5 theme parks to check out

Step into the world of movies and explore Universal Studios Singapore (USS), an internationally-acclaimed theme park located on the sunny resort island of Sentosa.

Opened in 2010, Universal Studios Singapore is the first Hollywood movie theme park in Southeast Asia, and features seven movie-themed zones—Madagascar, Hollywood, Far Far Away (Shrek), The Lost World, Ancient Egypt (The Mummy), Sci-Fi City (Transformers) and New York (Sesame Street). Challenge your limits on the Battlestar Galactica: HUMAN vs. CYLON™, the world’s tallest pair of duelling rollercoasters, or soar above the canopy at the Lost World with the Canopy Flyer.

The enticing selection of attractions and rides doesn’t just cater to adult thrill-seekers; families with children should check out Far Far Away USS. This park zone is home to a junior rollercoaster ride, a 4D adventure and live animated shows.

Resorts World™ Sentosa. 8 Sentosa Gateway, Singapore 098269. +65 6577 8888.
Daily 2pm. (Closing times vary)

Enjoy a day at Adventure Cove Waterpark™, home to a multitude of sea creatures and 14 water rides. This aquatic theme park features a range of high-speed water slides, a water tornado ride called Pipeline Plunge, and Riptide Rocket—Asia’s first hydro-magnetic coaster.

Marine life enthusiasts will be able to take a watery adventure at the park’s Rainbow Reef, an abode for schools of tropical fishes, or have a close encounter with hammerhead and silvertip sharks at the park’s Shark Seas habitat.

Youngsters can hone their sense of direction at the Wet Maze, an intrepid experience that features a maze with challenging obstacles on the first floor and a rope course on the second level.

Resorts World Sentosa^®. 8 Sentosa Gateway, Singapore 098269. +65 6577 8888.
Daily 10am-5pm.

With over 15 attractions for both kids and the young at heart, Wild Wild Wet is a great place to experience thrills and spills with the entire family. First opened in 2004, the water park has since expanded to over twice its size and launched two new rides.

Vortex—an 18.5-metre-high, 360-degree water slide—will certainly appeal to adrenaline lovers. Thrill-loving families who’re looking to bond and engage in some healthy competition with their loved ones should head over to the Kraken Racer, which features competitive mat-racing for up to four people.

The park even boasts a white-water rafting experience with Ular Lah—a super flume ride that challenges you to brave the rapids with five other companions.

Downtown East. 1 Pasir Ris Close, Singapore 519599. +65 6581 9128.
Mon, Wed-Sun noon-6pm.

Delve into a world of scientific discovery at Science Centre Singapore, a four-decade-old educational establishment that promotes creative learning in a dynamic environment.

With a wide array of enrichment programmes, exhibitions, live shows and movies, this is a great place to inspire youngsters with aspirations of becoming fledgling scientists.

Get in a snowball fight with the little ones at Snow City; marvel at nature in the Ecogarden; and pay a visit to the Omni-Theatre—Singapore’s only IMAX dome to feature state-of-the-art digital planetarium software. Those looking to overcome their fears with the knowledge (and power) of science should pay a visit to Phobia: The Science of Fear. This exhibition covers a range of phobias, from being buried alive to fears of public speaking.

Science Centre Singapore. 15 Science Centre Road, Singapore 609081. +65 6425 2500.
Daily 10am-1pm, 2-5pm.

Embark on an adventure into the realm of Chinese mythology at Haw Par Villa. Established in 1937, this theme park features over 1,000 tableaus, depicting myriad scenes from traditional Chinese folklore.

Popular myths and iconic stories with roots in religion— such as Journey To The West and the Eight Immortals— are depicted across the grounds of the park, making it a destination that’s bound to enchant, delight and educate.

Families visiting with young children should note that the park’s main attraction—The Ten Courts Of Hell—features dioramas that depict some pretty graphic scenes of violence. If your child is not easily daunted, this exhibit may well prove to be a fascinating exploration of Chinese beliefs and traditions.

Haw Par Villa. 262 Pasir Panjang Road, Singapore 118628. +65 6773 0103.
Daily 9am-7pm.