The National Gallery Singapore, or simply the National Gallery, is a public institution and national museum dedicated to art and culture that is located in Singapore's Civic District. With over 9,000 artifacts, it manages the world's biggest public collection of Singaporean and regional art from the Eastern world, particularly Southeast Asia.

The Gallery focuses on Singapore's culture and legacy, as well as its interaction with other Asian civilizations and the rest of the globe, in order to promote knowledge and appreciation of art and culture via a range of mediums. It is made up of two national landmarks, the former Supreme Court Building and City Hall, and spans 64,000 square meters (690,000 square feet), making it Singapore's largest visual arts venue and museum. The development of the National Gallery Singapore cost around S$532 million in total.

The National Gallery Singapore is widely regarded as one of the best art museums in Singapore and the area due to the range, scope, and volume of its holdings. As a result, it is one of the most popular art museums in the world, with about two million visitors each year. Singapore nationals and permanent residents have free admission to the National Gallery Singapore.

Location: 1 St. Andrew’s Road, #01–01, Singapore 178957

Website: nationalgallery.sg

Singapore's National Museum is a public museum dedicated to the country's art, culture, and history. It is the country's oldest museum, having opened in 1849 as a branch of the Singapore Institution's Raffles Library and Museum. The museum moved to its current permanent location at Stamford Road in 1887 after various moves over the next few decades. It was temporarily known as the Singapore History Museum from 1993 to March 2006, before returning to its current name, which was initially granted in 1965. The museum explores the significant events and individuals who have formed Singapore's social history and preserves and interprets it.

The Singapore History Gallery and Modern Colony, which depict the island's growth from the 13th century to the end of the 19th century, are two of the museum's most popular exhibitions. Unfortunately, owing to COVID-19, guided tours are now unavailable. However, owing to their interactive Dome Bot, which you can access via your smartphone, you can still have a self-guided tour. It's no secret that being a national museum, it may be overrun with visitors at times. However, owing to their website's live visitor update service, you can check to see if the museum is packed so you can plan your visit appropriately.

Location: 93 Stamford Road, Singapore 178897

Website: nhb.gov.sg/nationalmuseum

The Asian Civilisations Museum (ACM) is one of Singapore's four museums, with the Peranakan Museum at Old Tao Nan School, the National Museum of Singapore, and the Singapore Art Museum rounding out the list. It is one of the region's first museums to focus on pan-Asian civilizations and civilizations. The museum specializes in the material history of China, Southeast Asia, South Asia, and West Asia, from which Singapore's many ethnic groups descend.

If you're interested in Asian antiquities and ornamental art, the Asian Civilisations Museum has enough of both. Southeast Asian culture is one of the centerpieces, with a whole area dedicated to the region's rich nautical heritage. The "Tang Shipwreck" is one of the most visible artifacts in the museum's "Trade" area. Over a thousand items of well-preserved silver, gold, and pottery depict the tale of the Indian Ocean trade. So, if this is something that interests you, Toplist strongly suggests that you visit this museum! Not to mention that it's kid-friendly, with child-friendly books and guided tours available upon request.

Location: 1 Empress Place, Singapore 179555

Website: nhb.gov.sg/acm

Have you ever wished to witness the fossils of a real-life dinosaur? You won't have to travel far to find the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum. It's one of the few museums in the world dedicated to Diplodocus fossils, as well as Southeast Asian flora and wildlife. Not to mention the opportunity to see up close the sperm whale carcass discovered near Jurong Island in 2015. It may not be the largest natural history museum in the world, but its distinctive collections demonstrate why Toplist believes it is well worth a visit. The exhibits would take roughly 2 to 3 hours to examine, making it ideal for anyone looking for a fast afternoon out.

There are also free guided tours available, however, these are now unavailable till further notice. However, unlike large museums, it lacks dedicated activities and programs for children, which may be a disadvantage for some. The museum, on the other hand, can accommodate schools and special group excursions geared to various levels and ages. While there are no free entrance costs at this museum, residents, students, PR holders, and others can take advantage of special discounts. Admission prices are free for NUS workers, students, and children under the age of three.

Location: National University of Singapore, 2 Conservatory Drive, Singapore 117377

Website: lkcnhm.nus.edu.sg

SAM houses a large collection of Southeast Asian and Singaporean modern art, which includes paintings, sculptures, photography, and video, among other media. They're also the organizers of the Singapore Biennale, the island's largest contemporary art show, which takes place every two years. If you're an art lover seeking for new pieces to see, the next event is scheduled for 2022 or 2023, in case you're curious!

Because the museum is now closed, expect to see only temporary installations, which are either free to see outdoors in the museum's immediate surroundings or in SAM's partner institutions. Their programs are distinctive and inclusive in that they include a touch collection designed for visually impaired pupils. They also offer a program that uses art to engage elders in nursing homes. Toplist foresees a lot of excellent things to come from these activities alone, especially after their heritage buildings reopen. So make sure to keep these in mind!

Location: 71 Bras Basah Road, Singapore 189555

Website: singaporeartmuseum.sg

Now, if you have a keen eye for design and want to be inspired by award-winning items, go ahead and check out the Red Dot Design Museum! The Red Dot Design Award—an international competition that recognizes only the greatest design and business concepts—is shown in this museum. You'll discover about 300 meticulously chosen paintings displayed throughout the two-story glass building's passageways.

Every entry ticket includes a $10 meal and shopping voucher redeemable at the museum's café and store. The latter sells high-end daily things, some of which were created by the prize recipients themselves. So, if you're looking for unique products from all over the world, Toplist thinks the shop is worth a look. Getting an entrance ticket, on the other hand, is the ideal way to make the most of your visit.

However, the museum's collection is highly specialized, with only adults and a small number of people appreciating it. For example, industrial design students seeking inspiration for their next project can benefit from a visit to this museum. By the way, thanks to its prime position on the Marina Bay Waterfront Promenade, the museum is surrounded by a variety of stores and restaurants, making it an ideal spot for adults to lunch and walk after their museum visit.

Location: Red Dot Design Museum, 11 Marina Boulevard, Singapore 018940

Website: museum.red-dot.sg

A visit to Science Centre Singapore will demonstrate that studying science can be rather enjoyable! With so many interactive displays in the region, it's no surprise that this science center is popular with both children and adults. While there are other indoor and outdoor exhibits, "Phobia2: The Science of Fear", which explains how phobias may influence people's daily lives, is one of the most popular. This exhibit is ideal for anybody interested in psychology. "Earth Alive", a film about Earth sciences and how natural disasters like earthquakes and volcanic eruptions occur, is another blockbuster. It's also a permanent display that lasts roughly 60 minutes and is suitable for people of all ages.

Snow City, an indoor attraction that allows visitors to feel the snow in tropical Singapore, is also located near the scientific complex. It's no wonder that school programs and kid-friendly seminars are a specialty of the scientific center, given its educational mission. Most exhibitions are constructed with low sensory levels to suit children with sensory sensitivities in order to be as inclusive as possible.

Location: Science Centre Singapore, 15 Science Centre Road, Singapore 609081

Website: science.edu.sg

The Battlebox isn't like any other museum. Because it's a former subterranean military bunker, artifacts and multimedia will show you how British soldiers decided to surrender Singapore to the invading Japanese during WWII. What began as a top-secret bunker and hub for British espionage soon became a forgotten piece of history after the war. However, following its re-discovery in the 1980s, the bunker-turned-museum reopened in 1997, welcoming curious visitors to take a closer look. Upon entering the Battlebox, you must participate in a 30-minute guided tour, following which you are free to explore the bunker.

By the way, there's no need to be concerned about the museum being overcrowded because the number of visitors each time slot is strictly regulated. This museum is better appropriate for a mature audience due to the tour's historical content. While children are welcome here, parents with strollers and PWDs should be aware that there is one flight of stairs to navigate while entering and exiting the Battlebox. Inside the bunker, however, wheelchairs are accessible for use.

Location: 2 Cox Terrace, Singapore 179622

Website: battlebox.com.sg

The ArtScience Museum, with its lotus-shaped building, is located at the famed Marina Bay Sands. The museum is recognized for hosting traveling exhibits with several well-known painters such as Andy Warhol and Vincent van Gogh. The next touring exhibition to reach ArtScience Museum offers roughly 200 artifacts of Star Wars props, costumes, and more, to give you a better understanding of what they host. If this seems interesting to you, keep an eye out for upcoming pop culture shows at ArtScience Museum.

Apart from that, Toplist believes their permanent exhibition "Future World" is also worth seeing. It's an interactive digital display with varied themes like "City in a Garden", "Space", and more, all of which make for great Instagram backdrops! Because of its participatory aspect, this exhibit provides a unique experience for children. Although it may not be as elaborate as other museums, the museum's unique quality makes it an excellent spot for families to visit. With Marina Bay just around the block, you'll have lots of alternatives for dining before or after your visit. You might even be able to squeeze in some shopping!

Location: 6 Bayfront Avenue, Singapore 018974

Website: marinabaysands.com/museum.html

The Sun Yat Sen Nanyang Memorial Hall, originally known as the Sun Yat Sen Home, is a two-story colonial-style villa in Balestier, Singapore. Sun Yat Sen (1866–1925), the founding father of the Republic of China, visited Singapore nine times between 1900 and 1911, and the home is now a museum dedicated to him. The home, which is located at 12 Tai Gin Road off Ah Hood Road in Balestier and covers around 3,120 square meters (33,600 square feet), played an important part in the 1911 Xinhai Revolution by acting as the Tongmenghui's base in Nanyang (Southeast Asia) in the early twentieth century.

This ancient property, tucked away off Balestier Road, was formerly the home of Sun Yat Sen in Singapore. There are many images and artifacts here that will help you comprehend the Chinese revolution and Sun Yat Sen's part in it. History buffs may find this museum more intriguing than others due to its highly specialized topic area. However, if you're interested in learning more about the revolution, you're invited to join their free guided tours, which are available in English or Mandarin. The museum is also a part of the Balestier Heritage Trail, which includes several historical places worth seeing.

Location: 12 Tai Gin Road, Singapore 327874

Website: sysnmh.org.sg/en