You'll never get bored in Seoul because there's so much to do in the city. I recommend visiting these places during the weekday since it will most likely be less crowded. Here are the 10 things to do in Seoul!
1. Gyeongbokgung Palace
The Gyeongbokgung Palace was built in 1395, where the kings lived during the Joseon Dynasty. You can walk around the palace to see what it was like living as a royal. Admission is free if you wear a hanbok. There are a lot of hanbok rental places near the palace.
It was nice strolling around the palace and admiring the nature that surrounds it. It was beautiful to see the intricate and small details of the design of the buildings.
2. Bukchon Hanok Village
The Bukchon Hanok Village is a village of traditional Korean houses near the Gyeongbokgung Palace. It is where high-ranking officials used to reside. It is still a residential area to this day. Please be mindful and respect the residents there.
3. N Seoul Tower
Visit the N Seoul Tower for a stunning view of the city. It is a popular spot for couples to attach locks and notes to the fence. To go up to the N Seoul Tower, I recommend paying to ride the cable instead of walking up the very steep hill. Plus, the cable ride has a nice scenic route.
4. Han River
The Han River aka Hangang River is one of the largest rivers in Korea. It is a place to see the city landscape, especially at night! A great place to have a picnic with friends and ride a bike!
5. Lotte World
Lotte World is the equivalent of Korea's indoor Disneyland. It is common for people to rent school uniforms to wear for Lotte World. There's a special discount for Lotte World tickets when you go during the Chuseok holiday (Korea's Thanksgiving). The downside to Lotte World is that the waiting time for rides is very long.
6. Seoul Forest
Seoul Forest is the place to go when you want to take a break from the city while still being in the city. It a refreshing place to take a stroll and admire the nature. It is quite peaceful during the weekday.
7. Starfield Library
The Starfield Library is one of the popular Instagrammable spots. It is inside the Coex Mall, where you can see the iconic bookshelf. There are spaces for you to sit down and relax while reading a book.
8. D Museum
The D Museum holds interactive exhibitions to immerse yourself in the art. I was able to see the Romantic Days exhibition when I went. It showcased photographs and manhwa that depict the various aspects of romantic relationships. The admission cost about 15,000 WON.
9. Sumsei Terrarium
The Sumsei Terrarium is an exhibition that showcases the reminiscence of Nature. I recommend coming here because it was a mesmerizing experience because engages a lot of your senses.
The first thing you'll experience when going through the exhibition is walking through the pitch-dark room. I had to drag my hand against the wall to guide me through the path. At the same time, it was uncomfortable walking barefoot on the rocky floor. The exhibition provides a complimentary drink from the cafe inside!
10. Seoul National Museum of Contemporary Art
Admission is free for college students and under 24 years old as long you show your ID card. One of the exhibitions I checked out was the Hyundai Motor Series 2022: Choe U-Ram – Little Ark. The exhibition showcased the current issues that are happening globally: climate change and socio-economic and political issues. It illustrates the current dystopia that is a result of those issues. In response, the artist created the show with the "Ark" as its central topic and juxtaposed the conflicting wants that characterize the modern day, giving the audience a chance to reflect and question society's future.
Overall
When exploring Seoul, I think it's important to remember to live in the moment. A lot of the time, I find myself worrying about the future or getting distracted by trying to take picture-perfect Instagram posts/stories. Living in the moment allows you to absorb and enjoy whatever you're doing and make the little moments more meaningful. I hope you have fun exploring Seoul, yuh! ✨