Explore Seoul (서울탐험)
Top things to see in Seoul. The best things to do in Seoul. Best cafes and restaurants to find in Seoul. Mountains, parks, and more things to do in Seoul, Korea. (서울에서 볼 수 있는 최고의 물건들. 서울에서 할 수 있는 가장 좋은 일들. 서울에서 찾을 수 있는 최고의 카페와 식당. 산, 공원, 그리고 한국의 서울에서 할 수 있는 더 많은 것들이 있다.)
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Sewoon Plaza, Reborn as Makercity Sewoon
When walking down the streets of Seoul, Korea it’s common to notice only what is on the street level nearest you, but there is always so much more to see. Buildings with rooftops, decorated seating, and cool vibes abound and few find them. Want a view out over the Jongno area? You must find Sewoon Sangga (세운상가), also known as Sewoon Plaza and revamped into Makercity Sewoon. Sewoon means “attracts all the energy of the world” and it seems like it does, no matter which of the names above you end up using. The market went from boom to bust and it’s about to go to boom again. Learn more…
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New Parks Featuring Trains, Battleships & More In Seoul!
There is always something to see and do in Seoul and people are forever asking me how I know what’s going on. I just keep my ear to the ground I suppose. I also have good friends who are also in the know and it often happens that I hear about one thing, they hear about another in the same area and a great day trip comes out of it. Here are a few transportation based adventures I’ve had recently that you should know about. (This post contains affiliate links, which means I receive a certain percentage of a sale if you purchase after clicking at no cost to you.…
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Seongsu-dong: Things To Do, Best Cafes, Shopping, and K-Beauty in the Brooklyn of Seoul
The shoe district that became Seoul’s most talked-about neighborhood didn’t happen overnight. Young creatives started moving into Seongsu-dong around 2011, drawn by low rents and good subway access. Old shoe factories and industrial warehouses became galleries, cafes, and concept stores. The street art went up. The K-beauty brands arrived. The pop-ups multiplied. And then the whole world found out about it. Some people call it the Brooklyn of Seoul, which is fair, there’s the same mix of industrial bones, creative energy, and the uncomfortable awareness that the thing that made it special might not survive its own success. But right now, Seongsu-dong is at the peak of what it can…
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The Oil Tank Culture Park: A Cool Regeneration Project In Seoul
A plot of land sitting across from World Cup Stadium and the World Cup Parks system in Seoul, Korea is home to a surprisingly cool urban reformation project. Now named the Oil Tank Culture Park (문화비축기지), this park is an eye-appealing, if you like that industrial look, and eco-friendly site that uses six old oil reservoir tanks that were transformed for public use. While this isn’t your standard tourist site, it is really intriguing to people interested in urban regeneration, but also of interest if you want to know where local events and performances are held in Mapo-gu. Looking for something interesting to see near Hongdae? Check out this spot:…
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Best Cafes In Hongdae: Themed Spaces, Great Coffee and Seoul’s Most Creative Neighborhood
Cafe hopping is one of the great pleasures of living in or visiting Seoul, and nowhere does it better than Hongdae. Known for its youthful energy, creative vibe, and streets that seem to reinvent themselves every few months, Hongdae is packed with themed cafes, beautifully designed coffee shops, dessert spots, and concept spaces that make it easy to spend an entire day just wandering from one to the next. The neighborhood has been a creative hub since Hongik University drew art students and musicians here decades ago, and that energy runs directly through its cafe culture. You won’t find the same polished minimalism you get in Gangnam or the traditional…
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Solgaheon: A Foot Bath & Tea in Bukchon
(This cafe has closed unfortunately. For another option in the area, head to Tea Therapy where you can also sip tea and have a foot bath.) Bukchon has a handful of experience programs set in traditional Hanok houses that I have been able to try over the years and I have enjoyed every single one of them. There’s just something about the unique traditional setting, the opportunity to learn a bit more about the Korean culture in a different way and the history of the area. A few weeks ago, I headed over to Solgaheon (솔가헌) which specializes in rejuvenation for the immune system through medicinal herbal teas. Walk down…
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Yongma Land: The Abandoned Amusement Park in Seoul
Yongma Land (용마랜드) is a small failed amusement park in northeastern Seoul that has become popular with photographers and photo-op seeking teenagers in recent years. The abandoned amusement area offers some of the standard rides like the iconic carousel and the “Viking” as well as a mini train that is now covered in vines. Whether you’re looking for abandoned places in Seoul or want to film your own Kpop video to mimic your favorite artists, this is the place to go in Seoul. It’s not the most common addition to a Seoul itinerary, but it’s a cool spot if you want something unique in the capital of Korea. Plan a…
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Seoullo 7017: Where To Walk In Seoul, Korea
If you’re headed down to central Seoul, Korea and happen to be transiting through Seoul Station, then you cannot miss a walk along Seoullo 7017. This elevated pedestrian walkway completely changed the major roadway outside of the ever busy Seoul Station in 2017 and hosts events by day and light shows by night. There’s more to see around Seoul Station than most people realize and this is one thing that has gained a lot of attention not only for what it provides to see like the Seoullo 7017 Skygarden, but also what it provides a safe place to walk for pedestrians in the downtown Seoul area. If you’re headed downtown…
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The Seoul Sky Observatory: Tallest Building in Korea
The Seoul Sky Observatory (서울스카이), the third highest observatory in the world but featuring the highest glass deck in the world, sits in Lotte World Tower. It is easily a must see spot in Seoul and should make it into the top 10 things to see in Seoul every time. If you’re looking for the most amazing view of the Seoul skyline, then this is the tower you should be seeking out on your next trip to Seoul as you can get panoramic views and you’ll literally be standing higher than the helicopters that check the traffic are flying down below. On clear days, you can see as far as…
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The Trickeye Museum: Augmented Reality
[TRICKEYE in Hongdae is CLOSED] The Trickeye Museum in Hongdae, Seoul recently updated their already 3D fun space with augmented reality that literally brings the awesome paintings to life and I just had to see it for myself. While the paintings on the walls are the same as they were when I visited at the end of 2015 with my daughter who was just 1, they’ve been given new life with a new app that shows off the augmented reality of the paintings. For more pictures of the paintings, check out that older post about Trickeye revamped. Basic Info Address: 357-1 Seogyo-dong Mapo-gu, Seoul (서울 마포구 홍익로3길 20) Directions: Go to…
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Ihwa Mural Village Seoul: What To See, Where To Go and How To Visit Respectfully
Mt. Naksan in Seoul is home to one of the most popular mountainside mural villages in Korea. Ihwa Mural Village (이화동벽화마을) is known as a moon village or “daldongne” due to being set on the hillside which means you should be prepared for a bit of a hike up to see this famous village and the views of surrounding Seoul from the village. If you’re looking for a mural village in Seoul, this is the first one that will come up when you begin your search and there’s good reason for that. Learn more about this popular tourist destination in Seoul, Korea. Get ready to see Ihwa Mural Village: (This…
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Vineworks: Interactive Wine Tasting in Seoul
Looking for a wine bar in Hongdae? A great place to have a wine tasting in Seoul to learn about wines? When it comes to wine, Ian Ashworth is not only knowledgeable but he is super enthusiastic in making wine as approachable as possible and that’s why he founded Vineworks. If you’re on the lookout for a Seoul wine bar, Vineworks is a fabulous place to try different wines, learn about wine, and eat delicious food whether you’re going to an event or attending just for dinner with some friends. Learn about Vineworks, a Seoul wine bar that does tastings and more: (This post contains affiliate links, which means I…
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Korea Kids Cafes: Tayo The Friendly Bus
When it comes to finding fun things in Seoul to do with kids, I’ve found there are plenty and kids cafes are among them. After Pororo and the toys and kids cafe visits that came with it, just as quickly the little one LOVED Tayo the Little Bus and all of his friends. Pretty soon we had learned about loads of vehicles and they had names too! Walking down the street, green buses became Rogi and blue buses became Tayo. Not only did our daughter think they became Tayo, but the Korean government has literally placed stickers on local buses to give them Tayo’s eyes and mouth so they literally…
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The World Cup Park: A Complete Guide To The Most Underrated Park In Seoul
What is the best park in Seoul? There are a lot of answers but I think World Cup Park is the most underrated park in Seoul. It’s massive and most visitors only see a very small popular part of it and nothing else. Living so close to the World Cup Parks means that I’ve been able to go there and have a good look around on plenty of occasions. Last year, when the little one was just learning to walk, we must have headed there at least once a week to climb, dig, walk, run, fall, pick flowers and do all kinds of other things. From flowering cherry blossom trees…
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15 Hot Spots In Mangwon-dong For Eats & Treats
Mangwon-dong in Seoul, Korea sits just a subway stop away from the night out artsy district known as Hongdae. The districts around this university art and music neighborhood have been getting more and more hype because cool places are moving out of Hongdae, likely due to high rent prices, and moving into Mangwon and other nearby districts. Yeonnam-dong is another nearby neighborhood that has experienced a boom in the past couple of years. The area is now host to a beautiful park as well as foodie hot spots and neat cafes. Mangwon is Yeonnam’s understated little brother, but he’s piping up for attention! Since my husband has had a studio in the area…
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Korea Kids Cafes: Pororo The Little Penguin
Pororo the Little Penguin was first introduced to Korea’s child audience in 2003 and since has grown into quite the big man on campus… though he hasn’t seemed to age one day on screen. From Pororo Kids Cafes to Pororo cutlery and dishes, they’ve pretty much got the market cornered in South Korea and every single child here starts their interest in cartoons with this penguin and his crew. There’s no end to the joy to be had and there are plenty of things to do with kids in Seoul and kids cafes are just one of them. If your kid loves Pororo though, definitely take them to a Pororo…
