Day Out In Jurong
There’s more to Singapore’s western region than meets the eye. Here are our picks of the best things to do, see and eat in Jurong East for all ages.
SHOP
Shop to your heart’s content at the mega malls of the west – Westgate, Jem and IMM.
Westgate
Start your shopping spree at Westgate, a seven-level lifestyle and family mall that houses high fashion brands like Aesop, Bonia, L’Occitane as well as Japanese retailer Isetan, and eateries like Brotzeit, Paul and Ippudo. Up for a more hands-on experience? Westgate has one of two ABC Cooking Studio outlets on the island for baking and cooking enthusiasts. Learn to cook or bake cakes or bread, and make wagashi (traditional Japanese confections). There are even courses for kids. Classes are small and intimate and suitable for all skill levels. The mall also has a 14,111 square feet Fitness First gym that has multiple exercise studios, a swimming pool and a rooftop garden. Westgate features a naturally ventilated courtyard and is the only mall in the vicinity with direct connections to Jurong East MRT and bus interchange and Ng Teng Fong General Hospital.
Address: 3 Gateway Drive, Singapore 608532
Jem
Jem is Singapore’s third largest suburban mall. Be spoiled for choice with Jem’s 818,000-square feet of retail, dining and entertainment options. Up for an after-work movie date? Cathay Cineplexes at Jem has Platinum Movie Suites for the ultimate date experience.
Shopaholics can have a run of major retailers including Uniqlo, Robinsons, H&M, Marks & Spencer and Courts. Fans of homegrown fashion label Love, Bonito will also be thrilled to know that the label opened its second brick-and-mortar store at Jem in December 2018! Not only are westies closer to new fashion finds, this outlet also stocks designs exclusive to the Jem store – more reasons to shop!
Address: 50 Jurong Gateway Road, Singapore 608549
IMM
You don’t need to cross the border to get your outlet mall shopping fix! Touted as Singapore’s largest outlet mall, IMM boasts close to 60 outlet stores of some of your favourite fashion brands including Coach, Calvin Klein Jeans, Club 21, agnès b, Kate Spade, and Michael Kors. Fitness buffs have their pick too! Popular sports brands like Under Armour, Nike, FILA, New Balance, and adidas also have outlet stores in the mall. If you’re looking for variety, IMM certainly has no shortage of it. Other outlet shops include G-SHOCK, Samsonite, Chateau de Sable, Sunglass Hut, Ogawa, and Picket & Rail. If you need a break from all that shopping, IMM also offers a wide range of food stalls and restaurants to help you recharge. Can’t wait to start your shopping spree? Simply hop on any of the free shuttle buses going to IMM from JCube and Westgate.
Address: 2 Jurong East Street 21, Singapore 609601
PLAY
Get your adrenaline pumping with these fun activities for both the young and young-at- heart.
The Rink
The Rink at JCube is Singapore’s biggest and only Olympic-sized ice skating rink. Skate with friends or bring the family for some spontaneous family-bonding after work because the fun doesn't stop at sundown – the rink is open until 9:30pm on weekdays and until 11:45pm on Fridays and Saturdays! Admission starts at $14 for a two-hour session.
Address: 2 Jurong East Central 1, Level 3, Singapore 609731
Westgate Wonderland
Westgate Wonderland at Westgate is Singapore’s largest outdoor playground for kids. Kids aged 2 to 12 can enjoy the 11,000 square feet, larger-than-life fantasy garden theme playland filled with gigantic insects and towering flora and fauna. Little night owls are also in for a treat as the playground transforms into a whole new world at nightfall with a kaleidoscope of lights and music blanketing the playground. The best part? Admission is free and it’s open until 10pm daily!
Address: 3 Gateway Drive, Level 4, Singapore 608532
V-Room
Step into the world of virtual reality with V-Room at JCube, Singapore’s largest virtual reality arcade. V-Room uses the latest virtual reality technology to bring you on a thrilling visual, physical and emotional ride through their catalogue of virtual reality games. Let your hair down after work with games ranging from the music-themed Beat Saber where you can unleash your inner rock star, puzzle games like the Red Stare where you play a secret agent to solve a mystery, to good old-fashioned shooting games. Most games are suitable for multiplayers and team building.
Address: 2 Jurong East Central 1, #02-11, Singapore 609731
KidsSTOP
Imagine, discover, experience and dream at KidsSTOP, the ultimate learning playground for curious children. Situated beside the Science Centre Singapore, KidsSTOP comprises 17 zones that take kids through the natural and man-made world such as the Four Seasons, Critters, Kitchen Lab, Human Body and Dino Pit. KidsSTOP has two sessions per day and children under 4 must be accompanied by an adult.
Address: 21 Jurong Town Hall, Singapore 609233
Homerun Baseball
Let off some steam and practise your throws and swings at Homerun Baseball. Singapore’s first indoor batting cage is equipped with automated batting machines specially imported from Japan. Batters can choose from different machines that pitch the ball at different speeds. It’s fun for all ages and players of different skill levels.
Address: 200 Pandan Gardens, #01-01, Singapore 609336
Amped Trampoline Park
Have a bouncing good time at Amped Trampoline Park! Defy gravity and throw in a somersault or two as you jump and propel yourself across Amped’s 5,000 square feet of trampolines and parkour walls. Need to bounce off some work stress? They open until 10pm daily (except Mondays and Sundays)! It’s fun for all ages but children 3 years and below must be supervised by an adult.
Address: 200 Jurong East Ave 1, yo:HA, Level 2 (Sport Hall), Singapore 609789
SEE
Make time to visit these sights that are unique to the area.
The Observatory
Marvel at the skies and go stargazing at The Observatory at the Science Centre Singapore. The Observatory also holds regular astronomy sessions for those who want a deeper understanding of the stars. It is open and free to all.
Address: 21 Jurong Town Hall Road, Singapore 609433
Jurong Lake Gardens
One of Singapore’s latest national gardens to receive a facelift, Jurong Lake Gardens is home to the famous Chinese Garden and Japanese Garden. Stroll through the Chinese-themed garden and take in the northern Chinese imperial architecture design and landscape. Don’t forget to visit the seven-storey Pagoda for a 360-degree view of the Jurong Lake District. Adjacent is the Japanese-themed garden modelled after the Muromachi and Momoyama periods of Japanese history. The Chinese Garden is open daily from 5:30am to 11pm and the Japanese Garden is open daily from 5:30am to 7pm. Jurong Lake Gardens is also part of the Jurong Park Connector, which starts from Pan-Island Expressway (PIE), near the Jurong West Street 42 estates and all the way to Ayer-Rajah Expressway (AYE) and Toh Guan Road. It’s a tranquil park perfect for a quick jog, stroll or bike ride. If you’re living in the area, the connecting cycling path is a great way to cycle to work!
Address: Along Yuan Ching Road and Boon Lay Way
Thow Kwang Pottery Jungle
Get the most authentic pottery experience at Thow Kwang Pottery Jungle. This family-run pottery has been in operation since 1965 and is the last surviving dragon kiln in Singapore. Sign up for a tour or register for any of their pottery workshops that cater to different age groups and skill levels.
Address: 85 Lor Tawas, Singapore 639823
EAT
Plan your next food hunt with these great cafe and hawker finds!
Joo Siah Bak Koot Teh
Joo Siah Bak Koot Teh (pork ribs in broth) is a hidden gem in Jurong East. Around for more than three decades, the joint was founded by the brother-in-law of the owner of the equally famous and long-standing Rong Cheng Bak Kut Teh. Savour the broth’s peppery goodness and other bak kut teh favourites like preserved vegetables, you tiao (fried dough fritters) and pig’s trotters.
Address: Block 349 Jurong East Avenue 1, #01-1215, Singapore 600349
Brotzeit at Westgate
Nothing like a pint (or two) of German beer and crispy roasted pork knuckles to end a long work day. Conveniently located at Westgate, Brotzeit is a good place for dinner and drinks. Start off with some cold cuts and cheeses to share, then take your pick from their sumptuous mains, and top it all off with some sweet desserts.
3 Gateway Drive #01-04, Westgate Singapore 608532
OBAR Bistro Bar at Tradehub21
Gather the troops for a night of comfort food, good beer, and a game of pool and darts! OBAR at Tradehub21 promises weekday warriors a great environment to chill and relax amidst the daily grind. It opens for lunch on weekdays until 1am daily.
8 Boon Lay Way, Singapore 609964