There’s a large range of museums in Singapore, meaning that wherever your interests lie – be it art, music, history or culture – there’ll be something for you. Some are even hidden in the unlikeliest of places, from industrial buildings to heritage shophouses.
Here are the ones you should visit, some with no entry charges at all for Singaporeans and PRs. Many of these are even located near each other – so you can map out a museum-hopping trail on your next day out.
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Back in 2013, then-Acting Minister for Culture Community and Youth (MCCY), Lawrence Wong, announced that free admissions would be granted to Singaporeans and permanent residents in hopes of encouraging more visitors to museums. As such, they can now walk into any National Heritage Board (NHB) museum without having to pay an entrance fee. This list includes:
There are also other non-NHB museums that grant free admission to citizens and PRs:
For other museums that require an admission fee, we’ve compiled a table of all the ticket prices down below. The price range is roughly between $10 to over $30.
| Museum | Admission Fee (Standard) | Admission Fee (Concession) | Free Entry for |
| Children’s Museum Singapore | $15.00 | $10.00 (Children/Students/Seniors) | Singaporeans/PRs |
| Peranakan Museum | $12.00 | $8.00 (Students/Seniors) | Singaporeans/PRs and Children |
| Singapore Art Museum | $10.00 | $5.00 (Students/Seniors) | Singaporeans/PRs/Children/ |
| National Gallery Singapore | $20.00 | $15.00 (Students/Seniors/NSFs) | Singaporeans/PRs |
| National Museum of Singapore | From $10.00 | From $7.00 (Students/Seniors/Special Access) | Singaporeans/PRs |
| Singapore Sports Museum | $10.00 | $5.00 (Students/Seniors/Children (Under 18) | Singaporeans/PRs/Children (Under 6 years old) |
| Asian Civilisations Museum | $25.00 | $20.00 (Students/Seniors) | Singaporeans/PRs/Children (Under 6 years old) |
| Sun Yat Sen Nanyang Memorial Hall | $8.00 | $5.00 (Students/Seniors/PWDs) | Singaporeans/PRs/Children (Under 6 years old)/Caregiver of PWD |
| Indian Heritage Centre | $8.00 | $5.00 (Students/Seniors/PWDs) | Singaporeans/PRs/Children (Under 6 years old)/Caregiver of PWD |
| Museum of Ice Cream Singapore | $37.00 (Off-Peak) and $43 (Peak) | None | Children (Under 2 years old) |
| Hell’s Museum at Haw Par Villa | $18.00 | $10.00 (Children aged 7-12) | Children (Under 6 years old) |
| Madame Tussauds Singapore | From $38.00 | From $32.00 (Children) (aged 3-12) | None |
| Live Turtle & Tortoise Museum | $10.00 (Children aged 3-6) $14.00 | For Singaporeans/PRs $6.00 (Children aged 3-6) $10.00 $6.00 (Seniors above 60 years old) | None |
| Mint Museum of Toys | $30.00 | $20.00 (Children aged 7-12/Seniors aged 60-99) | Children (Under 6 years old) |
| Vintage Camera Museum | $20.00 | $15.00 (Children/Seniors) | None |
| ArtScience Museum | From $23.00 $18.00 (Non-local Children/Seniors) | From $20.00 (Singaporeans/PRs) $16.00 (Children/Seniors) | None |
| Singapore Musical Box Museum | $20.00 | $18.00 (Singaporeans/PRs) $10.00 (Students) | Pre-schoolers |
| Red Dot Design Museum | $10.00 | Singaporeans can pay as they wish | Children (Under 6 years old) |
| The Intan | $64.20 | $32.10 (Children under 12 years old) | None |
| Trick Eye Museum | $32.00 | $28.00 (Children aged 4-12/Seniors aged 60-99) | None |
| Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum | $24.00 $15.00 (Children/Seniors/Students) | For Singaporeans/PRs $17.00 (Adults) $9.00 (Children/Seniors/Students/NSFs) | None |
If you’re the kind of person who likes to explore and learn about history, then historical museums such as The Battlebox will be right up your alley. Otherwise, there are also the Sun Yat Sen Nanyang Memorial Hall and Asian Civilisations Museum, which provide free guided tours on all their permanent exhibitions.
Alternatively, for those interested in delving into diverse cultures and practices, consider visiting the Peranakan Museum, Indian Heritage Centre, and The Intan. These museums cover everything from the communities’ origins to fashion, food, and home living, offering insights into the stories behind various cultural groups.
Meanwhile, parents who want to encourage their children to visit museums can opt for family-friendly museums with fun themes and concepts, such as the Trick Eye Museum, Museum of Ice Cream, or Madame Tussauds. For something more educational, they can also learn about the history of Singapore at museums with live theatre shows with Children’s Museum Singapore.
Art enthusiasts might like to visit the Red Dot Design Museum and ArtScience Museum if you’re looking for a unique twist on traditional art museums through contemporary architecture, high-tech galleries, and interactive exhibitions.
Or if you just want to explore a niche collector’s area of interest, you can explore Mint Museum Of Toys to browse through their wide range of vintage figurines. For even more antique or vintage collections, you can also check out Singapore Musical Box Museum and Vintage Camera Museum.
Brush up on your knowledge of Singapore’s past events and get a better understanding of various customs and traditions with these historical and cultural museums.
The colourful and vibrant Peranakan Museum on Armenian Street houses a collection of artefacts relating to the Peranakan culture across three floors. You get to learn about the Straits Chinese and Indian community’s roots before diving deeper into their culinary and home lives along with their fashion and jewellery. These include traditional kebayas, batik, nyonya crockery, ceramics, and vintage home decor.
With interactive and multimedia displays available as well, it’ll be a great opportunity to learn more about this faction of our nation’s heritage.
As one of Singapore’s oldest free-to-enter museums for citizens and PRs, the National Museum of Singapore was first established in 1849 before moving to its present Stamford Road location in 1887. Despite its age, it’s updated regularly, with exhibits such as the Story of the Forest – a digital presentation that transports you to 19th-century Malaya – that incorporate technology and animation to give you an engaging glimpse of the past.
You’ll also learn about the museum’s history through the form of a mural, starting with its beginnings as the Raffles Library and Museum in 1845.
History buffs will love The Battlebox in Fort Canning Park– you’ll be standing in an actual secret bunker that was used by the British as a command centre during WW2. To better appreciate the exhibits from the guns operations room to the anti-aircraft defence room to the signal control room, register for a visit slot with a Battlebox audio tour in advance.
After closing down in May 2023, they reopened their doors officially on 15th February 2024. Visitors now get to enjoy free admission to the museum and dive into the stories of how Allied forces planned their approach to their final battles in Singapore.
Before it became a museum, the Sun Yat Sen Nanyang Memorial Hall was the Singapore branch of the Chinese Revolutionary Alliance back in 1906. During his frequent travels to Singapore, Dr. Sun Yat Sen gathered many dedicated supporters. One of them was businessman Teo Eng Hock, who offered his villa to the revolutionary movement.
It was here that Dr. Sun organised 3 protests leading up to his success in overthrowing the Qing Dynasty’s imperial rule through the Wuchang Uprising. Today, the museum commemorates Singapore’s role in the 1911 Revolution while documenting Dr. Sun’s political activities through preserved images and relics.
Taking pride of place in Chinatown is the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple and Museum, which was established by Shi Fazhao in dedication to the Maitreya Buddha. It holds a relic believed to be a tooth from Buddha, unearthed during the renovation of a fallen stupa.
You can view this relic at the 4th-floor Sacred Light Hall Chamber from 9am-6pm daily. Don’t miss the upper floors of the temple which are free to visit too. There’s the Buddhas of the World Museum showcasing religious artworks to various prayer and meditation halls.
Photography is fine from the outside but you might wish to refrain from indoor photo-taking where prayer takes place.
Come on Tuesdays or Thursdays for a free English-language tour – call ahead to book in advance. Visit early in the day to avoid the crowds and to sample vegetarian food at Lian Xin Food Court in the basement.
The Indian Heritage Centre presents 5 permanent galleries, each focusing on the stories and traditions of the Indian community in Singapore. These galleries showcase items such as family photos, heirlooms, diaries, and jewellery, illustrating the connections between South and Southeast Asia.
You can also book a free guided tour to make the most of your learning experience and gain even more educational insights that you wouldn’t typically get by yourself. They offer their tours in English, Tamil, and Mandarin so you can comfortably learn in your mother tongue.
At the Asian Civilisations Museum, you’ll be able to discover the ancestral heritage of Singaporeans and understand the historical relations between Asia and the rest of the world. With over 1,300 artefacts from civilisations all over Asia, the 10 galleries touch on trade, faith, and belief as well as different textiles of the past.
If you’re more of an audio learner, you can explore their in-museum or digital-guided tours to help you roam around the galleries. Allie, the virtual museum host, offers audio descriptions and video clips of their key artefacts in each gallery.
You will also get a directory and a map, so you won’t have to worry about getting lost. All of these can be viewed on your phone; just remember to bring your headphones to make your self-guided tour as quiet as possible.
The Intan is a private museum that lets you experience the Peranakan culture, with their entire museum gallery set up like that of a traditional Peranakan home. With colourful metal tiffin lunch boxes lining the stair to the elaborately designed furniture, it’ll feel as if you’ve stepped onto the set of the local TV show, The Little Nyonya.
Visits are only available through bookings – book a visit to The Intan.
If you like to analyse paintings or be immersed in a conceptual VR gallery that merges art with technology, then check out these art and design museums to dive deeper into your creative side.
Singapore Art Museum (SAM) is known for curating local as well as international Asian contemporary art from China, India, Korea, and Japan. SAM’s OG buildings on Bras Basah Road and Queen Street are currently closed for redevelopment and upgrading works, but its huge space at Tanjong Pagar Distripark is open to the public.
The National Gallery Singapore doesn’t just boast grand architecture, but also a myriad of Southeast Asian art dating back to the 19th century. In fact, it contains the largest public collection of modern art in Singapore and Southeast Asia including several kid-friendly exhibits and installations, making it a great place for an enriching family outing.
If you’re someone who enjoys futuristic design, then you’ll love the ArtScience Museum at Marina Bay Sands. They host many exhibitions that fuse art and science together. Check out their permanent gallery Beyond The Future World: Where Art Meets Science and be treated to an interactive journey of kaleidoscopic digital art – a magical sight indeed.
Besides exhibitions, take the time to explore virtual reality experiences and artworks about art and science in the VR Gallery, and watch imaginative sci-fi films in the cinema.
With its contemporary architecture, the Red Dot Design Museum at Marina Bay Sands ranks as one of the top 8 design museums in the world.
You’ll find 500 design works and over 2,000 exhibits inclusive of new ones from past Red Dot Design Award winners.
Unlike typical museums with hands-off regulations, visitors are encouraged to interact with the displayed objects as many exhibitions offer a hands-on experience. Admission is $10 for those 7 and above, including a $5 shopping voucher.
We all know kids have short attention spans, but bringing them to a museum specially designed for active children can improve their focus and help them enjoy learning. From pink aesthetics to exhibitions on dinosaurs, these museums in Singapore are a good introduction to cultivating your kids’ enthusiasm for museum visits.
If you find the kiddos yawning in art or history museums, you gotta drag them to the Children’s Museum Singapore. This kid-friendly museum is both educational and fun with exhibits purposefully designed to captivate their short attention spans.
The history of Singapore is told through mini theatre shows, animations, and life-sized props. There are 4 exhibit areas spanning across 2 floors and lots of hands-on activities in each room. Paying tribute to its former use as the site of the Singapore Philatelic Museum, there is an interactive zone where young ones can DIY stamps too.
Although entry is free for Singaporeans and PRs, advanced bookings for the 1-hour 45-minute visit slots are highly recommended.
The museum can be reached within an 8-minute walk from City Hall (Exit B), Clarke Quay (Exit E), and Bras Basah (Exit D/E) MRT stations. It’s also conveniently located close to public bus stops along Hill Street.
The Trick Eye Museum at Southside Sentosa contains trippy 3D paintings and optical illusion pieces, themed after safaris, circuses, and natural landscapes. With so many innovative designs, you’ll never run out of photo opportunities there.
You can also have fun with their AR mobile app to see your pictures enhanced with various special effects.
NGL, a visit to the Museum Of Ice Cream Singapore is purely for aesthetic IG feed purposes. That and unlimited ice cream for those who love the treat. On the way, you’ll pick up a few interesting tidbits about the history of the dessert such as the fact that the end of WW2 was marked by US soldiers with celebratory scoops of ice cream.
The main attractions here are the pink-themed rooms with various large props to take plenty of photos with. Go with a date, a bunch of friends, or feel free to bring along the kids – we guarantee they will love the bouncy castle and rainbow sprinkle pool.
In 5 of these rooms, you’ll get the chance to try ice creams of different types and flavours. Take your pick from a cone, cup, or pop stick – or have them all, cause there’s truly no limit. You can also head over to Scream’s Diner to cleanse your palette with a long black ($4) or try one of their signature cocktails (from $12) for something more refreshing. Otherwise, go for their milkshakes (from $7) to commit to the theme of their retro, US-style dining experience.
While buying a ticket to Taylor Swift’s concert in Singapore is sure to burn a hole in your pocket, a selfie with her lifelike wax figure will not. Make your way down to Madame Tussauds at Sentosa and go wild snapping pics with all your fav celebrities. The museum boasts statues of singers, athletes, actors, and even famous figures including the late Queen E.
K-drama fans can also look forward to “meeting” oppas such as Crash Landing On You’s Hyun Bin and The King: Eternal Monarch’s Lee Min Ho, as well as doing heart poses with Doona!’s Bae Suzy under a fake cherry blossom tree.
The exhibits aren’t limited to real people; there are fictional characters too. We’re talking about beloved Marvel characters including Iron Man and Spiderman.
The Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum showcases over 2,000 dinosaur specimens, including preserved historical plants and mammals from Southeast Asia. Besides visual displays, certain exhibits also have soundscapes such as some featuring singing birds and chirping frogs. And if you’re a massive fan of Jurassic Park, snap a shot with the huge dinosaur fossils at the Biodiversity Gallery.
The proud holder of a Guinness World Record, the Live Turtle & Tortoise Museum has the most extensive collection of these cute reptiles, most of which have been rescued, and associated items. You’ll get to meet different species from all over the world, feed them, and find out more about them. For example, if you don’t know the difference between a turtle and a tortoise, then drop by to learn.
Btw, many of these gentle creatures roam freely around the compound and can be interacted with as long as you’re careful.
The museum just shifted to a nearby spot, also a walkable distance from Khatib MRT.
Whether it’s perusing through special-edition vintage figurines or learning about the different punishments of hell, these specialised museums are bound to capture even the most casual visitor’s attention.
The Mint Museum of Toys will let you take a trip down memory lane with mid-19th-century vintage toys from 40 countries. Their 8,000-strong collection of wind-up tin toys, dolls, miniature cars, and more spans over 5 thematic levels, namely Outer Space, Characters, Childhood Favourites, Collectables, and Spooky Horror.
Don’t miss the vintage enamel sign section that reflects middle-class consumer life, and stop by the basement cafe. Ask for an iPad for the AR museum experience for more info about the exhibits, and book tickets for Wednesdays if you can for a free guided tour.
If you’re big on music and old trinkets, the Singapore Musical Box Museum has just the collection for you. With over 40 antiques exhibited here, you’ll get a glimpse of the progression of craftsmanship for these whimsical collectables which are centuries old and mainly from Europe. All visits are by reservation and include a guided tour.
Fun fact: Singapore played a pivotal role in the progress and development of musical boxes in Southeast Asia in the 19th and 20th centuries.
Aspiring pilots or plane enthusiasts, the Republic of Singapore Air Force Museum has just the thing for you. Most visit with their kids during the annual RSAF open house, but this educational experience is actually open all year round. In their indoor gallery, you’ll learn about the RSAF’s background and operations through multimedia presentations and role-playing games.
When you head out to the outdoor gallery, you’ll be met with actual fighter jets and missiles such as the A4-C Skyhawk, the SF 260 Marchetti, and the Hunter Hawker, a definite notch up from toy planes.
The Singapore Sports Museum tells the stories of our sporting greats from colonial times to those of the present day. Its Hall of Fame gallery celebrates the accomplishments of more than 50 of Singapore’s best athletes. Then head over to their Building A Dream exhibition, which chronicles the roots of these athletes’ climb to prominence.
Meanwhile, the Shimano Cycling World is great for anyone who’s particularly interested in bikes and their mechanisms. The exhibition takes you through an interactive display of bicycles, ranging from the oldest vintage models to the newest ones.
Besides being transported back to the kampung days, there are also child-friendly activities such as sport-themed arts and crafts sessions, making this a place that the entire family can enjoy.
Singapore boasts an organised city layout making many people wonder just how our city planners do it. At the Singapore City Gallery, you’ll find out just what goes into our nation’s urban development and rapid physical transformation. Their galleries include mini model layouts of the Singapore cityscape and you’ve got to admit, the little HDB flats look so cute.
Other displays, such as the Brush With History gallery, have interactive touchscreens where you can swipe to see how past building structures and neighborhoods compare to their present appearances.
Their latest Island-Wide Model showcases a 3-minute projection mapping show incorporating 3D printing technology for more intricate details.
Bonus: book a free Singapore City Gallery tour with a URA volunteer guide to make the most of your visit!
Located in the country’s oldest fire station, the Civil Defence Heritage Gallery will let you embark on a learning trail about firefighting and rescue methods used from the past to the present day.
Here, you’ll find antique fire engines and get the opportunity to ascend a hose tower. Visit their interactive stations as well and have a go at being a firefighter on an operation.
You don’t have to wait for Halloween to get spooked at a haunted house. Simply head to Haw Par Villa, Singapore’s oldest amusement park which also houses the Hell’s Museum. We kid, it’s really not that scary once you go through the exhibits and educate yourselves on the cultural meaning behind the gory scenes depicted in the 10 Courts of Hell.
Plus, even parents who visited the museum with their children reviewed that this was a fun educational experience for them. That said, though free admission is given to kids below the age of 6, do note that it’s more suitable for kids above 9 years old.
These sculptures basically offer an insight into what various Chinese religions and folk belief systems believe happens in the afterlife for those who commit sins during their time on earth. The museum also showcases how different communities around the world perceive death, such as funeral practices being different in each culture.
The Vintage Camera Museum is filled with over 1,000 old-school cameras dating back to the 1800s. Their James Bond-style spy cameras disguised as cigarette lighters and machine gun–shaped ones used by Japanese troops to “shoot” targets for practice are just some of the many special types on display.
This private museum also features vintage photographs, photography tips, and a faithful recreation of the first photograph ever taken with a camera.
Make sure to call beforehand to book a visit as the museum may have unannounced closing hours.
Image credit: @parkviewmuseumsg via Instagram
You won’t see Batman at The Parkview Museum Singapore, located in Singapore’s very own “Gotham building”, but you’ll definitely find a good variety of international and local contemporary art pieces. Their past exhibitions include a large collection of Salvador Dali’s pieces as well as imperial Chinese stone Buddhist carvings.
Image credit: @catkellycat via Instagram
Delve into Singapore’s postal history at the Singapore Philatelic Museum which features rare collections like the 1854 Indian stamps that were used in the Straits Settlements. Visit the Orange Room as well to know more about the world’s first stamp, and send out some postcards while you’re there.
They also have occasional character-themed galleries like The Little Prince in the Dark which give you a tactile experience with their blindfold tours, letting you get a taste of what it feels like to be visually impaired.
The Maritime Experiential Museum doesn’t just house interesting information about Singapore’s rich trade history but also has many interactive activities. These vary from reading nautical charts to putting your knot-tying skills to the test or taking a photo in true-to-era outfits at the Learning To Navigate Chamber.
And if you’re a big fan of the 4D show at Universal Studios Singapore, you’ll love the Typhoon Theatre’s 4D show – a multi-sensory simulation of being on a ship that is navigating through a tumultuous storm.
While there are very few hard and fast rules, there are a few things to keep in mind before planning a trip to a museum.
Etiquette
The good news is, unless stated otherwise, taking pictures is generally allowed but remember to turn off your flash. However, we’d suggest leaving tripods, and yes that includes selfie sticks, along with other bulky equipment at home so that you can travel light. If the museums have lockers, then you can request to leave your items there and collect them when you leave.
Museums that have lockers:
Other common rules still apply, such as no eating and drinking, speaking quietly, and of course, no touching the art pieces regardless of how pretty they are.
Dress Code
Most museums in Singapore don’t usually have a dress code so you don’t have to worry about bringing out your best formal clothes. That said, some museums are temperature-regulated, so you might want to grab a lightweight cardigan or jacket just in case you feel cold.
Accessibility
Most NHB museums, such as the National Museum of Singapore, Peranakan Museum, and Indian Heritage Centre, are inclusive and wheelchair-friendly. They also have additional wheelchairs that you can use for free to roam about the galleries.
For people with autism, the National Museum of Singapore has a designated Quiet Room on Level 2 along with other Quiet Corners that you can go to if you feel that you’re getting overly stimulated. You can also refer to their Sensory Map to take note of their low and high sensory areas for better navigation.
Whether it is to broaden your perspectives, deepen your cultural understanding or just to spend your free time, you’ll find a museum in Singapore that suits your interest. And with so many museums to choose from, you’ll have more than 1-2 to visit per month for the entire year.
The next time you’re cafe-hopping, try adding museum-hopping into your itinerary too.
For more arts and culture in Singapore:
Cover image adapted from: Republic of Singapore Air Force
First published on 7th March 2019. Last updated by Aditi Kashyap on 17th April 2023. Last updated by Mae-Z Fam on 28th Feb 2024
A portion of this content may contain referral links to products. Our opinions remain our own.
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