Places of Interest for Kids, Seoul    

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Alive Gallery presents an unusual introduction to famous works of art. The pieces all move and flow with the use of a little modern technology and a lot of imagination. Although it's all mostly in Korean, there are plans to introduce more English and the curator can also arrange for someone to guide English tours (groups of 5 or more). A few famous works include: Leonardo da Vinci’s, “The Last Supper” Wassily Kandinsky’s, “Impression Ill” and the captivating Vincent Van Gogh’s, “Café Terrace at Night.” Leonardo da Vinci’s “Mona Lisa” waves her hand and nods her head all while responding to visitor’s questions (in Korean only at this time). Getting there: located near Jamsil Stadium. Sports Complex Stn (Stop 218) Exit 6 and 7. See: http://eng.alive-gallery.com/sub1_3.htm. Tel: 02-416-0388 and ask for Jinny KANG or English speaker.

COEX Aquarium  is located in the basement of the COEX Mall of ASEM Tower. It offers six thematic exhibition areas and showcases 40,000 marine animals from 500 species from all over the world, including a huge shark tank. Much of the information is in Korean and it is more expensive than the one in the 63 Building. Hours: 10AM to 8PM. Getting there: Subway: Samseong Station, Line 2 (219), exit 5. Parking: ample parking is available in the COEX Mall

COEX Mall is located just south of the Apgujeong shopping area. You'll find lots of kid-friendly stores and restaurants here as well as movie theatres and lots more. Getting there: Subway: Samseong Station, Line 2 (219), exit 5. Parking: ample parking is available in the COEX Mall

FEELUX Lighting Museum is located just outside Seoul and is the only museum in Korea specializing in the history of lighting and is a wonderful place to look around. The traditional lighting room presents every type of illumination from prehistoric candle lights to various types of lamps throughout history, including those of Korea. The modern room begins with Edison's light bulb of 1897 all the way down to optic fiber and LED lights. Headlights on bikes and cars are also shown.There are also five theme rooms with different lighting arrangements to show how the room atmosphere differs according to varying types of illumination. A light therapy room demonstrates how light affects the body and brain, as well as other knowledge about mixing lights. The museum is located just north of Seoul in Yangju City. To get to Yangju you can take bus numbers 32,32-1 or 133 from Yangju Station on the Gyeongwon railway line or, for more details, click here.

Hello Museum is an art museum for children located in Yeoksam-dong. Not only is the art presented with children in mind and hung low for them, the whole place has been custom-deisgned for them including the low archways, a little cave made out of traditional Korean paper (hanji) for kids to sit and chat in, and little portable desks. Hello Museum opened in November 2007and offers both exhibition 'tours' and art classes for children. Director Kim Ysaac worked at the Simthsonian in the U.S.. Art classes are offered  the 2nd and 4th Saturday of each month and cost W50,000 per child. There is a cost for the different exhibition. To learn more contact Director Kim at 02-562-4420. To get to Hello Museum, go to Seolleung Subway Station, Line 2 (Stop 220), Exit 8. Then take buses 6411 or 3420 and get off at the second stop.

Hilton Christmas Train is a must-see for young and grown-up kids alike, the model train display is a yearly-event at the Millennium Hilton Hotel and runs from mid/end November to mid-February.

Ice-Skating Rinks can be found all over the Seoul area, including surrounding Gyeonggi-do. There are public and private, indoor and outdoor rinks. Information on some of the rinks in the Seoul/Gyeonggi area can be found on the ice skating rink page.

Korean Folk Village  located near Suwon just outside Seoul. The Folk Village (aka Hanguk Minsokchon - 한국민속촌) is a replica of an entire village. Potters, weavers, blacksmiths and other artisans practice their trades in traditional fashion. Performances are scheduled throughout the day at the amphitheater. Korean food can be purchased from the central food market. Tel: 031-286-2111/3. Note: The 1560 bus no longer goes up to the village entrance and, outside of the peak tourist season, you don't always see artisans 'practicing their trade'. Worthy of note also is the fact that performance intros are in Korean only.
Directions: By bus:  Express Bus #O5001-1, from Gangnam Station-Yangjae-Singal-Korean Folk Village. Takes about 40 minutes- By car : If you arrive at the Singal Tollgate from Gyungbu Highway, Youngdong Highway, or Singal-Ansan Highway, or arrive at the Singal Five-Way Crossing by way of Gyungbu National Road, or Suwon-Yongin National Road, you'll road signs for the  Korean Folk Village - about 3km. Note the signs are sometimes in Korean only.

Namsan-gol Traditional Folk Village 남산골한옥마을 (aka Namsan Hanok Village) is located next to Korea House in Chungmuro, at the foot of (Mount) Namsan. This traditional complex provides insight into traditional Korean housing. Various cultural events, performances, classes and exhibitions are regularly held here. Admission is free. Hours: Nov. ~ Mar. - 09:00 ~ 18:00 / Apr. ~ Oct. - 09:00 ~ 19:00 / Jun. ~ Aug. - 09:00 ~ 20:00. Closed every Tuesday (traditional garden is open). Directions: Line 3, Chungmuro Station, Exit 3 or 4, Stop 331 or 423.  Address: 84-1 Pildong 2 – ga, Jung-gu, Seoul. (For taxi drivers: 남산골한옥마을, 주소: 서울특별시 중구, 필동 2가 84-1)

Museums abound in Seoul and are generally inexpensive. Some of them are private, while many others are private. The latter feature things beloning to personnal collectors. More and more of them have information in languages other than Korea, including English, Chinese and Japanese. Some of the following museums also offer e-tours from their websites. More museums and additional details, click here.

1. Kimchi Field Museum is all about kimchi and is located not far from the COEX Mall
2. Bank of Korean Monetary Museum is all about money. Visitors can use the money checking machine to make sure that not of their cash is counterfeit.  Admission is free. Open from 10 to 5, Tuesday through Sunday. Closed Mondays. Getting there: Take Subway line 4 to Heohyeon Station (Stop 425) and go out Exit 7. Tel: 02-759-4881
3. Leeum, Samsung Museum of Art is located in Itaewon and has an area for children. Leeum is located near Hanganjin Subway Station (stop 631)
4. Museum of Chicken Art contains art related to chlckens. The website has some English on it.
5. Museum of Natural History is located in Soedaemun-gu.
6. National Folk Museum located in Gyoongbbokgung Palace.
7. National Museum of Art provides a variety of educational programs for children as well as a travelling exhibition service that goes around the country. Many of these programs are in Korea-only, but young children often adapt very well even when they don't understand the language. Moreover, there is likely to be someone with some English who can help.
8. National Museum of Contemporary Art can be reached from inside Seoul Grand Park.
9. Museum of Natural History is located in Soedaemun-gu. The museum offers English Tours Saturday evenings - meet at 6:30 for one-hour tour beginning at 7PM - as well as other special programs for visitors and foreign residents..
10. National Museum of Korea is located in Itaewon and provides information on Korea's 5000 years of history. It recently opened and is one of the must-see attractions of Seoul. The museum offers some guided tours in English.
11. National Palace Museum of Korea is  a royal museum, which exhibits royal artifacts and related materials of the Joseon Dynasty (1392~1910).
12. Owl museum is a must for all owl lovers. This private museum  near Anguk Station by Insa-dong/Samcheong-dong filled with owls and owl paraphernalia from across the world. Children will be invited to post their drawings of owls on the walls. Tel: 3210 2902.
13. Paper Museum - Jong Ie Nara offers visitors a glimpse into the history of paper art in Korea through its collection of works ranging from traditional artifacts made with rice paper to modern paper art. The Small Exhibition Hall features paper sculptures for children and students.The museum also runs various art programs for all age groups, such as the “origami class for children” and “rice paper craft,” and teacher training programs in various genres related to paper art.Getting there: Dongguk University, line 3, stop 332, exit 3. Info:
    02-2264-4560. Hours: Mon. ~ Sat.: 9:30 a.m. ~ 6 p.m. (No admittance after 5:30). Closed Sundays and national holidays. Free admission except for some special exhibitions.
14. Seoul National Science Museum is a an interested place to visit for both adults and children. It offers regular programs for students and special exhibitions tailored for a wide range of age groups. It is located near exit 4 of Hyehwa Station on subway line 4. Tel: 02-3668-2200. Map on website.  The website offers information in English. 
    Green Science Experience Zone - Open from 10AM to 4PM/Closed 12-1PM. Free of charge - participation by order of arrival. Activity:  Making Rubber balls, Pinwheels, Toy ducks, Toy monkeys and Walking toys with easily found materials like papercups, wood chopsticks and straws. 
15. War Memorial of Korea located near Itaewon offers something of interest for everyone. This is the world’s largest war memorial displaying more than 8,000 war relic and weapons.
16. Funique House (Museum)  offers exhibitions visitors (children and adults) can touch and also guess at the science behind objects. Funique House has two locations: Seoul and Paju (Gyeonggi-do) Hours: Seoul 10:00-18:00 Tues-Sunday and in Paju 10:00-18:00 Weekdays and 9:30-18:00 Weekends. Last admission 17:00 in both locations.  Closed Mondays. Info: 02-792-8500 (Seoul) and 031-956-2211 (Paju). Ask for English speaker. Website in Korean only. Admission: (Seoul) over 8 y-o-a W8,000 / 3-7 y-o-a W7,000 / under 36 months free – must be accompanied by an adult. (Paju) over 8 W6,000/ 5-7 W5,000 / under 4 free. Directions: (Seoul) Samgakji Station, Lines 4 & 6, Stops 428 & 628, Exit #12. Funique house is on the grounds of the Korea War Memorial. (Paju) Funique House is located in the Paju Camp, Gyueonggi English Village. To get there, you can catch a bus at either Hapjeong Station (Stop 238 or 622). Bus #200 (comes ~ every 40 minutes) or #2200 (comes every ~60 minutes). Get off at Paju English Village. Another option is bus #900 from Juyeop Station, Stop 311 (comes ~ every 15 minutes).
17. Totoman offers adults and children a view of life in Korea from the 1960’s and 1970’s. The museum focuses on objects of every day life that have gone out of fashion and/or been forgotten. Hours: 10:00-21:00. Admission W1,000. Info: 02-725-1756 (Korean) Website is in Korean only. Directions: From Jonggak Station, subway line 1, Stop 131, Exit #3, walk down straight in the direction of Geumgang Shoes towards Insadong. Walk straight along Insadong . Totoman is across from Ssamzzigil on the 2nd Floor, a little before reaching the Foreign Tourists Information Center.

Music Fountain at Seoul Arts Center operates from 15 March to 15 November. Weekdays: 12:00 to 13:00, 18:30 to 20:00, 21:30 to 22:30. Weekends/Holidays: 12:00 to 13:00, 14:30 to 16:30, 18:30 to 20:00 and 21:30 to 22:30. Closed Mondays and if it's raining. 

Jogy-sa is one of the largest Buddhist temples in Seoul. A beautiful and ornate temple, it is the headquarters of the Chogyejong Budhist Order and is famous for the lantern festival held in early May to mark Buddha’s birthday.  Tel: 02-732-2115

Palaces (gung)  dating from various periods of the Chosun Dynasty can be found around Seoul, particularly in the ‘downtown’ area. Most of the palaces are renovations or reconstructions, but many are worth a visit to get a sense of Korean history and culture.

1. Biwon (Secret) Garden Note that only guided visits are allowed. You cannot go around on your own.
2. Changdeok Palace is where you will find the Secret Garden. You can visit the Palace area on your own if you wish.
3. Changgyeong Palace
4. Deoksu Palace is a favourite for couple to go and have wedding photos taken. Ironically, right behind the palace is a laneway commonly called the 'road of divorces' as it is said that the marriage of any couple walking on it will end in divorce.
5. Gyeongbok Palace
6. Jongmyo Shrine is the place where descendents of the first Lee (Yi) founder of the Yi Royal families hold their ancestral rites.
7. Unhyeon Palace hosts the re-enactment of the wedding ceremony of King Gojong and Queen Min.          

Toy Museum (HanlipToy Museum) is a private museum in Haeri Village in Paju in Geyonggi Province (north of Seoul). On display in the museum are about 2000 of the 100,000 toys collected from around the world by So Jae-gyu, the chairman of HanlipToys, a Korean company producing educational toys for children. The basement of the museum features an area called Story Land, where children can play make-believe in a mock village that includes a police station, market, hospital, broadcasting company and beaty salon.

Samsung Children’ Museum was designed for children up to 12 years ole. This hands-on museum  provides exhibits that children can touch and manipulate. All the descriptions are in Korean, but as it is a ‘hands-on’ museum the kids will still enjoy it, especially the water area. The Samsung Children’ Museum is located opposite a Children’s Traffic school and can be difficult to locate, so make sure you have the phone number with you (02-2143-3600) or be prepared to get help from travel help which can be reached at 1330. Hours: 10AM to 6PM (last adminision is 2 hours before closing) Subway: Jamsil Station, Line 2 (216), exit 8 or exit 2 toward the rear of Sigma TowerParking: in basement of building

Seoul Tower is one of Seoul’s more popular tourist attractions. Elevators whisk you to the top of the 135.7 meter observation needle where you have a 360-degree view of the city. The Tower overlooks a large plaza and pavilion; you may access the cable car that services Seoul Tower from the pavilion area. The tower offers entertainment space and restaurants, some of which close at around midnight. Hours: vary between 10AM and midnight depending on where you go– Pavilion B 11AM to 6PM 

The 63 Building has been Korea's tallest building. It has a small but interesting aquarium and Seoul’s only IMAX cinema. Headphones are available so that you can enjoy the IMAX film in English. The glass elevator to the observatory deck provides a breathtaking view of Seoul. Hours: 10AM to 9PM. Subway: Yeouinaru Station, Line 5 (527), Exit 3, plus a 10-minute walk.Parking: Available on 1F, 2B and 3B. Keep you entrance ticket for a discount on the cost. 

Swimming Pools:

1. Hangang Park has a number of outdoor swimming pools that are open from 30 June to 26 August. The admission fee is 3,000 won for children, 4,000 won for teenagers, and 5,000 won for adults. Credit cards are accepted. The pools are open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. or later on particularly hot nights. 
2.  Itaewon Elementary School has a pool that can be used by the public. They also offer swimming lessons. Call 798-9779 for more info (Korean-speaker probably). The school is located accross the way from Noksapyong Station (629) - directly accross the street from the elevator exit. 
3. The Hamilton Hotel pool is another option. Costs are W10,000 during the week and W12,000 on Saturday and Sunday. For more info call 02-794-0171.
4. The Sheraton Walker Hill opens its outdoor pool to non-members during the summer. For more info call 02-453-0121.
5. DYFitness: Located in the Gangnam area.  Swimming lessons available (including for babies and children).  Pool number 02 559 5114 (Korean speaker). Coach's number 011 9917 2829 (you must contact this person to sign up - speaks some English, but not much. Map (in Korean) 

NB: Information, especially prices, hours and contact details, subject to change. Do let us know if you find the information outdated - we will do our best to update it.

K4E Editor: Korea4Expats want to provide the most accurate and complete information possible, so if you notice an error or omission in the contents above, please contact us at info@korea4expats.com

Photo by Korea Times, skating at Seoul City Hall