KL BIRD PARK

One of the most popular attractions in the city, the bird park boasts one of the world’s largest free-flight walk-in aviaries. The 21-acre site is home to approximately 300 different species of birds from mighty hornbills to tiny hummingbirds. Don't miss the daily feeding shows (12.30/3pm).

920 Jalan Cenderawasih, Taman Tasik Perdana, 2272-1010. RM38 (children from 3-12), RM48 (adults). Open daily 9am-6pm. www.klbirdpark.com

AQUARIA KLCC

Right next door to the iconic twin towers you can explore the underwater world at the Aquaria KLCC. From mountain streams through to the mysterious depths of the ocean, glimpse some of the weird and wonderful creatures that make the water their home. The highlight has to be the 297-foot underwater viewing tunnel.

Concourse Level, KLCC Complex, 2333-2888. RM25 (kids), RM35 (adults). www.klaquaria.com

PETROSAINS DISCOVERY CENTRE

For an educational experience with a very fun twist, head to this interactive science discovery center. With a host of exciting rides, exhibitions and interactive science activities, you can have fun while learning about everything from dinosaurs and space to the history of the petroleum industry.

Level 4, Suria KLCC, 2331-8181. RM47 (kids), RM12 (adults). Open Tue-Sun 9:30am-5:30pm. www.petrosains.com.my

CAMP 5

From the depths of the ocean to the tops of mountains, well at least the tops of climbing walls. A fun way to blow off steam is to head to this state-of-the-art indoor climbing facility, housed in a 24m-high fully air-conditioned building. Even better they have special courses designed for kids. Opt for the one-hour taster sessions where your children can try out the climbing walls and boulders under the watchful eye of the trained instructors (RM48/per person).

EZ501 5th Floor, 1 Utama Shopping Centre, Bandar Utama Damansara, 7726-0420/0410. Open Mon–Fri 2pm – 11pm, Sat-Sun 10am– 8pm. www.camp5.com

DINOSCOVERY

Talking of dinosaurs, another great educational experience is a visit to this exhibition at the Avenue K Mall, which aims to take you back 250 million years to when these giant lizards roamed the earth. Head through the time tunnel to the Mesozoic Era and discover lots of fun interactive exhibits and 22 moving, breathing, roaring dinosaur animatronics in their natural habitat. Tickets are RM40 for Adults and RM50 for children.

Level 4, Discoveria @ Avenue K Shopping Mall, 156, Jalan Ampang. Open daily 10am-10pm. discoveria.com.my

FARM IN THE CITY

If you prefer your animals to be a little cuddlier, then do head to the Farm in the City. Designed to look like a traditional Malaysian village the farm prides itself on having no cages with all the animals allowed to roam free in natural enclosures. Kids will love the chance to get up close and pet the animals, which cover a host of species including foxes, monkeys and snakes alongside more traditional farmyard animals like rabbits and goats.

Lot 40187-40188, Jalan Prima Tropika Barat, Bandar Putra Permai, 3-8941-3099/2099. Open Mon, Wed-Fri 10am-6pm, Sat-Sun 9:30am-6pm. RM48 per adult and RM38 child below.

MAD Museum of Art & Design

This was the first art museum to feature important and usually inaccessible pieces of contemporary art by Chinese up-and-comers when it first opened in 1993. M.A.D is not only for art purists and buyers, but also for those who appreciate the influence of art and design on everyday life, as it also sells art merchandise and prints that are more accessible to the public.

Opera Gallery

This stylish gallery makes shopping for art a pleasant experience. The gallery has an extensive collection of masterpieces from contemporary European and Asian artists, including Pablo Picasso, Marc Chagall, Salvador Dali and Chinese painter Ting Shao Kuang. 

Ion Art Gallery

This progressive visual arts space is a hidden find in a shopping mall, and showcases international and local works in the form of art, design and new media.

Redsea Gallery

This gallery has built a reputation for offering modern art from around the world with a highly personal service. Redsea Gallery occupies a 6,000 sq. ft. space in the revitalised colonial army barracks of Dempsey Hill.

Linda Gallery

Originally from Jakarta, Linda Gallery has been an active player in the arts industry when it comes to exhibiting quality Asian and Southeast Asian contemporary artworks. The gallery represents many renowned contemporary artists from countries such as Indonesia, China and Thailand.

Barnadas Huang

Housed in a large, spacious venue and offering a diverse collection of top notch European art is Barnadas Huang at charming lifestyle enclave Dempsey Hill. Both veterans and emerging artists are represented in this 1,500 sq. ft. space, including Fernando Adam, Jesus Curia, Marc Jasus, Joan Longas and Gabriel Schmitz.

Grit

Great for: Street fighter wannabes. It’s the only gym in Singapore to subscribe to the Training for Warriors (TFW) system, a physical and mental training program originally created for MMA fighters.

What it offers: There are four classes—strength, power, hurricane day (metabolic conditioning) and active recovery, each involving circuit-based workouts. Expect kettlebell deadlifts, squat jumps, tricep pushups, suspended rows and medicine ball slams.

Rave: They adapt moves to suit your weak points. Plus, each class is capped at four, for maximum guidance.

Rant: The place is bare-bones—no cushy facilities or shiny new equipment here, just a litter of kettlebells, barbells, trap bars and battle ropes.

How much: $120 for a set of four sessions to $230 for unlimited classes (valid for a month). A personal training session costs $90, and 10 sessions will set you back $800. 

Fitness Bravo

Great for: Those who need cash incentives. They give you $30 for every percent of body fat lost. The catch: the incentive is only for overweight clients. How responsible!

What it offers: The gym is essentially a spartan, white-washed room with training equipment like a power rack, dumbbells and rope ladders. Each personal training session is of course customized to your physical condition and fitness goals—you might start off working some cardio or mobility work, or delving straight into strength training. Group sessions usually involve HIIT-style circuits.

Rave: We like that there’s no membership fee here—just pay for your sessions.

Rant: No state-of-the-art equipment or spa-esque shower facilities here. You’ll either love it or hate it.

How much: 10 personal training sessions are about $1,000 (with a free fitness and body assessment thrown in). Group classes are $140 a month for four classes.

7Cycle

Great for: Calorie-counting clubbers. Not only does this cool boutique cycling studio conduct all classes with dim lights and high-tempo music, your performance is tracked by wattage consoles and heart rate monitors.  

What it offers: The 4,000 square feet facility has a 36-bike amphitheater-style studio, with a high-tech sound system and programmable LEDs. Classes are usually intense, 45-minute rhythm-based rides set to compelling soundstracks.

Rave: The showers have nice toiletries from John Masters Organics, and there’s an on-site organic cold-pressed juice bar run by local juice company hic'Juice.

Rant: If you hate clubbing, you won’t enjoy the party vibe of this place.

How much: No monthly dues. Classes are sold individually for $45 or in bundles of up to 50 classes (going as low as $29 a class). You can also purchase a one-week unlimited trial for $49.

Kinetika Xtreme

Great for: Weight training without the weights. This studio is the first in Singapore with eight Kinesis machines (a cool 3D pulley system, allowing for 360-degree tri-dimensional movements). Plus, it is run by the island’s only two Technogym Master Trainers, who were both specially trained in Italy.

What if offers: At this futuristic-looking studio, you can sign up for group classes use the Kinesis machine for moves like squats, lunges and chest presses. Exercises are easily adapted for the unfit or injured. There’s also ARKE training, which uses BOSU and medicine ball-lookalikes to work your core. And then there are your usual Zumba, Body Combat and Body Balance classes.

Rave: The Kinesis machines sure are effective. Even the gym bunnies among us were sore the next day.

Rant: The gym is rather inaccessible if you don’t drive—The Grandstand’s quite a walk in from the main road. Also, prices are a tad steep—see below.

How much: 12 sessions work out to$75 per class, 24 sessions work out to $70 per class and 36 sessions work out to $65 per class. Ask them about other options.