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Keywords: Singapore Travel, Museum Exploration, Cultural Journey, In-Depth Travel, Family Time

 

 

In Singapore, museums are far more than quiet exhibition halls—they’re like the city’s “memory boxes,” preserving vivid stories of culture, history, and art. What’s more, many of them offer free admission, making them true “hidden gems” for your trip.

With the National Day holiday just around the corner, many of you may be planning a visit to Singapore. If you’re putting together your itinerary, consider adding these story-filled museums to your list. You might just find the perfect stop to make your journey even more memorable!

National Must-Visit

National Museum of Singapore

 

 

Founded in 1849, the National Museum of Singapore is the country’s oldest museum and the perfect starting point for exploring the Lion City. Its exhibitions span over 700 years of history, showcasing the transformation from a humble fishing village to a global metropolis. Beyond housing national treasures and significant historical artifacts, the museum also brings history to life through cutting-edge multimedia and interactive installations.

 

 

Don’t miss the immersive 360° projection hall, where you can feel the pulse of the modern metropolis, as well as the ever-popular Instagram-worthy spot—the spiral staircase. During arts or light festivals, the entire museum complex transforms into a massive art installation, with its night views offering a truly breathtaking spectacle.

Address: 93 Stamford Rd, Singapore 178897
Official Website: https://www.nhb.gov.sg/nationalmuseum/
Opening Hours: Daily 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Standard Admission:

• Adults: SGD 24
• Students/Seniors: SGD 18
• Free for Singapore Citizens & Permanent Residents

(Some special exhibitions require separate tickets)

 

National Gallery Singapore

 

 

National Gallery Singapore is housed within two national monuments in the Civic District—the former City Hall and the former Supreme Court. Carefully restored and expanded, it has become Southeast Asia’s largest museum of modern and contemporary art, with an exhibition space of 64,000 square meters. The gallery’s collection features over 8,000 works from Singapore and the Southeast Asian region, spanning paintings, sculptures, prints, photography, and video, offering a comprehensive visual history of art from the 19th century to the present.

Address：1 St Andrew’s Rd, Singapore 178957

Official Website：https://www.nationalgallery.sg/

Opening Hours: Daily 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Standard Admission:

• Adults: SGD 20
• Students/Seniors: SGD 15
• Free for Singapore Citizens, Permanent Residents, and children aged 6 and under

 

Asian Civilisations Museum

 

 

Established in 1997, the Asian Civilisations Museum is housed in a former British colonial government building dating back to 1867 and reopened in 2003 after expansion. As the only national museum in Asia focused on “cross-civilisation dialogue,” it boasts a collection of over 77,000 artifacts. The museum’s highlight is the Tang Shipwreck Treasures exhibition, featuring a remarkable array of Tang Dynasty ceramics, gold, and silver, vividly showcasing the flourishing cultural exchanges between China and the world.

 

 

The galleries are divided into sections covering China, Southeast Asia, South Asia, and the Islamic world of West Asia, allowing visitors to experience a “one-stop journey through Asian civilizations.” The museum also hosts special exhibitions and lectures annually, offering a rich cultural atmosphere, making it one of Singapore’s must-visit national museums.

Address：1 Empress PI, Singapore 179555

Offical website：https://www.nhb.gov.sg/acm

Opening Hours:

Daily: 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM

Fridays: 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM

Standard Admission:

• Adults: SGD 25
• Students/Seniors: SGD 20
• Free for children aged 6 and under, Singapore Citizens, and Permanent Residents

 

Cultural & Specialty Museums

Peranakan Museum – Peranakan Culture

 

 

The Peranakan Museum is housed in a three-story white heritage building, whose blend of European and Chinese architectural styles transports visitors back to a Peranakan home in 1928. The museum holds one of the world’s finest collections of Peranakan artifacts, featuring over 800 precious items including jewelry, furniture, and textiles.

 

 

Through 10 themed galleries and interactive multimedia, the Peranakan Museum brings Peranakan culture to life—from the elaborate twelve-day Peranakan wedding to the stories of notable figures in Singapore’s history, and the evolution of contemporary culture—allowing visitors to experience vivid stories that span time and generations.

Address：39 Armenian St, Singapore 179941

Offical Website：https://www.nhb.gov.sg/peranakanmuseum/

Opening hours：

Daily: 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM

Fridays: 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM

Standard Admission:

• Adults: SGD 12
• Students/Seniors: SGD 8
• Free for Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents

 

Gem Museum

 

 

The Gem Museum offers a comprehensive look at the journey of gemstones from the mine to the finished product, showcasing each step from raw stone cutting and polishing to final setting, revealing the unique allure of gems. Although the museum spans three floors, each exhibit allows for close-up observation of gemstone textures and cutting techniques, highlighting exquisite craftsmanship and design concepts. The museum also hosts occasional talks and workshops, making it ideal for those interested in jewelry culture, craftsmanship, and collecting.

Address：9 Perak Rd, Sinapore 208130

Offical Website：https://thegemmuseum.gallery/

Opening hours：

Tuesday to Friday: 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM

Saturday: 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM

Closed on Sunday and Monday

Admission: Free

Tip: Free guided tours are available every hour—advance online booking is required.

 

Red Dot Design Museum

 

 

As one of only two Red Dot Design Museums in the world, this is a paradise for design enthusiasts. Each year, it showcases over 300 Red Dot Award-winning pieces, ranging from conceptual homewares to innovative high-tech devices, offering a comprehensive look at cutting-edge global design trends.

The museum also features a design shop, where you can purchase your favorite award-winning creations to take home. Additionally, the on-site café enhances the visitor experience, allowing you to relax while immersing yourself in some of the world’s coolest creative inspirations.

Address：11 Marina Boulevard, Singapore 018940

Offical Website：https://museum.red-dot.sg/

Opening hours：

Monday to Friday: 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM

Saturday to Sunday: 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM

Standard Admission:

• Adults: SGD 12 (includes a SGD 5 design shop voucher)
• Free for children aged 6 and under

 

Fun & Creative Museums

Ice Cream Museum 

 

 

The Ice Cream Museum is Singapore’s most whimsical dessert hotspot, where a pink, romantic setting meets unlimited ice cream, creating a fairy-tale-like experience. The museum features 14 themed installations, including the colorful “Sprinkle Pool” and the dreamy “Banana Jungle,” each offering perfect opportunities for stunning photos.

 

 

A special highlight: visitors enjoy free admission during their birthday week! Each gallery offers different ice cream flavors, allowing dessert lovers to indulge in endless sweetness. While exploring, don’t forget to relax at the museum’s themed café or browse the creative retail area to take a piece of this sweet memory home.

Address：100 Loewen Road, Dempsey, Singapore 248837

Offical Webiste：https://www.museumoficecream.com/zh/singapore/

Opening Hours: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM (Closed on Tuesdays)

Standard Admission:

• General Visitors: SGD 43
• Free for children aged 2 and under

 

MINT Museum of Toys

 

 

MINT Museum of Toys is Asia’s largest antique toy museum, founded in 2006 by Singaporean collector Chang Yang Fa. The museum building itself is a heritage artifact—a 1920s Armenian merchant villa. Spread across five floors, the museum houses over 50,000 toys from more than 40 countries, spanning nearly 140 years from 1840 to 1980.

 

 

From Astro Boy and Popeye to Barbie and Pikachu, these iconic characters carrying collective memories make the museum a unique cultural space for the whole family to explore and relive childhood memories together.

Address：26 Seah St, Singapore 188382

Offical Website：https://emint.com/

Opening Hours: 9:30 AM – 6:30 PM (Closed on Mondays)

Standard Admission:

• Adults: SGD 30
• Children (7–12 years) / Seniors: SGD 20
• Free for children aged 6 and under

Tip: Purchase tickets through the official ticketing platform for better online rates.

 

Family & Science Museums

Science Centre Singapore

 

 

Science Centre Singapore is the island’s premier science education hub, offering a variety of interactive zones where children can conduct experiments and explore scientific wonders. Its Omni-Theatre features Singapore’s only five-story domed cinema with the latest, brightest 8K digital projection, delivering an immersive viewing experience. KidsSTOP, designed for children aged 8 and under, provides hands-on interactive zones such as Navigation & Space, Built Environment, and Supermarket Simulation, allowing kids to explore, experiment, and create—making it an excellent destination for family outings.

Address：15 Science Centre Rd, Singapore 609081

Offical Website：https://www.science.edu.sg/

Opening Hours: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM (Closed on Mondays)

Standard Admission:

• Adults: SGD 12
• Children (3–12 years): SGD 8

 

Singapore Discovery Centre

 

 

Singapore Discovery Centre is a comprehensive educational hub centered on interactive technology, using a “learn through play” approach to showcase Singapore’s past, present, and future. Inside, high-tech exhibits present Singapore’s advancements in science, technology, and defense in an engaging and accessible way. Outdoors, visitors can enjoy military-themed guided tours with English commentary, featuring realistic models and demonstrations of defense capabilities—making it an excellent destination for family educational outings.

Address：510 Upper Jurong Rd, Singapore 638365

Offical Website：https://www.defencecollectivesg.com/sdc/

Since opening hours and admission fees vary across museums, please check each museum’s official website for the most up-to-date information.
(Note: Singapore Discovery Centre will be closed for maintenance from October 4 to 5.)

 

Museums in Singapore are more than just history lessons—they’re a lifestyle. Whether you’re looking to learn, enjoy a family outing, or snap Instagram-worthy photos, this guide will help you find the perfect destination.