Do you want to explore the culture, history and interesting things in the Lion Island Nation? Then let’s take a tour of the impressive and Singapore best museums with the list of 13+ fun, cool, interesting, famous including top museums in Singapore, must visit museums in Singapore and best museums in Singapore in this post!
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Singapore is not only famous for its modern skyscrapers, bustling shopping areas or diverse cuisine, but also attracts you with its rich cultural treasures preserved through unique museums. Each museum is a door leading you to historical stories, cultural and artistic values typical of Singapore and the Southeast Asian region.
Let’s join Living Nomads on a journey to explore Singapore museums to have extremely memorable experiences when traveling in this island nation!
Must visit museums in Singapore: Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall in Nanyang, Singapore
Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall is an important historical and cultural symbol, associated with the life and career of the person considered the “father of modern China”. The memorial hall was built in the 1900s, with an ancient villa-style architecture. Sun Yat-sen used this house as a base to plan and carry out revolutionary activities to overthrow the Qing Dynasty and build a new, modern and independent China.
Sun Yat Sen Nanyang Memorial Hall Admission Ticket
Today, the Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall has been preserved and developed into a museum with many galleries, recreating his life and career. The artifacts here include letters, documents, photos and many personal artifacts of Sun Yat-sen, giving you a deeper insight into his life and vision. In addition, the museum also organizes many thematic exhibitions and educational activities to introduce and honor Sun Yat-sen’s legacy.
- Address: 12 Tai Gin Rd, Singapore
- Opening Hours: 10am – 5pm (Closed on Mondays)
Singapore best museums: Peranakan Museum in Joo Chiat Heritage Area, Singapore
Located in the Joo Chia Heritage Area, the Peranakan Museum is a showcase of the Peranakan culture, a blend of Chinese and Malay cultures. Stepping into the museum, you will be captivated by the vibrant beauty and intricate details of the exhibits.
The traditional costumes, jewellery, ceramics, and household items all reflect the richness and diversity of Peranakan culture. Each exhibit tells its own story, and you will learn more through the accompanying explanations.
Singapore Peranakan Chinese Culture and Heritage Private Museum
Singtel 5G/4G Singapore SIM Card (SG Airport & City Pick Up)
One of the highlights of the museum is the fully-restored Peranakan houses, which recreate the daily lives of the ancient Peranakan people. You can step into the living room, dining room and bedroom to feel the flow of history more clearly.
- Address: 39 Armenian St, Singapore
- Opening Hours: 10am – 7pm | Fridays: 10am – 9pm.
Musical Box Museum Chong Wen Ge Complex, Singapore
Chong Wen Ge is a complex with a long history, famous for the Thian Hock Keng temple, and is where you can visit the Musical Box Museum. The museum owns a rich collection of more than 40 music boxes from many different countries. You can see small music boxes to large and intricately crafted music boxes used in performances.
Singapore Musical Box Museum Ticket
The artifacts at the museum are not only displayed delicately but also introduced in detail about their origin, manufacturing process and operating mechanism. When you buy a ticket to come here, you will have the opportunity to learn about the history of music box development from the 18th to the 20th century, explore the sophisticated and elaborate crafting techniques of skilled craftsmen.
- Address: 168 Telok Ayer St, Singapore
Indian Heritage Centre In Little India, Singapore
Little India is an area famous for its vibrant and diverse culture. This neighborhood has long been the center of activities of the Indian community in Singapore, with shops, restaurants, temples and cultural events imbued with Indian culture. In particular, the Indian Heritage Centre is an ideal space for you to explore and experience Indian culture.
Indian Heritage Centre Admission Ticket
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At the Indian Heritage Centre, you will explore many exhibition areas, introducing different aspects of Indian history and culture in Singapore. You can admire themes such as: “Indians in Singapore: Past & Present” and “Symbols & Scripts: The Language of Craft”. From historical artifacts, traditional costumes, to artworks at the museum, you will understand more about the life and development of the Indian community through the ages.
- Address: 5 Campbell Lane, Singapore
- Opening Hours: 10am – 6pm. (Closed Mondays)
Trick Eye Museum In Southside Sentosa, Singapore
Trick Eye, short for “Trick of the Eye,” is a popular 3D interactive art form designed to trick the eye and create vivid illusions. This museum is not only a tourist attraction but also an art playground where visitors can interact and become part of unique works of art.
To experience the Trick Eye Museum, you can divide it into separate areas to explore. Each area has a separate theme, from majestic natural landscapes, exciting adventures, to fairy tales and humorous scenes. Each corner of the exhibition is designed for visitors to easily interact and unleash their creativity.
Trick Eye Museum Ticket at Southside Sentosa in Singapore
You can take photos standing in the middle of the ocean, ride the waves on a Sea Lion, or even step into a classic oil painting and become the main character. Don’t forget to prepare your camera when coming to Trick Eye!
- Address: 26 Sentosa Gateway, #01-43/44, Singapore
- Opening Hours: 11am – 7pm
Fun museums in Singapore: Madame Tussauds Wax Museum On Sentosa Island, Singapore
Universal Studios Singapore Ticket
Madame Tussauds Singapore is located in the Imbiah Lookout complex – a museum displaying wax figures of artists and celebrities around the world. The statues are meticulously crafted and detailed, giving a very realistic feeling, from facial expressions, postures, to costumes and accessories.
Madame Tussauds Singapore Ticket
The museum is divided into many different display areas, each with a separate theme. You can start your tour at the A-List Party area to “meet” famous stars such as Michelle Yeoh, Leonardo Dicarprio, Johnny Depp, etc. Next, you can go to the Music Zone area, which displays wax statues of music stars such as Michael Jackson, Ed Sheeran, Harry Styles, Dua Lipa, Katy Perry, Madonna, Jay Chou, etc. Come to Madame Tussauds to admire the life-like wax statues of your idols!
- Address: 40 Imbiah Road, Sentosa, Singapore
- Opening Hours: Monday to Friday: 10am – 5pm | Saturday & Sunday: 10am – 6pm.
Famous museums in Singapore: Asian Civilizations Museum Along the Singapore River
If you are a history enthusiast, especially Asian history, then you should not miss the opportunity to visit the Asian Civilizations Museum! This museum was established in 1993 with the aim of honoring and preserving the diverse cultural heritage of Asian countries. It also displays works of art and historical artifacts that show the development of major civilizations in the region.
Asian Civilisations Museum Ticket
You can learn about the dynasties, cultures, contributions of countries, and Asian peoples in the formation and development of the region.
- Address: 1 Empress Place, Singapore
- Opening Hours: 10am – 7pm | Fridays: 10am – 9pm.
National Gallery in Singapore City Centre
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The National Gallery is a prominent cultural and arts venue, with an area of over 64,000 square meters. Not only does it have impressive architecture, it also houses the world’s largest collection of Southeast Asian art, with more than 8,000 works by famous artists such as Georgette Chen, Affandi, and works by young artists.
National Gallery Singapore Ticket
In addition to displaying its art collection, the National Museum of Singapore also regularly organizes many exhibitions and cultural events. This is a place to preserve and introduce artistic values as well as provide opportunities for the public to explore and understand more deeply about the culture and history of Singapore and countries in the Southeast Asian region.
- Address: 1 St Andrew’s Road, #01–01, Singapore
- Opening Hours: 10am – 7pm | Tuesdays: 7am – 3pm.
Red Dot Design Museum in Marina Bay, Singapore
The Red Dot Museum is a modern design and regularly hosts temporary exhibitions, showcasing design works and products from various fields such as graphic design, fashion, homeware, and interiors. You will have the opportunity to explore the latest trends in the design industry, as well as admire the creativity of contemporary designers.
Red Dot Design Museum Ticket in Singapore
With a prime location right on the shores of Marina Bay, the Red Dot Museum not only offers an art and design experience but also allows you to enjoy the beautiful scenery of Singapore from the exhibition areas and the garden outside.
- Address: 11 Marina Boulevard, Singapore
- Opening Hours: Monday – Friday: 11am – 7pm | Weekend: 10am – 7pm.
Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum at the National University of Singapore
The Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum is a 7-storey building that stands out for its modernity and expertise in the conservation and display of the world’s natural history heritage. With over a million specimens from all over the region and about 2,000 specimens on public display, you can experience learning and exploring deeply about the natural world when you come here.
Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum
The museum boasts a diverse collection of biodiversity, including 15 exhibition areas that recreate the history of the development of living organisms on Earth. From plants, molluscs, reptiles, mammals to fish, each area provides you with valuable information and vivid images of the evolution and biodiversity of species throughout history.
In addition to exhibitions, the museum also plays an important role in encouraging, developing and supporting biodiversity research not only in Singapore but also in partner research institutions across Southeast Asia and around the world.
- Address: 2 Conservatory Drive, Singapore
- Opening Hours: 10am – 6pm (Closed Mondays).
Museum of Ice Cream in Dempsey, Singapore
Experience the Museum of Ice Cream, which promises to bring you many memorable memories during your trip to Singapore. This is the first international branch of the Museum of Ice Cream from the US and covers an area of over 5,500 square meters. The Museum of Ice Cream is not only a place for you to enjoy delicious ice cream, but also a colorful and sweet entertainment and interactive space. The museum includes facilities such as a cafe, bar and retail store, along with 14 interactive areas.
Highlights in the museum include Scream’s Diner – where you can enjoy 5 delicious ice cream flavors for free; Sprinkle Pool – a large swimming pool filled with millions of colorful ice cream toppings; and Dragon Playground – a fun complex suitable for all ages and decorated entirely with funny bananas. The Ice Cream Museum is definitely an ideal destination for the whole family and friends to have fun.
- Address: 100 Loewen Road, Singapore
- Opening Hours: Monday + Wednesday: 10am – 6pm | Thursday – Sunday: 10am – 9pm (Closed Tuesday).
ArtScience Museum Marina Bay Sands, Singapore
Marina Bay Sands Skypark Observation Deck
A modern art and cultural icon, the ArtScience Museum stands out with its graceful architecture and works that combine art, science and technology. Designed by renowned architect Moshe Safdie, the museum is an innovative and multi-dimensional exhibition space.
ArtScience Museum at Marina Bay Sands Ticket
The ArtScience Museum is both a place for visitors to explore contemporary art exhibitions and a hub for innovative science and technology activities. The museum regularly hosts temporary exhibitions from leading artists from around the world, workshops, educational programs, and special events to encourage creativity and innovation in the fields of science, technology, and art.
- Address: 6 Bayfront Ave, Singapore
- Opening Hours: 10am – 7pm | Friday + Saturday: 10am – 9pm.
National Museum in Singapore City Centre
Officially established in 1887, the National Museum of Singapore is a place to preserve and display precious artifacts about Singapore’s history and culture. The museum houses one of the most diverse collections of Southeast Asian art and material culture, including artifacts from the pioneering period to the modern era.
The museum’s galleries include collections of art, natural history, and cultural heritage, from paintings to sculptures and antiquities. Temporary exhibitions are regularly held to introduce the distinctive cultures and arts of different countries.
National Museum of Singapore Ticket
The journey to explore Singapore’s museums has brought you to historical relics, ancient cultural artifacts and exquisite works of art. Each museum is a story, a piece of the puzzle that contributes to creating a panoramic picture of the country and people of Singapore.
- Address: 93 Stamford Road, Singapore
- Opening Hours: 10am – 7pm.
Notes When Visiting Exhibition Centers & Museums in Singapore
To have a tour of famous Singapore galleries, it is best to remember some extremely important notes below!
Do Not Touch the Artifacts
The exhibits at the museum are all valuable, both in terms of money and cultural and artistic value over time. Therefore, touching these artifacts can be risky for you if you accidentally damage one of the exhibits. It is better to just admire them with your eyes and if you are allowed to take photos, use recording devices to capture them instead of trying to touch them to feel them.
Do Not Bring Food When Visiting
Some museums have dining and resting areas for visitors to recharge their batteries. You should go to these places to eat instead of bringing your own food, especially dishes with strong odors. This not only affects other visitors but also has the potential to damage artifacts if you accidentally drop food or spill water on them.
Do not bring too much luggage
You may want to visit the museum before going to the airport but have already checked out of the hotel. In this case, you should ask the museum staff where to store your luggage and store them carefully before visiting the museum. This will help you relax more when enjoying the art, and at the same time not affect the space for other visitors.
Hopefully with the above suggestions, you will have a meaningful visit to the Lion Island of Singapore! These museums are all located in the city center, easily accessible by taxi, private car, bus and train. Don’t miss the chance to experience the unique culture at Singapore’s museums!
Some best day tours, trips, activities and transfer services, tickets in, from and to Singapore you can refer to
- Sentosa FUN Pass
- [Klook Exclusive] Universal Studios Singapore™ 1 Day Ticket
- Gardens by the Bay Ticket Singapore
- S.E.A. Aquarium™ One-Day Ticket
- ArtScience Museum at Marina Bay Sands Ticket
- Singapore Cable Car Sky Pass
- Jewel Changi Airport Attraction Tickets in Singapore
- Singapore Flyer Tickets
- Skyline Luge Singapore: Skyline Luge & Skyride
- Marina Bay Sands Skypark Observation Deck or Sampan Ride
- Adventure Cove Waterpark™ One-Day Ticket
- Science Centre Singapore, Butterflies Up-Close, Omni Theatre
- Singapore River Cruise
- Madame Tussauds Singapore Ticket
- Wings of Time Show Ticket in Singapore
- Klook Pass Singapore
- 4G Prepaid Sim Card (Changi Airport Pick Up) for Singapore
- 4G WiFi (SG Airport Pick Up) for Singapore
Are you finding more top things to do in Singapore: Tours, activities, attractions and other things? Read more: The ultimate Singapore travel guide.
