Travel Highlights

      • Best Itineraries for Family Trips in Korea

        • 06/17/2024

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  • With the COVID-19 pandemic behind us, it’s time to rediscover the joy of family trips. Korea, as a tourist destination, offers a wide array of activities for the whole family, including museums, parks, amusement parks, and even ski resorts, a rare treat for visitors from Southeast Asia. Here are our top picks for the best family trip itineraries in Korea, tailored for preschoolers, school-age children, and seniors. Create special and fun memories with your family!

    1. With Preschool Children

    These itineraries support children’s development with various tourist sites that combine education and fun. Explore interactive museums, visit theme parks where they can meet animals up close, and enjoy enchanting fairytale villages. Engage in activities such as horseback riding, hot air balloon rides, exploring tidal flats, dolphin watching, and rail biking.

    1) Rediscover Your Childhood Playground in Gyeonggi-do
    [Recommended Itinerary]
    Gwangmyeong Cave(50 min by car) -> Everland - Meet adorable pandas at Panda World (20 min by car) -> Gyeonggi Children’s Museum (10 min by car) -> Learn about traditional Korean culture at the Korean Folk Village (50 min by car) -> Feed animals at Anseong Farmland

    Gwangmyeong Cave’s interior adorned with a media façade (Credit: Getty Images Bank)

    Gwangmyeong Cave is a unique tourist site transformed from an old mine. Its most popular attraction is the VR minecart experience, blending reality with virtual thrills. Everland, the largest amusement park in Korea, features Panda World, where you can meet the adorable twin baby pandas, Rui Bao and Hui Bao.

    • Climbing structure “21st Century Jack and the Beanstalk” at Gyeonggi Children’s Museum (Credit:Travel Leader 13th Gen. Bae Hee-jin)
    • Making dalgona (toffee candy) at Korean Folk Village(Credit: ClipartKorea)

    Gyeonggi Children’s Museum offers interactive exhibits for children of all ages. Highlights include Nature’s Playground, a sensory play area; and the 21st Century Jack and the Beanstalk, a 14-meter high climbing structure. The Korean Folk Village, a traditional culture theme park, takes you back in time to experience Korea’s past with activities like kite flying, pansori performances, and dalgona (toffee candy) making. At Anseong Farmland, a petting farm, families can interact with animals by feeding them.

    2) Tidal Flat Experiences and Treasure Hunting in Jeollanam-Do
    [Recommended Itinerary]
    Experience tidal flats at Muan Ecological Tidal Flat Land (50 min by car) -> Enjoy the view of the sea on the Mokpo Marine Cable Car (20 min by car) -> Explore the Mokpo Natural History Museum (1 hr 30 min by car) -> Suncheonman Bay National Garden (30 min by car) -> Aqua Planet Yeosu

    • A father and son walking along the Muan Ecological Tidal Flat Land (Credit:Korea Tourism Organization – Kim Ji-ho)
    • Mokpo Marine Cable Car (Credit:Travel Leader 15th Gen. Kwak Su-bin)

    Muan Ecological Tidal Flat Land is a wetland reserve that boasts rich biodiversity. Visitors can try harvesting their own seashells there. Driving down from Muan to Mokpo brings you closer to the blue seas, and taking the Mokpo Marine Cable Car offers breathtaking views of the many islands dotting the sea and Mokpo’s city center.

    Dinosaur fossils at Mokpo Natural History Museum (Credit: Korea Tourism Organization – Kim Ji-ho)

    If your child loves dinosaurs, visit the Mokpo Natural History Museum, which houses a large collection of fossils, including one of only two examples of its kind in the world. You can also explore the Suncheonman Bay National Garden, featuring gardens styled after various countries around the world. Perhaps you’ll find a garden inspired by your own country. Don’t miss Aqua Planet Yeosu, one of the largest aquariums in Asia, where you can meet beluga whales, Baikal seals, and green sea turtles.

    3) Meet the Little Prince and Ride the Railbike in Gyeonggi-do
    [Recommended Itinerary]
    Take lovely pictures at Petite France (20 min by car) -> Enjoy a leisurely walk on Nami Island (30 min by car) -> Experience canoeing at Chuncheon Jungdo Mullegil (10 min by car) -> Explore the attractions at LEGOLAND Korea Resort (15 min by car) -> Experience a joyful ride at Gangchon Rail Park

    • View of Petite France (Credit:Getty Images Bank )
    • Zip wire on Nami Island (Credit: Korea Tourism Organization – Photo Korea, Kim Ji-ho)

    Petite France is themed after the cherished children’s story, “The Little Prince,” and features colorful French-style buildings that make excellent backdrops for your travel album. Nami Island, located in the center of the Bukhangang River, is an island theme park celebrated for its outdoor warm water pools, zip wire facilities, and cultural attractions like the Picture Book Library and the UNICEF Lounge, making it an ideal destination for a family trip.

    Canoeing at Uiamho Lake (Credit: Korea Tourism Organization – Lee Beom-su)

    At Chuncheon Jungdo Mullegil, you can gently row your canoe down the lake and savor the peaceful atmosphere. LEGOLAND Korea Resort is another fantastic tourist site for families, offering attractions suitable for children as young as two. Conclude your trip with a scenic railbike ride at Gangchon Rail Park, which follows the picturesque route of the old Gyeongchun Line.

    Horseback Riding and Hot Air Balloon Rides in Jeju
    An itinerary that feels like a dreamy day for both grown-ups and kids, fully immersed in Jeju’s beautiful nature

    2. With School-age Children

    These itineraries are designed to enhance the educational aspect of your trip with activities focused on knowledge. From art museums that instill an appreciation of art to performance halls with captivating shows and historical lessons at cultural sites, embark on a journey of growth and learning with your children.

    1) Explore the Pristine Nature of Gangwon State!
    [Recommended Itinerary]
    Meet the adorable sheep flock at Daegwallyeong Sheep Ranch (5 min by car) -> Visit the Vienna Doll Museum (40 min by car) -> Gyeongpoho Lake (30 min by car) -> Haslla Art World (1 hr 30 min by car) -> Enjoy fun activities at High1 Resort

    You can meet the adorable sheep flock at Daegwallyeong Sheep Ranch (Credit: ClipartKorea)

    Daegwallyeong Sheep Ranch is renowned for its mountainous scenery. Visitors can enjoy a peaceful stay amidst the picturesque pastoral scene of sheep grazing across a green plateau. If your child loves dolls, make a stop at the Vienna Doll Museum near Daegwallyeong Sheep Ranch. The museum offers 11 exhibition halls themed around different types of dolls, a children’s playroom, and video exhibitions.

    • Gyeongpoho Lake, connected to the sea(Credit:Korea Tourism Organization – IR Studio )
    • Haslla Art World’s Pinocchio-themed art collection (Credit:Kim Jeong-heum)

    The seaside city of Gangneung is known for Gyeongpoho Lake, a beloved destination for leisure strolls. Ride a bicycle along the lake to enjoy the beautiful scenery. There are plenty of spots to rest along the trail, so everyone in the family can circle the lake without much difficulty. Head to Haslla Art World, a cultural venue with views of the East Sea, to see the Pinocchio Marionette Museum, which features a collection of marionette dolls and works related to Pinocchio collected from across Europe. If your trip includes an overnight stay, take the opportunity to stay at Jeongseon’s High1 Resort, which features a water park for summer and a ski resort for winter.

    2) Experience a Time Slip in Gyeongsangbuk-do
    [Recommended Itinerary]
    Glimpse the world of ancient astronomy at Cheomseongdae Observatory (15 min on foot) -> Daereungwon Ancient Tomb Complex (5 min by car) -> Discover the cultural heritage of Silla at the Gyeongju National Museum (3 min on foot) > Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond (55 min by car) -> Take a picture with the Hands of Harmony at Homigot Sunrise Square

    • Magnolia trees at Gyeongju Daereungwon Ancient Tomb Complex, a popular spot for photography
    • Silla-era artifacts displayed in Cheonmachong Tomb (Credit: Getty Images Bank)

    Silla, an ancient state that thrived for a thousand years on the Korean Peninsula, has its historic capital in Gyeongju. Here, you can travel back in time to its days of glory. Start with a visit to Cheomseongdae Observatory to marvel at ancient astronomical wonders, then head to the Daereungwon Ancient Tomb Complex to witness the splendor of Silla through artifacts unearthed from the royal burial grounds.

    • Cheomseongdae Observatory
    • Silla-period Buddhist sculptures at Gyeongju National Museum (Credit: Getty Images Bank)

    At the Gyeongju National Museum, you can explore the pinnacle of Silla’s sophisticated culture and heritage. The museum also features a Children’s Museum onsite. Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond, once the residence of Silla’s crown prince and the premier site for royal banquets, is particularly popular for its stunning nighttime view. If you plan to stay overnight, catch the sunrise at Pohang’s Homigot Sunrise Square. Don’t forget to take a memorable picture with the Hands of Harmony sculpture, a striking landmark in the area.

    Enjoy Theme Parks and Riverside Picnics at Hangang River in Seoul
    An itinerary for a trip through the heart of K-Culture in Seoul, from shopping to cultural activities
    Indulge Your Five Senses and Enjoy Water Sports in Busan
    An itinerary for thrilling activities in Busan’s beautiful seas, including luge, jet boats, and tourist trains

    3. With Multiple Generations of Family

    These itineraries focus on relaxation, offering meditation programs and spa experiences rather than a busy schedule. The mother-and-daughter tour itinerary is designed to bring you the best of K-Beauty experiences and Korean cuisine.

    [For the Whole Family] Explore Must-see Tourist Sites in Seoul
    An itinerary to explore the historic sites of Seoul, from Cheongwadae to Bukchon Hanok Village
    [For the Whole Family] Discover the Stunning Nature of Volcanic Jeju Island
    An itinerary to feel the wonders of Mother Nature with Jeju’s volcanic landscapes
    [For Seniors] Enjoy a Leisurely, Peaceful Walk in Incheon
    An itinerary for culinary adventures in Chinatown and the tourist sites of Incheon
    [For Mothers and Daughters] Embark on a Beauty and Gourmet Tour in Seoul
    Ultimate girls’ day out itinerary: from skincare to elegant tea ceremonies, shopping for cosmetics, and K-Food lessons

    * This content was last updated in June 2024, and therefore information may differ from what is presented here. We advise you to check for updates before visiting.