Singapore is the perfect layover city. There's plenty to occupy you for a couple of days and it is a great jumping off point to some of Southeast Asia's most popular vacation spots. We spent our time leisurely exploring the city and recovering from jet lag.

One activity that is great for beating the heat is the iconic Gardens by the Bay which is connected to Marina Bay Sands by a long pedestrian bridge. After walking around the lush tropical park, we retreated inside two separate climate controlled gardens housed in large domes.

The first dome called Cloud Forest includes a mountain like structure completely covered in tropical foliage, with a winding walkway all the way to the top. Waterfalls greet you when enter and a cool mist emanating from the top of the mountain keeps the stunning variety of colorful roses, orchids, azaleas, and hibiscus freshly hydrated.

The second dome called the Flower Dome looks like something out of the Holland Tulip Festival, with colorful tulips as far as the eye can see. There was a bit of a crowd here so we didn't linger long, but the flowers were so vibrant that I had to touch them to make sure they were real.

Outside in the park, you will notice several towering structures. You can climb to the top of these "supertrees" and walk along the canopy for more beautiful views of Singapore. At night, Supertree Grove lights up in a synchronized LED musical display which we watched from our balcony at Marina Bay Sands. You can buy tickets easily when you arrive or online here.