Published Date : Oct 31, 2016 / Edited Date : Sep 04, 2023
Take a Break from Hectic City Life
A Promenade of Seoul's Art and History Museums
Get outdoors and enjoy the crisp autumn air before winter sets in! Seoul is full of fantastic shopping and dining options, but the city’s museums should not be overlooked. This fall, explore Seoul’s museums and green spaces and take a break from the fast pace of city life. Alongside Seoul’s many skyscrapers, there are many museums with green spaces throughout the city as well. Take a stroll through one of Seoul’s museums and enjoy nature while appreciating art and history.
Outings in Green Spaces and at Informative Museums
It’s possible to explore Korea’s long and rich history at the National Museum of Korea. Exhibitions and information on Korea from the Paleolithic area to the Three Kingdoms, Goryeo Dynasty, Joseon Dynasty, through to modern Korean history is on display at the museum. The museum is Korea’s largest national museum, and it may be difficult to see everything in one day. Visitors may want to check which exhibitions are on and plan ahead in order to fit in everything they may want to see.
There are many places throughout the museum to take a break while taking in the numerous exhibitions and artifacts. The museum has several facilities for visitors, such as a café, food court, and a hansikdang (Korean restaurant). The museum grounds are perfect for a stroll, as there are footpaths and much to see. There is a reflecting pond, a stone-work garden, and a small waterfall. Learn about Korea and Korea’s heritage, and enjoy the outdoors, all at the National Museum of Korea.
National Museum of Korea
137, Seobinggo-ro, Yongsan-gu, Seoul +82-2-2077-9000 Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri, Sun 10:00-18:00 KST / Wed, Sat 10:00~21:00 KST
Yongsan Family Park
The Yongsan Family Park is adjacent to the National Museum of Korea. Within the Yongsan Family Park, there is a pond, a small themed park, and other facilities open for use. This popular public park has many trees and footpaths to enjoy. The park is centrally located and is very close to quite a few tourist attractions, two of which are the National Hangeul Museum and the War Memorial of Korea.
168-6, Yongsan-dong 6ga, Yongsan-gu, Seoul +82-2-792-5661 Open 24 hrs, year round
Outdoor Sculptures and Landscapes to Appreciate
The Soma Museum is an art museum located within Olympic Park. Huge windows along one section of the museum afford museum-goers with expansive views of the grounds and a great opportunity to people watch and see the changing of the seasons. Soma’s sculpture garden is also visible from the windows. The museum’s design is modern and construction was planned with environmentally friendly principles in mind. There are 6 exhibition halls, and each hall varies in size, shape, and theme. Visitors can see a huge range of different kind of arts during just one visit to Soma. The entry fee for an adult is 3,000 won, youth tickets (13 to 24 yrs. old) cost 2,000 won each, and admission for children is just 1,000 won. Entry to the sculpture garden is free.
Soma Museum
Olympic Park, 424 Olympic-ro, Songpa-gu, Seoul +82-2-425-1077 10:00-18:00 KST (last entry 17:30 KST / closed Mondays )
Olympic Park
Olympic Park was constructed for the 1988 Seoul Olympics. The park is seen as one of the world’s 5 largest sculpture gardens. There are some 200 works throughout the park, including work from the renowned French sculptor César Baldaccini and the American conceptual artist Dennis Oppenheim. The park is a popular recreational spot, with a wooded area and numerous footpaths. Olympic Park is grand in scale, so visitors may want to ride the park’s Hodori Train to explore the grounds.
Olympic Park, 424, Olympic-ro, Songpa-gu, Seoul +82-2-410-1114 Daily 05:00-22:00 KST for walking or biking (tourist attractions till 24:00 KST), daily 06:00-22:00 KST for cars and trucks
Enjoy Art and Sculptures in the City's Forests
The Sungkok Art Museum is located on a side street near Gwanghwamun in the central Seoul. There are 100 different varieties of trees on the museum grounds and an outdoor sculpture garden with different sections. Sculptures from Korean artists are on display throughout the garden. There is a terraced café in the garden and it’s possible to enjoy the views of the city and the sculptures here. It’s possible to get a little peace and quiet here, despite its location in the center of Seoul. Entrance to the sculpture garden is free when purchasing entry to the museum. To enjoy a drink at the café, please purchase a drink ticket (5,000 won) at the museum ticket booth. Entry fees vary according to the exhibition.
Although Gyeonghuigung Palace is relatively small in scale, it is less crowded than other palaces and perfect for a quiet walk. Take the footpath behind Jajeongjeon Hall and you’ll be able to see Namsan Seoul Tower in the distance. A visit to both Gyeonghuigung Palace and the Seoul Museum of History shows the ancient and modern faces of Seoul.
본 코스는 보행약자(거동이 불편한 고령자, 장애인, 유모차 이용자 등)를 위한 코스입니다.
보호자를 동반하지 않을 시 이용이 불가능 합니다.※ 보행약자 1명당 보호자 최소 1인 이상 동반 ※ 전동보장구(전동휠체어, 전동스쿠터 등) 사용자의 경우 보호자 1인당 보행약자 최대 4인까지 동반 가능
희망하시는 날짜 및 코스에 활동가능한 해설사가 없는 경우 예약은 취소될 수 있습니다.
예약확인을 위해 도보관광 사무국(02-6925-0777)에서 확인 연락이 진행됩니다.(최소 5일~한달 전)3회 이상 전화통화가 이뤄지지 않을 시 예약이 취소될 수 있습니다.
해설 진행 시 발생하는 안전사고에 대해서 도보관광 사무국과 서울문화관광해설사는 책임을 지지 않습니다.
미세먼지 비상저감조치 발령 및 기타 기상악화(폭염, 태풍, 폭우 등)로 인해 도보관광 운영이 어려운 경우 모든 예약은 일괄 취소됩니다. (관광일 전날 기준)
Reservations must be made at least three days prior to the tour date.
Additional reservations, one or two days before the tour starts, are only allowed for the tour that is already fixed.
In the case of group tour, more than 10people, please contact us by e-mail.
Reservations for the following month are available from the 15th of the current month.
Please refrain from participating in any tour programs should you be experiencing any symptoms, including fever, coughing, congestion, muscle pain, stuffy nose, and/or sore throat.
Reservations for tourists 14 years & under without an accompanying adult or guardian shall be canceled on site.
All reservations will be canceled in the event of a weather warning being issued. (e.g. heatwave, typhoon, heavy rain, fine dust, etc.) (Cancellation will be processed immediately upon implementation)
※ Please always check the weather warning on the day of the reservation on the site below.
(https://www.accuweather.com/en/kr/seoul/226081/weather-forecast/226081)
The Seoul Guided Walking Tour administration office and tour guide affiliates are not responsible for any accidents that happen to occur during the tour program.
Reservation shall be made at least 1 week before the tour day.
The course is for tourists with mobility problems (Senior, people with disability, stroller user).
You may not use the course without an assistant (or companion) ※ At least one assistant shall accompany a tourist with mobility problem ※ In case of electric assisting device users (electric wheelchair, electric scooter users), one assistant may accompany up to 4 tourists with mobility problem
Reservation may be canceled when a guide is unavailable on the desired date and course.
Seoul Guided Walking Tour Office (02-6925-0777) will contact you to confirm reservation. (At least 5 days~1 month before tour day) Reservation may be canceled when Seoul Guided Walking Tour Office cannot reach you for more than 3 times.
Seoul Guided Walking Tour Office and Seoul culture and tourism guide are not liable for the safety accidents during the Seoul Guided Walking Tour.
All reservations will be canceled in the event of a weather warning being issued. (e.g. heatwave, typhoon, heavy rain, fine dust, etc.) (Cancellation will be processed immediately upon implementation)
※ Please always check the weather warning on the day of the reservation on the site below.
(https://www.accuweather.com/en/kr/seoul/226081/weather-forecast/226081)