Night At The Museum Should’ve Been Filmed In One Of These Manila Museums

There’s literally a holiday for everything nowadays, but one that’s worth celebrating is International Museum Day! This ‘holiday’, however, took place last May 18th. If you missed it, this shouldn’t stop you from exploring the many cultural centers here in the metro! Especially with the recent opening of the National Museum of Natural History, people have been buzzing about museum hopping, so we rounded up 10 Metro Manila museums that we think are worthy of your time!

Spend a whole day exploring the museums in Manila with a Private Sightseeing Car Charter!

Photo Credit: Instagram user @idyllicartemis

Starting it off fresh, the Museum of Natural History is the country’s newest museum! It recently opened on May 18 (on International Museum Day) and has definitely been the talk of the town! It showcases an amazing collection of the country’s flora and fauna withover 10 galleries of unique plants and animals as well as a replica of the largest crocodile held in captive. Not only are the exhibits in this museum incredibly fascinating, its interior and architecture are also something behold.

Address: Teodoro F. Valencia Circle, Ermita, Manila, 1000 Metro Manila

Opening Hours: Tuesday to Sunday 10 AM to 5 PM | Closed on Mondays

Entrance Fee: Free

The National Museum of the Philippines, or National Museum as it’s more commonly known, is by far the most popular cultural center in the country, perhaps due to the multiple field trips we take here as students. However, if you’ve never been to this iconic museum, it’s time you make a visit! It houses some of the country’s most notable works like the incredible Spolarium by Juan Luna and prehistoric artifacts like the Manunggul Jar. Overall, the National Museum offers a great way to look back at Philippine history!

Address: Padre Burgos Avenue, Ermita, Manila, 1000 Metro Manila

Opening Hours: Tuesday to Sunday: 10 AM to 5 PM | Closed on Mondays

Entrance Fee: Free

The Metropolitan Museum of Manila, or the MET, offers a great range of pre-historic contemporary artwork by Filipino artists! Initially, the museum was just a venue for international exhibits, but was later established permanent collections and exhibits. In an effort to increase exposure of Filipino culture and art, visitors can check out the ongoing exhibit Fascination with Filipiniana by the Vargas Museum Collection. To get the full experience, visitors touring in groups can also opt to avail of a guided tour offered by the museum.

Address: BSP Complex, Roxas Blvd, Malate, Manila, Metro Manila

Opening Hours: Monday to Saturday: 10 AM to 5:30 PM | Closed on Sundays

Entrance Fee: Adults and Children: P100 | Senior Citizen and PWD: P80

Photo Credit: Instagram user @syrill.photography

Go on a journey back in time and learn more about our ancestry at the National Museum of Anthropology. Exhibits and pieces put the spotlight on the evolution of Filipino culture, showcasing textiles, ancient weapons, and Baybayin artifacts. Discover more about Philippine ethnography and check out the photo gallery featuring portraits of indigenous women in the Philippines and the San Diego: 500 Years of Maritime Trade exhibit!

It’s also located just across The National Museum of the Philippines, so visitors can easily access hop from one to the other and make a museum day out of it!

Address: Padre Burgos Ave, Ermita, Manila, 1000 Metro Manila

Opening Hours: Tuesday to Sunday: 10 AM to 5 PM | Closed on Mondays

Entrance Fee: Free

The Ayala Museum is one of the country’s most notable cultural centers. It’s conveniently located in the bustling center of Makati, in the middle of a shopping center. Some of the popular exhibits in the museum are Art and the Order of Nature in Indigenous Philippine Textiles, A Millennium of Contact and The Philippine Diorama Experience which is featured in the Google Art Project! Apart from this, it also houses the Filipinas Heritage Library which is comprised of rare books, photographs, and recordings from Philippine history.

After your cultural journey through Ayala Museum, grab a bite or have a coffee down at the Museum Cafe!

Address: Avenue Corner De La Rosa Street, Greenbelt Park, Makati, Metro Manila

Opening Hours: Tuesday to Sunday: 9 AM to 6 PM | Closed on Mondays

Entrance Fee: Adults (Residents): P225 | Students, Senior Citizen, PWD (Residents): P125

Also relatively new, the Ateneo Art Gallery is a showstopping addition to the culture and art scene of Metro Manila. Housing an impressive selection of both historic and contemporary pieces, this up and coming museum gives more popular art galleries a run for their money.

Located inside a university campus, students from Ateneo de Manila University make frequent trips to the museum for a cultural and thought provoking experience. It features pieces by Fernando Zobel, Jose Joya, Arturo Luz, and so much more. We won’t be surprised if this museum starts falling under the category of must-visit galleries in the country!

Address: Ateneo de Manila University, Arts Wing, Katipunan Ave, Diliman, Quezon City, 1800 Metro Manila

Opening Hours: Monday to Friday: 8 AM to 7:30 PM | Saturday: 8 AM to 6 PM | Closed on Sunday

Entrance Fee: Free

Photo Credit: Museum of Contemporary Art and Design Facebook Page

The Museum of Contemporary Art and Design, or MCAD in short, is located in one of the country’s most prestigious art schools. That alone should incline all art aficionados to come and check out the ever-changing exhibits in this museum. Currently, the museum is running the Pacita Abad: A Million Things To Say exhibit until July 1, 2018 and as well several film screenings until the end of May. Apart from that, you may get a glimpse of some student works that displayed exemplary practice in their creative field.

Address: Ground Floor, Benilde School of Design and Arts Campus, Dominga, Malate, Manila, 1004 Metro Manila

Opening Hours: Tuesday to Sunday: 10 AM to 6 PM | Closed on Mondays

Entrance Fee: Free

Bahay Tsinoy, or Chinese-Filipino House, is a cultural museum located by the Walled City of Intramuros (https://www.klook.com/activity/7346-walk-this-way-manila/). Visitors can discover more about the fascinating history of the early Chinese-Filipino settlers, who were called “sangleys” by the Spanish. Apart from the relics and antiques from this period, the experience is made even more realistic with the lifelike dioramas that are set up inside the house.

Address: 32 Anda St, Intramuros, Manila, 1002, Metro Manila

Opening Hours: Tuesday to Sunday: 1 PM to 5 PM | Closed on Mondays

Entrance Fee: Adult: P100 | Student: P60

Overshadowed by centers like Ayala Museum and the MET, locals and tourists sleep on the incredible exhibits available in the classy Yuchengco Museum. The pieces in the museum all revolve around the themes of Chinese-Filipino heritage, cultural understanding, and the versatility of design. Its permanent exhibits include the works of Juan Luna, Fernando Amorsolo, and Carlos “Botong” Francisco. The Yuchengco museum also features a “Suspended Garden” by Tony Gonzales and Tes Pasola, which is usually featured in many Instagram photos.

Address: RCBC Plaza, Corner Ayala Avenue and Senator Gil J. Puyat Avenue, Makati, 1200 Metro Manila

Opening Hours: Monday to Saturday: 10 AM to 6 PM | Closed on Sundays

Entrance Fee: Adults: P100 | Students: P50 | Children and Senior Citizens: P25

This museum is slightly different from the others on the list, but definitely does not differ in terms of learning experience. The Mind Museum is suitable for all ages, so if you’re tagging the kids along, this would probably be the best option! Compared to the other museums on the list, the Mind Museum is much more interactive and the exhibits really encourage the visitors to learn about science through a more hands on experience.

Discover more about our universe through fun exhibits like the Life Gallery, Atom Gallery and Universe Gallery! Once you’ve gotten through all the science exhibits, take over the Space Adventure exhibit, which is currently on a limited run.

Address: J.Y. Campos Park, Third Avenue, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig, 1634 Metro Manila

Opening Hours: Tuesday to Sunday: 9 AM to 6 PM | Closed on Mondays

Entrance Fee: P750 | With Klook P570