome & right on the waterfront)
Free nightly show; There’s a bi-nightly 15 minute music and light show Garden Rhapsody at 7:45pm & 8:45pm totally free of charge at the SuperTree Grove; please note that some seasonal events may block off the SuperTree Grove for paid events, and access to all attractions and the light show may be limited or not accessible unless you purchase a ticket.
What makes these SuperTrees special is that it boasts 162,900 plants (200+ species!), displayed in a vertical manner. The tallest of the trees (the SuperTree Observatory) is 16-floors high while the rest of the tree offer a unique approach to sustainability; seven of the 12 main trees are designed to harvest solar energy.
The SuperTree Observatory stands at 50 metres/164 ft tall and not only features a spectacular rooftop view across Gardens by the Bay but also toward the mighty Marina Bay Sands and the Singapore Flyer.
Special Cafe; inside the SuperTree Observatory is an indoor, climate controlled cafe where you can sit either at the interior bar stools or at the outer window side tables, you are able to enjoy high tea, pastries, chocolates, craft drinks, and beverages from Janice Wong’s Pure Imagination Cafe.
The OCBC Skyway is a 128 metre/420ft long bridge suspended between two SuperTrees at 22 metre/72 ft above the ground.
🤷♿ Mostly* wheelchair & stroller accessible; all three areas of the SuperTrees are paved. The OCBC Skyway is accessed via elevator, views from above may be slightly obstructed by the guardrails for anyone sitting in a wheelchair. As for the SuperTree Observatory, you can take the elevator up to the cafe where there’s an outdoor viewing deck in the tree’s “canopy”, however, the rooftop viewing platform is only accessible via staircase.
Opening Hours: Open daily 9am-9pm, last admission at 8:30pm
Duration: about 45-60 minutes
The Heritage Gardens
The Heritage Gardens are four smaller gardens located between the SuperTree Grove and the Dragonfly Lake, parallel to the Marina Bay Sands. They are free of charge can captivating with traditional architecture and plant life of China, India, Malaysia, with even a Colonial Garden.
The Indian Garden is said to be the most creative while the Chinese is the most picturesque; the Malay Garden is the most tranquilizing while the Colonial Garden is the most fragrant. Each garden has its own personality, energy, and vibe.
They are very pleasant to stroll through and get lost in. Not only is there seating at each Heritage Garden, but there are also hidden gems located within the small walkways of each garden.
🤷♿ Most of its paths are wider and paved, making it accessible to wheelchair and stroller users. However, please note that staircases are abundant and may limit accessible points throughout these gardens.
Opening Hours: Open daily 5am-2am
Duration: about 30-45 minutes
World of Plants
World of Plants runs almost parallel (mirrored) to the Heritage Gardens but on the other side of the SuperTree Grove; located between the SuperTree Grove and the ride share drop off loop. It consists of six smaller gardens with breathtaking plant life, unique fruit trees, and stunning nature scenes great for relaxing in the shade as you explore all six…
Discovery ~ Web of Life ~ Fruits and Flowers ~ Understorey ~ World of Palms ~ Secret Life of Trees
There are many small trails that run through the World of Plants, so it is advised to stick together in groups as it can be quite the maze. This attraction is also free of charge and allows children and adults alike to learn about biodiversity with its over 24,500 plants that thrive there. You can expect fun hideout spots and pavilions for kids, shaped hedges, stunning tree canopies as well as vibrant fruit trees. World of Palms was my favorite as it’s the most lush and its canopies provide cooling shade in the garden.
Both the Heritage Garden and World of Plants can be easy to miss as the SuperTree Grove and the view of the MBS can be quite breathtaking. Both series of gardens stretch from the Floral Clock, located outside the main domes, to the Meadow, Planet (the large baby statue), and the Serene Gardens at the far southwestern end of the park.
🤷♿ Most of its paths are paved, but some trails are forest ground and are small/uneven, making it less accessible to wheelchair and stroller users (the main trails can be used, no problem). Similar to the Heritage Gardens, World of Plants also feature many stair cases which can limit access to certain corners of this attraction at Gardens by the Bay.
Opening Hours: Open daily 5am-2am
Duration: about 30-45 minutes
Small Attractions
There are other stand-alone gardens and exhibits all throughout the park that can be traversed through and appreciated as you stroll along the beautiful Gardens by the Bay. Most are smaller but have lots to offer! They are often overlooked but play a big role in making Gardens by the Bay such a lush paradise in the city. All of these are free of charge.
The Canyon is located on the eastern edge outside the Cloud Forest; it is a garden of unique palm trees and boulders, some as tall as 7 metres/23 feet, including a Chinese totem. These rocks originate from Shandong, China, and are considered ancient.
The Sun Pavilion can be found just across the walkway south of the Canyon. This pavilion is home to 1,000+ desert plants that originate from Africa, Madagascar, and the Americas. I imagine these plants are kept under a the glass pavilion as to not take in the heavy Singapore rain. There is also a comfortable wooden seat at this garden.
Just south of the Sun Pavilion will you encounter the Victoria Lily Pond which features a swam statue; close to there is the Big Fish Aquarium. If you follow the trails from here, you will inevitably end up at the famous Waterlily Pond. This is a must-see Gardens by the Bay attraction; many like to pose for photos on the boulder near its eastern edge to capture the pond with the fountain and the MBS in the background.
Near the Canyon you will run into the Far East Organization Children’s Garden which is a playground/climbing gym, splash pad, and amphitheater all for kids between the ages of 6-12 years. There is also a toddler splash pad for those five and under. It is open daily 9am-7pm, though water will stop flowing at 6:30pm. Weather conditions can also impact hours of operation.
If you walk further east from the Cloud Forest, you will walk into the Kingfisher Wetlands which features a number of Kingfisher statues as well as the nearby Lotus Pond, waterfall, and streams. Here you can enjoy the wildlife from birds to fish to turtles who have made these wetlands their home.
The Active Garden is wedged in the northwestern most corner of the park between the Silver Gardens and the Marina Bay Sands. This outdoor gym also features a musical playground, a vegetable garden, as well as hosting spaces.
The southwestern edge of Gardens by the Bay also features an wide meadow for events along with the hard-to-miss floating baby statue known as Planet. On the far side of the meadow are the large Serene Gardens, a zen inspired garden filled with bamboo, bonsai, junipers, and more stretching across 20,000 sq metres/215K sq ft. You can walk through rows of tall bamboos or enjoy the silence near the streams.
Opening Hours: Unless stated otherwise, these attractions are open daily from 5am-2am
♿ Though trails are pathed and mostly even, expect some slopes; otherwise the majority of Gardens by the Bay is widely accessibly for strollers & wheelchair users.
Duration: Varies by attraction; expect about 10 minutes or so if you plan to walk through/look around only; the Kingfisher Wetlands and the Serene Garden are larger, so you can anticipate about 30 minutes plus added commute time
Bonus: The Marina Barrage
The Marina Barrage, though not officially part of the Gardens by the Bay, is a grassy lookout point for picture-taking, exercise, and picnicking, located on the eastern most edge of the park, past the Kingfisher Wetlands. The Marina Bay is a major source of freshwater for Singapore. It also offers a water playground, the Sustainable Singapore Gallery and guided tours. Best of all, this attraction is entirely free!
Opening Hours: The Marina Bay Barrage grassy rooftop and bridge is always accessible to the public 24/7 while the visitor centre is only open Wednesdays-Mondays 9am-6pm (closed daily 12pm-1pm)
♿ Elevators are available to access the rooftop!
Duration: Expect to spend about 90 minutes here if you are visiting the museum, about 45 minutes if you’re going just for the lookout points
Getting to Gardens by the Bay
How to get to Gardens by the Bay using public transport:
Enter on the Western side via MRT/Bus: Take the Thompson East Coast Line towards Gardens by the Bay (TE22) or take bus line 400 to enter the gardens from the western side (Satay by the Bay/Marina Barrage).
Enter from the MBS via MRT/Bus: Take the Circle Line (CE1) or Downtown Line (DT6) towards BayFront or take bus lines 106, 133, or 97 to the Marina Bay Sands Theater or take bus lines 97, 106, 133, 502, or 518 to the MBS and cut through the MBS, then crossing into the gardens via either the Dragonfly Lake Bridge, the northwestern path that connects you to the Silver Gardens, or the other pedestrian and vehicle bridges located southeast of the Floral Fantasy/Dragonfly Bridge.
Main Entrance: Take a taxi or Grab to Gardens by the Bay and get dropped off at the main entrance near the SuperTree Grove (211 Marina Way).
Take a boat taxi to Bayfront North WaterB kiosk from most places along the Marina Bay/Singapore River, then walk under the Helix, Bayfront Ave, and Sheares Ave bridges. Enter the park via the Active Garden; You are able to take a boat taxi from Merlion Park, the Asian Civilization Museum, Clarke Quay or anywhere along the Singapore River. Learn more here.
Dining Options at Gardens by the Bay
Here is the list of Dining Options in & around Gardens by the Bay:
- Main Entrance
- McDonald’s (Halal certified) – located beside the Golden Garden
- Starbucks – also located beside the Golden Garden
- SuperTree Grove
- Jurassic Nest Food Hall – located near the Main SuperTree Grove; this food hall is mostly an indoor, climate controlled food court boasting various vendors to include Michelin-Star rated Hawker Chan as well as halal and Western options. Open daily 11am-9pm, although JN Cafe is partially located outside and opens at 9 am daily. Hourly animatronics shows and a shaded trail with crystals and other images can be found here
- Janice Wong – located inside the SuperTree Observatory (admission ticket required)
- Inside the Flower Dome (ticket required
- Hortus ( has specific lunch and dinner hours)
- Marguerite
- Near the main domes (Flower Dome & Cloud Forest)
- Shake Shack – located right outside of the main domes
- Conservatory Cafe – between the two main domes (drinks & ice cream)
- Finnwood – Children’s Garden Cafe, and Petit Co are all located near the Children’s Garden
- Mini Hawker Centre inside the Kingfisher Wetlands
- Satay by the Bay – located inside Gardens by the Bay situated between the domes and the Marina Barrage (inside the Kingfisher Wetlands) contains 11 food and drink stalls of authentic Singaporean cuisines serving dishes such as Hokkien Mee, BBQ Chicken, Carrot Cake, and a variety seafood as well as a full bar and ice cream. This is a hawker stall and is located outside only. There are ice cream and drink vending machines available as well as these stalls are typically not open during breakfast hours.
- Floral Fantasy
- Hopscotch – Western cafe outside of Floral Fantasy
- Douraku Sushi – located underneath Floral Fantasy
- TungLok Seafood – also located underneath Floral Fantasy
For the most updated information on Gardens by the Bay dining, including closures, click here.
If you wish to dine at the nearby Marina Bay Sands or the food court at the Shoppes at the MBS, then click here for details.
Conclusion & Final Thoughts
Thank you for taking a peak at my ultimate travel guide regarding all things Gardens by the Bay Singapore! I hope that I have convinced you to plan out a day or two for the stunning attractions at one of Singapore’s most recognizable land mark.
