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Living in Singapore, it is easy to get caught up in the “mall culture” of air-conditioned comfort. However, our island is criss-crossed with heritage trails that tell the vibrant stories of our forefathers, from the spice trade to the first public housing estates.
For parents, these trails are a golden opportunity. They are outdoor classrooms where history comes alive, offering a sensory break from textbooks. Whether you are looking to explain the Japanese Occupation or simply want to show your kids what a “kampung spirit” really looks like, these walks are perfect for a weekend morning.
Here are 10 family-friendly heritage trails to explore with your children.
A drawing illustration of tiong bahru heritage trail map.
Tiong Bahru Heritage Trail (2.5km, 1 hour)
Tiong Bahru is often seen as a hipster enclave today, but its history is far richer than just cafes and croissants. This trail takes you through Singapore’s first public housing estate developed by the Singapore Improvement Trust (SIT) in the 1930s.
The low-rise, Art Deco flats are a stark contrast to modern BTOs, and the trail includes the famous “Horse Shoe” block and the pre-war air raid shelter—the only one in a public housing estate. It is a compact trail, making it very manageable for younger children with shorter legs.
- Starting Point: Tiong Bahru Community Centre, 67A Eu Chin Street, Singapore 169715.
- Parking: Surface car park along Moh Guan Terrace or the multi-storey car park at Block 78A/79A.
- Public Transport: 10-minute walk from Tiong Bahru MRT or Havelock MRT.
- Nearest Toilet: Tiong Bahru Market (Level 2) is the most convenient and spacious option.
Joo Chiat / Katong Heritage Trail (3km, 1.5 hours)
If your children love colours, this is the trail for them. This area is the heartland of Peranakan culture, famous for its pastel-hued shophouses and intricate ceramic tiles. The trail covers the history of the Eurasians and Peranakans who settled near the coast. You can walk past the stunning shophouses on Koon Seng Road, visit the Eurasian Heritage Gallery, and explain to your kids how the sea used to come right up to East Coast Road before land reclamation.
- Starting Point: 111 East Coast Road, Singapore 428801 (Near i12 Katong).
- Parking: Basement parking at i12 Katong or Katong V.
- Public Transport: Marine Parade MRT is now open, making access much easier.
- Nearest Toilet: i12 Katong mall has clean, family-friendly facilities.
Little India Heritage Trail (2.5km, 1.5 hours)
This trail is a sensory explosion of spice scents, flower garlands, and vibrant fabrics. Historically, this area was known for cattle trading and brick kilns. The trail will take you past the Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple, one of the oldest Hindu temples in Singapore, and the House of Tan Teng Niah, a colourful Chinese villa that stands out in the neighbourhood. It is a fantastic way to introduce children to the diversity of Singapore’s early migrants.
- Starting Point: Indian Heritage Centre, 5 Campbell Lane, Singapore 209924.
- Parking: Basement parking at Tekka Place or surface parking along the side streets (very limited).
- Public Transport: 5-minute walk from Little India MRT or Rochor MRT.
- Nearest Toilet: Indian Heritage Centre or Tekka Place mall.
Kampong Glam Heritage Trail (1km, 1 hour)
Once the seat of Malay royalty in Singapore, Kampong Glam offers a majestic glimpse into our past. The centrepiece is the golden-domed Sultan Mosque and the former Istana Kampong Glam, which now houses the Malay Heritage Centre. The streets here are named after Arabian cities (Muscat, Baghdad, Kandahar), reflecting the area’s history as a hub for the Hajj pilgrimage and Arab traders. It is a great spot to talk about the region’s maritime history.
- Starting Point: Malay Heritage Centre, 85 Sultan Gate, Singapore 198501.
- Parking: Open-air car park at Aliwal Street or roadside parking along Kandahar Street.
- Public Transport: 10-minute walk from Bugis MRT or Jalan Besar MRT.
- Nearest Toilet: Malay Heritage Centre (when open) or Sultan Mosque (public access areas).
Queenstown Heritage Trail (3km, 1.5 hours)
Named after Queen Elizabeth II to mark her coronation in 1952, Queenstown was Singapore’s first satellite town. This trail is perfect for showing children the evolution of HDB living. You can visit the first HDB blocks at Stirling Road, the first branch library, and the former labyrinth of the Malayan Railways. It is a nostalgic walk for many parents who might have grown up in similar estates, offering plenty of “back in my day” storytelling moments.
- Starting Point: Queenstown Public Library, 53 Margaret Drive, Singapore 149297.
- Parking: Surface car park at the library or nearby HDB estates.
- Public Transport: 5-minute walk from Queenstown MRT.
- Nearest Toilet: Queenstown Public Library or the nearby Margaret Drive Hawker Centre.
Balestier Heritage Trail (2.5km, 1.5 hours)
Known today for lighting shops and tau sar piah, Balestier has a gritty, industrious history. It was once a sugarcane plantation belonging to Joseph Balestier, the first American Consul to Singapore. The trail features historical gems like the Sun Yat Sen Nanyang Memorial Hall, where the Chinese revolution was planned, and the Goh Chor Tua Pek Kong Temple, which has stood since 1847. It is a mix of revolutionary history and traditional faith.
- Starting Point: Sun Yat Sen Nanyang Memorial Hall, 12 Tai Gin Road, Singapore 327874.
- Parking: Free parking within the Memorial Hall grounds (limited lots) or paid parking at Zhongshan Mall.
- Public Transport: Bus from Toa Payoh MRT or Novena MRT.
- Nearest Toilet: Sun Yat Sen Nanyang Memorial Hall or Zhongshan Mall.
Jubilee Walk (8km, 3 hours)
This is perhaps the most “polished” trail, winding through the Civic District and Marina Bay. It was launched to commemorate Singapore’s Golden Jubilee (SG50). The trail connects past, present, and future, taking you from the colonial National Museum and Fort Canning Park to the futuristic Helix Bridge and Gardens by the Bay. It is stroller-friendly and paved, making it the easiest option for parents with infants.
- Starting Point: National Museum of Singapore, 93 Stamford Road, Singapore 178897.
- Parking: Basement parking at the National Museum or SMU.
- Public Transport: 5-minute walk from Bras Basah MRT or Dhoby Ghaut MRT.
- Nearest Toilet: National Museum of Singapore has excellent facilities.
Bukit Timah Heritage Trail (3km, 1.5 hours)
Ideal for families who want to combine history with nature, this trail explores the area’s WWII significance. A key stop is the Former Ford Factory, where the British surrendered to the Japanese in 1942. The trail also covers the calm beauty of the Bukit Timah Railway Station on the Rail Corridor. It is a sombre but important history lesson about the war, balanced by the greenery of the nature reserve.
- Starting Point: Former Ford Factory, 351 Upper Bukit Timah Road, Singapore 588192.
- Parking: Public car park at the Former Ford Factory.
- Public Transport: 5-minute walk from Hillview MRT (taking the bus down is also an option).
- Nearest Toilet: Former Ford Factory or Rail Mall (across the road).
Toa Payoh Heritage Trail (1.5km, 45 mins)
As the first town designed and built entirely by HDB, Toa Payoh holds a special place in the nation’s heart. The trail highlights the town planning innovations of the 1960s. Key sights include the iconic Dragon Playground, the unique Y-shaped Block 53, and the Toa Payoh Town Park with its observation tower. It is a very relatable trail for kids, as it focuses on playgrounds, parks, and homes.
- Starting Point: HDB Hub (Atrium), 480 Lorong 6 Toa Payoh, Singapore 310480.
- Parking: Large basement car park at HDB Hub.
- Public Transport: Direct access from Toa Payoh MRT.
- Nearest Toilet: HDB Hub has toilets on every level.
Bedok Heritage Trail (15km, half day)
For East-siders, the Bedok trail reveals a history of coastal living. Before the land reclamation that created Marine Parade and East Coast Park, Bedok was a hilly coastal region filled with coconut plantations and fishing villages (kampungs). The trail helps explain why the roads here are so winding (they followed the coastline) and brings you to old sea walls that are now inland. It is a great way to explain geography and land reclamation to older children (drive if you’re bringing children!).
- Starting Point: Bedok Town Square, 208C New Upper Changi Road, Singapore 463208.
- Parking: Multi-storey car park at Bedok Mall or Heartbeat@Bedok.
- Public Transport: Direct access from Bedok MRT.
- Nearest Toilet: Bedok Mall or Heartbeat@Bedok.