NDP 2019 fireworks - free viewing spots and cheap staycations under $300

Road name or area	Free fireworks viewing spot
Fullerton Road	The Merlion Park and One Fullerton stretch of restaurants
Esplanade	The Esplanade rooftop, Esplanade Waterfront, Esplanade bridge, Jubilee Bridge and Queen Elizabeth Walk
Marina Bay	The Promontory and Marina Bay Sands
Gardens by the Bay	Bay East Garden

The Merlion Park at Fullerton Road has the best view, which means it's also the most crowded.

Alternatively, you can try your luck at the Esplanade area. You can go up to the rooftop of the actual building, or camp along Esplanade Drive (where the bridge and waterfront areas are). Behind the main road, there's Queen Elizabeth Walk, which has a poorer view but will probably be a lot less crowded.

Other popular spots include The Promontory at Marina Bay, Marina Bay Sands and the Bay East Garden at Gardens by the Bay.

One thing to note though: because they're free and open to public, these spaces are usually flooded with people. It's not for the faint-hearted.

If you're thinking of heading there, make sure you go early enough to 'chope' a spot, and be prepared to jostle with crowds. Those who are afraid of squeezing with sweaty, rowdy people can just forget it.

If you don't mind paying a little, there are some nearby restaurants and bars along One Fullerton that you can consider - think The Pelican, OverEasy and etc.

There's also the 1-Altitude rooftop gallery bar, which promises a spectacular view of the fireworks from the 63F. You'll have to pay a cover charge though. Similarly, you can try LeVel33 at MBFC - to reserve a table with a view, a minimum spend of $70/pax is required.

SINGAPORE STAYCATION HOTELS FOR CATCHING NDP 2019 FIREWORKS AT THE PADANG

Now, this year's National Day holiday happens to fall on the Friday before the Hari Raya Haji holiday (in lieu) on Monday. That makes a super long 4-day weekend.

Normally I'd recommend escaping town, but airfares are crazy expensive for dates between 9 to 12 August 2019. So maybe you can consider a staycation instead.

Many hotels around the Padang have guest-only areas (like rooftop pools and etc) that are perfect for catching the fireworks. While some - like the Ritz-Carlton and Marina Bay Sands - obviously cost an arm, leg and several non-vital organs, there are some affordable hotels in the area as well.

CHEAP STAYCATION HOTELS IN SINGAPORE - UNDER $300/NIGHT

Here are some staycation options under $300 per night:

Cheap staycation hotels in Singapore	Cheapest room for 9 to 10 Aug 2019
Destination Singapore Beach Road	$165/night, Superior Queen room
Naumi Hotel	$234/night, Habitat room
Marina Mandarin	$294/night, Deluxe room
The Westin	$297/night, Deluxe Double room
Swissotel The Stamford	$299/night, Premier Room King
Fairmont Hotel	$299/night, Fairmont room

Note: Above room rates are the cheapest ones, taking into account certain promotions like early bird discounts and etc. Depending on room availability when you book, the rates may go up.

The cheapest hotel nearby is Destination Singapore Beach Road, at $165/night for the Superior Queen room. You probably won't get a room facing the fireworks, but as a guest, you can go up to the rooftop pool. It's quite far away from the Padang though (it's at Beach Road).

Nearer to the main CBD is Naumi Hotel at Seah Street. It's $234/night, and likewise, you'll have to go up to rooftop infinity pool to see the fireworks.

Marina Mandarin's cheapest Deluxe room is $294/night. You can probably catch the fireworks from the common areas, but if you want an in-room viewing experience, you'd need to pay $900/night for a Bay View room that guarantees fireworks outside your window.

The Westin, Swissotel The Stamford and Fairmont Hotel also offer similar room rates under $300/night.

BEST STAYCATION HOTELS IN SINGAPORE - FOR THOSE WILLING TO SPLURGE

If you're willing to go all out, here are some of the luxury hotels near the NDP 2019:

Best staycation hotels in Singapore	Cheapest room for 9 to 10 Aug 2019
Pan Pacific	$320/night, Deluxe Balcony room
Conrad Centennial	$387/night, Grand Deluxe King room
Andaz Singapore	$423/night, Standard room (1 king bed or twin beds)
The Fullerton Hotel (One Fullerton Rooftop)	$441.16/night, Premier Courtyard room
Mandarin Oriental	$499/night, Deluxe or Ocean View room
JW Marriott South Beach	$530/night, Studio room
Marina Bay Sands	$599/night, Deluxe room (2F to 9F)
Ritz-Carlton	$1,230/night, Deluxe Marina room
Fullerton Bay Hotel	$1,388/night, Deluxe room

I personally think it's quite crazy to spend this much because then you might as well book a trip to Bali or something.

But if for some reason you really, really, REALLY need front row seats to the fireworks - maybe you're proposing or something? - then yeah, you can try these hotels.

READY TO GO? DON'T FORGET TO CHECK FOR NDP 2019 ROAD CLOSURES.

Whichever option you decide on, I recommend taking public transport (over driving). Sure the trains may be crowded, but I'd rather tahan for 20 minutes than drive through a 2-hour traffic jam.

In addition to the small roads around the Padang, quite a few major roads like the Nicoll Highway and Esplanade Drive will be closed off too. For the full map and closure timings and dates, please refer to the official NDP 2019 traffic advisory.

This article was first published in MoneySmart.