A Mom’s Guide to a Fun Korea Family Trip: Seoul & Jeju Highlights
Planning a Korea family trip can feel exciting yet overwhelming, especially if you’re visiting both Seoul and Jeju for the first time. Between Lotte Tower’s breathtaking views, charming K-drama filming locations, and Jeju’s beautiful beaches and cafés, there’s so much to see and do. In this guide, I’m sharing family-friendly tips, travel routes, and local insights so you can enjoy the best of Korea without feeling rushed—whether you’re travelling with toddlers or school-age kids.
🏙 Seoul – Urban Adventure Meets Culture
1. Lotte World & Lotte Tower Observation Deck
Lotte World is a massive indoor and outdoor amusement park perfect for kids of all ages. The indoor section, “Adventure,” offers rides, ice skating, and seasonal parades, making it ideal for rainy or hot days. Outdoors, “Magic Island” sits on a lake with thrill rides and a fairytale castle. However, the real magic lies in the Sky Shuttle elevator at Lotte Tower. In under a minute, it shoots you sky-high while the ceiling simulates flying over Seoul. Once at the top, you can enjoy panoramic views of the Han River, Namsan Tower, and beyond. My kids still talk about it! For the best views, go in the late afternoon—day and night scenery combined.
2. Pop Culture Landmarks: Namsan Tower & Naksan Park
Thanks to the hit animation K-Pop Demon Hunters, locations like Naksan Park and Namsan Seoul Tower are now popular photo spots, known as ‘pilgrimage landmarks.’ Couples reenact the animation’s scenes, tourists flood the park, and Naksan’s panoramic city views feel newly magical.
3. Everland — Safari Comes Alive(Separate Day Trip)
If you have more time, dedicate a separate day to Everland, South Korea’s largest theme park. Located in Yongin, just under 2 hours from Seoul, it’s a trip worth making. Everland is divided into five themed zones, but the star for families is Safari World. Here, you’ll board a special bus to get up close to lions, bears, and even white tigers roaming freely in an open-range setting. It’s a fantastic experience with incredible photo opportunities and no cages to get in your way. There’s also Lost Valley, where animals roam in more open, scenic enclosures.
Getting There:
- By direct bus: Multiple express buses run from central Seoul.
- By subway & bus: Take the Bundang Line to Giheung Station, transfer to the EverLine, and get off at Jeondae–Everland Station. From there, a free shuttle bus takes you to the entrance.
4. Shopping—Skip Myeongdong, Go to COEX Mall
Myeongdong is now mostly tourist-focused and crowded. Instead, take your family to the COEX Mall in Gangnam. It’s a huge underground shopping complex. It’s stroller-friendly, air-conditioned, and packed with international brands, local designers, a giant aquarium, and a sprawling library with towering bookshelves that’s perfect for photos.
5. Hanbok Experience at Gyeongbokgung Palace
Renting a hanbok (traditional Korean clothing) near Gyeongbokgung is a must for a cultural photo moment. It’s also a great travel hack—wearing a hanbok gets you free admission into the palace! There are countless rental shops around the palace, and your kid will pick out their favorite colors. You can take some pictures with the royal guards, and it truly feels like stepping back in time.
6. Free Aviation Museum near Gimpo Airport
If you have time before your flight to Jeju, check out the Korean Air Aviation Museum near Gimpo Airport—free admission and fascinating for airplane-loving kids.
👉 Korea Travel Tips: What to Know Before You Go
Here are a few quick tips to make your trip to Korea easier and more fun.
- Korean Money Made Simple Here’s an easy mental hack to convert Korean Won (₩) to Canadian Dollars (CAD$): just remove the last three zeros. For example, ₩30,000 is approximately CAD $30. It’s not perfectly precise, but it’s a super useful trick for quick calculations when you’re shopping or buying snacks.
- Navigating with Naver You might not know this, but Google Maps isn’t fully functional in Korea due to local regulations. That’s why locals use Naver Map (or Kakao Map). These apps are incredibly detailed—they even tell you which subway car is best for your transfer! It can feel a little tricky at first, but it’s definitely worth learning.
- Street Food & Trash Tip Surprisingly, public trash cans are rare in Korea. If you buy street food, don’t just hold onto your trash forever. Instead, you can ask the vendor to take it back—they’ll often dispose of it for you. Otherwise, a good tip is to finish your food inside a café or restaurant where trash cans are readily available.
- Summer in Korea Korean summers are very hot and humid. Especially when travelling with kids, make sure you pack light clothes, drink plenty of water, and take frequent breaks in the shade.
- No Tipping in Korea There’s no tipping culture, and taxes are already included in prices. Pay exactly what’s on the price tag—no extra math needed!
- Winter Strawberry Season If you visit in winter, you must try Korean strawberries. They’re sweet, juicy, and unlike anything you’ll find in Canada. Some hotels even host strawberry buffets (but tickets sell out fast).
🏝 Jeju – Beaches, Cafés, and Family Charm
After the bustling energy of Seoul, our family was ready to slow down and embrace the calm, natural beauty of Jeju Island. Known as the “Hawaii of Korea,” this volcanic island is full of stunning coastlines, unique landscapes, and a wonderfully relaxed vibe. Here are our favorite spots, from breathtaking ocean views to kid-friendly beaches.
Family-Friendly Beaches
- Hyeopjae Beach (협재 해수욕장) This beach is a family favorite for its shallow, crystal-clear water and fine, white sand. The gentle waves are perfect for little ones to play in, and on a clear day, you get a beautiful view of Biyangdo Island right off the coast. Stick around for the breathtaking sunsets—they’re truly unforgettable.
- Hamdeok Beach (함덕 해수욕장) With its clear, turquoise sea and soft, golden sand, Hamdeok feels like a tropical paradise. The beach is known for its gentle, shallow bay that’s great for young kids to splash around in. There are plenty of cafes and restaurants nearby, making it easy to grab a snack or a coffee for a relaxing afternoon.
Quick Beach Tip
Most beaches have public shower facilities, which are super convenient. They usually cost about ₩2,000–₩3,000 per person. Just remember to bring your own towel and other shower supplies, as rentals or sales are rare.
Jeju Foodie Guide: What to Eat & Where to Go
Jeju is a culinary paradise, with fresh seafood and island specialties you won’t find anywhere else. Here’s our family’s foodie guide to eating like a local.
- Jeju Black Pork BBQ (Heuk-dwaeji) You can’t leave Jeju without trying the famous black pork. A little secret for finding great restaurants in Korea: look near the City Hall. That’s what we did, and trust me, we found an incredible black pork restaurant near Jeju City Hall that was a local favorite. The meat is so tender and flavorful, it’s a must-try for everyone.
- Fresh Grilled Fish (Saengseon-gui) While Jeju is famous for its galchi (cutlassfish), the grilled fish restaurants here are fantastic no matter the type. The fish is incredibly fresh, and the simple grilling method brings out a delicious, smoky flavor. If you’re not usually a big fan of seafood, this is the perfect place to try it—you might just change your mind!
- Abalone Porridge (Jeonbok-juk) For a warm, comforting meal, try abalone porridge. It’s a specialty of Jeju, made with fresh abalone and rice. It’s surprisingly delicious and incredibly nutritious, which makes it a perfect meal for the kids and a great way to start your day.
- Hallabong Tangerines Jeju is famous for its tangerines, especially the unique Hallabong variety. These are much bigger and sweeter than regular tangerines. Make sure you grab some from a local market—it’s the best souvenir and a delicious, healthy snack.
Must-Do Family Activities on Jeju
Jeju’s beautiful nature is perfect for family fun. Here are a few places that offer both fun and culture.
- Jeju Folk Village Museum To truly understand Jeju’s unique culture, take the kids to the Folk Village Museum. It’s an open-air museum where you can see traditional houses, tools, and learn about the island’s history. It’s a great way to sneak in some education while still having fun.
- Go-Karting If you have a need for speed, go-karting is a popular family activity on the island. There are a number of tracks where you can race against your kids for some fun, competitive action.
- Teddy Bear Museum This might sound a bit cheesy, but the Teddy Bear Museum is a classic and very kid-friendly spot. You’ll find teddy bears in all sorts of fun and historical scenes—from a teddy bear Mona Lisa to scenes from famous movies. It’s a great indoor option for a rainy day.
Oleun (Orrrn) Café — Ocean Views and Snacks
If you want to relax in Jeju with a coffee and a spectacular sea view, head to Oleun Café. With panoramic ocean views from its glass walls and a perfectly mellow ambiance, it’s the ideal spot for a break on your island adventure.
👉 Jeju Travel Insider Tips
- Transportation: A rental car is highly recommended for convenience.
- Weather: Even in summer, coastal breezes can chill. Dress in layers.
- Food: Seafood is fresh if your kids are adventurous—but there are also western-style cafés and BBQ spots.
Final Thoughts
Combining Seoul and Jeju in one trip gives you the best of both worlds — high-energy city life and peaceful island scenery. If you’re planning your own Korea family trip, a mix of attractions and downtime will ensure you have a journey your family will remember for years.
Quick Travel Summary
| Destination | Highlights | Travel Tips |
|---|---|---|
| Seoul | Lotte Tower Sky Deck, Naksan Park, Everland Safari, COEX Mall | Go early, combine landmarks, use Subway + EverLine |
| Jeju | Oleun Café, Hyeopjae & Hamdeok Beaches, Foodie trip | Rent a car, bring towel, snack-seek at local cafés |
