Ah, South Korea! The land where K-pop idols and kimchi coexist in perfect harmony, where skyscrapers and ancient palaces play an endless game of peekaboo, and where you can go from sipping soju in a bustling night market to hiking up a serene mountain in the blink of an eye. If you’re looking for a destination that’s as eclectic as your Spotify playlist, then buckle up, my friend—you’re in for a treat for knowing the 15 Ultimate Bucket List of Things to Do in South Korea!
Now, you might be wondering, “What are the must-do things in South Korea?” Oh, you sweet, innocent soul. Asking that is like asking a K-drama fan to pick their favorite series—it’s complicated, okay? But fear not! Whether you’re a culture vulture, a foodie fanatic, or someone who just wants to take selfies in cool places (no judgment), South Korea has got you covered like a well-fitted hanbok.
So, if you’re ready to trade in your usual haunts for some Korean hotspots, you’ve come to the right blog. We’ve got the ultimate list of things to do in South Korea that’ll make your trip more epic than a K-pop concert. And trust me, that’s saying something. Stay tuned, and let’s get this Korean party started! 🇰🇷🎉
1 Visit the Royal Palaces
Firstly, Seoul has five traditional royal palaces that are beautiful and must-visit sites when traveling with kids. The most popular ones are Changdeokgung Palace and Gyeongbokgung Palace, which are UNESCO World Heritage sites. Moreover, your kids can learn much about Korean culture and traditions on a tour of the royal palaces.
Gyeongbokgung Palace is open daily, except Tuesdays, from 9.00 am to 5.00 pm. Further, an adult ticket costs 3000 KRW ($2.27), and a child ticket costs 1500 KRW ($1.14).
Changdeokgung Palace is open daily, except Mondays, from 9.00 am to 6.00 pm. An adult ticket costs 3000 KRW ($2.27), and free admission for children aged 18 and below.
Besides, it’s best to visit both these palaces during the early opening hours to avoid crowds and move on to other attractions.
2 Things to do in South Korea – Dress up in a traditional Hanbok
Secondly, Hanbok is a traditional Korean outfit that your kids must try out during their visit to South Korea. These outfits are available for rent for both adults and kids, so the entire family can try wearing these. Further, you can wear this outfit and take a photo shoot with the feeling of being a royal family member. Moreover, renting a hanbok is the perfect way to embrace Korean culture by wearing this 1,600-year-old Korean traditional and celebratory outfit.
3 Visit N Seoul Tower
Next, you can walk or take a cable car up the 774-foot-tall N Seoul Tower, a significant landmark in South Korea. Many families, especially couples, go up here to attach a love lock along the fence to mark their visit. Also, you will witness panoramic views of Seoul once you get to the top, which is especially beautiful, with twinkling lights at night.
The observatory is open daily from 10.30 am to 10.00 pm on weekdays and from 10.30 am to 11.00 pm on weekends. An adult ticket costs 16000 KRW ($12.12) while a kids ticket costs 12000 KRW ($9.09).
4 Witness the tallest tower in Seoul – Seoul Sky
Seoul Sky is the tallest tower in Seoul and the fifth tallest in the world. Standing at 555 meters with 123 stories, it is somewhere that you must go with your kids. Furthermore, there are five floors in the observation area with a glass-bottom walkout.
It is open daily from 10.30 am to 10.00 pm. The general ticket costs 29000 KRW ($21.97) for adults and 25000 KRW ($18.94) for kids between 3 and 13 years of age. In addition, the fast pass costs 50000 KRW ($37.89) for all ages.
5 Visit Lotte World
Lotte World is a kids-friendly theme park with the world’s largest indoor amusement park, Lotte World Adventure. Also, you can go to the outdoor Magic Island, an island located on an artificial lake.
Lotte World is open daily from 10.30 am to 8.00 pm. It’s best to visit the park in the morning to experience all its attractions and rides. Moreover, tickets cost 62000 KRW ($46.98) for adults, 54000 KRW ($40.92) for young adults, 47000 KRW ($35.61) for children, and 15000 KRW ($11.37) for babies.
6 Stroll through the streets of Insadong (Your Bucketlist No 6 things to do in south korea)
A stroll through the alleys and streets of the commercial district of Insadong is worthwhile when you travel to South Korea. Here you can shop for souvenirs, pottery and art, and many more interesting things. Further, kids will enjoy walking through these colorful streets lined up with various gifts and souvenirs. In addition, you can go to food stalls, tea shops, and art galleries to experience South Korea’s offerings.
7 Things to do in South Korea -Visit the Leeum Museum
The Leeum Museum is one of the best museums for kids, where they can get hands-on at the children’s lab. The museum showcases both contemporary and traditional Korean art. However, its unique feature, the children’s lab, is a place where kids can make arts and crafts, peruse art books, and learn more about different artists.
The museum is open daily from 10.00 am to 6.00 pm, except for Mondays when it is closed. Moreover, admission is free, and it is best to visit the museum early to avoid the crowds.
8 Go to the Starfield Library
The Starfield Library is located in the kids-friendly Starfield Coex Mall. This library is a book-lover’s dream, with a collection of over 500,000 books and children’s entertainment programs on Saturdays. Moreover, the Starfield Coex Mall also has an aquarium, cinema, and several pop-up stalls for kids to have a great time.
The library is open daily from 10.30 am to 10.00 pm. Get there early to immerse yourself in some good reads.
9 Things to do in South Korea – Visit the War Memorial of Korea
The War Memorial of Korea is a museum where you can learn about the military history of the Korean peninsula. Further, within this museum, there is the Children’s Museum of the War Memorial of Korea, which is the first children’s museum in the world to focus on this subject. The museum has educational activities, interactive exhibits, and a playground to engage kids.
The museum is open from 9.30 am to 10.00 pm and is free to enter.
10 Spend time in the Seoul Children’s Museum
The Seoul Children’s Museum has four floors with interactive exhibits, a book lounge, an indoor playground, and areas for kids and families to take cooking classes and watch performances. The museum has English language explanations and signs so that foreign kids can also gain knowledge and learn something new.
The museum is open daily from 10.00 am to 6.00 pm. Entrance is free, and it’s best to get there early to avoid the crowds.
11. Visit the National Museum of Korea: South Korea travel with kids
The National Museum of Korea is the best place to learn about Korean culture and art. Moreover, an excellent children’s museum is inside where children can have hands-on experience. Further, it is a museum that you must visit when traveling to South Korea with kids.
The museum is open daily from 10.00 am to 6.00 pm except on Saturday and Wednesday when it is open from 10.00 am to 9.00 pm. Admission to the museum is free.
12 Enjoy your time at Seoul Children’s Grand Park
The Seoul Children’s Grand Park is one of the largest children’s parks in South Korea. It is located near the Seoul Children’s Museum and is home to a zoo, playground, botanic gardens, and an amusement park. Furthermore, the park is open daily from 5.00 am to 10.00 pm. Morning time is the best time to spend quality time at the park.
13 Indulge in water activities at Han River
Han River is the main river that flows through Seoul, along which there are many activities to do. You can enjoy a picnic, biking, seasonal celebrations and performances, or cruise along the river. You can feed the seagulls some crackers while they fly alongside the boat.
14 Visit the Dongdaemun Market
Dongdaemun Market is where you must buy souvenirs, traditional Korean items, and many other things. It is a wholesale market with 26 shopping malls and 30,000 speciality shops. Dongdaemun Market is a night market that is open 24 hours a day. Take your kids to the Dongdaemun Toy and Stationery Market, Korea’s largest wholesale toy market.
15 Experience Kidzania: South Korea travel with kids
Lastly, Kidzania is more than a kid’s cafe; it is a theme park where kids can dress up and act as real-life characters in terms of occupation. Kids can try out 90 real-world occupations at Kidzania. They can be anything from a flight attendant to a firefighter, TV anchor, or construction worker.
Ticket prices and opening hours are as follows:
Weekday morning shift (10.00 am to 5.00 pm)
Adult (17 years and above): $12.9
Child (3 to 16 years): $28
Weekend morning shift (10.00 am to 3.00 pm)
Adult (17 years and above): $12.9
Child (3 to 16 years): $28
Weekend afternoon shift (3.00 pm to 7.30 pm)
Adult (17 years and above): $11.5
Child (3 to 16 years): $25.4
Finally, there is so much to see and experience in South Korea that you shouldn’t miss an opportunity to travel to this amazing country with kids. What do you like to do most in South Korea? Let us know in the comments below. Also, subscribe to our newsletter for more travel-related news, information, tips, and advice.