9 Best Family Things to Do in Seoul
What to Do for Fun in Seoul with Your Kids?
A family trip to Seoul is wonderful, thanks to the city’s vibrant parks and kid-friendly attractions. We also know that it’s not an easy task when it comes to deciding what to do with your family on a weekend or during the school break. Especially since Seoul has so much to offer.
Luckily, you can go on a trip with minimal preparation if you’re traveling within the city. Because Seoul’s public transportation system is so convenient, there’s no need to suffer for hours in traffic. We’ve compiled some fun places to take the kids in Seoul.
1. Lotte World
Indoor theme park filled with fun
Good for: Families, Adventure
Lotte World, located in central Seoul, is one of the world’s largest indoor theme parks. It has plenty of thrilling rides, films, an ice-skating rink, lively parades, and laser shows for visitors of all ages. You can also visit an onsite folk museum, which displays miniature villages and artifacts that are more than 5,000 years old.
Admission fees for Lotte World vary according to time of entry. The ticket gives you free access to Lotte World’s folk museum, Adventure, and Magic Island. Read more
Location: 240 Olympic-ro, Songpa-gu, Seoul, South Korea
Open: Daily from 10 am to 9 pm
Phone: +82 (0)2-1661-2000
Lotte World
2. Pureun Arboretum
Delightful gardens within the city
Good for: Couples, Families, History, Photo
The Pureun Arboretum is the first arboretum created by the city of Seoul. The arboretum, built around Hang-dong Reservoir, is famous for its wooden deck paths and metasequoia paths over wetlands. The rose garden, walking trails, and hedge maze are easy to walk and stroller-accessible, making them popular with families with small children.
You can find the Pureun Arboretum when you pass the now-retired Hang-dong Railway, which has been transformed with wild grass planted around the track. It’s an idyllic little slice of nature that gives you and the kids a chance to find some peace in the busy city.
Location: 240 Yeongdong-ro, Guro-gu, Seoul, South Korea
Open: Daily from 5 am to 10 pm
Phone: +82 (0)2-2686-3200
Pureun Arboretum
3. National Children’s Science Center
Discovery and learning brought together with fun
Good for: Families, Photo
The National Children’s Science Center has various exhibits with scientific principles to teach both kids and adults in a fun way. Bring science to life for your family. You can even find statues of giant dinosaurs here, and who doesn’t love dinosaurs?
It’s just a brisk 10-minute walk from Hyehwa Station Exit 3, which means that public transportation is your best option. Note that the center has limited admissions by the hour for a comfortable visit, so it’s a good idea to book online before visiting.
Location: 215 Changgyeonggung-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, South Korea
Open: Tuesday–Sunday from 9:30 am to 5:30 pm (Closed Monday)
Phone: +82 (0)2-3668-3350
National Children's Science Center
4. Starfield COEX Mall
Shopping, entertainment, and dining options near to major tourist attractions
Good for: Couples, Families, Shoppers
Starfield COEX Mall has lots of spaces where couples can spend time together, such as a movie theater, performance theatre, bookstore, restaurants, and cafes. You can take great photos at Starfield Library, which serves as a meeting square in the spacious Starfield COEX Mall.
Plus, there’s a department store next door where you can do some shopping. Besides being connected to Samseong Station, the mall is also close to tourist attractions such as Bongeun Temple, so there should be plenty for you to do throughout the day.
Location: 524 Bongeunsa-ro, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, South Korea
Open: Monday–Friday from 10.30 am to 7.30 pm, Saturday–Sunday from 10.30 am to 7.30 pm
Starfield COEX Mall
5. National Museum of Korea
Massive museum of Korean cultural and historical artifacts
Good for: Families, History, Photo
The National Museum of Korea hosts a variety of interesting exhibitions for children and adults throughout the year. As the country’s representative museum, it’s massive in scale, offering rest areas and restaurants, as well as plenty of outdoor spaces.
Must-sees include Mir Falls, a reflecting pond, and a botanical garden populated with plants for making dyes. The outdoor exhibition hall (garden) opens at 7 am, while the children’s museum and outdoor exhibition hall are open year-round except on New Year’s Day, Lunar New Year’s Day, and Thanksgiving Day.
Location: 137 Seobinggo-ro, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, South Korea
Open: Monday–Tuesday, Thursday–Friday, & Sunday from 10 am to 6 pm, Wednesday & Saturday from 10 am to 9 pm
Phone: +82 (0)2-2077-9000
National Museum of Korea
6. Seoul Museum of History
Tours through the history of Seoul
Good for: Families, History
The Seoul Museum of History, where the history of Seoul is on display, is close to Seodaemun Station and Gwanghwamun Station. Except on Mondays when the museum is closed, commentated tours are provided allowing for more in-depth viewing.
Marvel at life-size reconstructions of ancient boats and dioramas of Korea’s past as well as genuine artifacts from the country’s history. On top of the fascinating exhibits, there are resting areas and cafes within the museum premises. It’s also connected to Gyeonghui Palace.
Location: 55 Saemunan-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, South Korea
Open: Saturday–Sunday & Tuesday–Thursday from 9 am to 6 pm, Friday from 9 am to 10 pm (Closed Monday)
Phone: +82 (0)2-724-0274
Seoul Museum of History
7. Jingwansa Temple
A quiet break in an iconic cultural location
Good for: Couples, Families, History, Photo
Jingwansa Temple is an early Goryeo-era temple that’s a great spot to get away from the bustling city for a quiet break with your family. There are short paths that are excellent for walking together with children, and there’s also a stream nearby where you can soak your feet. You can experience temple food and a teahouse.
Temple stays are available if you want to feel fully immersed at Jingwansa Temple. Walk through Eunpyeong Hanok Village and a little further to Mt. Bukhan to reach the temple.
Location: 73 Jingwan-gil, Eunpyeong-gu, Seoul, South Korea
Phone: +82 (0)2-359-8410
Jingwansa Temple
8. Donuimun Museum Village
A trip back in time to the Korea of the past
Good for: Families, History, Photo
Donuimun Museum Village, located close to Gwanghwa Gate, has a variety of activities for children and adults. Adults can visit the exhibit hall while the kids get busy with activities, so it’s a great place where the whole family can spend time in. It takes you back in time to the 1960s, to see what life in Korea was like in the mid-20th century.
There are many things to experience, such as a creativity center and gallery. Because it’s laid out like a small village, you can freely wander through the alleys and stop to experience whatever catches your eye.
Location: 7-24 Sinmun-ro 2-ga, Jongno-gu, Seoul, South Korea
Open: Tuesday–Sunday 10 am to 7 pm (Closed Monday)
Donuimun Museum Village
9. Seodaemun Prison History Hall
A former prison closely connected to Korea’s troubled past
Good for: Families, History, Unusual
Seodaemun Prison History Hall has exhibits showing the painful history of Korea’s Japanese occupation period and military dictatorship. As you walk through the actual areas where activists who promoted independence and democratization were imprisoned, the atmosphere is heavy with the weight of history. You can sense the difficulty the prisoners had to endure.
It’s a well-known destination for children’s education. Though there’s plenty of parking space available, we recommend getting here by public transportation on crowded days, such as the National Liberation Day of Korea.
Location: 251 Tongil-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, South Korea
Open: March–October: Daily from 9.30 am to 6 pm, November–February: 9.30 am to 5 pm
Phone: +82 (0)2-360-8590
Seodaemun Prison History Hall
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