Secret dating spots: The magic of museums

Dating in Singapore is hard work, but don’t make it harder than it has to be by subjecting your date and yourself to a painfully ordinary outing of brunch or drinks. Prove to your date that fun and well-informed can come together, with a visit to one of Singapore’s quirkiest museums.

Yes, you heard that right.

Go out, explore, learn something new, and also, this being Singapore, enjoy the air-conditioning that comes with museum visits.

Here are five fascinating museums for you to kick start your weekend romance.

The Purrfect Date (Cat Museum)

Lunch time for the rescued residents of The Cat Museum. Photo courtesy of <a href="http://thecatmuseum.com.sg" target="_blank">Cat Museum</a>

Who doesn’t love a flurry of mewing kittens? If your date is into the cute, fluffy and Instagram-worthy, then Lion City Kitty: The Cat Museum is the place to go!

Spend time with other feline fans as they pat, brush, and admire the residents and rescue kitties in this 4-storey shop-house.

Understanding the felines of Singapore. Photo courtesy of <a href="http://thecatmuseum.com.sg" target="_blank">Cat Museum</a>

More than just another cat café, there is plenty to learn about the history of cats around the world, including the origin of felines in Singapore and an art gallery solely dedicated to feline art. Perhaps you can even add a new addition to your family through their adoption centre.

Locations: 8 Purvis Street, Singapore 188587
Opening Hours: Please check the website for more details.
Admission Fee:
-       13 years old and above: $12
-       7 to 12 years old: $10
-       Below 6 years old: Free

The Natural Date (LKC Natural History Museum)

Singapore’s only trio of Sauropod dinosaurs stand tall in Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum. Photo courtesy of <a href="http://lkcnhm.nus.edu.sg/" target="_blank">Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum</a>

How can you get to know you date’s interest or peeves in just a span of a few hours?

Visit the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum, home to over 500,000 Southeast Asian animal and plant specimens, there will surely be a creature or two that gets your date feeling squeamish or jumping into your arms.

Roam the specially designed thematic gardens. Photo courtesy of James Tan.

Tracing the history of life on Earth, there are 20 different zones to explore, each with their set of flora and fauna. Take a stroll in one of the many living gardens, and get lost with your loved one among the lush foliage.

Location: National University of Singapore, 2 Conservatory Drive, Singapore 117377
Opening Hours: Tuesday – Sunday, 10am – 7pm (Closed on Mondays)
Admission Fee:
-       Adult: $21(Standard rate); $16 (Singapore resident / PR rate)
-       Child, Student and Senior Citizen: $13 (Standard rate); $9 (Singapore resident / PR rate)

The Musical Date (Museum of Independent Music)

Guitar and writings by local hardcore music veteran, Suhaimi Subandie. Photo courtesy of Museum of Independent Music.

Music soothes the soul, and heals the heart. Tune up the romance meter by bringing your date to the Museum of Independent Music, a space dedicated to the history of music and musicians in Singapore.

More than just a museum, also a space for local bands to showcase their music. Photo courtesy of Museum of Independent Music.

Steal a piece of your date’s heart with your own music mix using the interactive soundboards, players, and instruments available.  

Impress your date with your knowledge of the music scene, as the space transforms into a jamming studio and event space in the evenings, where local musicians come together and hit out the hard tunes. It doesn’t get more underground than that.

Location: 23 Madras Street, Singapore 208418
Opening Hours: Daily, 11am – 6pm
Admission Fee:
-       $5 per person

The Playful Date (MINT Museum of Toys)

Welcoming visitors to the museum with vintage logos and signboards. Photo courtesy of <a href="http://emint.com" target="_blank">MINT Museum of Toys</a>

History is not always boring. Ignite your date’s inner child with the MINT Museum of Toys, housing over 100,000 toys and memorabilia in a 6-storey shophouse.

This playground wonderland will fuel the fire of fun and excitement within your date, being completely surrounded by toys from all over the world, including a hint of nostalgia on level 3, where childhood favourites from the East sit alongside those from the West.

The vintage collectibles may have belonged to the kids of yesteryear, but there are also other recognisable favourites, including a special Betty Boop collection. It really brings new meaning to ‘play date’ at this establishment.

End the day with a visit to the rooftop, where the ‘big kids’ can enjoy a nice tipple at Mr Punch Public House, as they catch the setting sun.

Location: 26 Seah Street, Singapore 188382
Opening Hours: Daily, 9:30am – 6:30pm
Admission Fee:
-       Adult: $15
-       Ages 2 to 12: $7.50
-       Ages 60 and up with valid ID:  $7.50

The Cultured Date (Asian Civilisation Museum)

Colonial architecture of the museum gives a sense of nostalgia and coziness. Photo courtesy of <a href="http://acm.org.sg" target="_blank">Asian Civilisation Museum</a>

Art and history are two things that can really hold its weight in a conversation. A visit to the Asian Civilisations Museum with your date can be more than just a history lesson. It is also a great way to get to know someone better, based on their opinions, insights and what they are or aren’t attracted to.

There is a certain intimacy to wandering the corridor of this restored colonial building, exploring the beautiful spaces and exhibits, with voices hushed in respectful tones.

Conveniently situated along the Singapore River, making for a scenic stroll after hours. Photo courtesy of <a href="http://acm.org.sg" target="_blank">Asian Civilisation Museum</a>

The romance continues even when you leave the museum, which is situated along the iconic Singapore River, where you can take a stroll before settling in to one of the many riverside al fresco dining outlets for a delectable meal, a sweet ending to any date.

Location: 1 Empress Place, Singapore 179555
Opening Hours: Daily, 10am – 7pm
Admission Fee: Varies

Whether it’s your first date or a decade long anniversary, Singapore’s museums can be counted on for that extra special touch to keep your loved one open to more.

An inexpensive, thoughtful and cute way to end the day would be to buy your date a postcard of the exhibit you both talked about or liked the most, or even a little trinket as a souvenir to remember the time spent together.