We are so excited for the long-awaited return of the 2023 F1 Singapore Grand Prix! Here's where to watch the action without going through the gates, plus kid-friendly F1 events!
Do your kids love racing cars? Ours too! Not ready to splash the cash on tickets to the 2023 Formula 1 Singapore Grand Prix with kids? We don’t blame you, the tickets can be pricey. The event can also be pretty challenging to navigate with little ones in tow – check out our ultimate family guide to the 2023 Singapore Formula 1 Grand Prix for the lowdown.
If you’re not up to trekking around the track, here’s where to take the kids to experience the excitement of the big Singapore Grand Prix night race without entering the gates! We’ve covered everything from free vantage points where you can try to peek at a corner of the track to restaurants with big screens showcasing all the action and cosy hotel rooms with a birds-eye view. Here are our insider tips to enjoying the 2023 Singapore F1 Grand Prix with kids (without buying a ticket!).
Psst.. If you’re planning on enjoying the F1 solo or with friends, head over to our sister site Honeycombers, for all the deets on adults-only fun (including the concerts and after parties!)
Best spots to view the 2023 Singapore F1 Grand Prix
Hotels with views to cosy up and watch the F1 action with kids
Don’t mind a hefty price tag, but want to avoid the crowds? A hotel stay with a view of the track might be just the thing for your fam. Best bit: you can order room service for food and drinks on demand, have killer views without a crowd, have all the race commentary going with the TV on in the background, and the kids can sleep comfortably when they’ve had enough while you enjoy the action! Here are some of our faves – get booking quickly to snap up the last available rooms!
1. Fullerton Hotel
The Fullerton Hotel is a fam-friendly favourite for a staycay any day, with loads of fun kids activities such as koi fish feeding, and Merlion x Crayola art kits available to keep the kids busy! The Fullerton Hotel also happens to have one of the best views of any hotel in Singapore of the F1 track. So when the 2023 Singapore Formula 1 Grand Prix rolls around, this is one room with a view you’ll want to book in advance – maybe start planning ahead for future years?
2. Marina Bay Sands
The iconic Marina Bay Sands is forever on our bucket list of places to stay in Singapore, and during the F1, it is even more spectacular for a birds-eye view of the fireworks and race action. You’ll need to book early for a suite with a view of the Marina Bay city skyline and fireworks. And who doesn’t daydream about taking a dip in that incredible world-famous infinity pool?
3. Pan Pacific Singapore
Located in the heart of the race action, Pan Pacific Singapore assures an exhilarating experience for race enthusiasts with an exclusive track-facing Room Offer for stays during the Singapore Night Race – hurry, these are selling quickly!
Looking for more F1 hotel inspo? Head over to our big sis Honeycombers for a round-up of some of the best!
Family friendly restaurants / attractions with a view of the Singapore Formula 1 Grand Prix
Beware – there are ‘special menus’ (aka very pricey set menus) on offer at lots of the restaurants that offer glimpses of the F1 circuit, especially those situated in hotels. It’s best to phone ahead when you book to make sure the kids can be accommodated in case the situation changes after time of publishing!
4. LeVel 33
The open-air terrace with an unobstructed view of Marina Bay at LeVeL 33 has an epic view of the race action (and the fireworks!). We are waiting to hear back from the team to make sure kids are allowed on F1 days – we’ll update when we know! While the view is spectacular, be careful with the little ones as there is no window glass or grille. There’s a big screen broadcast of the race, so this is a great venue for true racing fans!
5. Marina Bay Sands – various options
If you’re in the area looking for a vantage point to catch a glimpse of the race, then pop in to Marina Bay Sands for a whole host of kid-friendly restaurant options (not all have a view, though!) LAVO allows entry for kids until 9pm (last entry for minors is 7pm, so make sure you’re in before then). Alternatively, check out Black Tap for humungous cheeseburgers and cake shakes that will make the kids forget all about the fact there’s even a race going on!
6. Super Loco, Customs House
We don’t think you’ll be able to see the track from Super Loco at Customs House, but you will get that buzzy vibe and a nice view of the fireworks if you can book your reservation to time in with the race finale!
FREE vantage points to catch a glimpse of the F1 track
Could it be possible to get a free glimpse of the action? You never know your luck! In previous years, we could sneak a peek at the turns from these free vantage points. However, we don’t know if these spots will still be accessible in 2023 – but here’s hoping! For starters, here’s a map of the race track so you can get a feel for where you might be able to spot some action on the turns:
7. Helix Bridge
If you’re one of the lucky ones, you might be able to snag a spot on Helix Bridge. It’s close to Gate 8 on the map, so the views may be hindered – but we won’t know until we try it!
8. Bay East Garden
Bay East Garden at 11 Rhu Cross is situated opposite Supertree Grove and the two conservatories, and the location provides sweeping views of the Marina Bay Skyline minus the crowd. You might not see much racing action, but you’ll hear it! Plus, the littles can skate and scoot while waiting for the fireworks display.
9. Millenia Walk
A little-known spot is this open-air roof at Millenia Walk. Head towards the Japanese restaurants on level two, where you can grab a quick dinner before the fireworks start. There’s plenty of space and benches for everyone to get a glimpse of the night sky.
Millenia Walk, 9 Raffles Boulevard, Singapore 039596
10. National Gallery Rooftop
In previous years, we could gain free access to the National Gallery rooftop to sneak a peek of the cars whizzing by. Smoke & Mirrors is closed for a private event this year, but you might still be able to visit the roof – let us know if you do!
11. Esplanade Theatre Rooftop
We are big fans of the Esplanade Roof Terrace as a starry night picnic spot, and it could be a great place to see the Grand Prix with kids. We aren’t sure it’ll be accessible during the F1 this year (we’ve reached out to ask and will update here when we find out!) If it is, pack some snacks, and the whole fam can catch a glimpse of the race leading down Raffles Boulevard!
F1 Action, away from the track
1. Ride around a kid-friendly race track at Marina Square
12 to 17 September 2023
Marina Square’s central atrium will turn into a racetrack this F1 weekend! Junior Rev ‘n’ Race will get the kids’ adrenaline pumping, with complimentary car rides just by having a minimum spend of $10 at the mall on Tuesday-Friday and a minimum spend of $20 on Saturday and Sunday. Best for children aged 4 to 9 years old, limited to a maximum of 2 rides per child, per day. Rides are on first-come-first-serve basis, limited to the first 400 rides daily.
13. Virtual F1 racing experience at Funan
8 to 13 September 2023
Head to Funan Basement 2 to try a cool virtual racing experience by Teleios, maker of high-performance race simulators! Twist and turn around the track and try your hand at The Ultimate Speed Lap Challenge for a chance to win the grand prize of a RAZER gaming chair. Free to play!
14. Project F1 HeARTland
The community art project will showcase two specially crafted interactive installations by local artists like 8EyedSpud and HAFI, in collaboration with children of non-profit organisation Superhero Me. Expect to find the artworks displayed at experiential zones across the Marina Bay Circuit Park.
Click here for more on Project F1 HeARTland
15. Have a race night extravaganza at home!
If you would prefer to stay well away from the crowds and have no desire to struggle around walking, riding on busy buses or the MRT to get close to the action, then why not catch the action on a big screen at home instead? Both Singtel and Starhub will be showing the final race on Sunday. You can always grab the popcorn, pull on your favourite team’s jersey and stay home to catch all the action on your own TV!
Psst… Bookmark this page; we’ll update it with new hotspots and info as it comes in! Got a tip for us? Let us know at [email protected]
