Sure, a ride in a glass-fronted capsule on the nearby Singapore Flyer will give you a quick high, but the panoramic views at the $226-million barrage are something you can take in at your leisure, with nothing between you and the seabreeze cooling your face - and it is free.

The barrage, located at Marina Channel where the Singapore and Kallang rivers meet before flowing into the sea, opened to the public last week. It separates sea water from fresh water, boosts Singapore's water supply by 10 per cent and controls floods in low-lying areas such as Chinatown by keeping out tidal waves.

But aside from those practical benefits, it is also set to be a lifestyle hot spot in the heart of the city.

Whether you want a day out with the family, a fun evening with friends or a lunch break away from the office, there is something for everyone at the barrage's dam, promenade bridge and its distinctive, building housing pumps, galleries and eateries.

Read the full story in Saturday's edition of The Straits Times' Life!