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.)

  • Seoul Museum (석파정 서울 미술관), Jongno-gu, Seoul, Korea
    Explore Seoul (서울탐험)

    A List Of Art Museums In Seoul That Will Inspire You

    One thing I love about living in Seoul, Korea is how many opportunities there are to appreciate art. There are a ton of art museums in Seoul and even more art galleries in Seoul. Though I couldn’t possibly name them all, here is a list of some of the best art museums in Seoul that you need to check out while you’re here. There is everything from modern art to traditional crafts and museums that also cater to kids. Just take your pick.  If you’re looking for inspiration, something different to do in Seoul, visit the captivating art museums and galleries that dot the city and cater to a diverse…

  • Seoul swimming pool
    Explore Seoul (서울탐험)

    Where To Find Outdoor Swimming Pools in Seoul

    It’s warming up and getting humid and you’re ready to swim in Seoul, Korea. Summer in Korea can be hot hot hot and there are only so many ways to cool off. Hopefully you have some time to head to the awesome beaches in Korea. But if you don’t, there are still plenty of ways to get wet and wild in Seoul. Let me help you dive into the best outdoor swimming pool in Seoul. From Han River swimming pools to hot spot hotel swimming pools, you’ll find everything from the most family friendly to the trendiest places to lounge about poolside in Seoul.  Get ready to go swimming in…

  • Banpo Bridge Moonlight Rainbow Show (반포대교 달빛무지개분수), Banpo Han River Park, Seoul, Korea Banpo Bridge Fountain Show
    Explore Seoul (서울탐험)

    The Banpo Bridge Moonlight Rainbow Show: Is It Worth It?

    I once had a goal to walk across every bridge that crosses the Han River in Seoul, Korea. I’m still trying to accomplish that feat, though have crossed quite a few now. The reason I had this goal was that the Han River bridges can each be quite unique similar to the Han River Parks. Banpo Bridge, for example, hosts the oft touted Banpo Bridge Moonlight Rainbow Show (반포대교 달빛무지개분수). It’s talked about often on Korean tourist websites and showcased on Korean dramas from time to time as well. Is it really all that and a bag of chips though? I’ll let you decide.  Get ready to learn  more about…

  • Donuimun Museum Village (돈의문박물관마을), Seoul, Korea
    Explore Seoul (서울탐험)

    Donuimun Museum Village: Explore Seoul In The 1960s

    [The Donuimun Museum Village has been closed for renovation from August 31, 2025.] When people think about traveling back in time in Seoul, they often think of visiting the traditional Bukchon Hanok Village and walking down alleys still resembling time during the Joseon Dynasty. There’s another historical village area that you can visit though called the Donuimun Museum Village (돈의문박물관마을). This historical neighborhood will have you picturing Seoul in the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s. Visit living museum spaces, eat lunch, and experience the nostalgia of the period. Visit this historical village in the heart of Seoul: (This post contains affiliate links, which means I receive a certain percentage of a…

  • Eungbongsan, Seoul, Korea: Forsythia Flowers, spring in Korea
    Explore Seoul (서울탐험)

    Eungbongsan: Where To See Forsythias This Spring In Korea

    Spring in Korea is gorgeous and most people look forward to the cherry blossoms that will bloom across the country. However, there are some flowers that bloom just a bit earlier and as soon as they do, they paint the scenery a glorious yellow. If you’re ready for spring and are ready for any and all flowers, then don’t miss the forsythias (개나리). You can find them all over, but one mountainside stands out when we mention forsythias in Seoul and that is Eungbongsan Mountain (응봉산) because it’s just covered in the beautiful golden yellow flowers. This mountain is small and easy to get up and down on in just…

  • Seoul Sewerage Museum (서울하수도과학관), Seongdong-gu, Seoul, Korea
    Explore Seoul (서울탐험)

    Seoul Upcycling Plaza and Sewerage Museum: Learning With Kids

    Someone recently asked me about where to take kids to teach them about sustainability in Seoul and I realized I had never posted about our trip to the Seoul Upcycling Plaza (서울새활용플라자) and the nearby, literally just in front, Seoul Sewerage Museum (서울하수도과학관). From how poo goes through pipes and gets reused to upcycling trash, there is a lot to learn between these two cool places. There’s also a great outdoor park here. If you’re looking for some great museums and learning spaces in Seoul, check these two out in Seongdong-gu. It’s just one of many great things to do with kids in Seoul.  Get ready to learn about sustainability…

  • Myeongdong, Seoul, Korea: Hallie Bradley
    Explore Seoul (서울탐험)

    Where To Stay In Myeongdong: Best Hotels for Every Budget

    Myeongdong is one of the most practical places to stay in Seoul, and also one of the most fun. The neighborhood runs from morning until late at night, which makes it useful if you’re working through jet lag or just want the option to eat at odd hours. The subway connections are excellent, you can get to Seoul Station, and the airport train, in minutes, reach traditional neighborhoods like Insadong in one stop, or get across to Hongdae or Gangnam without much effort. The shopping is obvious and well documented. What’s less obvious is how much the staying-in-Myeongdong experience differs from just visiting for the day. We did a staycation…

  • Buramsan Butterfly Garden, Seoul, Korea: Hallie Bradley and daughter with azaleas.
    Explore Seoul (서울탐험)

    Buramsan Butterfly Garden: A Beautiful Hillside of Azaleas To See In Seoul

    There are beautiful places to see flowers all around Seoul, well all around Korea for that matter. The cherry blossoms burst into bloom all around Korea in April and then it’s just flower after flower from azaleas to tulips and daffodils saying hello. There are so many beautiful places to find flowers in Korea. I think azaleas are an underrated spring bloom. When these bushy flowers cover a hillside though, they are gorgeous! Here is one of the most beautiful places in Seoul to find those lovely light purple azaleas. Don’t miss Buramsan Butterfly Garden (불암산나비정원) in northern Seoul in the spring if you’re a flower lover like me. Here’s…

  • Seoul’s Innovation Park (서울혁산파크), Eunpyeong-gu, Seoul, Korea
    Explore Seoul (서울탐험)

    6 Things To See In Eunpyeong-gu You Probably Didn’t Know About

    Eunpyeong-gu is a district in the northwest of Seoul that most people drive through as they’re headed to Goyang. Having been a resident for a bit now, I was so surprised when I realized how many cool things there were in Eunpyeong-gu that so many people didn’t know about. While it might not be a huge tourist draw (yet), it should be on your list of areas to see in Seoul. From traditional villages to arts, culture, and eco-friendly parks, there’s a lot to do in Eunpyeong-gu.  Eunpyeong-gu has some surprises. Are you ready to explore northwest Seoul? (This post contains affiliate links, which means I receive a certain percentage…

  • Room Excape, escape room, Seoul, Korea
    Explore Seoul (서울탐험)

    Room Excape: An Escape Room In Seoul

    Looking for something fun and maybe mentally-taxing for you and your friends while you’re in Seoul? Well, then trying out one of the many Seoul escape rooms in Hongdae is the way to go! We tried out Breakout Seoul recently and now it was time to try out Room Excape! At the white point address of Room Excape, my group and I decided to become astronauts for a day by delving into the B-POLLO-17 escape room. If you like escape rooms but don’t speak Korean, fear not, there are options. Get a group of friends together and have fun in Seoul this weekend at an escape room. Which theme would…

  • Hongdae, Hongik, Seoul, Korea
    Explore Seoul (서울탐험)

    Hongdae Seoul Guide: Best Things To Do, Shopping, Cafes & Nightlife

    Hongdae is one of the most popular neighborhoods in Seoul for shopping, street performances, cafes, nightlife, and youth culture. Centered around Hongik University, the area is known for its creative energy, buskers, indie roots, and busy walking streets packed with fashion stores, restaurants, and things to do from morning until… well, the next morning. Hongdae is more than nightlife though, it’s one of the most energetic neighborhoods in Seoul and one of the most popular areas for visitors for good reason. I lived in the neighborhoods around Hongdae for more than a decade and watched it change a lot. It used to feel a bit more grungy and indie than…

  • Bugak Pavilion, Bugak Skyway, Seoul, Korea: Traditional Korean pavilion
    Explore Seoul (서울탐험)

    Bugak Skyway: Where To Get Panoramic Views of Seoul

    Are you looking to take in panoramic views of downtown Seoul, Korea? Want to have a bit of coffee and take in the views out over Seoul as the sun sets and the lights flicker on across the city? You’re probably picturing a spot like Namsan Tower or Seoul Sky Observatory for those kinds of views, but there’s one more spot that doesn’t require a fee at all and offers just beautiful views from a beautifully vividly colored traditional Korean pavilion. Take a drive on the most beautiful road in Seoul, Bugak Skyway (북악스카이), and stop off at Bugak Pavilion (북악팔각정) for some impressive views. You’ll see… Get ready to…

  • Hanbok rental, where to rent a Hanbok in Seoul, Unhyeonggung Residence, Seoul, Korea
    Explore Seoul (서울탐험),  Travel Planning (여행 계획)

    Best Hanbok Rental In Seoul: Where To Rent Near Gyeongbokgung & Bukchon

    You might think renting a Hanbok in Seoul is just for tourists, but honestly, it’s something even locals love to do too. I’ve seen couples on dates, families with kids, and groups of friends all dressed up wandering through palaces like they’ve stepped straight into the Joseon Dynasty. And I get it. The moment you put one on, everything feels a bit more magical. If you’re wondering where to rent a Hanbok in Seoul, especially near places like Gyeongbokgung Palace or Bukchon Hanok Village, you’re in the right place. After years of living here (and yes, wearing Hanboks myself for my wedding and plenty of photo days), I’ve put together…

  • Seoul K-Medi Center, Yangnyeongsi Market, Seoul, Korea
    Explore Seoul (서울탐험)

    Seoul K-Medi Center: Learn About Traditional Korean Medicine

    Are you interested to learn about traditional Korean medicine? Ever wonder where you should go in Seoul to get learn more about holistic Korean medicine? If you haven’t heard of the Yangnyeongsi Herbal Medicine Market, then now is the time. Specifically for this post though, we’re going to delve into the Seoul K-Medi Center (서울한방진흥센터), a space built purposefully in the pursuit of teaching more about the traditional Korean medicines so locals and tourists can learn more about holistic medicine. I had visited Yangnyeongsi Market years ago before this center was established and I did not know what I was looking at at all. This center is really impressive and…

  • Lotte World, Seoul, Korea: Korean theme park
    Explore Seoul (서울탐험)

    Lotte World Seoul: Discount Tickets, Magic Passes and How To Make The Most Of It

    Lotte World (롯데월드 어드벤처) in Seoul is one of the largest indoor theme parks in the world, and it’s open 365 days a year, which means rain, heat, cold, and every Korean holiday is fair game. Right outside Jamsil Station, it’s one of the easiest theme parks to reach by public transport in the country, and a full day here covers everything from gentle carousel rides for toddlers to a pendulum swing that spins 360 degrees and a drop ride from 70 meters up. My husband and I were brought here by a very enthusiastic child who wanted a theme park birthday, and we ended up enjoying it considerably more…

  • National Hangeul Museum (국립한글박물관), Seoul, Korea
    Explore Seoul (서울탐험)

    The Hangeul Museum: Where To Learn About The Korean Language

    Do you want to learn more about Hangul, also written Hangeul, the Korean language? You’re in luck if you’re visiting Seoul, Korea as you can find the National Hangeul Museum (국립한글박물관) easily situated just south of the National Museum of Korea. This museum is one of the many free things to do in Seoul and it’s also got a great children’s museum as well. Should you visit the Hangeul Museum on Hangeul Day though? I would really not recommend it. Here’s what you can look forward to when you do visit though. Get ready to learn about Hangul: (This post contains affiliate links, which means I receive a certain percentage…

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