5 Singapore Museums Worth Visiting
Singapore is full of fun, thrill, and excitement. Although the country is minuscule, it is loaded with a plethora of attractions – be it iconic landmarks, avant-garde attractions or nature escapes. Other points of interest that form a significant part of Singapore’s sightseeing lists. Here are the best 5 Singapore Museums that you must visit.
1. Peranakan Museum
Singapore is a colourful, multi-ethnic hub and you can witness this 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. Old Tao Nan School – a Chinese building at Armenian Street, the Peranakan Museum is first of its kind in the world that displays the indigenous Peranakan heritage to the world. The museum’s strait settlement architecture and a vast collection of Peranakan artifacts, historical exhibits and galleries are the specialities of this ancestral culture of Singapore.
How to reach here: The museum is 10 minutes’ walk from City Hall or Bras Basah MRT Station.
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.
2. National Museum of Singapore
This is the oldest and larges museum of Singapore. It is also one of the popular Singapore tourist attractions for foreign travellers and a renowned heritage landmark for the locals. Situated on Stamford Road, this magnificent 19th-century colonial building with a dome on its roof is brimming with great tales of Singapore and the world.
The assortment of galleries mainly highlight Singapore’s legacy that traces the journey of a nation’s evolution. From being a quaint settlement captured by British colonial rule, to the struggle for independence and progression towards one of the most developed global nations is decently conveyed through a series of creative displays and screenings. The Museum’s innovative and abstract art especially the “Story of the Forest” installation at the Glass Rotunda is a definite must-see attraction of this museum.
How to reach here: Located at Stamford Road. This museum is 10 minutes’ walk from Dhoby Ghaut MRT Station.
Time: Daily 10.00 am to 7.00 pm
Admission Cost: SGD 15 per person. Children below 6 years of age – Free of charge.
3. ArtScience Museum
This museum is quite difficult to skip it you are putting up in the Marina Bay area. One of the 5 Singapore Museums 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 major landmarks of Singapore’s cityscape.
The design of the museum symbolizes a welcoming hand of Singapore. You will see here art meets science to weave fascinating tales that offer visitors with interesting knowledge about the world. You will also find fusing cultural elements and interactive technology.
It has 21 galleries spread across 3 storeys and covers a total area of 50000 square feet. The museum includes permanent galleries – Inspiration, Curiosity, and Expression and is known for its international touring exhibitions by famous artists from around the world. The museum often collaborate with other famous museums of the world such as British Museum, American Museum of Natural History and Biblioteca Ambrosiana to name a few. It also entice visitors to express their potentials through art workshops.
How to reach 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.
Time: Daily – 10:00 am to 7:00 pm
Admission Cost: varies as per the exhibits.
4. Trick Eye Museum
This museum will take you to the world of creative imagination. It is one of the 5 Singapore Museums located 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 offers a surreal ambience and deceives the eye. It brings alive paintings and dioramas with realistic optical illusions combined with sound and light effect.
You may take some time to believe your eyes what you are seeing here. You will 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 designed just for fun. It’s a great place to take Instagram worthy pictures as you will be part of these uncanny exhibits.
How to reach here: Located inside Resorts World Sentosa, near to SEA Aquarium, the museum is a couple of minutes away from Sentosa Waterfront Station.
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
This is a real treat for toy lovers. This museum of toys is a one of a kind museum in Singapore that houses a vast collection of vintage toys and memorabilia. This is one of the 5 Singapore Museums with visiting. Children and adults both would enjoy the toy collection and grown-ups can reminisce their nostalgic years of playing with their favourite toys and characters. 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. Here you can see over 50000 items from around the world sprawled in 4 themed levels namely Outer-space, Characters, Childhood favourites and Collectables. The basement and rooftop the museum have dedicated galleries exhibiting Enamel signage from around the globe.
It also hosts ‘Make and Play’ Seasonal Events for families. 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 reach here: Located at Seah Street, the museum is 5 to minutes stroll away from Cityhall, Bugis, Bras Basah and Esplanade MTR stations.
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.
Synopsis
A visit to this amazing collection of museums in Singapore will give you an idea of the diversity and radiance of the country. It will also attract you and create interest about eccentric arts of Singapore and its creative scenario. These are the 5 Singapore Museums that you must not miss visiting.
