Our little island is full of wonder, with a vibrant culture and heritage that stretches beyond just five decades of independence. There is so much to learn about our history and our forefathers in order to fully understand and grasp just how much we’ve developed and grown.
Why not skip the shopping mall and pick any place from this list to check out this weekend? Absorb as many interesting facts as you can to share and impress your friends and loved ones later.
These local museums and galleries welcome everyone from all walks of life, and you may just learn something new about your own heritage that might surprise you!
#1 NATIONAL GALLERY SINGAPORE
Housed in the nation’s previous Supreme Court and City Hall, National Gallery Singapore has a stunning architecture that seamlessly incorporates both classic and modern styles.
Home to the world’s largest public collection of Southeast Asian and Singaporean art, this museum holds a wealth of heritage and knowledge due to the diversity of cultures within Southeast Asia. This museum should not be passed up by anyone who loves art and history.
1 St Andrew’s Rd,
Singapore 178957
Daily: 10am – 7pm
Nearest Station: City Hall
#2 NATIONAL MUSEUM OF SINGAPORE
Singapore may be considered a young country, but our nation has developed rapidly over the last five decades. National Museum of Singapore is the go-to place to learn all about our tremendous growth and crucial history which has made us the modern state we are today.
From significant artefacts to priceless national treasures, everything in the National Museum of Singapore tells an essential story waiting to be heard by interested visitors.
93 Stamford Rd,
Singapore 178897
Daily: 10am – 7pm
Nearest Station: Bras Basah/Bencoolen
#3 ARTSCIENCE MUSEUM
Known for its iconic architecture, imitating a blooming lotus flower above the shimmering waters, ArtScience Museum will please visitors of all ages and backgrounds with the multifaceted exhibitions.
Fusing a mix of art, design, science, media, architecture and technology, this is the museum to visit if you love all of the above! Showcasing mainly touring exhibitions, ArtScience Museum hosts some of the most cutting edge showcases that are bound to amaze and impress.
6 Bayfront Ave,
Singapore 018974
Daily: 10am – 7pm
Nearest Station: Bayfront
#4 SINGAPORE ART MUSEUM
Contemporary art can often evoke scepticism amongst many of us, but the Singapore Art Museum curates art collections and introduces exhibitions that constantly bring fresh and wonderful experiences to look forward to.
Visit SAM with an open mind, take your time to appreciate the modern pieces and the stories that the artists convey through their artwork, you might just spark a new interest and find something that you like!
8 Queen St,
Singapore 189555
Singapore Art Museum is currently closed for upgrading
#5 PERANAKAN MUSEUM
Intricate beadwork, detailed porcelain, beautifully embroidered kebaya, Peranakan culture is made up of a mixture of heritages. Drawing inspiration from the Chinese, Indian, Malay and Western cultures, each of them is reflected in the Peranakan lifestyle.
The Peranakan Museum provides visitors with a better understanding and appreciation of their customs, beyond just Laksa and Babi Bonteh, that take detailed care of every personal achievement and milestone.
If you have always been intrigued by Peranakan culture but never knew who to learn from, the Peranakan Museum is the place to visit.
39 Armenian St,
Singapore 179941
Mon to Thu, Sat & Sun: 10am – 7pm
Fri: 10am – 9pm
Nearest Station: Bras Basah
#6 ASIAN CIVILISATIONS MUSEUM
Before there were democracy and the efficiency of modern technology, civilisations rose up to the challenge of innovating and creating the cultures that we now know and the norms that we build our lives around today.
The Asian Civilisations Museum celebrates and remembers our forefathers from the Chinese dynasties to the Javan and Indian empires by the curation of artefacts that narrate how these civilisations lived together as well as the cultural and religious exchanges between them.
Dive into the complex history of our heritage and forefathers, this is a museum that is bound to fascinate with stories of how our racial harmony came to be.
1 Empress Pl,
Singapore 179555
Mon to Thu, Sat & Sun: 10am – 7pm
Fri: 10am – 9pm
Nearest Station: City Hall
Photo Credit: Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum
#7 LEE KONG CHIAN NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM
Tourists and locals alike will be fascinated by the multitude of animal and plant collection, including the range of wildlife that once occupied our little red dot, at the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum.
What’s most astounding about this museum is the three dinosaur fossils dug out from America that are on display here! Truly a rare opportunity that people of all walks of life would travel to for the chance to observe these magnificent prehistoric creatures.
2 Conservatory Dr,
Singapore 117377
Tue to Sun: 10am – 7pm
(Closed on Monday)
Nearest Station: Dover
#8 SUN YAT SEN NANYANG MEMORIAL HALL
Dr Sun Yat Sen was the founder of modern China who had financial and intellectual help from Singapore’s businessmen to revolutionise China from the Qing Dynasty. Who knew that Singapore held an integral position in the Chinese revolution, how cool is that?
The Sun Yat Sen Nanyang Memorial Hall is home to historical artefacts, as well as Dr Sun Yat Sen himself back then. Adventure through the medical doctor’s fascinating journey as he took on the challenge of revolutionising China.
12 Tai Gin Rd,
Singapore 327874
Tue to Sun: 10am – 5pm
(Closed on Monday)
Nearest Station: Toa Payoh
#9 MINT MUSEUM OF TOYS
Kids these days with their smart devices will never understand how simple toys and collectables could stimulate the wildest dreams and imaginations amongst us before the phone was even invented.
Take a walk down memory lane at the Mint Museum of Toys where there are a plethora of familiar and rare collectables that will surely invoke fond nostalgic memories of simpler times.
26 Seah St,
Singapore 188382
Daily: 9.30am – 6.30pm
Nearest Station: Bugis
#10 SINGAPORE PHILATELIC MUSEUM
Just a decade ago, stamp collecting was still a popular hobby that many people shared since mailing was a common practice used to send words of love and affection or as a form communication between co-workers in different states.
The Singapore Philatelic Museum traces back the history of stamps, including stamps that had major turning points in Singapore. Who knew stamps could be so interesting?
23-B Coleman St,
Singapore 179807
Daily: 10am – 7pm
Nearest Station: City Hall
#11 HERITAGE CENTRE
Singapore is a melting pot of cultures, mainly the Chinese, Malay, Indian and Eurasians. Needless to say, each of the separate races holds their own history as to how they arrived on our shores, as well as the values and cultures they brought along with them.
The four heritage centres, aptly located in each of the cultural districts in Singapore, each tell their own tales about the lives of our forefathers. There is so much to learn from the history and lives that came before us to appreciate where we are today.
Chinatown Heritage Centre
48 Pagoda St,
Singapore 059207
Daily: 9am – 8pm
Nearest Station: Chinatown
Malay Heritage Centre
85 Sultan Gate,
Singapore 198501
Tue to Sun: 10am – 6pm
(Closed on Monday)
Nearest Station: Bugis
Indian Heritage Centre
5 Campbell Ln,
Singapore 209924
Tue to Thu: 10am – 7pm
Fri & Sat: 10am – 8pm
Sun: 10am – 4pm
(Closed on Monday)
Nearest Station: Little India/Jalan Besar
Eurasian Heritage Centre
139 Ceylon Rd,
Singapore 429744
Mon to Thu: 8.30am – 6pm
Fri: 8.30am – 5pm
(Closed on Saturday & Sunday)
Nearest Station: Paya Lebar/Eunos
#12 RED DOT DESIGN MUSEUM
Pushing the limits on product design for our standard daily items such as furniture and kitchen utensils, as well as technology products, the Red Dot Design Museum showcases intriguing creative designs that will rouse the experimental spirit in you.
11 Marina Blvd,
Singapore 018940
Mon to Thu: 10am – 8pm
Fri to Sun: 10am – 11pm
Nearest Station: Bayfront/Downtown
Photo Credit: Resorts World Sentosa
#13 THE MARITIME EXPERIENTIAL MUSEUM
Voyage and journey into the history of Singapore’s maritime, an important trade that led us to be the world’s busiest port. Make waves with the interactive activities along with the giant ship replica, the children would love playing pirate and sailor here while being educated on the importance of our maritime business.
8 Sentosa Gateway,
Singapore 098269
Daily: 10am – 7pm
Photo Credit: Singapore Musical Box Museum
#14 SINGAPORE MUSICAL BOX MUSEUM
Remember the time when streaming music didn’t exist and we had to drop a coin into the music box and flip through album after album to play the song we wanted? The Singapore Musical Box Museum celebrates that time and the history beyond it.
Learn about the intricacies and entrancing history of musical boxes at the Singapore Musical Box Museum. From vintage music boxes to mechanical jukeboxes, these complex music boxes will induce nostalgic feelings in you that you never even knew existed.
168 Telok Ayer St,
Singapore 068619
Mon, Wed to Sun: 10am – 6pm
(Closed on Tuesday)
Nearest Station: Tanjong Pagar
#15 CIVIL DEFENCE HERITAGE GALLERY
The Civil Defence Heritage Gallery is home to the history and heritage of our firefighters who risk their lives defending our people. Visitors will leave with a deeper appreciation for them.
The children will love the interactivity here that provides insight into the firefighters’ jobs, from rescue methods and using the relevant equipment to a vintage fire truck to climb onto. There is so much to discover about the brave firefighters and their history.
62 Hill St,
Singapore 179367
Tue to Sun: 10am – 5pm
(Closed on Monday)
Nearest Station: City Hall
Photo Credit: Vintage Camera’s Museum
#16 VINTAGE CAMERA’S MUSEUM
With every one of our smartphones carrying a handy camera function these days, it is hard to imagine the extremely bulky and heavy cameras that were carried around when it was first invented.
Showcasing a splendid collection of film cameras, this is a cosy and charming museum that is perfect for film and photography enthusiasts to learn about the history and evolution of cameras from the friendly and passionate guide. The front entrance makes for an adorable photo opportunity as well.
8C-8D Jln Kledek,
Singapore 199263
Daily: 10am – 9.30pm
Nearest Station: Bugis/Jalan Besar
Photo Credit: The Gem Museum
#17 THE GEM MUSEUM
Discover the process of how gems from around the world go from being mined and extracted to how it is sold at the market.
The museum was started by Far East Gem Institute to offer an informative experience to visitors with the broad collection of gems from rubies and sapphires to tourmalines and spinels. Majority of the dazzling gems on display belong to the founder of Far East Gem Institute, Mr Tay Thye Sun.
26 Kandahar St, Level 2,
Singapore 198888
The Gem Museum is currently closed for renovation
Photo Credit: STPI Creative Workshop & Gallery
#18 STPI CREATIVE WORKSHOP & GALLERY
STPI’s goal is to grow an appreciation for the innovative and experimental practice of print and paper art amongst visitors through the contemporary art exhibitions that they curate and collaborate with artists from around the globe.
Featuring exhibitions, art fairs and creative workshops programmes around different forms of print to even paper making, STPI offers an avant-garde and one-of-a-kind experience to the public.
41 Robertson Quay,
Singapore 238236
Mon to Fri: 10am – 7pm
Sat: 9am – 6pm
Nearest Station: Clarke Quay