vivaldi

What do you like to do and see in this area? Thinking of devoting a full long day here. Major sites below come from the Fodor's walk. Suggestions on people watching and places to eat, drink or relax welcome.

Collyer Quay & Clifford Pier
General Post Office (Fullerton Hotel)
Cavenagh Bridge
Boat Quay
Empress Place Building - Asian Civilizations Museum
Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles Statue
Parliament Building
Singapore Cricket Club
Pandang
Supreme Court
City Hall
St. Andrew's Cathedral
Raffles Hotel/Museum,
Singapore Art Museum
Armenian Church
Singapore History Museum
Ft. Canning Park (European Cemetery, Tomb of Iskander Shah, Battle Box)
Clarke Quay (eat and shop)

Kathie

The Asian Civilizations museum in the Empress Place building is worth a couple of hours, There is another branch over in the area of Raffles Hotel. For lunch, why not eat at Doc Cheng's in Raffles - one of my favorite restaurants in Singapore.

Remember, it's very hot - you need to take lots of breaks for something refreshing to drink in teh shade or in an ac place.

Clarke Quay is nice for an evening stroll to pick out a place for a drink or dinner. And it's much cooler in the evening.

vivaldi

Thanks Kathie

We may try the fodor's walk and pop in a out of a few museums during the hot part of the day. Doc Cheng's in Raffles sounds good.

any suggestions for drinks? What do you think og getting a Singapore sling at Raffles? Too touristy?

Kathie

Since I don't really like sweet drinks, a Singapore sling doesn't interest me. And geting one at the Long Bar is very pricey.

Get something you really want to drink somewhere else.

vivaldi

Kathie, I think we will pass on the Long Bar, but I bet the Raffles Hotel is a delight to wander around. Although, I thought I heard some sections (Palm Court?) are closed to non-guests.

thursdaysd

It may be touristy, but I thought afternoon tea at the Raffles was great. Raspberies and cream... Scones and jam and clotted cream.... And lots of savory choices too.

vivaldi

thursdaysd, no offense intended, touristy can often be fun. And I love scones and clotted cream.

marmot

vivaldi, I'm ambivalent on the whole Raffles experience. I actually LIKE the Long Bar (and once a year or so I even go for a Singapore Sling). When I entertain I take customers to the Long Bar Steak House. The food is good (not great) and the ambience is pleasing. I'd say the same for Doc Cheng's. There's more marketing than substance, but it works.

The whole place, however, is a bit Disneylandish. And, yes, the security apparatus is not too welcoming to random guests. If you enter through the back by way of the Long Bar you are generally unnoticed.

Like much of Singapore, in fact much of Asia, they were hellbent on destroying the old and historic when they discovered, hey, tourists actually want to see so this stuff so they did a 180 degree turn and started renovating like mad.

The result is several lovely Colonial buildings in a sea of modern development. It's not so easy to find the colonial/history "district" but with some diligence and a good guide book you can imagine it.

marmot

Sorry, I meant to say "Raffles security apparatus is not too welcoming to random NON-guests"

Kathie

That's interesting, Marmot. I have not been impressed with the food at many of the Raffles restaurants, but Iv'e had food ranging from very good to excellent at Doc Cheng's. That said, when I think of Doc Cheng's I think about a couple of very special Xmas eve dinners there where the food was truly excellent. I've had long lunches there several times and always had very good (and interesting) food.

Kathie

Oops - I hit post too soon.

I think they now have the same menu at Doc Cheng's for lunch and dinner, which for me makes it a more interesting venue for lunch than for dinner.

vivaldi

Thanks marmot, I'll keep my expectations about the District in check.