hop on hop off bus for sure... corney but you see a lot.

Everyone's highlights re different, of course. For me, a stop at the Orchid Garden inside the Botanical gardens is a must. It is the largest orchid display garden in the world. Get there early in the morning, to take advantage of it being slightly cooler. There are new gardens, called the Bay Gardens, which we plan to check out this year.

The food is a highlight, no doubt. I think it's hard to get bad food in SIngapore! I wouldn't bother with Orchard Road - just one glitzy shopping mall after another - you will think you are back in LA. The one kind of shopping you might be interested in - antiques and handmade carpets - is at Dempsey Road. I've purchased a number of things for my home over the years.

I think it's worth a stop to wander through the public spaces at Raffles. They have a charming small museum. We usually have lunch at Doc Cheng's, a pan-Asian restaurant. See if you can get one of the romantic curtained booths.

The air-conditioned Asian Civilizations Museum is worth some time. If you have ever been on a real African safari, skip the night safari. The zoo next door however, is one of the better ones on the planet. I agree with Kathie that Dempsey Road is good for shopping - it is quite close to the Botanical Gardens/Orchid Gardens, which I also highly recommend. For a food splurge, Sky on 57 atop the Marina Bay Sands is worth it for the view alone (although the fusion menu is fabulous). Be sure to arrive in time for sunset so you can sit outside with a drink and watch the city light up.

Thanks Kathie & Craig!

Kathie, is Dempsey Road the same as Dempsey Hill (http://www.dempseyhill.com)?? I had heard about the latter in one of my magazines. You know I love me some antiques and home furnishings and definitely would love to add to the ever-growing collection from our travels! And carpets? Say no more!

Craig, never been on African safari...until we win the lottery that seems like a distant dream for the time being. That said, would the night safari be worth doing? Normally I'm not into big tourist spectacles but I do remember reading some particularly good reviews of that.

Cherry Garden at our hotel is definitely on the bill for dinner one night. But still looking for more meal recommendations. Most importantly: what's the best hawker stall(s) to go to? I assume we'll probably hit those up for one if not two lunches.

Keep the suggestions coming!

The night safari is interesting but with a 25 minute taxi ride each way, it will consume most of your evening. If I had only 48 hours, I would definitely NOT do it but I would do the zoo - took us about 2-1/2 hours plus travel time to see it.

The Dempsey Road area has been renamed "Dempsey Hill" for marketing purposes so yes, they are the same. You might also check out the Tanglin Shopping Center for its many crafts, furniture and rug vendors. It is next to the upscale Tanglin Mall by the southeast gate of the Botanical Garden.

FW Demspey hill is on Dempesy road go here to shop and then go to Jumbos for the famous black pepper crab one of my Singaporean friends said its one of the best places to get it in Singapore. You can easily go to Tanglin Mall, then the botanical Gardens and then Dempsey. ( there are some GREAT antique and modern places here to shop)
Add Gradens by the bay A must, go late afternoon to get the good light, then go to the Lantern bar at the top of the Fullerton Bay hotel for sunset cocktails ( book a table) then maybe dinner at sky on 57 or Level 33 ( I thought food was better here) .
Then go for after dinner cocktails on Ann Seng hill @ one of the rooftop bars......
Hajji lane is a MUST for a bit of one off shopping ( you could do this in about 1 hour or so) Orchard road is a bunch of ( Fabulous) but can find anywhere malls, I wouldn't bother BUT as you are going at Christmas, Orchard road will have lights to rival Vegas, so at least get a cab down to see the lights.....
Anyway I have posted you the luxe guide hopefully you will get that soon and I really look forward to discussing all things SP with you in a few weeks. X

Oh must add you could go to China town for a look around and then have lunch at Lau Pa Sat which is in a beautiful old Victorian hawker centre.
You could also combine little India, Arab street and Haji lane allow about 3 hours or so to do this.

Take it easy and do not do too much. I would visit the Botanical/ Orchid Gardens-just lovely (2+ hours),maybe Demsy Road for 2+ hours, Little India for a few curio shops less tacky than Chinatown (1 hr.), Orchid St. (2 hours) amazing clothing to look at because prices are outrageous. I bought a Bally belt but it was $148, just lovely.
The best Chinese dinner I have had in 45+ years of traveling is at Raffles Hotel, reservations 24 hrs. in advance. A bit pricey but outragiously good. Just order beer for spirits are sky high. That's enoigh trust me. It's hot.

Basically the same list. I like the Botanical Gardens just before dawn (it's safe) when the locals are doing taichi and the birds are waking up. I like the Night Safari after 9:00 p.m. when the visitors have thinned out and the little paths are full of surprises. The Museum of Asian Civilizations anytime.

Other than the food courts which are terrific (I always end up at Newton Circus because it's close) I've been disappointed by the restaurants in Singapore. The simple but excellent and sophisticated seem to come and go and the overbearing, hackneyed and overpriced seem to hang around and just get worse. The new places are touch and go, but can be very good.

We were pleasantly surprised by the night safari (but we have not been to Africa). The Orchid Gardens were exquisite. Museum of Asian Civilizations - extensive, impressive collection. We enjoyed the hawker stalls in the Tiong Bahru neighborhood, a revitalized older neighborhood that has housing much different than the usual lego-like structures. http://travel.nytimes.com/2012/10/07/travel/in-singapore-a-stylish-update.html?_r=0