Things to See and Do on Orchard Road, Singapore

The nutmeg and fruit plantations that led to the naming of Orchard Road, often just called ‘Orchard,’ in Singapore are now long gone. In their place is one of the most exciting and luxurious shopping districts in the world. The road stretches only 2.5km, but in that space you can find iconic department stores, hotels, restaurants, and more.

Singapore’s trendiest citizens and visitors can be found there, and after dark it is one of the country’s nightlife hotspots, with the buildings lit up in a myriad of amazing colours. This is your short guide to some of the places to stay and visit in Orchard Road on your visit to this unique city-state.

Where to stay

There are plenty of 5 star hotels in Orchard Road Singapore, to stay in. After all, it is a wealthy district where the prime minister has his official residence. While you cannot stay there, you can choose from well-known hotel brands like Pullman, Shangri-La, Marriott, and Hyatt. All of them offer a luxurious stay and proximity to some of the country’s most exciting locations.

Where to eat and drink

Many successful startups have been built in Singapore, no doubt because the residents work hard. But they also play hard too, and Orchard Road is filled with bars and restaurants where people can blow off some steam.

Michelin-starred fusion delicacies can be found at Alma by Juan Amador, or to try some local Peranakan treats such as laksa and kueh, Violet Oon is the place to go. Merci Marcel combines shopping and dining on fine French food, and up on Emerald Hill the Alley Bar is the go-to for locally inspired cocktails.

Things to do and see

• Emerald Hill: While we tend to think of Singapore as a city-state constructed almost entirely of glass skyscrapers, there are actually charming historical areas throughout the city. One is Emerald Hill Road, which is lined with pretty shophouses constructed in the colourful Chinese Baroque style. It used to be a fashionable hangout for wealthy Chinese and Peranakan merchants, but now it serves people from all over the world. It is an ideal place to take a break from the city streets and enjoy some food or a cocktail.
• Design Orchard: Orchard Road is home to many shopping malls which sell wares from all different countries. But for authentic goods from Singapore, the place to shop is Design Orchard. There, you will find souvenirs, clothes by local designers, exotic fragrances, homeware, and more. It also has a rooftop garden and cafe which makes a great spot for people watching on Orchard Road or just taking some respite from the hustle and bustle.
• Trifecta: This innovative sports centre gets its name because it offers three amazing activities at one location. Here, you can surf, skateboard, or snowboard all year round. They offer classes in all the activities, or you can attend an open session to learn and practice by yourself.

There are more things to do in the Orchard Road neighbourhood than just shopping, even if it does have some of the world’s greatest malls. Orchard Road is trendy, exciting, and a must-see for visitors to the Lion City.