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Not everybody loves a trip to the museum. But I think that’s partially because there’s a type of “stigma” about museums. You know, you immediately think of dusty old rooms filled with ancient relics or things history-related. I get it, it’s not everyone’s cup of tea.
When visiting many cities anywhere in the world, there are the typical history, art, and science-centric museums you’d expect to find (of which Singapore does have plenty). For example, the ArtScience Museum. However, one of the things I love the most about Singapore’s museum game is just how many museums there are and different ones at that, even free museums in Singapore!
Local Insighter Tip: Looking for unusual things to do in Singapore that tourists don’t know of?
So, for my list of the best museums in Singapore, I’ve included museums that I personally love that go beyond art and history. Also, as the city is very multicultural, its museum scene totally reflects this, too, like the Chinatown Heritage Centre. Let’s go!
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- 1. Buddha Tooth Relic Temple and Museum: Awe-inspiring
- 2. National Gallery Singapore: Top art museum
- 3. Peranakan Museum: Local culture
- 4. The Gem Museum: Crystal and stone lovers
- 5. MINT Museum of Toys: Vintage toys
- 6. National Museum of Singapore: The country’s history
- 7. Singapore Musical Box Museum: The world of antique music
- 8. Vintage Camera’s Museum: All things film
- 9. Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum
1. Buddha Tooth Relic Temple and Museum: Awe-inspiring
The Buddha Tooth Relic Temple and Museum may be familiar to some if you’re interested in anything Buddhism-related. Or perhaps it caught your eye when researching Singapore because of its famously striking architecture. It’s one of the city’s most treasured landmarks.
Not featuring just one, but three museums within the temple, the five-story structure comes with no entry fee, adding to its popularity among visitors to the island. It’s one of my favorite free museums in Singapore!
Take your time here; there is loads to explore. The extravagant building features two double-eaved temple roofs on each level. Within the museum, you can see an actual relic of Buddha’s tooth at the Sacred Relics Museum (hence the name). There are also free guided tours on Saturdays.
2. National Gallery Singapore: Top art museum
I’m an art geek, and as much as I said this wasn’t just going to be a list of the best museums in Singapore laden with history, art, and science, I had to at least include one or two institutes related to these subjects. For example, the National Gallery Singapore!
Housing one of the globe’s most impressive collections of Southeast Asian Modern and Contemporary Art, these date from the 19th century until the present time. This includes works by Lê Phổ, Chen Wen Hsi, and Juan Luna.
Among the permanent exhibitions, the museum hosts temporary exhibitions that run for six months to nearly a year+. At the moment, they have a showcase from MFA, Boston, of contemporary works by international masters, like Monet, Degas (my favorite artist), Renoir, and more!
Good to know: Technically, the National Gallery is one of the free museums in Singapore, but with some stipulations. It’s only free entrance for local residents and children under 7 years old. Make sure you grab your tickets online to save you time.
3. Peranakan Museum: Local culture
Out of all of the Southeast countries where Peranakan culture is most celebrated (including Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Southern Thailand), I’ve seen it most obvious in Singapore.
Step inside a world of all things Peranakan (spread across three levels) at the Peranakan Museum.
The different gallery exhibition titles include ‘Origins,’ ‘Ceramics and Food Culture,’ ‘Family and Community Life,’ ‘Batik,’ ‘Decorative Textiles,’ ‘Fashion,’ and ‘Jewellery.’ It’s a unique museum-going option, filled with so much color and life!
Again, it’s another one of the free museums in Singapore, which only applies to permanent residents, Singapore citizens, and this time, any kids under 6 years old. Looking to buy tickets beforehand? Purchase them here.
4. The Gem Museum: Crystal and stone lovers
I AM A GEMSTONE CRYSTAL FIEND! My personal collections extend into the hundreds, collected and treasured from all my travels around the world, from Sri Lanka to New York. My favorite stone is onyx, which also helps keep me balanced. Naturally, The Gem Museum caught my attention.
If you’re anything like me, you’ll go gaga over the glass cabinets safekeeping all types of crystals and precious gemstones imaginable. These are categorized by things like shape and crystal systems/makeup. The displays range from large to small. Some highlight gemstone mining, others Rock Cycle: Formation of Rocks, Lapidary: Gem and Diamond Cutting, and Birthstones.
Gemstones, precious stones, crystals, and minerals are sourced from around the world.
You need to register online before visiting to enter, and then you join the free tour. So, it is one of the free museums in Singapore.
5. MINT Museum of Toys: Vintage toys
Whether you’re a kid at heart, are traveling to Singapore with your own little ones, or simply are in the mood for some time travel, you’ll love the MINT Museum of Toys. It’s not just one of the best museums in Singapore, but also one of the most unique.
I’m a 90s baby, and even now, whenever I see those Instagram posts of the toys I grew up with, I get nostalgic. I also remember some of the toys my parents used to play with. So for me, this museum is a really interesting and fun one. A nice reminder of what the world was like before technology!
On display are collections of vintage toys, card games, board games, and memorabilia from 54 different countries. These are put into categories like outer space, characters (like Bugs Bunny!), childhood favorites, vintage enamel signs, vintage decorative tins, the birth of Astroboy, spooky horror, bedtime stories, and Beatles memorabilia!
P.S. Enjoy more time to mosey around instead of worrying about lines and ticket purchasing, and pre-purchase admission tickets here.
6. National Museum of Singapore: The country’s history
History museums aren’t for everyone. But there is a wide group (myself included) who do love and appreciate information and knowledge about the past. Chronicling the last 700 years of Singapore’s history, the National Museum of Singapore is a haven for history buffs!
Established in 1887, this makes it the country’s oldest museum. Pretty cool! It’s one of the best museums in Singapore for local culture and history. Enjoy interactive displays and even workshops related to Singaporean culture.
Save waiting in lines for tickets, and prebook entrance tickets here instead!
One of its most impressive permanent exhibitions is ‘Singapore Odyssea: A Journey Through Time.’ This immersive, multimedia showcase is epic.
7. Singapore Musical Box Museum: The world of antique music
Music makes the world go wrong! Can you imagine life without it? Make your music-loving hearts go boom, boom, boom at the Singapore Musical Box Museum!
If you’ve always had a burning passion for anything music-related, or perhaps play an instrument of your own, you will doubly love this place.
Dating as far back as the early 19th century, music boxes have played an important role in the development of culture. Here, you can check out over 40 antique music boxes, including the Orchestrial (from 1890), the “Atrantic” (from 1902), the “Stella” (from 1900), and the “Singanam” (from the 1860s). I would recommend a guided tour for an even more insightful experience.
8. Vintage Camera’s Museum: All things film
One of my (many) obsessions is vintage and old-school cameras. In fact, I own a Minolta XG-1. I have a few friends who have collections of vintage cameras that stretch into the 50s. There’s just something so beautiful about receiving a round of film snapped the old-school way. For any fellow photography enthusiasts like myself, you cannot miss the opportunity to check out the Vintage Camera’s Museum.
Also, how cute/clever is the entrance to this museum, which is in the shape of an old-school camera, and you walk through the lens?
Among the best museums in Singapore tours, this one, titled “Invention, innovation and transformation,” is one of my favorites. Within its doors, you will see over 1000 cameras relating to film and cinematic history.
9. Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum
Some people are intrigued by world history and historical events, whereas others are more drawn to the world of natural history, including world wonders and biodiversity. The Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum is a firm favorite with both locals and tourists, and always receives raving reviews.
Certain natural history museums can feel super outdated and become boring and even monotonous. But that’s definitely not the case here! Suiting Singapore’s technologically advanced landscape, the museum is designed the same. It’s a fabulous combination, what with the thousands of ancient artifacts, fossils, skeletons, underwater-related species, and more, on display!
See a moa skull–believed to roam the Earth between 1400 and 1500 CE. The life-size dinosaur replicas are super-cool! And if you’re interested in the world of animals, you’ll be hooked.
Worked up an appetite after all that exploring? Check out these 10 Best Cafes in Singapore. Or fill up before all the museum-hopping at these yummy brekkie spots.
Plant-based friends, here is where we love to get our vegetarian and vegan food when we’re in Singapore! Searching for more things to do in and around the island? Why not think about embarking on a fun day-trip!
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