The National Museum of Singapore hails as the country’s oldest museum. Because of this, the area boasts various exhibitions that capture the best depictions of Singapore’s history.
Both tourists and locals plan trips to the National Museum of Singapore all year round. The museum also aims to attract more visitors by hosting specialised exhibitions that fit different events or holidays.
Moreover, certain Singapore holidays hold a special meaning in the museum. So much so that place hosts exhibitions that perfectly capture the history surrounding some holidays celebrated on the island.
Because of the museum’s everchanging themes, we love recommending parents visit the area with their children. While there, our little ones can enjoy special exhibitions catered to help them learn about different historical events.
5 Best Reasons to Visit the National Museum of Singapore With Your Kids
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We encourage parents to always keep the National Museum of Singapore in their planned family trips. The area rarely runs out of limited and specialised exhibitions that both parents and kids can enjoy.
While there, visitors get to pick if they wish to visit limited exhibitions or permanent galleries. To convince you to drop by, we compiled the best reasons why the National Museum of Singapore is a must-see.
Convenient Opening Times
If you plan to stop by, the National Museum operating hours start at 10 am and closes at 7 pm. However, during their designated Quiet Mornings, the opening starts earlier than 9 am.
Additionally, the indicated National Museum operating hours applies to daily openings, unless announced otherwise. This means that parents can plan impromptu visits with their kids at any time of the week.
Despite their daily openings, museum personnel follow the last admission times before closing. If you want a late-night visit, you need to get there before 6.15 or 6.30 pm.
The time we mentioned above depends on the exhibit or gallery you plan to see. Most limited exhibitions close off after the last signup at around 6.15 pm. Meanwhile, most of the permanent galleries accept late visitors until 6.30 pm.
Expect Varying Ticket Prices
When planning a visit to the area, most tourists ask the question, “Is National Museum free for all?” Unfortunately, the answer to that is no.
Only Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents (PRs) receive the privilege of visiting the museum’s permanent galleries for free. However, all children (tourist or not) aged 6 years old also get free admission to the museum.
Meanwhile, tourists and foreign students need to pay for admission before entering the National Museum of Singapore. The prices vary depending on the gallery or exhibition you wish to visit.
Admission to the initial permanent galleries for adults cost S$15 while seniors and students pay S$10. If you wish to visit the special exhibitions, you need to prepare for an admission fee costing around S$18 to S$26.
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Easy Commute or Ride to Stamford Road
The National Museum of Singapore was established in 1849. This makes it the oldest museum in the country.
Thanks to its rich history, the museum stands as an important destination or stop when you commute around the island. In truth, notable buildings were also established nearby due to their convenient location.
Moreover, locals and tourists can easily reach the museum via bus or MRT. However, those who plan to drive to the area need to take note of parking at the National Museum.
Despite its large expanse, parking at the National Museum becomes difficult for some interested visitors. Their limited parking facility also requires certain fees for those who wish to bring their car.
Riding the MRT or Bus to the National Museum
The National Museum of Singapore’s nearest MRT stations is those that stop near Stamford Road. To get there, we encourage you to take note of buses at the following stations:
- Bencoolen Station (DT21)
- Bras Basah Station (CC02)
- City Hall Station (EW13/ NS25)
- Dhoby Ghaut Station (CC01/NE06/NS24)
We suggest you ride the train at the Bencoolen MRT Station (DT21) if you want the shortest walk to Bencoolen Street. On the other hand, the train from the City Hall Station (EW13/ NS25) takes you to Stamford Road.
Meanwhile, those who plan to travel to the National Museum by bus need to take note of the schedules of the nearby bus stations. The stops only include areas in nearby buildings and none directly drop passengers off at the museum. Below, we listed the buses that take the right routes:
- Singapore Management University (SMU) or Stamford Road Bus Stop (7, 14, 14e, 16, 36, 77, 106, 111, 124, 128, 131, 147, 162, 162m, 166, 167, 171, 174, 174e, 175, 190, 700, 700A, 857)
- YMCA Bus Stop (7, 14, 14e, 16, 36, 64, 65, 77, 106, 111, 124, 128, 139, 162, 162m, 167, 171, 174, 174e, 175, 190, 700, 700A, 972)
Parents and Kids Can Enjoy All Featured Exhibitions
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As mentioned, the National Museum attracts new and old visitors with its featured exhibitions. They often collaborate with different artists or institutions to offer new and different experiences to visitors.
Furthermore, the museum also offers special viewings for various holidays and events. These offerings include special days like National Day.
Meanwhile, those who wish to learn about Singapore’s history can opt for tours around different permanent galleries. This also gives you the chance to explore different areas in the museum.
They Offer Conferences, Dining Options, and So Much More!
Visitors who wish to fully enjoy the different museum tours don’t need to worry about travelling elsewhere. Depending on when you visit, the National Museum offers different conferences or classes to interested guests.
Additionally, you can dine there with your family while you wait for your next tour or exhibition schedule. Meanwhile, those who want to remember their visit can drop by the museum’s store.
You can find the dining options on Level 1 of the National Museum. The Flutes restaurant is located at the Rotunda while Food for Thought cafe is at the Concourse. Interested visitors can also spot the store on the same level at the Concourse.
This article was updated by Kaira De la Rosa.