Read this Kallang neighbourhood guide for a much-needed break from your usual doomscrolling routine.
Kallang used to mean only two things to me: concerts at the Singapore Indoor Stadium, or my favourite annual Super24 dance competitions. Show up, watch, then frantically beat the crowds on the MRT home.
But lately I’d been wanting to see it as more than just a concert venue. Craving a break from the constant Instagram notifications anyway, I roped in some friends and set out to explore it properly — unrushed, and seeing it a little differently for once.
Turns out it’s actually one of Singapore’s oldest neighbourhoods, with the Orang Kallang (a boat-dwelling community) living around the area as early as 1819. It was also known for its mills, workshops, and factories — long before evolving into the leisure and entertainment hub we know today.
Taking my time to wander, I found plenty of spots I’d previously overlooked, from quiet and cool waterways to nostalgic corners tucked away from the crowds.
So here’s our Kallang neighbourhood guide for a slower day out — swapping screen time for affordable activities, good food, and a sunset by the riverside.
10AM — Starting the day on the water at the Kallang River
We started strong with a 2-hour kayak session on the Kallang River, no prior booking required. I’ve always seen dragon boaters and canoeists training from the break of dawn, but never knew I could rent a kayak and try it out myself! There are options for a 1-person or 2-person kayak, perfect for a solo date or hanging out with friends!
As a first-timer, I was super nervous. But even with zero experience, the learning curve was less daunting than I imagined, thanks to the friendly staff who guided us through the basics before beginning!
The calming waters melted my stress away while offering a different view of Singapore, including the Stadium and Tanjong Rhu.
However, going at 10AM may not have been the wisest decision, as we were getting roasted under the sun 😬☀️. If we were to do it again, we’d go at 5PM when the sun is less glaring.
Cost of kayak rental: From S$8/pax (student), From ~S$12/pax (adult) for 2hrs
Opening hours: 9AM – 8PM (Mon, Wed – Sun), closed on Tue & PH
Meeting point: Water Sports Centre, 8 Stadium Walk, Singapore 397699
How to get there: 5min walk from Stadium MRT (Google Maps)
*Pro-tip: Bring a dry bag and a change of clothes, as you will get splashed.
1PM — Refuelling at Oberstrasse
Starving after our kayak session, we went looking for something to fill our bellies — and found it at Oberstrasse, tucked at the end of Kitchener Complex.
A breath of fresh air from the local and fast food surrounding the area, it had the vibes of a secluded Australian cafe with its rustic, industrial decor to match.
We ordered the Steak and Eggs (S$32), Shakshuka (S$14), and their OG Rösti (S$18), all of which were quick to serve and packed a wonderful flavour punch. For the quality served, it’s definitely worth the price.
If you find these prices slightly steep, I’m happy to share that Oberstrasse accepts CDC vouchers, so our meal was basically free! #GirlMath
Overall, the cafe is extremely cosy and perfect for group gatherings and catchup with friends.
Opening hours: 8AM – 8PM
Address: 809 French Rd, #01-50 Kitchener Complex, Singapore 200809
How to get there: 8min Grab ride from Water Sports Centre (Google Maps)
*Pro-tip: CDC vouchers are accepted, and there is no additional service charge or GST!
3PM — Connecting to the past at Golden Mile Tower
After lunch, we took a short walk to Golden Mile Tower, an iconic building known for its striking brutalist architecture and vintage stores.
Interestingly, its old-school charm has been drawing a fresh crowd of Gen Zs. Even though we didn’t plan on buying anything, we found ourselves excited to see what hidden gems we could uncover.
1) Browsing through Old Habits x Boran Gallery for vintage figurines
While walking around, we stumbled across a quaint shop, Old Habits x Boran Gallery — filled with vintage figurines, film rolls, and records that coincidentally launched on the day we were there!
Spotting iconic characters like Peko-chan, Grimace, and Rooty from A&W ignited a wave of nostalgia for me. It’s a good stop for antique-lovers and an even better shop for figurine collectors. Everything in the store is for sale, even the signboards! We also found smaller, more affordable pieces starting from S$4 alongside larger collectibles, so it’s worth browsing if you’re curious.
Opening hours: 2PM – 7PM
Address: 6001 Beach Rd, #02-50, Singapore 199589
How to get there: Walk 5min to Bef Crawford Bridge bus stop near Oberstrasse. Then, take Bus 100 and alight at St. John HQ, and walk 1min to Golden Mile Tower (Google Maps)
2) Having a photoshoot with friends at Golden Mile’s Rooftop
Then, we headed up to Golden Mile’s rooftop, where we were greeted by unobstructed views of the Marina Bay and Kallang skyline. It’s also a great spot to catch the sunset or fireworks.
What really gives the area its chic personality, are the graffiti-covered walls and vintage cars scattered across the level. Naturally, we had to stop for a few retro-inspired shots too! 📸
Opening hours: 24hrs
Address: 6001 Beach Rd, Level 5, Singapore 199589
How to get there: 2min walk from Old Habits x Boran Gallery (Google Maps)
6PM — Ending the day with a Riverside Sunset
To close out the day, we grabbed a shared bike and cycled along the Kallang Park Connector — starting right from Kallang Riverside Park.
With bike-sharing services all over Singapore, it was easy to hop on and go. Even better, you can return the bike at another designated parking spot instead of having to cycle all the way back to where you started.
If you still have the energy, the park connector even extends all the way to Bishan! 😵
We felt the endless breeze even during our cycling breaks, making it a cooling spot to relax. Otters are also sometimes spotted sunbathing here, though we didn’t see any this time. Instead, we people-watched families walking their dogs and even caught sight of a hobby I never knew existed — parrot training! 🦜
It was a small moment, but watching people simply enjoy the park instead of staring at a screen was oddly heartening. It reminded me that there’s plenty of beauty in the spaces around us when we slow down and take the time to wander.
Cost of bike rental: S$2/pax for 1hr
Opening hours: 24hrs
Address: Cnr Kallang Road and Crawford St, Singapore 397732
How to get there: 15min walk from Golden Mile Tower (Google Maps)
Why you should spend your next offline day at Kallang
Turns out, there’s a lot more to Kallang than concerts and sports events. What started as a curious attempt to spend a day off my phone and explore the neighbourhood turned into one of the most grounding days I’ve had in a while — to the point where I barely checked my phone notifications!
Be it a cafe tucked inside an industrial building or graffiti-covered walls along the way, Kallang’s old-school personality gave the day a sense of nostalgia I wasn’t expecting. It was the perfect low-effort, high-reward reset I needed from a chaotic season of life.
Hopefully, this Kallang neighbourhood guide gives you some inspiration on what to do during your next offline day too!
Want to explore other interesting neighbourhoods? Here are a few other guides to get you started:
– Ang Mo Kio Neighbourhood Guide — Things to Do in Singapore that Even Locals Haven’t Heard Of
– Yishun-Sembawang Neighbourhood Guide — 9 Lesser Known things to do in the North of Singapore
– Katong Neighbourhood Guide — Hidden Gems only True Easties Know About
– Punggol Neighbourhood Guide — 7 Things to Do, See and Eat Around Singapore’s First Smart District
Where should we visit next? Let us know in the comments, and save this Kallang neighbourhood guide for your next slow day out!
