Singapore is packed with fun, thrill, and vigour. In spite of the nation being minuscule in size, it is overloaded with a plethora of attractions – be it iconic landmarks, avant-garde attractions or nature escapes. Nevertheless, in these jumble of exciting attractions, there are other points of interest that form a significant part of Singapore’s sightseeing lists. If you are an art or history lover, then Singapore museums are the right places for you. Singapore’s history, its grit to pioneer as a global city, its cultural and creative essence can all be experienced at its vast array of museums. Not sure which museums to choose for your Singapore trip?
Check out our Top 27 must-visit Singapore museums:
1. ArtScience Museum
This Singapore attraction is quite hard to miss if you are in the Marina Bay area. Located right in front of one of the popular things to see in Singapore – the Marina Bay Sands, this colossal lotus-inspired structure is also one of the prominent landmarks of Singapore’s cityscape. The architecture of the museum symbolizes a welcoming hand of Singapore. Art meets science to weave fascinating tales that offer visitors with interesting knowledge about the world. The experience is further enhanced by fusing cultural elements and interactive technology. Art Science Museum has 21 galleries spread over 3 storeys and covers a total area of 50000 square feet. The museum includes permanent galleries – Curiosity, Inspiration, and Expression and is famed for its international touring exhibitions by famous artists from around the world. The museum often joins hands with other famous museums of the world such as British Museum, American Museum of Natural History and Biblioteca Ambrosiana to name a few. This Singapore museum also encourages visitors to express their potentials through art workshops.
How to get here: Located at Marina Bay Sands, on the edge of Marina Bay Waterfront, ArtScience Museum is just a few minutes away from Bayfront MTR Station and Marina Bay MTR station.
Operating time: Daily – 10:00 am to 7:00 pm
Admission Cost: varies according to the exhibits.
2. Peranakan Museum
Singapore is a vibrant, multi-ethnic hub and the same can be seen in various parts of Singapore’s lifestyle. One such primitive cultural sector is the Peranakan community – natives who are descendants of Chinese immigrants from Malay Peninsula. Occupying the Old Tao Nan School – a Chinese building at Armenian Street, the Peranakan Museum is first of its kind in the world that sheds light on the indigenous Peranakan heritage. The museum’s strait settlement architecture and a vast collection of Peranakan artifacts, historical exhibits and galleries pay tribute to this ancestral culture of Singapore.
How to get here: The museum is 10 minutes’ walk from City Hall or Bras Basah MRT Station.
Operating time: Saturdays to Thursday – 10.00 am to 7.00 pm. Fridays – 10.00 am to 9.00 pm
Admission Cost: SGD 13 per person.
3. National Museum of Singapore
Singapore’s largest and oldest museum, The National Museum of Singapore is one of the popular Singapore tourist attractions for foreign travelers and a renowned heritage landmark for the locals. Located on Stamford Road, this magnificent 19th-century colonial building with a dome on its roof is brimming with spectacular tales of Singapore and the world. The collection of galleries mainly highlight Singapore’s legacy that traces the journey of a nation’s evolution. From being a quaint settlement seized by British colonial rule, to the struggle for independence and progression towards one of the most developed global nations is beautifully conveyed through a series of creative displays and screenings. The Museum’s innovative and abstract art installations especially the “Story of the Forest” installation at the Glass Rotunda is a definite must-see attraction of this museum.
How to get here: Located at Stamford Road. This museum is 10 minutes’ walk from Dhoby Ghaut MRT Station.
Operating time: Daily 10.00 am to 7.00 pm
Admission Cost: SGD 15 per person. Children below 6 years of age – Free of charge.
4. Trick Eye Museum
Enter into a world of creative imagination at Trick Eye Museum, one of the offbeat places to visit in Singapore in your 20s. Nestled within the one of the most talked about Singapore attractions -Resorts World Sentosa, this unique museum introduces its visitors to Augmented Reality through its installations and exhibits. Divided into six theme zones, Trick Eye museum creates a surreal ambience and deceives the eye. It brings alive paintings and dioramas through realistic optical illusions combined with sound and light effect. It would take some time for visitors to believe what they are seeing here. They are left awestruck at witnessing themselves levitating, or suddenly become a giant. The exhibits are mostly influenced by Singapore’s landscapes and culture while some are created purely for fun. It’s a great place to take Instagram worthy pictures as you will be part of these uncanny exhibits.
How to get here: Located inside Resorts World Sentosa, near to SEA Aquarium, the museum is a couple of minutes away from Sentosa Waterfront Station.
Operating time: Daily – 10.00 am to 9.00 pm
Admission Cost: SGD 25 per adult and SGD 20 per child. Children below 6 years of age – Free of charge.
5. MINT Museum of Toys
Credit : https://www.flickr.com/photos/bweisner/3311881592
A real treat for toy lovers, visiting The MINT Museum of Toys is one of the things you never knew you could do in Singapore. The MINT Museum of Toys is a one of a kind museum in Singapore that houses a vast collection of vintage toys and memorabilia. Being a museum for kids and adults alike, children would enjoy the toy collection and grown-ups can reminisce their nostalgic years of playing with their favourite toys and characters. In fact, MINT is an acronym for ‘Moment of Imagination and Nostalgia with Toys’. Located on 26 Seah Street, The museum is the first purpose-built arena for toys and collectables. It is home to over 50000 items from around the world sprawled in 4 themed levels namely Outer-space, Characters, Childhood favourites and Collectables. The rooftop and basement of the museum have dedicated galleries exhibiting Enamel signage from around the globe. The museum even hosts ‘Make and Play’ Seasonal Events for families which take place this year during 27 May till 24 June 2018. In ‘Make and Play’ event, special tours and workshops are conducted where toys bond grownups and kids together in fun time. Parents can let their children know about their favourite toys and childhood memories and participate in basic toy making and other craft skills.
How to get here: Located at Seah Street, the museum is 5 to minutes stroll away from Cityhall, Bugis, Bras Basah and Esplanade MTR stations.
Operating time: Daily – 9.30 am to 6.30 pm. Last Saturday of the month – 9.30 am to 9.30 pm.
Admission Cost: SGD 15 per adult and SGD 7.5 per child.
6. NUS Museum in Singapore
NUS Museum in Singapore is one of the most popular museums in Singapore. It is located at the National University of Singapore and was established in 1887. The museum has a rich collection of artifacts and exhibits that tell the story of Singapore’s history and culture. The museum is also home to a research center that studies the history and archaeology of Singapore.
How to get here: To get to the NUS Museum, take the Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) and get off at Kent Ridge station.
Operating time: Every day from 10 am to 6 pm, except on Mondays and public holidays
Admission Cost: Admission is free
7. National Gallery Singapore
National Gallery Singapore is an iconic landmark in the heart of Singapore’s Civic District. It is a place where art and culture come together to create a unique experience for all visitors. The Gallery houses the world’s largest public collection of modern Southeast Asian art, with over 8,000 works from the 19th century to the present day.
How to get here: Easily accessible by public transport
Operating time: 10 am to 7 pm
Admission Cost: Free for Singaporeans and Permanent Residents; $20 for foreigners
8. Asian Civilisations Museum
The Singapore Asian Civilisations Museum is a must-see destination for anyone interested in learning about the history and culture of Asia. Located in the heart of Singapore, this museum houses many artifacts and artworks from various countries across Asia. Visitors can explore the galleries to learn about civilizations and their contributions to Southeast Asian culture. This museum has something for everyone, from ancient sculptures to modern art pieces.
How to get here: Take the MRT to City Hall station and Exit A.
Operating time: 10 am – 7 pm
Admission Cost: Adults – $10, Students/Seniors – $5, Children (under 6 years old) – Free
9. Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum
The Singapore Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum is a premier museum that houses Southeast Asia’s largest collection of natural history specimens. Through its interactive and immersive displays, it offers visitors an opportunity to explore the world of nature and appreciate its beauty. Its permanent exhibits include specimens of marine life, birds, mammals, reptiles, insects, and plants.
How to get here: 15-minute walk from Kent Ridge MRT Station.
Operating time: Tuesday – Sunday, 9 am – 6 pm
Admission Cost: Free admission
10. Singapore Art Museum
Singapore Art Museum is a world-renowned institution showcasing the best contemporary art from Southeast Asia. It is a place where art lovers and enthusiasts can come together to appreciate the beauty and diversity of local and regional artists. Visitors can explore various exhibitions, attend workshops, participate in artist talks, or simply enjoy the tranquil atmosphere of the museum grounds.
How to get here: MRT to Bras Basah station (Circle Line or Downtown Line). From there, it’s a short walk to the museum.
Operating time: 10 am to 7 pm
Admission Cost: Admission is free
11. Red Dot Design Museum
The Red Dot Design Museum in Singapore is one of the most popular museums in the city. It is known for its unique collection of contemporary designs and commitment to promoting design education. The museum also offers a range of educational programs, workshops, and events that are open to the public.
How to get here: By Bus – Bus No’s 106, 133, 400 and 97
Operating time: 10 am to 7 pm daily
Admission Cost: 11.80 Singapore Dollars for an adult, 6.40 Singapore Dollars per head for a non-Singapore child ticket (7 to 12 years)
12. Singapore Tyler Print Institute (STPI)
Singapore Tyler Print Institute (STPI) Singapore is an internationally renowned art and printmaking institution that has been in operation since 1991. It is a place where innovative ideas, creative expression, and technical mastery come together to create works of art. Through its exhibitions, workshops, residencies, and collaborations with local artists and international partners, STPI Singapore provides a platform for artists to explore new ideas and techniques in printmaking.
How to get here: MRT to Outram Park station and walk towards River Valley Road
Operating time: Tuesday – Saturday: 10 am – 7 pm, Sunday: 12 pm – 6 pm
Admission Cost: Free for Singaporeans & PRs, $10 for foreigners.
13. Changi Chapel and Museum
Changi Chapel and Museum Singapore is a memorial to the prisoners of war who suffered during the Japanese Occupation of Singapore in World War II. Located at the former site of the original Changi Prison, this museum provides visitors with an insight into the lives of those who were held captive here. Through interactive exhibitions, visitors can learn about their courage and resilience and better understand what happened during this dark historical period.
How to get here: The best way to get here is by car or taxi.
Operating time: 10 am to 6 pm
Admission Cost: $10 for adults, $5 for children aged 3 to 12, and free for children aged 2 and below.
14. Chinese Heritage Centre
The Chinese Heritage Centre in Singapore is a unique cultural and educational facility that celebrates Chinese Singaporeans’ rich history and cultural heritage. It serves as a platform for visitors to learn more about the contributions of the Chinese community to Singapore’s development and provides an opportunity to explore the diversity of Chinese culture in Singapore.
How to get here: The best way is by public transport, as there is no parking available on site.
Operating time: 10 am to 6 pm daily, except for Mondays and public holidays.
Admission Cost: Admission is free
15. Indian Heritage Centre
The Indian Heritage Centre in Singapore is a unique space that celebrates India’s vibrant culture and heritage. It is a place to explore and appreciate the diversity of Indian culture, from its ancient traditions to its modern influences. The center offers a variety of experiences for visitors, such as exhibitions, performances, lectures, workshops, and more.
How to get here: Short walk from the Little India or Farrer Park MRT stations.
Operating time: 10 am to 6 pm daily, except for Mondays and certain public holidays
Admission Cost: Admission is free for Singaporeans and PRs, and $8 for foreigners.
16. The Singapore Ice Cream Museum
To be honest, the whole objective of visiting the Museum of Ice Cream Singapore is to take pictures for your Instagram account. And you would expect that it would be unlimited ice cream for the sweet tooth fan. On this journey, you will pick up some interesting titbits of trivia on the origin of the dish, such as how American soldiers greeted the end of World War II with celebratory ice cream sundaes.
The pink-themed rooms with their assortment of huge accessories for endless picture opportunities are the primary draws, though. Bring the kids, or a group of friends, or go on a date; we promise the youngsters will like the rainbow sprinkle pool and bouncy castle.
You may sample a variety of flavors and varieties of ice cream in five of these rooms. Choose between a cone, cup, or pop stick—or have them all, since the options are genuinely endless.
How to Get There:
Using Public Transportation: Not to mention that the museum offers public bus rides to the Museum of Ice Cream. To get to the museum, catch any of the following buses with numbers 77, 7, 105, 77, 123, 106, 174. To reach eight to ten minutes of walking is needed. By cab: You can drive your car or make a reservation for a cab to go to the museum. Although there aren’t many parking spaces available at the museum, you may still get a place.
17. Singapore’s Children’s Museum
Take the kids to the Children’s Museum Singapore if you see them snoring at art or historical museums. And lastly, there’s a kid-friendly museum with amusing and instructive displays specifically made to hold the interest of young children.
Through life-sized sets, animations, and little theater performances, the history of Singapore is recounted. Each area offers many interactive activities and houses seven displays spread across two floors. In honor of its previous location as the Singapore Philatelic Museum, a kid-friendly interactive area allows them to create their stamps.
18. Haw Par Villa’s Hell’s Museum
If you are fond of a ghost house, there is no need to wait for Halloween to feel afraid. All you need do is to go to Hell’s Museum, Haw Par Villa, and Singapore’s first theme park. We joke that if you look through the exhibits and learn about the cultural significance of the graphic imagery shown in the 10 Courts of Hell, it’s not that scary.
In essence, these sculptures provide an understanding of what many religions hold to be the fate of individuals who commit crimes throughout their earthly lives. The museum also displays how many societies view death, with each country having its unique burial customs.
19. Live Museum of Turtles and Tortoises
The largest collection of these adorable reptiles, the majority of which have been rescued, can be seen at the Live Turtle & Tortoise Museum, the proud owner of a Guinness World Record. You will get the opportunity to feed and get to know a variety of international species. One good example is if you do not know that a tortoise is different from a turtle, then visit the official link.
20. The Vintage Camera Museum
Many of these kinds of animals, incidentally, are at large within the Vintage Camera Museum.
Around one thousand vintage cameras from the 1800s adorn the walls of the Vintage Camera Museum. Among the many intelligent varieties of the show are the machine gun-shaped spy cameras that were used to spy on target soldiers by the Japanese army, and the James Bond-style spy cameras that were hidden in cigarette lighters.
They also have old photos, photography advice, and a real copy of the very first photo ever shot with a camera. Once you’ve been motivated by the stunning images, visit their Click Art area to experiment with perspective photography.
21. Singapore Musical Box Museum
The Singapore Musical Box Museum provides the ideal collection if you love vintage items and music. You can see the evolution of the artistry behind these amusing collectibles, which are centuries old and mostly from Switzerland, Germany, and the US, with over 40 antiques on display.
Fun fact: In South-East Asia throughout the 19th and 20th centuries, Singapore was a major contributor to the advancement and development of musical boxes.
22. The Intan
With an entire museum exhibit designed to resemble a traditional Peranakan home, the Intan is a private museum where you can learn about and experience Peranakan culture. It would seem as though you’ve entered the set of the regional television program The Little Nyonya, from the brightly colored metal tiffin lunch boxes that line the staircase to the intricately crafted furnishings.
Visits may only be scheduled in advance.
23. Republic of Singapore Air Force Museum,
For those who have a love of aircraft, the Republic of Singapore Airforce Museum is the perfect place to go. In this indoor exhibition, interactive displays and role-playing activities will teach you about the history and missions of the RSAF.
24. Singapore Sports Museum
You may learn more about other sports legends from colonial times to the present by visiting the Singapore Sports Museum. You may learn how to play traditional local games including Chinese hopscotch, chapteh, and five stones at the museum’s Traditional & Indigenous Sports Gallery.
The whole family will love this facility since, in addition to being transported back to the kampung era, it offers kid-friendly activities like sport-themed painting and craft workshops.
25. Asian Civilizations Museum
You may learn about Singaporeans’ ancestry and the historical connections between Asia and the rest of the globe at the Asian Civilisations Museum. With more than 1,300 artifacts from Asian civilizations, the 11 galleries discuss commerce, religion, and belief in addition to historical textiles.
Opening hours: Sat-Thu 10 am-7 pm; Fri 10 am-9 pm
26. Singapore City Gallery
Many people are curious about how Singapore’s city designers manage to maintain such an organized city layout. Discover the ins and outs of our country’s rapid urban growth and physical metamorphosis at the Singapore City Gallery. Mini-model layouts of the Singaporean skyline may be seen in their galleries, and the tiny HDB apartments are quite adorable.
27. Gallery of Civil Defense Heritage
The Civil Defence Heritage Gallery, housed in the nation’s oldest fire station, allows you to go on a modern firefighting and rescue education path.
In addition to seeing vintage fire trucks, you can climb a hose tower here. Additionally, stop by their interactive stations and try your hand at being a fireman during an operation.
FAQs
Q1. Could I use a camera to take pictures at the museums?
Ans- Interpretation of photo policies varies between museums. Plenty of time is often given before the opening of such exhibitions so that visitors can have adequate prep time. Guidelines for the use of flash photography and specific exhibition categories may be outlined in messages posted inside the exhibition hall. There is a rule in museums that you should always contact the museum staff before taking photographs.
Q2. Is a guided tour offered?
Ans- To learn more about museums, you can take guided tours which are usually given either free or for an add-on fee. The only best option is to either visit their website or inquire about the availability and the schedule at the museum’s information center.
Q3. Do we have to purchase museum tickets ahead of time, and if so, what is the price?
Ans- Tickets can be booked from the official online websites of the museums. Ticket counters at some museums are an added feature. A better option would be to buy the tickets in advance if one plans to see the most popular displays or special shows.
Q4. Are there exhibits and activities for kids and their families?
Ans- Yes, most museums in Singapore are equipped with interactive exhibits and have family-friendly activities. Some of the museums also arrange children’s workshops and events. Check museum listings and make sure they offer programs for families.
Q5. Is there a dress code for museum visits?
Ans- Visitors are welcome to wear what they feel most comfortable in, but the appropriate dress includes modesty and respect for traditions. For some special exhibitions or events, there could be a dress code so please it could be useful to find out beforehand.
Q6. Are only outside drinks that are stored in transparent plastic water bottles allowed inside the museums?
Ans- Usually, museums have dining spots that can be used for eating and galleries may not allow any outside food. Make sure that you have found out from the museum staff about the food rules if any.
A visit to Singapore’s amazing collection of museums will give you an idea of the diversity and vigour of the country. It also opens your mind about eccentric interests of Singapore’s art and creative scenario. So next time you apply for Singapore visa and plan which places to visit in Singapore, include few of these museums in your travel itinerary to get an in-depth Singapore experience on your holiday.