Boring, dead and irrelevant. These are probably the three most common words associated with museums. As history junkies, we’d stab anyone who says museums are boring and defend the reputation of museums with our lives.
In all seriousness, not all local museums are established with the sole purpose of telling the Singapore story. In fact, not only do some museums have nothing to do with History, they are also fun and interactive. Not convinced? Listed below are five alternative museums you must know about. If none of them surprises or in the very least intrigues you, we’d eat our hats.
1. The Cat Museum
Yes, you read it right the first time; a cat museum.
Nestled in the heart of Purrrr-vis Street is the three-story cat mansion that houses all things cat related. Besides surrounding you with at least 20 cats and kittens, the museum actually encourages you to adopt and bring a furry friend home. Take that cat cafés! But before you rush down to grab yourself a feline friend, do note that some of the most gorgeous felines are residential cats and are not up for adoption.
If being a cat lady has never been in your radar, this museum will have you seriously consider it.
8 Purvis Street #02-02
+65 6336 2133
[email protected]
$9 per entry
Operating Hours:
Fri: 4.30pm-7.30pm,
Sat/Sun: 12pm-3.30pm, 4.30pm-7.30pm
2. Singapore Philatelic Museum
Before you roll your eyes at the possibility of visiting a stamp museum, hear us out.
The first of its kind in Southeast Asia, this museum, besides exquisite stamp collections, also houses exhibits held in conjunction with current events. One of the current exhibits, With Love from Snoopy, Charlie Brown & the Peanuts Gang, for instance, not only acquaints you with the characters but also enables you to send letters and postcards to Charlie and gang. For the history junkies, discover Singapore’s tribulations and achievements over the past 50 years as told by stamps unique to the decades.
If you’re not already a pen and paper person, this museum experience will make you want to bring snail mail back.
23-B Coleman Street
+65 6337 3888
[email protected]
Free
Operating Hours:
Mon-Sun: 10am-7pm
3. The Intan Peranakan Museum
Blending into a row of colonial shop houses at Joo Chiat, it’s unsurprising for many to miss out on this unassuming museum. Previously a residential house, owner Alvin Yap recommissioned the space into a haven for Peranakan culture. Think you know all about the Peranakans from binge-watching The Little Nonya? An experiential tour at The Intan will have you realise that the TV series barely scratched the surface of the rich culture. We welcome you to step through the wooden doors, into embroidered beaded shoes and back to the ‘30s, where you’ll witness the full glory of the forgotten heritage.
*Visits to The Intan are strictly by appointment only.
+65 6440 1148
Admission is free for all Singaporeans and PRs. For foreign visitors, tickets are priced at $6 each
4. Museum Of Independent Music
Ac-chording (see what we did there) to this one of a kind museum, the Museum of Independent Music documents not only the history of Singapore’s indie music scene but also holds performances, talks and workshops for all music lovers. Always been a sceptic of Singapore’s music scene? From rock band Cashew Chemists to screamo band Yumi, learn more about our hidden local talent and how our music culture has helped shaped our nation’s development. Yes, we do have more to offer than just The Sam Willows and Gentle Bones.
1B Aliwal St Level 3
+65 8607 3534
[email protected]
$4 per entry
*Visits are by appointments only
5. The Wax Museum
Spent a bomb on Tay-Tay’s concert but returned with a tonne of blurred photos? Have always been gaga over Gaga but never got the chance to meet her? What if we told you you’re now able to not only snap away at your favourite celebrities, but to also take as many wefies as you wish?
Be prepared to be star-struck at Madame Tussauds’ wax museum as you rub shoulders with both local and international icons including PM Lee Hisen Loong, Nicole Kidman, Cristiano Ronaldo and gasp, Justin Bieber. The uncanny resemblance of the celebrities’ wax sculptures to their real selves will soon have you forget that you’re in a museum. We guarantee that you’ll be snapping away in no time.
40 Imbiah Road, Sentosa Imbiah Lookout
+65 6715 4000
[email protected]
Adults: $25, $39
Child: $20, $29
Senior Citizen: $20, $30
(purchase online for cheaper ticket prices)
Operating Hours:
Mon-Fri: 10am-6pm
Sat-Sun: 10am-7.30pm
So the next time someone laments about how boring museums are, be sure to whip out our article and shove it in their faces show them the contrary. Yes, museums can be fun too.
