BOOKMARK: 15 Must-Visit Museums in Singapore
Did you know there’s a Hell’s Museum in SG?
by Ina Louise Manto | July 26, 2023
With its size, you might think that there’s only a limited number of things to do around Singapore, especially when you’ve already gone to famous tourist destinations. But the thing is, there are plenty of places to visit and experiences to have when you know where to look for them. For such a culturally diverse country, there’s so much to see! Whether it’s your first or nth time to visit Singapore, here’s a list of must-visit museums to help you plan your trip:
1. National Museum of Singapore
Location: 93 Stamford Road, Singapore
If you want to learn the history of Singapore, there’s no better place than the National Museum of Singapore. After all, it’s the nation’s oldest museum, housing permanent galleries that showcase its rich history that dates back to 1887. There are immersive exhibitions too, including the Story of the Forest by teamLab. In addition, the building itself is an architectural icon, so don’t forget to snap a few photos around the beautiful façade.
Operating hours: Open daily from 10 AM to 7 PM
Tickets: Starts at P614 online.
2. National Gallery Singapore
Location: 1 St. Andrew’s Road, Singapore
Formerly Singapore’s Supreme Court, National Gallery Singapore is the country’s visual arts venue and one of the largest in the region. Here, you’ll find more than 8,000 pieces from Singapore’s National Collection and works by renowned Singaporean artists like Georgette Chen, Liu Kang, and Chen Chong Swee. The Gallery is the place to be for learning about Singapore’s history, art, and culture through the hands of prominent artists. These works are housed in two iconic and well-preserved buildings. Other than the art, make sure to explore the buildings because their architecture is worth appreciating too.
Operating hours: 10 AM to 7 PM Mondays to Thursdays, Saturday and Sunday; 10 AM to 9 PM on Thursdays
Tickets: Starts at P574 online.
3. ArtScience Museum
Location: 6 Bayfront Avenue, Singapore
If you’re exploring the Marina Bay area, don’t forget to include ArtScience Museum in your itinerary. This museum by the bay houses exhibitions that will let you immerse in art, science, and technology. One of its iconic exhibitions includes “The Deep”, an interactive room where you’ll learn about deep-sea life and witness the largest collection of abyssal creatures in Southeast Asia.
Fun fact: The architecture of the building symbolizes Singapore’s welcoming hand, hence the finger-like structure.
Operating hours: Open daily from 10 AM to 7 PM
Tickets: Starts at P952 online.
4. Peranakan Museum
Location: 39 Armenian Street, Singapore
If you’re visiting the National Museum of Singapore, you might as well visit the Peranakan Museum, as this is a nearby establishment. This museum is the home of the world’s biggest collection of Peranakan artifacts, of which you’ll see around 10 permanent galleries. “Peranakan” means “locally born” in Malay.
Operating hours: Open daily from 10 AM to 7 PM, until 9 PM on Fridays
Tickets: S$12 (approximately P493). Buy online.
5. MINT Museum of Toys
Location: 26 Seah Street, Singapore
No one’s too old for toys, especially if it’s a nostalgic collection that will make you feel young again. Built in 2007, the MINT Museum of Toys showcases an expansive collection of over 50,000 pieces of toys, separated into four themes: Childhood Favorites, Outerspace, Characters, and Collectibles. These toys are owned by Mr. Chang Yang Fa who sourced these bundles of joy from over 40 countries. At night, you can make your visit more fun by availing of the Night Preview experience, which includes a glass of house pour wine or beer.
Operating hours: Open daily from 9:30 AM to 6:30 PM
Tickets: Starts at $25 (approx. P1,026) online.
6. Vintage Camera’s Museum
Location: No. 8c & 8D Jalan Kledek, Singapore
Here’s to the shutterbugs and film enthusiasts. Find yourself marveling at an expansive collection of vintage cameras at this unique Singaporean museum. The building itself boasts a camera body where you’ll enter through the lens. Its owners spent over 20 years building the collection – including the world’s smallest camera and a Mammoth Camera that’s six meters long. Some cameras even date back to the 1800s!
Operating hours: Open daily from 10:30 AM to 7:30 PM
Tickets: Starting at S$20 (approx. P821) for adults.
7. Asian Civilisations Museum
Location: 1 Empress Place, Singapore
The Asian Civilisations Museum is the only museum in Asia that showcases a collection of masterpieces in a pan-Asian scope. Discover Asia’s artistic heritage, especially Singapore’s ancestral heritage here. If you want to take a break from walking, there are also two cafes in the museum, Empress and Privé.
Operating hours: 10 AM to 7 PM on Mondays to Thursdays and Saturdays and Sundays; 10 AM to 9 PM on Fridays
Tickets: Starts at P614 online.
8. Children’s Museum Singapore
Location: 23-B Coleman Street, Singapore
Boasting windows painted in vibrant colors, Children’s Museum Singapore is a must-visit for families traveling with kids. The two-story colonial building is the first museum dedicated to children aged 12 and below, featuring immersive galleries, exhibitions, and activities. One of its highlights includes the permanent exhibition Voyage Back Through Time, which is a time-traveling voyage where visitors can learn about history.
Operating hours: Open on Tuesdays and Sundays in different timeslots: 9 AM, 11 AM, 2 PM, and 4 PM.
Tickets: S$15 (approx. P616) online.
9. Singapore Art Museum
Location: 39 Keppel Rd, #01-02 Tanjong Pagar Distripark, Singapore
When you feel like you’re in a rut, Singapore Art Museum is one of the best places to feel inspired again. This museum houses contemporary art from Southeast Asia. There are two locations in Singapore: if you wish to visit a more modern space, visit the one in Tanjong Pagar, and if you want to appreciate old architecture, visit the gallery along Bras Basah Road. This building was a former building for two all-boys Catholic schools.
Operating hours: Open daily from 10 AM to 7 PM.
Tickets: Start at S$10 (approx. P410) for adults. Book here.
10. The Air Force Museum
Location: 400 Airport Road, Singapore
Got a knack for all things aviation? Learn about the heritage, values, and history of the Republic of Singapore Air Force when you visit the Air Force Museum. From real-life fighter planes to flight simulators – you’ll find them here.
Operating hours: 9 AM to 4 PM on Tuesdays to Saturdays
Tickets: Free entrance
11. Haw Par Villa
Location: 262 Pasir Pangjang Road, Singapore
Formerly known as Tiger Balm Garden, Haw Par Villa showcases the richness of Chinese culture, particularly its storied myths and folklore. For a unique museum, you’d find delight in its famous exhibit, the Hell’s Museum. This museum will take you on exhibitions of vivid depictions of the Ten Courts of Hell as depicted in Chinese culture. Tickets are sold separately here, and it’s only open from 10 AM to 6 PM on Tuesdays to Sundays.
Fun fact: Haw Par Villa was originally named Tiger Balm Garden because the owners’ father was the creator of Tiger Balm.
Operating hours: Open daily from 9 AM to 8 PM
Tickets: S$18 for adults at the Hell’s Museum. Book here.
12. Museum of Ice Cream
Location: 100 Loewen Road, Dempsey, Singapore
Operating Hours: Open on Thursdays to Sundays from 10 AM to 10 PM
Here’s for a new and exciting attraction in Singapore: The Museum of Ice Cream that’s perfect for the IG-snapshot. Housing 12 multi-sensory installations, Singapore’s first ice cream museum will let visitors eat ice cream treats in five different forms and shapes and visit vibrant rooms. It’s a feast for both the eyes and tummy, and be ready to take the cutest photos.
Tickets: Starts at S$36 (approx. P1,478) for General Admission. Book here.
13. Buddha Tooth Relic Temple & Museum
Location: 288 South Bridge Road, Singapore
Nestled in the heart of Chinatown, Buddha Tooth Relic Temple & Museum has an expansive collection of relics and exhibits on Buddhist art and history. It was built in 2007 and named as such as the left canine tooth of Buddha discovered in India is displayed here. Since it’s also a place of worship, remember to wear appropriate attire. No sleeveless shirts, skirts, and shorts allowed!
Operating Hours: Open daily from 7 AM to 7 PM.
Tickets: Free admission
14. Indian Heritage Center
Location: 5 Campbell Ln, Singapore
Singapore is a melting pot of difficult cultures, including Indians who make up a percentage of the country’s population. At the Indian Heritage Center, learn about the history of South Asian and Indian communities in Singapore, which are chronologically arranged from the 1st century CE to the 21st century. There are five themes in its permanent galleries, which you’ll find on the third and fourth levels of the building.
Operating hours: Open on Tuesdays to Sundays from 10 AM to 6 PM.
Tickets: S$8 (approx. P328) for adults. Book here.
15. National University of Singapore (NUS) Museum
Location: 50 Kent Ridge Crescent, National University of Singapore
Want to learn more about Singapore’s history? Take a visit to NUS and explore its four collections that house over 8,000 artifacts and artworks. Here, you’ll find pottery and ceramics to paintings.
Operating hours: Open on Tuesdays to Sundays from 10 AM to 6 PM
Tickets: Free admission
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