Things to do in July 2021
It seems like only yesterday that we were all staying home, trying to find a way to bide our time till freedom returned. Thankfully, as we move away from June and Phase 2, we say hello to July with plenty of fresh new things to do with the fam, gang and boo, from new exhibits to outdoor yoga flows at Gardens by the Bay.
1. Visit the final edition of Rainforest Lumina
We’re no strangers to the fantastical world of Singapore Zoo’s Rainforest Lumina, which transforms the park into an otherworldly scene out of Avatar after dark. Come by the zoo from 8th July onwards to catch the third and final season of this whimsical exhibit. Photo ops aside, there are fields of luminescent flowers, laser displays and interactive play zones to quite literally, light up your night.
Image credit: Wildlife Reserves Singapore
Pre-book your tickets from now till 7th July 2021 to get them at 50% off. They’re also SingapoRediscover Voucher claimable if you haven’t used up yours already.
Price: $18 (adult) | $14 (child) | $14 (senior)
Date: 8th July 2021 – 13th February 2022
Time: Thu – Sun 7.15PM-1 AM (Closed from Mondays to Wednesdays)
Venue: 80 Mandai Lake Road, Singapore 729826
2. Work in a guided yoga flow at GBTB’s surreal glass exhibit
Image credit: @urbanyogisg
As we get wound up with work stress, bills, and competition for BTO applications, the need to unwind these days is real.
Take a break from the chaos of it all and get a breath of fresh air with an outdoor yoga session. It doesn’t hurt that you’ll get to stretch out those sore backs and stiff necks right next to Dale Chihuly’s surreal glass artworks at Gardens by the Bay.
These pop-up outdoor yoga sessions by Urban Yogi are also held at other scenic areas like Bedok Reservoir and Singapore Botanic Gardens.
Read our guides to outdoor gyms and outdoor workout spaces for more options.
Price: $28
3. Discover art and crazy inventions at the Da Vinci exhibit
While History lessons may have put many of us to sleep, museums instead bring the past to life via exhibits for us to experience in real life. Get sucked into the Renaissance at the Science Centre this June, and discover the ingenuity of Leonardo Da Vinci, who is best known for painting the world-famous Mona Lisa.
He was also an engineer – albeit one from the 14th century – so expect a closer look at some of his wacky inventions. We definitely did a double take on his diving suit invention that bears an odd resemblance to Darth Vader, as well as his take on a projector, which eventually led to the birth of the camera.
Millennial-fied version of the Vitruvian Man
Also pose as Mona Lisa in a photo frame, try ink presses and mess around with some of his inventions – perfect for the physics-lovin’ folks.
Read about our visit to Da Vinci, The Exhibition.
Price (Da Vinci exhibit only): $18(adult) | $15(child)
Price (with Science Centre entry):
Singaporeans and PR: $19.90 (adult) | $17.90 (child) Standard: $23.90 (adult) | $21.90 (child)
Address: The Annexe, 15 Science Centre Road, Singapore 609081
Opening hours: Tue – Sun 10AM-1PM, 2PM-5PM (Closed on Mondays)
Telephone: 6425 2500
Da Vinci, The Exhibition website
4. Go on an audio tour of the defunct New World Amusement Park
Image credit: Roots
Only those born in the era of our parents will know of New World Amusement Park, which in its 1970s heyday, was a scene out of The Greatest Showman. There was the whole carnival shebang: a huge fairground, cinema, ferris wheels, carousels and nightclubs. Before the era of shopping malls, this was the place to go at night. Fun fact: the entry was only $0.10!
Dive deep into the immersive history of what once was with the audio-guided art experience, New World’s End. Rather than the usual audio tour you’d get in a museum, this will take you on a 60-minute self-guided adventure around Jalan Besar after dark.
Image credit: @theoccasionaltraveller
In what feels like a storybook come to life, follow the fictional love story between a cinema projectionist and nightclub hostess as you’re guided through back alleys with hidden rooms that complete the tale.
Price: $35
Address: 85 Desker Road, Singapore 209646
Opening hours: Fri – Sun & PH 6PM-10PM (Closed from Mondays to Thursdays)
5. Unwind at an onsen spa that looks like a mini-Japanese town
If visiting a manga cafe isn’t enough to fill the Japan-sized hole in your heart, take it one step further and visit a spa that’s been designed to look just like a Japanese onsen town.
Image credit: Joya Onsen Cafe
Those who have been to Japan will know that they take their onsens very seriously, and the same goes for Joya Onsen Cafe, which is opening soon in the west this end-July. On top of shared and private rooms to soak all your worries away, they also have added amenities like a cafe where you can cool off with some Hokkaido milk tea, ice cream and sushi.
Image credit: Joya Onsen Cafe
To top it all off, those who never feel like leaving can choose to stay overnight, with an extra surcharge of $25, which includes some snacks.
Image credit: @joya_onsencafe
Price: $38 for onsen access only | $45 for onsen access with refreshments
Address: 511 Upper Jurong Road, Singapore 638366
Opening hours: Mon – Fri 10AM-11.59PM | Sat & Sun 10AM-2AM
Telephone: 8847 2081
6. Tour Singapore’s shadowy past with ex-secret society members
You’ve probably come across some of the many tours in Singapore; maybe even signed up for some yourself. But we’ll bet you haven’t tried one guided by ex-secret society members.
From opium dens to passport forgery, the folks from Triad Trails have seen it all, and served their time. Now, they’re guiding the curious on a tour of the “sketchier” side of Singapore’s past.
Follow them on a one-hour walking trail through Chinatown to hear about their personal experiences from their secret society days, and find out insider-only tidbits – like where one of the largest gang HQs used to be, and what their initiation rites were like.
You’ll also get to ask your guide questions over dinner, where you can find out if your perceptions about gangs meet reality. Takeaways will be ordered for guests during Phase 3 Heightened Alert.
* Tours are held every Saturday, from 5.30PM-8PM. The meeting point will be shared upon booking.
Price: $70
7. Get unlimited visits to Jurong Bird Park for one year from $39
With the slated move to Mandai to join the Singapore Zoo and Night Safari, the Jurong Bird Park is going to have a huge part of its identity changed – the “Jurong” part, that is. Spam a couple more visits to the park while you still can, with their unlimited one-year pass now going at just $39 for adults, and $29 for children and senior citizens. Tram rides included.
Befriend feathery birbs by bribing them with food at the Lory Loft, or catch them doing tricks at the Kings of the Skies show. While Jurong Bird Park was originally supposed to move in 2020, it seems Covid-19 has thwarted plans for now. But the good news is that with the discounted annual pass price, two visits will already easily make your money’s worth.
Price: $29/child or senior citizen and $39/ adult for a one-year unlimited pass
Advance booking is required.
Address: 2 Jurong Hill, Singapore 628925
Opening hours: Thu – Sun, PH and eve of PH 8.30AM-6PM (Closed from Mondays to Wednesdays)
Telephone: 6269 3411
8. Go on a supermarket hunt for the “Tik-Tok-famous” dark chocolate milk
Scroll through TikTok and you may come across someone raving about a new dark chocolate milk that recently launched in Singapore.
Good things don’t come easy, they say.
Image credit: Kezia Tan
It’s creamy yet low-fat so you can indulge with less guilt. Our verdict: it’s not mind-blowing, but still incredibly addictive and tastes almost like ice cream when sipped with ice.
The trending Farmhouse Dark Chocolate Milk has been known to be notoriously hard to find, so make a supermarketing activity out of it and see who amongst your group finds it first.
Price: From $2.50 for a 490ML carton
9. Work or indulge in comics at a minimalist manga cafe
Bean bags and recline armchairs are also available if you’re just there to chill
Image credit: MangaWork
Unless you’re a manga artist, comics and work don’t often come hand-in-hand. But we’re glad they do over at MangaWork, a new workspace and manga reading nook that’s a stone’s throw away from Farrer Park MRT. Escape your neighbour’s noisy renovation works and uninspiring WFH setup at this sleek Muji-esque enclave.
Image credit: MangaWork
Comic books are free for all to read if you’d like a little Fullmetal Alchemist or One Piece binge during break times. Tablets are also available for complimentary use, in case you need an extra screen.
Bean bags for manga-reading
Image credit: MangaWork
Read more about MangaWork here.
Price: $5-$8/H
Address: 291 Serangoon Road, #02-00, Singapore 218107
Opening hours: 9AM-11PM, Daily
10. Get sucked into ArtScience Museum’s new video game-themed exhibit
Image credit: Marina Bay Sands
Our IG feeds might have taken a hit since the pandemic arrived, but you can look forward to filling it once again with pretty photos while enjoying interactive art at ArtScience Museum’s new video game themed exhibit.
Image adapted from: @stsanto
Think of Virtual Realms: Video Games Transformed as the next Future World, running from now till 9th January 2022. This new date hotspot takes you through six kaleidoscopic worlds – each co-designed by a videogame developer and a media design studio, resulting in whimsical works of art you can play with.
Image credit: @siannesinesa
Price:
Singaporean and PR: $16(adult) | $12(child) Standard: $19(adult) | $14(child)
Address: Marina Bay Sands 10 Bayfront Avenue Singapore 018956
Opening hours: 10AM-7PM, Daily
Telephone: 6688 8888
Virtual Realms: Video Games Transformed website
11. Revive your Nintendo Switch with free demos of popular new games
Throw a stone into a crowd of Singaporeans and you’ll probably hit someone with a Nintendo Switch; the vessel via which many a stressed out soul accessed the whimsical world of Animal Crossing last year. Since then, plenty of new games have been released, with RPGs, puzzle games and multiplayer hits to enjoy with fam and friends during small-group visits.
Image credit: Capcom
Try free demos of some of the hottest games right now the next time you have some time to kill. We’ve rounded up some of the best free demos for a little taste test with a decent amount of gameplay time – this includes Monster Hunter Rise, Kirby Fighters 2 and Pikmin 3 Deluxe.
12. Experience Southeast Asia’s only Minecraft Dungeons Arcade at VivoCity
Image credit: Arcade Heroes
Folks who love Minecraft, you’re in for a mega-sized treat. Set aside your next mining and crafting session for a visit to Timezone VivoCity, now home to the rare Minecraft Dungeons Arcade – currently the only one in the whole SEA region!
Image credit: Timezone
You don’t have to love Minecraft to like this game either, as instead of sandbox gameplay, Minecraft Dungeons Arcade is a four-player multiplayer game with a giant 65” HD screen. Travel through worlds and fight mobs with your arcade crew.
Much like the card collectable arcade games 90s kids would be familiar with, the machine also dispenses collectable cards with every play, spanning armour, skins, weapons and even pets. Scan this card the next time you play to customise your in-game character, or just collect ’em all for funsies.
Price: $3.50
Address: Within Timezone, Harbourfront Walk #02-43, Vivocity, Singapore 098585
Telephone: 6251 0798
Opening hours: 11.30AM-9PM, Daily
13. Craft something with McDonald’s BTS meal packaging
Image credit: @1530heyvjy
BTS used to mean “behind the scenes” but that definition is now thrown out the window, in favour of K-pop’s smokin’ BTS.
With their latest delivery-exclusive McDonald’s BTS Meal ($8.90), the 2000s Hello Kitty set has finally met its match. The nine-piece McNuggets set doesn’t just come with two brand new sauces, but also the packaging is worth shouting about too. After you’re done with your meal, hop on the bandwagon unleash your inner artist and try a DIY project with the iconic pastel- purple boxes:
McDonald’s BTS DIY sneakers
Image credit: @josiahchua
And in case the sweet chilli sauce isn’t hot enough, turn up the spiciness level with some BTS lingerie.
14. Pamper your SO with a mid-year luxury staycay
Image credit: The Clan Hotel
Should the mid-year rut be getting to you, take it as a sign to switch up those routine-based days. And what better way to spice up the weekend than with a little treat yoself staycation?
QIN Restaurant
Image credit: @justopenedsg
You don’t have to plan anything for The Clan Hotel’s limited-time 3D2N staycay package. Sit back and roll along with a full itinerary lined up for you and boo, starting from a limousine pickup to the hotel and ending with a four-course dinner at their in-house restaurant with a view.
There are also activities from leather-making courses to cooking classes to enjoy during the stay to keep that weekend chock full of entertainment.
Read more about The Clan Hotel’s Craft & Cook Package.
15. Rent a bike to cycle around Marina Bay from $4/H
Marina Bay is the perfect starting point for a cycling adventure, with its proximity to locations like the scenic East Coast Park to the Marina Bay waterfront with postcard-worthy views of the skyline. Instead of hauling your foldable bike up the MRT to get there, you can now easily rent a bike at GoCycling’s newest outlet at the Singapore Flyer.
Image credit: GoCycling
Rates begin from just $4/hour and you’ll have plenty of options like single bikes, tandem bikes, pedal go-karts and family-friendly four-seater bikes to choose from. Save this for your next active weekend out.
Read our article for more on GoCycling @ Marina Bay.
16. Get vaccinated and claim freebies like free Gojek rides
All right, freebies are not the reason why we should get vaccinated. But if you’ve got an upcoming date with your local vaccination centre scheduled, there are plenty of free gifts to claim from to make that sore arm all the more worth the while.
Gojek is providing two free rides, capped at $15 each, to and from vaccination centres. Cult-favourite Shake Shack is also offering free Crinkle Cut Fries across all their outlets if you flash your Trace Together app.
New things to do in July 2021
We may still be stuck in Singapore, but the country’s filled with plenty of refreshing new things to do every month. This July, we’ve got everything from manga cafes to outdoor yoga. With these 15 things in store, your plans will more or less be settled, at least till we arrive in August!
For more things to keep yourself occupied:
- 123 things to do in Singapore
- 46 late-night dating ideas
- Undiscovered hiking trails
- Things to do in West Singapore
- New date ideas at Science Centre
Cover image adapted from: @stsanto