10 Best Museums in Singapore

A tour of Singapore's museums can reveal fascinating facts about the city. Explore collections of global interest, pieces from some Asian civilizations, nuances of Peranakan culture and multi-sensory experiences.
10 Best Museums in Singapore

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Singapore is a captivating city with diverse entertainment options, of course, it is convenient to take advantage of those with a cultural dye. In this article you will find interesting museum options that reflect the best of Southeast Asia's history. Among a myriad of possibilities, there is a building dedicated to the past of the Peranakan community, which was about to disappear and was immortalized through interactive exhibitions.

The museums show us another perspective of the city, without filters and with hundreds of interesting stories on various topics. For example, you can take advantage of unlimited ice cream tastings at the Singapore Ice Cream Museum, appreciate antique toys at the Toy Museum and live an augmented reality experience at the TrickEye Museum. As you can tell, there are plenty to choose from, but if you want to take advantage of the most entertaining, diverse and culturally rich, then you have to stay to the end.

1. Visit Madame Tussauds Wax Museum

Madame Tussauds Museum is a cultural gem that you can't miss, it is ideal for those people who want to see wax figures of major historical figures and celebrities. Specifically, there are exhibits divided into themes dedicated to music, entertainment, sports, K-Pop and politics, with prominent faces such as Marilyn Monroe, Lady Gaga, Katy Perry, David Beckham, among others.

Here is a summary of some of the exhibits you can't miss:

  • Star Experience: where you will feel like a superstar on a red carpet, surrounded by the most important figures in entertainment. Get ready to pose with your favorite artist and share it with your friends, thanks to the photo souvenir that is usually handed out at the end.
  • Marvel 4D: is a satisfying experience that allows you to enter a 4D cinema, where unpublished works are projected around the beloved characters of this alternate world.
  • Singapore: an interactive area dedicated to local culture and history, with fun waxworks.
  • Spirit Boat Ride: to travel through Singapore's jungle and watch local exotic plants come to life.
  • VR Racing: is a simulation game through intense curves, where you can practice your most ingenious tricks and compete against Lewis Hamilton himself. It can be enjoyed in a group for at least forty-five minutes, but usually has age restrictions.

Details of interest

  • Price: from 30 euros per person, but it is included in the best tourist cards in Singapore as All Inclusive Pass and Explorer Pass.
  • Location: on Imbiah Street, one of the stations you can reach with tickets to the Sentosa cable car.
  • Hours: daily from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm.
  • How to get there: the city is very well interconnected, so you can access by car or public bus. You can also take the cable car from HarbourFront Tower II station to Sentosa station, or take advantage of the fact that it is a regular route of the best tourist buses in Singapore.

Buy the Singapore Explorer Pass

2. Tour the National Museum of Singapore

The National Museum of Singapore is the oldest in the country, its corridors documenting local history from the 14th century to the present day. The visit can be done on your own, as its extensive collection is divided into five sections, which facilitates the tour. In addition, it has areas incorporated in recent years that revolve around traditional cuisine, fashion, cinema and photography.

Something that will especially catch your attention is the diversity of ethnographic and archaeological objects. Among which is hidden the famous Singaporean stone of the thirteenth century, whose antiquity has given it the title of national treasure. Most exhibits are interactive and can be a good destination if you plan to stay at least 3 days in Singapore.

Details of interest

  • Price: from 10 euros per person, although it is also included in the Explorer Pass.
  • Location: in Singapore's Civic District.
  • Hours: open daily from 10:00 to 19:00.
  • How to get there: it is best to take advantage of the public lines of SBS Transit and SMRT, if you want to visit Singapore at night it is best to take advantage of the night bus of these companies.

Buy the Singapore Explorer Pass

3. Visit the Museum of Asian Civilizations

Nothing prepares you for the gems you'll see at Singapore's Asian Civilizations Museum, which is mostly centered around 9th century shipwrecks. Its exhibits take you on a journey through **Singapore'**s ancient culture, with interactive activities. Glide through this island's past, whose legacy includes pan-Asian treasures. These are artifacts from different regions of Asia, which are preserved to rescue the culture from one generation to the next.

Specifically in this museum there are ancient musical instruments, textiles, works of art, religious books, Chinese ceramics and archaeological pieces. For this reason, it is the most complete of its kind in the region. It has three floors with art galleries and more than 1,300 artifacts from Asian communities. If you plan to buy the All-Inclusive Pass, don't miss the opportunity to visit it as it is among its featured attractions.

Details of interest

  • Price: from 13 euros per person.
  • Location: in the Empress Place Building, overlooking the Singapore River.
  • Hours: Available daily from 10:00 am to 7:00 pm.
  • How to get there: you can get there by public bus.

Book the All-Inclusive Pass Singapore

4. Delight in the collections of the Marina Bay Art Museum in Singapore

Singapore is a city drawn to art, where you can find multiple buildings with worthwhile collections. The Marina Bay Museum of Art is one of the most prominent, as it adopts temporary exhibitions from other museums and presents sections around art, science and technology. It is the first of its kind in the world, so it is considered a futuristic museum. You can find 4D exhibits and pools with LED lights.

Some of the best activities in Singapore that are hidden in this museum are:

  • New Eden: Science Fiction Mythologies Transformed: an exhibition that invites you to fantastic worlds, through science fiction stories and Asian mythology.
  • Mars: The Red Mirror: synthesizes thousands of years through works of art and antiques, around the planet Mars.

Details of interest

  • Price: from 6 euros per person. Note that it is included in the Explorer Pass, so you can combine it with other attractions.
  • Location: at 10 Bayfront Avenue.
  • Hours: open daily from 10:00 am to 7:00 pm.
  • How to get there: the best way to get to both is by subway or bus.

Buy the Singapore Explorer Pass

5. Explore Singapore's Peranakan Museum

Another must-see museum is the Singapore Peranakan Museum, which revolves around Peranakan culture. It is a fusion of Chinese and Malay traditions that can be seen in the exhibits starring colorful costumes, antique objects and photographs. It was created in 2008 in the premises of an old building dating from 1910, in each corridor is the legacy of this community, which also took English and Dutch traditions.

In general, they were merchants so their antiques revolve around this time. The reason why this space was created was because this curious culture was practically disappearing without a trace.

Details of interest

  • Price: from 8 euros per person.
  • Location: on Armenian Street.
  • Hours: every day from 10:00 to 19:00, on Fridays the hours are extended until 21:00.
  • How to get there: it is best to take a bus.

6. Have fun at the Singapore Ice Cream Museum

Talking about good flavors and temptations in Singapore is definitely synonymous with a visit to the Ice Cream Museum. This is a magical experience where you can indulge in unlimited tastings of ice cream from around the world with a variety of textures, flavors and toppings. What are you going to do? You can probably learn about the history of ice cream through multi-sensory exhibits.

It is definitely a must-visit if you are looking for things to do in Singapore with kids. There are areas for all ages, where you can bring out your inner child and share as a family. For example, don't miss out on the fun in the chip pools, the pink forest, the unicorn playground and the huge snow globe. Overall, it has around 14 themed rooms that you can explore during your trip, while continuing with ice cream tasting and joining interactive workshops.

Details of interest

  • Price: from 31 euros per person.
  • Location: in the trendy Dempsey Hill neighborhood.
  • Hours: Thursday to Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., Mondays open until 6:00 p.m.
  • How to get there: the most economical and functional option is to take the public bus route from wherever you are.

7. Live an interactive experience at the Trickeye Singapore augmented reality museum

Trick Eye Museum is one of Singapore's most popular attractions, as its exhibits trick the eye and challenge your other senses. You can expect a fully interactive tour, where you will be confronted with 4D optical illusions, special effects and augmented reality.

Specifically, the artistic current Trick Eye uses two-dimensional paintings to create three-dimensional experiences in artistic universes that push your imagination to the limit. Of course, their installations are completely futuristic and adapt to the viewer's perspective. I recommend you check it out for yourself, as you can't miss the ecological garden and rainbow garden, the aquatic areas, the fairytale world, the rainforest exhibits and the space adventures.

Details of interest

  • Price: from 20 euros per person.
  • Location: in Sentosa, specifically on Siloso Street.
  • Hours: daily from 10:00 to 19:00.
  • How to get there: the best option is by car or by Tower Transit Singapore bus.

Get lost in the corridors of the Singapore Art Museum

A wonder not to be missed is the Singapore Art Museum, whose works of contemporary representations are fascinating. It promotes the development of local art and culture through Singaporean and other Southeast Asian artists. In general, it includes sculptures, photographs and representations from China, India, Korea and Japan.

You will find about 7,000 pieces of art, as well as events throughout the year. If you plan to stay at least 3 days in Singapore you can take advantage of this stop to attend cultural events with free admission.

Details of interest

  • Price: you can find it from 24 euros per person.
  • Location: located on Keppel Rd near the Good Shepherd Cathedral.
  • Hours: available daily from 10:00 am to 7:00 pm.
  • How to get there: by subway or bus.

9. Discover what's after death at Singapore's Museum of Hell

For a chilling experience, you can head to Hell's Museum or the Singapore Hell's Museum. If its name gives you chills, you should prepare yourself for what awaits you inside. It's a tour through 10 interactive rooms through Chinese and Buddhist mythologies about death. You've probably wondered what happens when we leave this plane, although there is no definite truth, in this museum you can delve into how Asians perceive life and death.

In addition, you will have the opportunity to immerse yourself in their views on sin, redemption and punishment. In its corridors you will encounter audiovisual exhibits, ancient burial crypts, replicas of Chinese altars and a typical traditional Chinese tomb. In addition, the themed rooms also explore the concept of hell, from the Asian perspective. Please note that children under 9 years old are not allowed, and it is recommended to bring an umbrella for one of the experiences.

Details of interest

  • Price: from 13 euros per person.
  • Location: on Pasir Panjang Road.
  • Hours: Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00 to 18:00, closed on Mondays and public holidays.
  • How to get there: there are different options to get to this museum, the most advisable is to use the subway or the different bus lines that interconnect the city.

10. Dust off memories at the Singapore Toy Museum

If you are looking for activities to do in Singapore with kids, then you have to make a stop at the Museum of Toys or MINT Museum of Toys. It was founded in 2007 and is the largest of its kind in Asia, as you can find more than 50,000 toys including collectible formats. Most have been collected from 40 countries, so during your tour you may see something that catches your eye and evokes a sense of nostalgia.

Most of the toys date from the period between 1840 and 1980, so you can get up close and personal with old cookie tins, novels and comics, newspaper archives, vinyl, movie posters, collectible board games, collectible cars and an endless list of toys. For ease of visit, they are arranged in four rooms: outdoor space, characters, childhood favorites and collectibles.

Among the most precious objects in this collection are the only Mekon mask of Dan Dare that exists, belonging to a British comic book. You can also appreciate the doll of Alice Liddell, the girl who was the inspiration for the character of 'Alice' in Wonderland.

Details of interest

  • Price: from 25 euros per person.
  • Location: in Seah St.
  • Hours: open Tuesday to Sunday from 9:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., closed on Mondays.
  • How to get there: you can walk, drive or take the public bus.

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