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Long before it opened, there were rumors that a new attraction near Changi Airport would feature creatures that every kid I know was once obsessed with: dinosaurs.
Although you can’t technically walk with the giant creatures here as they are static displays, it’s another chance to get up close to at least 20 of them, and outdoors as well.
The news, which was spread through online channels, moved many, but authorities learned of the premature discovery in no time and the area was entrenched.
However, on Sunday (October 11), the prehistoric exhibit, dubbed the Jurassic Mile, officially opened to the public. I headed there the next day to take a look, which in hindsight may not have been such a good idea.
How to get there
The new attraction, which spans about 1 km, is part of the new Changi Airport Connector linking Changi to the East Coast.
The starting point in Changi, whether you plan to walk or bike, starts from the entrance to the parking lot of T2, right where the Hub & Spoke coffee shop is.
To get there from the MRT station, follow the wide signs that will guide you to the Hub & Spoke cafe located just at the other end of T2. You will have to walk through the entire terminal and take an elevator that will open to the multi-story car park.
From there, walk to the entrance to the parking lot (ignore the conflicting sign when you exit the elevator lobby) and you will see a cafe surrounded by green foliage that is Hub & Spoke.
If you’re interested in food at the quaint cafe, they serve a mix of kopitiam and western dishes – think kaya toast sets, eggs Benedict, truffle fries, and even bubble tea (decent, but the pearls were a bit tough) .
https://www.facebook.com/hubandspokecafe/photos/pcb.133353695145088/133353628478428/
The good thing is that pets are allowed in the outdoor seating areas and we saw several furkids when we were having a drink while we waited for our bikes to be available.
https://www.facebook.com/hubandspokecafe/photos/pcb.133353695145088/133353635145094/
The GoCycling bike rental shop located right next to the cafe allows you to rent a bike and return it to their East Coast Park store about 10km away, perfect if you don’t want to go back to the starting line.
Bike rental is $ 8 per hour, but you would have to pay a $ 50 deposit to return the bike at East Coast Park (near parking lot C4 at McDonald’s).
The experience
From the Hub & Spoke coffee shop, cycling the nearly 2.5 km distance to the Jurassic Mile took about 10 minutes. On foot, expect it to be about a 20 minute walk.
For a Monday, I wasn’t expecting such a crowd. Perhaps others thought the same as I did, that one day of the week would be less crowded. But boy, was I wrong.
Like everything new in Singapore and due to the hype it got when it opened the day before, the place was packed.
Both the cafe and the bike rental shop were doing good business with moderately long lines for both. Since I wanted a bike with a child seat, I was told to prepare to wait “up to an hour”, but I got the bike in 30 minutes.
While entry to the Jurassic Mile is free and only required to reserve the slot machines from Friday to Sunday, it seemed like a weekend crowd to me.
A word of caution though: the route can be quite narrow with sharp bends at some points. And because bicycles and pedestrians share the same path, bicyclists can forget about a smooth ride to the Jurassic Mile and pedestrians (especially those with children) will have to be aware of making sudden movements. It is recommended to walk in single file.
The mile itself stretches for about 1km with dinosaurs behind the fenced trail on one side and high concrete walls on the other; one can imagine dinosaurs having a Prison Break moment and running down the track at any moment.
There are descriptions of the creatures on the wall, as well as accompanying sound effects in parts for a more complete sensory experience. Stopping to take pictures is, as expected, mandatory.
My 4 year old son was visibly excited to see the displays from his seat while my husband was selling, and the kids will definitely love the sights and sounds. But not having to do the roughly 20 minute walk would probably help the toddler experience.
In total, we spent about two hours (with about two pit stops) cycling the 10km from Hub & Spoke to the McDonald’s in East Coast Park. Otherwise, if the goal is to just gawk at the dinosaurs, cycling back and forth from Changi Airport to Jurassic Mile would also be possible in an hour.
Tips before you go
If you are thinking of going for a weekend, keep in mind that the next available dates may be in November. Last time I checked on Thursday (Oct 15), the slots for the next two weekends appear to be “fully redeemed”, and the next times available only on Friday (Oct 23).
The weekend dates of the last week of October and November are not open for reservations, so you may have to prepare.
Venturing there on a weekday might be a better idea. GoCycling currently has a promotion where the second and third hours are free on weekdays before 5pm, so go in the morning or afternoon to get a great deal!
Y pssst… for those not looking to rent a bike and just want a shortcut to Jurassic Mile, one can access the trail through parking lot 4A from T4.
The exhibition is permanent, according to Changi Airport, but online reservations for weekends (9 AM to 12 AM) must be made until at least January 3.
