The Best Free Museums in Singapore That Make Me Feel Cultured Even When I’m Broke
I’m the kind of person who thinks that visiting a museum is a great idea for a date or a hangout with friends or family. That’s why I’ve been looking for ones I can drag my loved ones to without spending anything.
If you too want to spend quality time with someone while feeling refined and cultured, visit these free museums on the island! (Well, some are free for us Singaporeans and permanent residents (PRs) only, but others are free for everyone.)
National Museum of Singapore
Address: 93 Stamford Rd
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday—10 am to 6:30 pm
Contact Number: +6563323659
Free For: Singaporeans, PRs, and children aged six years and under
The National Museum of Singapore is undoubtedly the most popular museum in the country, and luckily, it’s free for its citizens, PRs, and children under a certain age. So, if you fall under any of those categories, you should take advantage of this perk!
There are many exhibitions and galleries to see here, but my favorite is the Story of the Forest. It’s an art installation featuring 3D animations of William Farquhar’s drawings of wildlife in the Malay Peninsula. It always makes me feel like I’m in a fairytale!
I also like to check out overlooked yet interesting sights, such as the Spiral Staircase at the back (it leads to nowhere—how mysterious!) and the Gemmill Fountain (a water fountain with an interesting history).
Pro Tip:
- Sometimes, the museum is a location for a festival like the Singapore International Film Festival (usually at the tail end of the year) and the Singapore Night Festival (sometime between August and September).
National Gallery Singapore
Address: 1 St Andrew’s Rd
Operating Hours:
- Sunday to Friday—10 am to 7 pm
- Saturday—10 am to 3 pm
Contact Number: +6562717000
Free For: Singaporeans, PRs, and children aged six years and under
The National Gallery Singapore is another popular museum/gallery that you must check out. This is Singapore’s premier art gallery that houses over 8,000 pieces of artwork from different countries in Southeast Asia!
One of my favorite exhibitions here is Siapa Nama Kamu?, which features art in Singapore since the 19th century. The pieces are arranged in a somewhat chronological sequence, so you can see how art movements came and went in the past.
Pro Tips:
- Don’t know where to start when visiting the gallery? I recommend joining any of the themed tours!
- The gallery also hosts several fun activities, such as online classes and conversations. These are perfect for enriching your knowledge about Singaporean art and history.
- Can’t make it to the gallery? You can virtually visit the place by checking out #GalleryAnywhere.
Singapore Discovery Center
Address: 510 Upper Jurong Rd
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Friday—12 to 6 pm
- Saturday and Sunday—11 am to 7 pm
Free For: Singaporeans and PRs
What I love about the Singapore Discovery Center is that they really take the concept of “edutainment” (education + entertainment) to heart. That’s why my little cousins love coming here for family outings.
This place has several exhibits that show different phases of Singapore’s history. There are also outdoor exhibits that put on display military hardware (AMX-13 tank, UH-1H helicopter, and a Skyhawk fighter jet) that the Singapore Armed Forces use.
But this center is more than just an educational museum. So far, I’ve tried playing crossfire paintball, archery, and laser tags with loved ones here!
Pro Tip:
- Looking for volunteering opportunities? You might be interested in joining the Friends of SDC.
Reflections at Bukit Chandu
Address: 31 – K Pepys Road
Operating Hours: Tuesday to Sunday—9:30 am to 5 pm
Contact Number: +6562506675
Free For: Singaporeans, PRs, and children aged six years and under
If World War II is your niche interest, then Reflections at Bukit Chandu should be on your itinerary. This underrated museum is located in Kent Ridge Park, which is where the battle of Pasir Panjang happened, so this place commemorates that event.
The exhibits here inform you more about the Malay Regiment and a thorough overview of the battle. There’s also an exhibit honoring the soldiers who died when the fighting was over.
Another thing I like about this museum is that it displays the uniforms the soldiers wore and a few items they used regularly in the past. Because of this, exploring this place is an immersive experience, almost like you’ve stepped into a time portal.
Pro Tip:
- You can explore the museum by yourself, but if you want to have a guide who can provide you with deep insight into the history, join the public tour. It’s free as well!
Sun Yat Sen Nanyang Memorial Hall
Address: 12 Tai Gin Rd
Operating Hours: Tuesday to Sunday—10 am to 5 pm
Contact Number: +6562567377
Free For: Singaporeans, PRs, and children aged six years and under
The Sun Yat Sen Nanyang Memorial Hall celebrates the life and achievements of Dr. Sun Yat Sen, who helped overthrow the Qing dynasty. With a total area of 10 hectares, this museum boasts beautiful gardens and four floors of galleries.
If you don’t know much about his history, you should head first to the exhibition rooms because that’s where they lay out in detail his private and political life. You’ll also see his legacy, including being placed on the back of Taiwan’s NT$100 note.
After the exhibition rooms, visit the galleries, which house several pieces of traditional and contemporary art. Photography and calligraphy are put on display as well.
Pro Tip:
- Join a guided tour to gain insights into the museum’s exhibits.
SBG Heritage Museum and CDL Green Gallery
— From: lasallesingapore
Address: 1 Cluny Road
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday—9 am to 6 pm
Free For: Everyone
The Singapore Botanic Gardens is best known for its, well, various gardens, but did you know this landmark also has a museum? And the best part is that this museum, named SBG Heritage Museum, is free for everyone!
This museum has interactive and multimedia exhibits that show the rich history and heritage of the Gardens. I also like that they have old photographs, botanical paintings, and even rare books! It’s so fascinating to see!
Right next to the museum is the CDL Green Gallery, a sustainable art gallery where exciting exhibits are held. These exhibits change every six to nine months, so there’s always something to look forward to.
Pro Tip:
- Take note that the museum is closed every last Monday of the month and the gallery every last Tuesday for maintenance purposes.
Buddha Tooth Relic Temple and Museum
Address: 288 South Bridge Rd
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday—7 am to 5 pm
Contact Number: +6562200220
Free For: Everyone
The Buddha Tooth Relic Temple is more than just a place of worship; it’s also a museum containing Buddha’s alleged 2,500-year-old tooth relic! It sits on a stupa made of 320 kg of gold, which in and of itself is a sight to behold.
Aside from visiting the Tooth Relic Chamber, you should also stop by the Buddhas of the World Museum, which houses countless treasures celebrating Buddhist culture and heritage. It’s pretty interesting to see how this religion has evolved over time.
You might also want to head to the Rooftop Garden. It’s a serene spot with lush greenery and water features, so you’ll feel relaxed in no time.
Pro Tip:
- Feeling hungry? The museum has a restaurant in the basement that offers delicious vegetarian delights.
Singapore City Gallery
Address: 45 Maxwell Road The URA Centre
Operating Hours: Monday to Saturday—9 am to 5 pm
Contact Number: +6562216666
Free For: Everyone
The Singapore City Gallery is one of my go-to recommendations for people new to the city because I feel like they’ll appreciate the experience the most. Essentially, this museum documents the city’s history—from its humble roots to its current status.
The first thing you’ll come across when you step inside is actually the Island-Wide Model. This is a replica of the whole Singapore Island. With a bit of imagination, you can pretend to be a giant about to go on a rampage!
Another exhibit that really stands out to me is How Our City Works because it details the different urban systems laid out to keep the city going. It’s such an insightful exhibit.
Pro Tip:
- Join a guided tour—which is free as well—for a more meaningful experience!
NUS Museum
Address: 50 Kent Ridge Cres
Operating Hours: Tuesday to Saturday—10 am to 6 pm
Contact Number: +6565168817
Free For: Everyone
Located in the National University of Singapore (the country’s most elite university), the NUS Museum celebrates the diverse and rich history of Asia. It has nine permanent galleries and additional spaces for temporary exhibitions and module collaborations.
I personally love stopping by the Archaeology Library, which features artifacts that are found from digs across Asia. I’m always thrilled to see ancient pots and jars because I can’t believe they’ve lasted this long.
They also have art displays! My favorite is Be-Longing, which is an augmented reality sculpture that lets you slow down and experience life in a community. It’s such a cool experience!
Pro Tip:
- If you’re visiting with a group of more than 20 people, you need to book ahead of time via email ([email protected]).
Fort Siloso
— From: bakirov.dev
Address: Siloso Rd
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday—10 am to 6 pm
Contact Number: +6567368672
Free For: Everyone
Located in Sentosa, Fort Siloso is another landmark that you must visit if you’re into learning more about World War II. This fort was first constructed in the late 19th century, and though it was only meant to protect a port, it became a battleground during the war.
The great thing about Fort Siloso is that it almost feels like a time capsule because it’s mostly preserved. You can still find war artifacts like coastal guns, artillery, and fortified military structures. Even the tunnels are still standing to this day!
There are also recent additions like an exhibit called The Life of a Soldier, which shows you the daily routines of soldiers back in the day. I also recommend checking out the Surrender Chambers, which is a reenactment of the British surrender to Japan.
Pro Tip:
- Right next to the museum is the Fort Siloso Skywalk, which is a bridge and observation deck combo. This is a great spot to enjoy the sunset!
Singapore Air Force Museum
— From: fly_baddog
Address: 400 Airport Rd
Operating Hours: Tuesday to Saturday—9 am to 4 pm
Contact Number: +6564618507
Free For: Everyone
The Singapore Air Force Museum is Paya Lebar’s main attraction, and it’s a must-visit, especially if you’re into aircraft.
This museum celebrates the heritage of the Republic of Singapore Air Force, so there are exhibits detailing their history and achievements. But more than that, this place also houses lifelike replicas of different aircraft systems like jets and missiles.
There’s also a flight simulator that lets you fulfill your pilot dreams!
Pro Tip:
- If you’re interested in booking a tour, you can send a query via email ([email protected]).
The Arts House
Address: 1 Old Parliament Ln
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday—10 am to 9:30 pm
Contact Number: +6563326900
Free For: Everyone
Housed inside a 200-year-old building that was once home to Singapore’s first parliament, The Arts House is dedicated to literary arts. As someone who loves books, of course, I’m a big fan of this museum.
My favorite programs here are the ones that celebrate Singapore literature. These include fun activities like spoken word performances and theatrical productions. They also have pop-up bookstores, which I’m always thrilled to check out.
Additionally, The Arts House is the location for many exciting events like the Singapore International Festival of Arts and the Singapore Writers Festival.
Pro Tip:
- This museum has several beautiful event spaces that you can book as a venue for your party!