8 ways you can experience autumn while stuck in Singapore

With leisure travel still being heavily restricted, most of us aren’t about to hop on a plane to revel in the wonders of autumn anytime soon.

Which means that your grand plans for snuggling up in a cosy sweater for an afternoon of colourful leaf-peeping action in New York’s Central Park or Kyoto’s Arashiyama bamboo grove will probably have to wait until 2022 (fingers crossed).

But although it may not be the real deal, there are a myriad of ways to recreate the feeling of the season in Singapore. Whether it’s checking out at an autumn-themed café, tucking into hearty fall flavours or admiring the unique local foliage, here are a few ways to get your fill of fall without leaving town.

PS. If you’re looking for a sign that Autumn is truly upon us, Starbucks has just launched their Fall series of drinks including a Almondmilk Honey Latte and Oatmilk Honey Latte, with the all-important Pumpkin Spiced Latte coming soon!

Dine at the tranquil, autumn-themed Café Kreams

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Located at the historic Maxwell Chambers, this café recreates the experience of fall indoors. The interior is filled with “trees” sporting foliage in fiery shades of red, orange and yellow. You’ll also find wall and ceiling trellises strung with “leaves” following the same colour scheme.

It makes for a serene atmosphere, and does a decent job of making you believe that you’re dining in the middle of a forest at the height of autumn. The menu features a range of Western options and an extensive beverage selection. We suggest pairing a pizza or loaded hot dog with their signature Korean honeycomb toffee latte.

Café Kreams, 32 Maxwell Road, #01-07, Singapore 069115, +65 6226 2369 

Sample a range of refreshing ciders at The Cider Pit

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Fancy a Fall-flavoured thirst quencher? Make your way to The Cider Pit along Joo Chiat Road. The casual restaurant is run by the folks behind cider and craft beer distributor East of Avalon Wines, so you’ll find a full range of options on tap to choose from.

Those who want a light, tart and refreshing drink can select the Aspall Draught Cider. Alternatively, for something a bit different, go for the Brothers Toffee Apple Draught, which features rich notes of toffee, cinnamon, cloves and cream soda.

Pair your pints with some classic pub grub, such as fish and chips, roast pork and bangers and mash.

The Cider Pit, 328 Joo Chiat Road, #01-03, Singapore 427585, +65 6440 0504

Go leaf-peeping among the sea almond trees at East Coast Park

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Despite Singapore’s year-round hot and humid weather, getting a glimpse of the majestic sea almond trees shedding their leaves will have you feeling like you’re experiencing fall in another country – especially if you witness the stunning sight on a rare cold and blustery day. Unlike many tropical trees, these towering coastal giants shed their leaves twice a year (often around this time).

Before they drop, the leaves transform from green to rich shades of crimson and golden yellow. You’ll find them lining the cycling and jogging paths at East Coast Park, though they’re also located at Pasir Ris Park, Labrador Park and Changi Beach.

Check out the Halloween attractions at Universal Studios Singapore

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While the full-scale version of Halloween Horror Nights may not be taking place this year, Universal Studios Singapore has rolled out a range of attractions that can be experienced while still complying with safe-distancing measures.

Parents can dress up their kids and take them to the theme park to enjoy its Halloween-themed offerings. These include trick-or-treating, meeting spooky versions of their favourite characters and the chance to win a prize for the best costume.

Meanwhile, the bold and the brave can visit after dark to view the first-ever Halloween Horror Nights Exhibition, where you’ll get to see what goes into the making of the event. All attractions run until 7 November.

Universal Studios Singapore, 8 Sentosa Gateway, Singapore 098269, +65 6577 8888

ALSO READ: Places in Singapore that'll make you believe you're in Hong Kong's Tsim Sha Tsui, Victoria Peak & Mongkok

Shop for some maple-flavoured treats at The Maple Mania

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Maple syrup is synonymous with Fall. Besides drizzling it onto your pancakes or waffles for breakfast, you can pick up some fragrant maple-infused delights at The Maple Mania.

The sister company of the popular Tokyo Milk Cheese Factory is known for its best-selling Maple Butter Cookies, which are made with high-quality Canadian maple syrup and feature a white chocolate filling sandwiched between two sturdy biscuit slices.

Do also sample the Maple Financier, which has a wonderfully fluffy interior and light, crispy crust. And the Maple Baumkuchen, a moist ring cake that smells like maple-scented heaven, is perfect to share with the entire family.

The Maple Mania, 2 Orchard Turn, #B3-K2, Singapore 238801, +65 9248 8475

Tuck into a seasonal tasting menu of fall delights at Il Cielo

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The modern Italian-Japanese restaurant has launched a special tasting menu to celebrate autumn. Dreamed up by head chef Yohhei Sasaki, it features thoughtful, well-executed dishes prepared using fresh and seasonal ingredients flown in from Italy and Japan.

Diners can choose to savour either a four-, five- or six-course tasting menu, with an optional wine pairing.

Standout dishes include the pork cutlet with Japanese pumpkin puree and orange mustard jam; the roasted Japanese mushrooms with Miyazaki Wagyu and beef consommé soup; and the shiso pesto risotto with pan-fried Japanese autumn salmon and plum sauce.

Il Cielo, 581 Orchard Road, Level 24, Singapore 238883, +65 6730 3395

Take pictures with the lone, leafless tree at Lakeside Garden

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Although it may not sport the classic red, orange and yellow hues of fall, this lonesome tree at Lakeside Garden – part of the larger Jurong Lake Gardens – evokes all the feelings of change, decay and rebirth that are commonly associated with the season. And in actual fact, it’s not even a tree at all.

Rather, this is a sculptural installation that was created from recycled iron reinforcement bars salvaged from the previous park, and stands as a tribute to the district’s history as an industrial hotspot. It’s certainly a striking sight, and offers a perfect backdrop for snapping a few pictures for the ‘gram.

Dig into hearty fall desserts at Windowsill Pies

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What’s fall without some apple, pumpkin and pecan pie? Whether or not you celebrate Thanksgiving – when these are normally plated up for dessert – you can get your seasonal treats at homegrown bakery Windowsill Pies.

For a twist on the humble apple pie, try their Apple Frangipane & Rum Pie that’s made with poached apples, baked almond custard and rum-soaked raisins. There’s also the nutty, buttery Classic Pecan Pie, as well as the limited-edition Bourbon Pumpkin Pie.

The latter consists of a sweet and creamy butternut pumpkin filling that’s finished with dollops of aromatic vanilla bean bourbon cream.

Windowsill Pies, 17 Haji Lane, Singapore 189210, 3 Gateway Drive, #B2-01, Singapore 608532
290D Joo Chiat Road, Singapore 427542, +65 9772 5629

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This article was first published in The Singapore Women's Weekly.