Free things to do in Marina Bay Sands

Singapore's famous landmark hotel and casino, Marina Bay Sands is famous for being expensive- it was in the show Crazy Rich Asians- but there are lots of fun and free things to do in Marina Bay Sands! I've stayed there over 10 times, so here are my top recommendations.

Marina Bay Sands is a luxurious integrated hotel resort that has become an iconic landmark in Singapore. (Click through to read if staying there is worth it.) Consisting of 3 unblocked, tall towers looming over a Bay of water, it's an interesting building- some call it an architectural masterpiece, others an ugly building- that offers impressive views of the city skyline and lots of different things to do, such as the Gardens by the Bay next door.

It's most commonly associated with the show "Crazy Rich Asians" and, with the rooms costing about S$1300 a night, there is no shortage of luxury in the area. However, that doesn't mean that everything is expensive!

Here's my list of the best FREE things to do in Marina Bay Sands!

Enjoy the view from the 57th floor of the MBS Hotel

One of the unmissable attractions at Marina Bay Sands is the Sands Skypark Observation Deck- but it's not free! (Well, not unless you're a Prestige member of the MBS Lifestyle Rewards card- the membership is free to join, but you'll need to have spent $5000 at the mall to reach the prestige tier.)

Visitors can enjoy the same breathtaking panoramic view of the city, including famous landmarks like the Singapore Flyer, Gardens by the Bay, and the Merlion Park, from the 57th floor of the Marina Bay Sands hotel. That's the floor the famous infinity pool is on (only accessible to hotel guests with a key card.)

However, there are also restaurants on the 57th floor, so you can always ask to "have a look at the restaurants"! (Or, if you have the budget, have a drink or a bite to eat!)

Tip: LAVO and Ce La Vi offer better views but Spago has the best food. (From Spago, you get a slightly obstructed view of the sea, or a view of the infinity pool, but not so much the Singapore Skyline.)

Gardens by the Bay

Next to Marina Bay Sands is the famous Gardens by the Bay. (You can get there by a linked bridge from the Marina Bay Sands mall- the bridge passes through the hotel lobby, but you won't be able to access it from the hotel itself.)

This expansive man-made park features diverse flora and fauna, a magnificent Supertree Grove as well as the the Cloud Forest and Flower Dome conservatories. (The Cloud Forest etc are not free but the price is well worth it. Click the link to buy tickets- note it is an affiliate link so if you purchase something, I get a small fee (at NO extra COST to you) that supports the work of this blog.

I've checked and it's the same price as if you buy a ticket from the Garden directly (see the photos of the pricing below) BUT the link I posted sometimes runs promotions. For example, a free jar of Kaya was given for the purchase of every 2 adult tickets, at the time of writing. (See photo below.)

However, many equally beautiful parts of the park have no admission charge, and you can definitely spend a few hours wandering through it, admiring the lake, plants, and works of art.

Apart from the Supertree Grove, visitors can explore the Dragonfly & Kingfisher Lakes and the Art Sculptures without any fees. (Open daily from 5.00am to 2.00am.) The Bay East Garden, on the other hand, remains open 24 hours, providing visitors ample time to take in the beauty of the landscaped gardens and water features.

Tip: if you're not a fan of the heat, go early in the morning or in the evening.

Performances at the Esplanade

For architecture, art and culture lovers, the Esplanade Theatres on the Bay is a must-visit destination. This unique building features a durian-shaped exterior- the country's beloved and stinky fruit- and it is a hub for various performing arts events and exhibitions.

The shows held in the actual concert hall are usually ticketed (i.e. not free.) However, visitors can enjoy the free art installations, exhibitions, and occasionally, live music performances.

The live performances and activities are regularly held both within the Esplanade and at its outdoor spaces. They're not a daily occurrence though, so check the website before you visit. (Indoor performances are often in the day whilst the outdoor ones are usually in the evening.) Or take a walk and you'll find posters advertising what's coming up.

DBS Sailing at the Bay

DBS- a Singaporean bank- offers free sailing rides around the bay. You need to register for them on the DBS website by filling out a form (click the previous link), but spaces fill out fast.

Note: only people between 7 and 70 can participate in the sailing activity.

Waterfront Stroll

One of my favorite ways to beat the heat is to take a leisurely stroll along the Marina Bay Waterfront Promenade- the breeze coming off the waters makes it (slightly) less hot than the rest of Singapore.

Walking round the promenade, which stretches 3.5 kilometers, offers panoramic views of the iconic landmarks such as the Singapore Flyer, ArtScience Museum, and the Marina Bay Sands hotel itself.

Spectra Light and Water Show

One of the free things to do at Marina Bay Sands is the nightly Spectra light and water show.

This light show takes place every night around 8 pm and 9 pm, offering a musical and visual feast with stunning choreography of water fountains, lasers, and lights, set against the backdrop of Marina Bay Sands. (Note that there are different timings for weekdays and weekends.)

Choreographed jets of water, colorful visual projections, lasers, and an orchestral soundtrack will engage your senses during this 15-minute performance.

It can get very crowded, so you'll need to arrive early if you want a better view. If you don't like crowds- they can detract from the experience, if I'm being honest- walk round the bay to the other side, and you'll get a zoomed out view of the show.

Helix Bridge

Walk across the Helix Bridge, a unique pedestrian bridge that allows visitors to take some of the best photos of MBS and Marina Bay. Its innovative architecture, inspired by the structure of DNA, makes it a must-see.

Merlion Park

Another popular free attraction is the Merlion Park.

Home to Singapore's mythical symbol, the Merlion, this park is a great place to stroll along the waterfront and take pictures with the iconic half-lion, half-fish sculpture.

Honestly, it's nothing earth-shattering but it is kind of the obligatory photo to take when in the area!

Opening hours: 24h

Window Shop

And not to be trite, you can always check out the shops in Marina Bay Sands Shoppes mall. Just note that they're almost all international luxury brands- though you do find Zara and 2 pharmacies- so not really the most unique experience.

Having said that, the Apple shop and the Louis Vuitton shop have quite interesting architecture.

Note that, whilst the glass roof is cool (to look at), it does mean that the mall doesn't get very cold (glasshouse effect.) (Many people go to malls in Singapore to enjoy the AC and get out of the heat and humidity!)

Note: if you like to people watch, you can watch people take the canal ride round the mall, and sometimes you'll hear the boatsmen sing. If you sign up for the (free) MBS rewards card (Sands Lifestyle Membership), and reach the Prestige tier, you can even enjoy a free canal ride.

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