Quirky museums in Singapore

There are some unusual things to do in Singapore that are right on our doorstep. So, why not start with the interesting museums in Singapore? Here are a handful of the more quirky ones.

Singapore Musical Box Museum

Yep, there’s a museum in Singapore devoted wholly to musical boxes! Why? Well, musical boxes – instruments that make sound when pins on a revolving cylinder pluck at a steel comb – were popular in Europe in the 19th century; a precursor of the jukebox, if you like! And Singapore played a prominent role in bringing the instruments to Southeast Asia. The ticket price of $12 includes a compulsory 40-minute tour showcasing a variety of musical boxes: big, small, each with its own story. When you’re done, you can also pop next door to Thien Hock Keng (Tianfu Temple), built in 1839.

Where: 168 Telok Ayer Street
When: 11am to 5pm, Monday to Saturday, except public holidays; last admission at 3pm (pre-booking required)
Cost: $48 for two, includes a compulsory 40-minute tour showcasing a variety of musical boxes and a set of Peranakan sweets
Web: singaporemusicalboxmuseum.org

NUS Baba House

This three-storey townhouse was once the ancestral home of a Peranakan Chinese family. It’s been meticulously restored so that a walk through the open courtyard, reception hall, kitchen and private spaces feels like stepping back in time. A third floor was added to the original dwelling around a century or so ago; it’s now used as a gallery for exhibitions and projects pertaining to traditional Peranakan culture.

Where: 157 Neil Road
When: Heritage tours by appointment only, Tuesday to Friday, 10am; self-guided tours are on Saturday, between 1pm to 4.30pm
Cost: Free for Singapore citizens, permanent residents, NUS staff, students and alumni, students holding valid passes, and ICOM and Museum Roundtable members; $10 for other visitors
Web: babahouse.nus.edu.sg

Images of Singapore LIVE

Ever wonder what Singapore looked like long before MBS and Takashimaya were a part of the landscape? Images of Singapore LIVE is an interesting museum in Singapore that shows you just that by taking you on a journey from humble fishing village to 21st-century powerhouse. Experience the sights and sounds of yesteryear in a 45-minute, actor-led attraction through 11 themed areas with live action, special effects and even a boat ride.

Where: Madame Tussauds
When: 11am to 8.30pm daily, last show at 7pm
Cost: $33 for adults, $21 for children aged three to 12 years, when booked one day in advance; free for kids below three. Includes entry to Madame Tussaud’s, Spirit of Singapore boat ride, Images of Singapore and Ultimate Film Star Experience. Adult tickets also include one digital photo souvenir
Web: madametussauds.com/singapore

Singapore Sports Museum

Dedicated to telling the stories of the nation’s sporting history, achievements and aspirations, the Singapore Sports Museum is the first sports-related museum on the island – a great one for fans of the Olympic Games, football and some less traditional sports. There are also some cool interactive digital exhibitions. Certainly one of the more unusual things to do in Singapore!

Where: Singapore Sports Hub
When: 10am to 8pm weekdays, 10am to 9pm weekends and holidays
Cost: Free for Singapore citizens, permanent residents and children under six years. $10 for adults; $5 for over-60s, children and students holding valid passes
Web: sportshub.com.sg

MINT Museum of Toys

The name stands for Moment of Imagination and Nostalgia with Toys, and with a collection of 50,000 toys and collectibles, this is the largest vintage toy museum in Asia. The growing collection includes action figures, collectible cards and board games, bicycles and pedal cars, first-edition comic books and novels, and original enamel advertising signs displayed at the rooftop.

Where: 26 Seah Street
When: 9.30am to 6.30pm, Tuesday to Sunday; for an evening preview of the museum, “Night at the Museum” runs from Monday to Saturday, 7.30pm to 10.30pm ($15, including a drink at one of two on-site bars)
Cost: $25 for adults, $15 for over-60s and children aged seven to 12 years
Web: emint.com

Also…

Want more unusual things to do in the museums of Singapore?

• Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum: Among the million zoological specimens is a sperm whale, an endangered Sunda pangolin as well as three diplodocid sauropod dinosaur fossils that are more than 80 percent complete.
• Vintage Camera Museum: There are 1,000 cameras dating from the late 19th century here, including a replica of the Mammoth Camera (the world’s biggest camera), a machine gun camera and a camera that weighs only 11 grams, as well as rare photographs.
• Battlebox: It was inside the Battlebox that the British made the decision to surrender to the invading Japanese on 15 February 1942. Since reopening on 3 October, 2023 under a new operator, this former WWII command centre buried inside Fort Canning Hill is free to visitors.
• The Air Force Museum: A great spot for anyone into fighter jets, missiles and more.