36 Hours in Singapore

A whirlwind — and absolutely worth it.

Singapore was never meant to be a big stop. It was a layover with legs — a day and a half wedged between flights. But sometimes the short stops surprise you the most.

This one did.

It was rainy, it was fast, and it was genuinely great. We made the most of every hour — and came away feeling like we'd actually experienced something real.

Where We Stayed

The Decision That Made Everything Work

With only 36 hours, we knew we had to be strategic. So we chose the Mandai Rainforest Resort — tucked right next to the zoo and surrounded by Singapore's best family parks — and it completely shaped the trip in the best way.

No car. No navigating an unfamiliar city with two boys in tow. We walked everywhere. The resort itself was exceptional, and the pool was pretty sweet too.

Location is everything when time is short. This one was perfect.

What We Did

Animals, Rain & the Night Safari

It poured. And honestly? It made it better.

We started with the indoor playground — always a great call when the sky opens up — then headed to the Night Safari, which was an experience completely unlike any zoo we've visited. After dark, in the warm humid air, with animals moving freely through the dark… it's hard to describe. You just have to go.

But the highlight was the zoo itself, in the middle of a torrential downpour. The animals were all out and completely unbothered — roaming, playing, living their best lives. There was something about the rain that made everything feel more alive. More wild. More real.

What struck us most was how natural everything felt. No enclosures that felt like cages. Animals in actual habitats. Monkeys roaming freely through the trees right above our heads. The whole place was lush and green and dripping.

Boone was SO excited to see the cheetahs up close and personal. Wes loved the giraffes. Good picks, boys.

The Takeaway

Short Doesn't Mean Small

Thirty-six hours isn't a lot of time. But it was enough.

The trick was not trying to do too much — one great base, walkable everything, a few big experiences done well. We leaned into the rain instead of fighting it. We followed the boys' energy and let the place surprise us.

And it delivered.

A great couple of days. Simple as that.