On top of the world

Rooftop gardens have stepped up their game in recent years. Besides providing a place for tired shoppers to rest, these spaces can be the perfect location for a wide variety of activities. Youth.SG rounds up some of the best rooftop gardens on local shopping malls.

NEX Mall’s Skygarden

This rooftop garden is a great place to baby-sit your younger siblings… or rediscover your inner child. The KidzPlay area has a water feature where kids can keep cool and have fun at the same time. Just remember to bring along a change of clothes!

If you do not feel like getting wet, Serangoon Public Library is also located at the Skygarden. You can still beat the heat and possibly find a new favourite book.

VivoCity’s Skypark

Head to HarbourFront for this sprawling rooftop deck, which is perfect for large gatherings. With the great sea view, this rooftop deck is easily a photogenic location.

It can be difficult to find seats in eateries when you are with a big group of friends. The solution? Have a potluck picnic at the Skypark! And if you get tired, you can always soak your feet in one of the wading pools.

There is very little shade, though, so you might want to make backup plans if it rains (or if the heat is too much to handle).

The Star Vista’s Star Terrace

The Star Vista is definitely your go-to location for arts and music events. Known for its theatre, that has hosted the likes of Ed Sheeran and Pentatonix, this mall in Buona Vista also boasts a rooftop deck and amphitheatre.

Need a place to chill out and strum a guitar? You should definitely check out the Star Terrace. Spacious and serene, this rooftop is great for having a sing-along with friends, or perhaps a long catch-up session.

I would recommend visiting this rooftop garden at night, although this might be personal bias speaking. The junior college which I attended is nearby, so I have lots of good memories hanging out at the rooftop after school. In my opinion, this rooftop is a lot prettier at night.

Orchard Central’s Roof Garden

The bars and restaurants located here are quite pricey, but you can still visit the garden free of charge. Personally, I think the escalator ride up to Level 11 and 12 of Orchard Central is an experience in itself – especially if, like me, you are afraid of heights.

Seats are scarce in this rooftop garden, so this is more of an #ootd location than a chill-out spot. Also, remember your umbrellas as some of the walkways are not sheltered.

Do you have a favourite rooftop hangout? Let us know in the comments!