Here Are The Spots S’poreans Call Their “Happy Place” — Including East Coast Park, Changi Airport Viewing Gallery, & McDonald’s

While some of us complain there’s nothing much to do or see in Singapore, others have found their own little pockets of joy around the island. For them, these are the places they turn to when they need a pick-me-up, want to unwind, or simply have some time to spare.

Singaporeans recently shared places they consider their “happy place” on a Reddit thread, and you'll be surprised by what's in the list. 

According to the OP, these are places you go to when you “need a break from the rat race at work”, or an escape from family drama, where there’s simply a quiet spot for you to relax and gather your thoughts.

They got the ball rolling, saying: “My happy place is the edge of Changi Beach. Perfect spot to relax, listen to music and just watch the planes take off amongst the stars. Maybe someday with enough hard work and luck I'll fly out for good.”

Singaporeans were quick to chime in with their own take.

A popular pick are the Viewing Malls at Changi Airport, where you can sit back, watch planes take off, and maybe even imagine yourself on one of those flights heading somewhere exciting.

“I love to go to Changi Airport T3 viewing gallery and just sit there," a netizen who lives in Woodlands shared. "Before my parents divorced, I would go there after school and just stay there until 10pm to avoid my parent. I studied for my A-levels there also. Now more than 10 years later I still like to go there if I need to get away from everything.”

Other popular haunts include outdoor spots such as the MacRitchie Reservoir, East Coast Park, and Mount Faber, which are all perfect for clocking in some steps while soaking up the sun plus a little bit of fresh air.

For the bookworms, places like Kinokuniya and neighbourhood libraries also made the list, offering a more peaceful way to spend the day. 

A particularly honest but relatable pick? “My happy place is any McDonald’s. Nuggets and Filet-O-Fish are my happy food.”

Malls such as Northpoint City and Plaza Singapura were also mentioned, with one netizen simply sharing that they “like the vibe” at the latter.

The sentiment was echoed by another commenter who wrote: “I love Plaza Singapura! I have so many meetups with friends there because [the location is] so central and there’s so much food.”

A few were even more specific, naming their go-to spots within malls, such as Jewel’s Pokémon Center, arcades, gyms, and even Don Don Donki. Yes, even with the Japanese supermarket’s earworm of a theme song and all.

Then came a comedic netizen who quipped: “If I tell you then people go then become unhappy place already.” 

In the same vein, a couple of commenters also lamented how their once “happy places” have become more crowded in recent years, leaving them nostalgic for the quieter days when those spots were better for some alone time.

So, where's your happy place?

Photos: nparks.gov.sg, Changi Airport