Despite its small size, the Republic of Singapore is deeply layered and multicultural, with a vibrant, long-standing history that reflects itself in its many distinct districts and neighbourhoods.
If you have ever wondered to yourself how Singapore became the sparkling and dynamic city that it is today, you’ve come to the right place!
Go beyond the typical attractions and read on to see our comprehensive list of some of the best cultural experiences to be found on the island.
The ArtScience Museum is a state-of-the-art landmark here in Singapore that spotlights new concepts and innovations found between the intersections of art, culture, science and technology. Its own building is an example of that, with a lotus-inspired structure that challenges the constraints of sustainable architecture and design.
Since its establishment in 2011, the museum has been host to several exhibitions featuring the work of world renowned artists, like Vincent Van Gogh and Leonardo Da Vinci, as well as exciting discoveries in the fields of physics, paleontology, astronomy, and marine biology.
Currently, they are hosting Future World: Where Art Meets Science, a digital interactive installation celebrating the integrated realms of art and science, and Planet or Plastic?, a National Geographic visual exhibition exploring the global realities of plastic pollution and the solutions we can take to curb its effects.
Availability: Daily (10:00 - 19:00)
Location: 6 Bayfront Ave, ArtScience Museum, Singapore 018974
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The world of Madame Tussauds is as chilling as it is compelling, captivating audiences the world over for centuries with its true-to-life wax depictions of figures both historical and cultural, famous and infamous, throughout the years.
Madame Tussauds Singapore is no different, featuring a wide collection of hauntingly human-like wax sculptures but complete with its own unique local flavour. Using live actors, special effects and immersive world building, their Images of Singapore retrospective offers a peek into the history of the island, exploring its humble beginnings of 19th century fishing villages and depicting key moments of its evolution into the cultural and commercial landmark that is modern-day Singapore.
Bollywood fans should check out the Ultimate Film Star Experience where you are not only amongst the biggest names in Indian Cinema but also get to go behind the scenes and step into the role of movie star! And for all you comic book nerds, we recommend Marvel 4D Experience, where you can be a part of the action through interactive 4D cinema.
Availability: Daily (11:00 - 19:00), Except Tuesdays & Wednesdays
Location: 40 Imbiah Road, Imbiah Lookout, Sentosa, Singapore 099700
Instant Book: Madame Tussauds Singapore
A remnant leftover from the island’s colonial days, the National Museum of Singapore has gone through many name changes over its centuries-long run. But one thing that has not changed is the crucial role it plays in documenting Singapore’s rich history.
Their permanent exhibitions like Growing Up, Moving Memories and Modern Colony all depict different segments of Singapore’s cultural and societal growth over the years, while ones like Story of the Forest and An Old New World use digital art and virtual reality to create a more immersive learning experience for visitors.
Keep an eye out for their Día de Muertos (Day of the Dead) and Doraemon’s Time-Travelling Adventures in Singapore exhibitions, both launching on 31st October 2020 with free admission. You won’t want to miss out on these limited time events!
Availability: Daily (10:00 - 19:00)
Location: 93 Stamford Road, Singapore 178897
Instant Book: National Museum of Singapore
The newest—and largest—of four national museums in the republic, National Gallery Singapore was once the Supreme Court and City Hall buildings of the British settlement days and now has been restored to reflect the many transformations that Singapore has undergone in the time since.
The gallery is a celebration of the region’s diverse visual arts landscape, featuring over 8,000 works from the Singapore National Collection made by local artists such as Chen Chong Swee, Georgette Chen and Liu Kang, as well as South East Asian artists like Malaysia’s Latiff Mohidin and Indonesia’s Raden Saleh.
More than just an exhibition space, National Gallery Singapore hosts a range of guided tours, panels and lectures to stimulate the mind and encourage deeper conversation surrounding local art. Right now, they are running their Online Docent-Led Programme, an online series of lectures and panels, one that delves into some of the gallery’s most renowned art pieces and architectural features, and another that explores the concept of slow looking in art.
Availability: Daily (10:00 - 19:00)
Location: 1 St Andrew's Rd, Singapore 178957
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Step out of the hustle and bustle of our urban jungle and into the Singapore Food & Street Art Tour, a half-day tour that takes you through back alleyways and hidden passages to experience a different shade of Singapore’s bright spectrum of colours.
The tour begins at the Amoy Street Food Centre where you get to test out the local coffee and handmade pastries before going to see the nearby street murals. The tour then moves over to the Maxwell Food Centre for local favourites like chicken rice and dim sum before ending at the Singapore City Gallery that houses a 1,200 sqft model of Central Singapore.
Discover an understated yet quintessential side of the city at the Singapore Food & Street Art Tour!
Availability: Daily (09:30 - 12:30)
Meeting Point: 50 Armenian Street, 04-04 Wilmer Place (Diagonally Across Peranakan Museum)
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The republic’s humble origins flow interwoven with its modern-day advancements along the Singapore River Cruise, right on the banks of the Central Business District where many moons ago, Stamford Raffles landed his boat on his way to founding what we now know as Singapore.
A beloved icon of the Singapore waterways for over 30 years, the cruise journeys along this riverfront in a swathe of history, culture and commerce, where sights of Singapore’s early colonial architecture fuse together with the sounds of the city’s vibrant nightlife along Boat Quay, Clarke Quay and Marina Bay, telling stories that have been carried along the banks.
Availability: Daily (09:00 - 23:00)
Location: Merchant Road, Singapore River Cruise, Singapore
Instant Book: Singapore River Cruise
If you’re not the type to plan out an entire day, then the Singapore Hop On & Hop Off Bus might be the thing for you! You can take a carefree ride on the double decker bus and enjoy panoramic views of the Singapore cityscape while deciding where to go.
If something catches your eye, you are free to hop off at the nearest stop and hop back on when you’re done. You get the guidance of a tour without the constraints!
Explore the sights and sounds of the city at your own pace, at your own time with the Singapore Hop On & Hop Off Bus.
Availability: Daily (08:30 - 18:30)
Meeting Point: 3 Temasek Boulevard #01-330 Singapore 038983
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If you’re game to take a quack at something a little quirky, then try out the Singapore Ducktours, an adventure through land and sea aboard a retired war craft. The award-winning tour has served over a million passengers in its run and continues to bring joy to travellers today.
The duck-themed vehicle is an amphibious one, able to travel through both roads and waters to bring you on a one-of-a-kind tour of the bright and bold city. Take a lighthearted tour around Singapore and see the city from a fresh perspective with the Singapore Ducktours.
Availability: Daily (09:00 - 18:30)
Meeting Point: 3 Temasek Boulevard #01-330 Singapore 038983
Instant Book: The Original Singapore DUCKtours
Well, there you have it, a complete guide to a culturally enriching holiday in Singapore! Add a little colour to your next Singapore holiday with a handful of these great deals. We promise you won't regret it.
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