The spiky exterior of the two Esplanade domes is jokingly referred to as the ‘durians’ by locals—referencing the stinky, thorn-like tropical fruit popular among Singaporeans—and houses one of the larger performing arts venues in the city. Hosting performances covering a wide variety of genres from music, dance and theatre, to the visual arts with a focus on Asian culture, the Esplanade theatres also bring in some popular International acts. Sitting on the waterfront facing the Marina Bay, the outdoor theatre provides an excellent view of the bay, and often programmes free performances in the evenings. For those interested in the behind-the-scenes workings of a theatre, there are short tours available daily, with a more extensive version on Mondays. You can even visit the library on the premises, which is barely ever crowded, and offers a great resource of arts books.