Date night doesn’t always need planning weeks in advance – this one came together with a quick check of the weather app and a craving for something low-key and outdoorsy. With National Day around the corner and the Botanic Gardens putting on a special light show, we threw on our trainers, skipped the fancy dinner, and went for a casual night out that ticked all the boxes: good food, a long walk, and a little Singapore sparkle.
Where?
📍Singapore Botanic Gardens – from Bukit Timah Gate to Tanglin Gate
What?
We started our evening at Adam Road Food Centre – a new-to-us hawker spot that feels distinctly local. It’s small, circular in layout, with around 30 stalls arranged around a compact open-air seating area.
No fancy drinks (or alcoholic drinks) or gimmicks here – just honest, beloved Singapore eats.
It was our first visit, and we were won over by the simple yet delicious choice of food. We shared plates from several cultures:
* Smoky chicken satay with rich peanut sauce
* Tender duck noodles
* Classic char siew rice
* A massive, flaky murtabak (seriously stuffed with chicken – I highly recommend it!)
He cooled off with a refreshing lime juice, and we grabbed fruit juices to go for our walk – mango for him, coconut for me. Add that to your pre-walk checklist – cold juice in hand makes a big difference when strolling through the Botanic gardens in Singapore’s humidity!
With full bellies and drinks in hand, we crossed the road and entered Singapore Botanic Gardens via the Bukit Timah Gate.
Our goal: walk from top to bottom – north to south – and reach Swan Lake in time for the EnlighTEN light show.
We dressed for the walk, not for style – think sporty shorts, breathable shirts and shoes made for walking (and sweating). It wasn’t glamorous, but it felt good to be moving. And honestly, there’s something bonding about date nights that involve a little exertion.
The northern end of the gardens is calm and green, with pockets of quiet that feel far removed from the city. We passed the Healing Garden, admired the black swans gliding across Eco Lake, and strolled the tree-lined paths towards the south end of the gardens.
The path took us past joggers, dog walkers, families picnicking and the odd curious monitor lizard. We zig-zagged along boardwalks, beneath towering palms and through arches of tropical plants, eventually making our way into the more manicured sections of the gardens closer to Tanglin Gate.
The Light Show – EnlighTEN 💡🇸🇬
We reached Swan Lake just as the sun began to dip and the first show started at 7.30pm – the perfect timing. There’s something magical about watching the last light of day fade into an illuminated celebration of Singapore, right in the heart of the gardens.
EnlighTEN is a projection mapping display created by NParks and the National Arts Council for National Day. It’s only on until 10 August, so we wanted to catch it while we could.
The show is short – just a few minutes – but the setting makes it special. Gentle visuals are projected onto the surface of the water and the trees surrounding the lake, pulsing with colour in time to the music. The gliding swan statue added a magical touch to the scene.
There’s no need to jostle for space or arrive too early. Just find a seat along the edge of the lake and let yourself be still for a few minutes. It’s a peaceful contrast to the usual fireworks and loud National Day fanfare – a calm, glowing tribute to Singapore’s spirit.
WOW Tips:
⭐️ Try Adam Food Centre – small but full of local favourites
⭐️ Order a mix of dishes and don’t skip the murtabak!
⭐️ Grab fruit juices to go for your walk – they’ll keep you cool
⭐️ Wear trainers and breathable clothes – it’s a proper walk!
⭐️ Spray on some bug repellent before you enter
⭐️ Get to Swan Lake just before sunset – it adds to the atmosphere
⭐️ The show runs from 7.30pm–10pm nightly till 10 August – catch it while you can
Worth it?
Absolutely. This was a spontaneous, affordable and active date that gave us everything we wanted: tasty food, fresh air, a touch of fitness and something visually unique.
It reminded us that romance doesn’t have to be fancy. Sometimes it’s just sharing satay, sweating through a garden walk, and standing side-by-side watching lights dance on a lake.
7/10
What HE said…
“Some nice little gems in Adam Food Centre. Nice walk through the Botanic Gardens. Light show was a nice change – but a bit short.”
7/10
Wrap-Up
From first-time hawker discoveries to lakeside lights, Date Night #28 was a wonderful reminder that cheap doesn’t mean boring. Singapore gives you plenty – you just have to go out and find it. (See this link for more of my inexpensive date night ideas)
Whether it’s a quick show in the gardens or a sweaty stroll through nature, we love these simple evenings where we connect, explore and make new memories in this beautiful city we call home.
Next week… something elephant-themed for World Elephant Day perhaps?! 🐘 (Yes, it’s a thing.)
Got a favourite cheap or active date night idea? Let us know!
Wanna see?
📸 For photos from the night, check out Instagram.
