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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Gongdeok District In Seoul May Surprise You
There are some districts of Seoul that seem like straight forward business districts and nothing more. Gongdeok has always been one of those areas for me. I’d pass through the area on the way from Hongdae to Itaewon or visit when I was going down to Yeouido to see the annual fireworks festival, but until last year when I was working in Gongdeok, I hadn’t really stopped to look around. Glad I did though. While there are a ton of businesses in the area, there are also cool cafes, reclaimed spaces, and some good good good eats. So, if you are around and want to try something different, don’t hesitate…
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10 Aquariums To Visit With Kids In Korea
Most people, especially kids, have some interest in exploring the world around them and that includes the depths of the seas. What better way to cultivate that interest and learn about our sea friends than to visit a nearby aquarium? There are aquariums around Korea and they are pretty easy to tack on to most itineraries and really provide hours of fun for children and the adults that they bring along. Need something to do indoors during monsoon season or looking for what to do during winter in Korea? This is it. Want something fun to do in Seoul? Something fun to do in Busan? Something fun to do in…
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When & Where To Find Flowers In & Around Seoul, Korea
Flowers bloom in Seoul from April to November. Spring flowers, summer blooms, and autumn flowers make for stunning photos here in Korea. Want to know where to find flowers in Seoul? Here’s a guide to get you started. I’m just about a professional flower hunter in Korea and I want to help you find the flowers, too. Make the most of spring in Korea and get out to see the dazzling display that Mother Nature provides. She certainly does not disappoint in Korea. Beat the heat this summer in Korea with the beauty that nature provides and end the warmer months with the gorgeous fields of cosmos, pampas and pink…
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Bukchon Hanok Village: What To See, Where To Go & What To Do + A Map!
Bukchon Hanok Village is one of the most visited areas of Seoul, Korea. The neighborhood of Bukchon is special due to the numerous traditional Korean homes, or Hanoks, that are located there. The neighborhood was originally home to high-ranking government officials and nobility so you would be right in assuming that these Hanok estates are rather nice. Bukchon is a neighborhood that sits to the east of Gyeongbokgung Palace, the main palace in the capital city of Seoul, and west of Changdeokgung Palace, known for its gorgeous secret garden. The neighborhood to the west of the main palace, while not as traditional in architecture, is also a great spot to find…
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The Peace Culture Bunker: Once Military, Now Communal
It’s not uncommon to travel around Seoul, or Korea for that matter, and find military bases and bunkers. Usually they’re surrounded by barbed wire and fences because civilians, like myself, cannot enter. They’re starting to get converted into community spaces though as they become unnecessary. The Peace Culture Bunker (평화문화진지), once a tank bunker is one of those places and it’s now a very cool community space. More and more these bunkers and bases are being given back to the community at large and they are being given back in some awesome ways. Don’t miss the new spaces to find around the city. Is Korea still at war? Technically yes,…
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Ski In Korea: A Guide For Where To Go & How To Get There
When I first came to Korea a decade ago, I packed my bags and that included a snowboard. I remember reading about how mountainous the peninsular country was and after searching “where to ski in Korea” “can I ski in Korea” and “how close to Seoul can I ski?”, I saw numerous options. Korea is very mountainous if you didn’t know and there are plenty of places to go skiing in Korea. Here are the Korean slopes, the Korean ski resorts, and the Korean mountains to check out this winter, where they are, and how to get to them. Plan to stay at some of the awesome ski resorts in…
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Changgyeonggung: The Hidden Palace In Seoul
There are five palaces in Seoul and not all of them attract equal attention. This is good to know if you want to walk around a gorgeous Korean palace WITHOUT all of the crowds. As far as Korean palaces go, Gyeongbokgung Palace, the main palace in Seoul, and Changdeokgung featuring the Secret Garden always seem to top the lists but if you were to ask me, I’d say visiting Changgyeonggung (창경궁) is even better… for a number of reasons. Different palaces for different feels I guess. I do love Gyeongbokgung from time to time and always take short term tourists there, but if I want to visit a palace and…
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The Seoul Botanic Park: Find Nature In Seoul
Whether or not you enjoy gardens or botany, the gorgeous architecture of the large greenhouse is definitely a draw at this new hot spot in Seoul. The Seoul Botanic Park (서울식물원) was opened in Magok in the Gangseo-gu district which was an interesting choice for the massive park. This area of Seoul has been getting a lot of development and even has an Ando Tadao building now, the LG Art Center. This is THE spot to visit in spring in Seoul or even summer in Seoul. We love parks and if you do too, this is definitely one you can’t miss here in Seoul, Korea. Here is where you’ll find…
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Why Namsan Tower Is A Must See In Seoul
If you’re a tourist headed to Seoul, South Korea, chances are you’ve heard of the iconic N Seoul Tower. Nestled atop Namsan Mountain, this observatory offers unforgettable views of Seoul. As one of the city’s most recognizable landmarks, this towering structure boasts not only breathtaking panoramic views of the sprawling metropolis but also a rich cultural significance and should definitely be on your Seoul itinerary even if you’re in the city for a short time. Plan your trip to N Seoul Tower now: (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. Thank you…
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Myeongdong, Seoul: What To Do, What To Eat, What To See, & More!
The Myeongdong area in Seoul, Korea is probably the most popular shopping district in the entire city with both international brands and local retail shops bursting from the seams. You can find everything you’re looking for from K-beauty to fashion and some awesomely delicious food in between. Myeongdong is so popular with tourists that most vendors are able and very willing to speak multiple languages to get that sale made. You’ll hear English, Mandarin, Japanese, and Korean as you walk through the alleys of this Seoul hot spot. Because Myeongdong is so popular, I decided to make a guide to some of the spots and surprises you might not know…
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The Hanok Village You’ve Probably Never Heard About In Seoul: The Eunpyeong Hanok Village
Everyone knows about the beautiful Hanok homes that make up Bukchon Hanok Village but have you heard of the Eunpyeong Hanok Village (은평한옥마을)? Considering Bukchon residents are looking to limit the number of tourists in and out of their area so they can enjoy more of a residential feel, I thought it high time to let you know about a little spot I found years ago. Actually, I first came upon this area many years back after the hiking club I was with came down off of the Bukhansan Mountain range. At the time only a few Hanoks were standing but it was clear, this was going to be a…
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The Most Colorful Of Places To Find In Seoul RIGHT NOW!
There’s something about summer in Korea that screams go bold, go vibrant, go colorful… or just go home. Granted, with the heat that is overwhelming the country at the moment, the choice to go home might be really really appealing right now. But, there are far too many things to see and beautiful places to go. So, let’s get out there! It’s been a hot minute since I was out taking Friday adventures since most of my pals work on Fridays, but this week the timing just worked and I found a fun gal pal to catch up on our colorful fun together. (This post contains affiliate links, which means…
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Seooreung Royal Tombs & Pretty Cafes Just West of Seoul
There is quite a bit to see and do when you head up to the northwest of Seoul to Goyang. Heading out to see flowers at First Garden or drink coffee at a greenhouse cafe, I saw this park and knew I needed to make time to actually take a wander there at some point. I love wandering through parks and breathing in the fresh air. One of those parks is the Seooreung Royal Tombs (고양 서오릉). If you’re looking for things to do in Goyang, or something to do near Eunpyeong-gu in the west of Seoul, check out this quiet area. It’s a beautiful place to take a walk…
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7 Places To Get A Great View of Seoul From Above For FREE
Looking for the best views in Seoul, Korea? We’ve got the list for you. Seoul Sky Observatory is so worth the ticket price in my opinion, BUT if you want a few other options that will make that trip to Seoul very budget friendly, here is a good list of places to check out. They may not be as tall, because the Seoul Sky Observatory is way… way up there, but these buildings Seoul will give you some great cityscape and tall perspectives of the streets of Seoul. If you’re looking to check out the Seoul Sky Observatory, get your tickets online before you go. You don’t have to wait…
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What To Do In Seochon Near Gyeongbokgung Palace
There are some fantastic things to see in downtown Seoul near Gyeongbokgung Palace and most tourists to Seoul miss some great ones entirely. Generally tourists visiting Gyeongbokgung Palace, head east from the biggest palace in Seoul and visit Bukchon Hanok Village. This is totally understandable, but Seochon (서촌), the neighborhood to the west of main palace in Seoul is cool too and a bit more popular with the locals. Let’s check out some of the best things to see west of Gyeongbokgung Palace in Seochon, or Tongin-dong. What to do and eat in the Seochon Village: (This post contains affiliate links, which means I receive a certain percentage of a…
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What To Do If You’re Staying In Seoul For Seollal 2024
This year, 2024, Seollal, or the Lunar New Year, falls on February 10th. Seollal is a big family holiday here in Korea so it’s important to know what to expect, what is open and what is closed. Most Koreans head back to their hometowns to see family and if they celebrate in the traditional fashion will wake very early in the morning and hold a ceremony to pay respects to their ancestors in which they will dress in traditional Korean clothing, or Hanbok, and bow to an altar table set with all kinds of food including meat, fish, vegetables and fruit. My Korean family will partake in this very tradition…
