Highlights
- Sample delicious Korean street food in Seoul's lively Myeongdong district
- Dive into the world of K-pop with a visit to Gangnam's K-Star Road
- Say hello to friendly sheep and other livestock at Daegwallyeong Ranch
- Make your own natural soaps at Pyeongchang's Country Herb Farm
Brief Itinerary
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Seoul, Myeongdong Street Food Experience | Seoul |
| Day 2 | Gyeongbokgung Palace, Hanbok Village, Gwangjang Market & Namsan Park | Seoul |
| Day 3 | Explore the Gangnam District: K-Star Road & COEX Mall | Seoul |
| Day 4 | Petite France & Nami Island Tour, Transfer to Pyeongchang | Pyeongchang |
| Day 5 | Viist Gangneung: Jungang Market, Gramophone Museum & Gyeongpo Beach | Pyeongchang |
| Day 6 | Family Fun at Daegwallyeong Samyang Ranch | Pyeongchang |
| Day 7 | Free Day in Pyeongchang: Craft Workshops, Hiking & Parks | Pyeongchang |
| Day 8 | Depart Pyeongchang |
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Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Seoul, Myeongdong Street Food Experience
Welcome to South Korea! Your flight lands in Seoul, the country's capital, where you'll find ancient temples next to modern skyscrapers, endless shopping options, and plenty of delicious food. On arrival, you'll be met by a driver and transferred to your hotel, where you and the kids can unwind for a bit before venturing out.
Once you've had a chance to regroup, take a deep dive into South Korean cuisine with a guided food tour of the Myeongdong district, a mecca for Korean street food. Stroll past lively food stalls and restaurants, sampling dishes such as kalguksu (savory noodles and meat in broth), fried crab cakes, egg bread, or desserts such as bbopki (sugar candy) and patbingsu (shave ice with toppings). Return to your hotel with your appetites fully sated, and get a good night's rest.
Day 2: Gyeongbokgung Palace, Hanbok Village, Gwangjang Market & Namsan Park
See the traditional side of Seoul, starting with a visit to Gyeongbokgung palace, the former residence of the Joseon Dynasty's royal family. Watch their guard changing ceremony, and the family can don hanboks (traditional Korean attire) and capture photos set against the palace's ornate pavilions and halls. You can also stop by the National Folk Museum, which sits inside the palace grounds, to learn more about the history of Korean life.
From here, continue to Bukchon Hanbok Village, a place brimming with themed museums, art galleries, and teahouses. Step back in time as you stroll past the beautifully restored traditional homes, and let the kids grab a snack from one of the many stylish cafés. Then, visit Gwangjang Market, another great spot for Korean street food and a perfect lunch stop if the family is hungry.
Wrap up the day at Namsan Park, the largest park in Seoul. Known for its extensive walking trails, the park features a number of attractions, including Baekbeom Square, the Namsan Cable Car, and Namsan Seoul Tower. There are also several statues of famous figures in Korean history, and if you happen to be there in spring, you might catch their annual Cherry Blossom Festival!
Day 3: Explore the Gangnam District: K-Star Road & COEX Mall
Spend the day exploring Seoul's lively Gangnam district, made famous by the popular PSY song "Gangnam Style" and home to more than half the country's entertainment companies. Start with a deep dive into the world of K-pop with a visit to K-Star Road. Here, you'll find human-scale bear dolls with images of well-known K-pop groups—perfect backdrops for the kids' best Instagram shots—as well as a nearly 9-foot (3 m) tall PSY GangnamDol.
Stop by the SM Entertainment Celebrity Center, one of the leading entertainment companies in Korea that represents some of the most popular K-pop groups, then continue to Cheongdam-dong Alley and JYP Entertainment, the company that created Twice, Stray Kids, and Itzy. Next up is Starfield COEX Mall and COEX Aquarium, which features 90 exhibition tanks grouped in 14 different discovery zones. If you have time, be sure to visit the mall's Starfield Library and its endless array of books. Wrap up the tour at HiKR Ground, where aspiring performers can make their own K-pop videos!
Day 4: Petite France & Nami Island Tour, Transfer to Pyeongchang
After breakfast, meet your guide for a tour of Seoul's French-themed Petite France village and Nami Island. Start at Petite France, a cultural theme park consisting of French-style buildings where you can experience French food, clothing, and history. Centered around the celebrated French novel, "Le Petit Prince," you'll find statues from the beloved book around the park and a memorial hall dedicated to the author, Antoine Saint-Exupery. Sample delicious food and do some shopping, then continue to Nami Island.
A quick 20-minute drive from Petite France, the island is a true oasis, with tree-lined pathways, a riverside walk, and bike rentals. You and the kids can stroll along the river, taking in the greenery and tall trees. Before returning to Seoul this afternoon, hop on the Gangchon Railbike ride for a bit of adventure! The tracked course consists of pedaling on rail bikes and traveling through the tunnels and scenic byways of the island. Let the kids do the pedaling work as they see who can go the fastest!
Your driver will then transport you to your next destination, Pyeongchang, located in the Gangwon Province. Home to Odaesan National Park, this region is known for its stunning mountain ranges, Buddhist temples, and cultural villages. The drive takes approximately two hours, passing through the towns of Gapyeong and Chuncheon and making a stop or two so the kids can stretch their legs. Arrive and check in at your hotel, then relax for the evening.
Day 5: Visit Gangneung: Jungang Market, Gramophone Museum & Gyeongpo Beach
Today's tour takes you to Gangneung, a charming city with white-sand beaches, lush forests, and a rich cultural heritage. Meet your guide and make your way there, starting at Jungang Market, a traditional market with a wide range of fresh seafood and other local fare. Roam the alleys amid vendors hawking their wares, and let the kids try some fish cake croquettes or sweet-and-spicy fried chicken along the way.
After snacking your way through the market, take an educational detour to the Charmsori Gramophone Museum & Edison Science Museum. With its large collection of gramophones, some of which are over a hundred years old, this museum offers the chance to experience what it was like listening to music at a time when only records were available. Then, head to see Edison's inventions and artifacts, which are said to be the third-largest collection of its kind in the world.
End at Gyeongpo Beach, a lovely stretch of white sand and the perfect spot for the kids to run and play. If you have time, you can also stop by Jumunjin Beach, famed for being featured in one of K-pop group BTS's music videos. Return to Pyeongchang, where the rest of your day is free.
Day 6: Family Fun at Daegwallyeong Samyang Ranch
Young animal lovers in the family will be thrilled with today's visit to Asia's largest ranch, Daegwallyeong Samyang. Established in 1972 by Samyang Foods to create a healthier environment for milking cows and sheep, the ranch is now a big attraction for both visitors and locals, with incredible views and fun, family-centered activities.
See a shepherding performance, the only one of its kind in the entire country, and let the kids cheer on the sheepdogs as they round up sheep. Then, visit the nearby Dong Hae Observatory, which towers at an impressive 3,740 feet (1,140 m) above sea level and offers expansive views of the East Sea. Stroll through the serene farmlands and say hello to grazing sheep and cows, taking in the fresh air and peaceful countryside as the kids run free.
You can also stop by Daegwallyeong Sheep Farm, which sits nestled in the hills above Pyeongchang. Walk the trails around the grounds and see more than 300 sheep as they graze. You'll be able to get quite close to them, making for excellent family photo ops.
Day 7: Free Day in Pyeongchang: Craft Workshops, Hiking & Parks
Make the most of your last day in South Korea with some self-guided family fun. You can visit Pyeongchang's Country Herb Farm, otherwise known as Herb Nara Nongwon, where you and the kids can stroll around its multiple themed gardens and see more than 150 herbs. Make your own natural soaps or perfumes at their crafting workshop, and enjoy a healthy, organic lunch at their on-site café.
Nature enthusiasts in the family will love a trip to Odaesan National Park, which spans more than 117 square miles (303 sq km) and features crashing waterfalls, lush greenery, and tons of hiking trails. Check out Seonjaegil Trail, a moderate hiking course with incredible scenery, and perhaps make a brief stop at the park's Woljeongsa temple, part of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism, to tour the grounds and learn more about its history.
Day 8: Depart Pyeongchang
Your family adventure in South Korea ends today. After breakfast, check out of your hotel and transfer to the airport for your journey home or to your next destination. Safe travels!
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