Where soldiers once marched, art lovers now wander. Built in 1936 as a British military encampment, Gillman Barracks has transformed into a leafy creative enclave dotted with restaurants, cafes and contemporary art galleries. Exhibitions range from avant‑garde installations and Southeast Asian works to striking photography and sculpture by globally renowned artists. Notable stops include Sundaram Tagore Gallery (sundaramtagore.com), showcasing names like Edward Burtynsky and Annie Leibovitz, and FOST Gallery (fostgallery.com), known for championing Singapore's emerging talent. With free, rotating exhibitions year-round, every visit brings something fresh.
For motorheads, the Southern Depot (thesoutherndepot.com; free) has a fascinating collection of motorcycles and bicycles. Feeling hands-on? Join a flower-arranging workshop at Charlotte Puxley Flowers (charlottepuxleyflowers.com; from S$245), one of Singapore's most stylish floral studios.
To get here, take the MRT to Labrador Park station and walk about 800m north along Alexandra Rd; the entrance to Gillman Barracks is on your right. A taxi from the CBD costs around S$12 one way.
