We stayed in the Seoul area for six nights. Our first stop was the Gangnam district, where we stayed at an Airbnb. It was inexpensive, but not the nicest place we’ve stayed. Coincidentally, our visit fell during Chinese New Year, so the area was pretty quiet, with many places closed for the holidays. It was also freezing while we were there. It snowed lightly most days, and the temperature rarely climbed above freezing.
Despite the cold, we visited Gyeongbokgung Palace, which is definitely worth exploring, even in arctic conditions. Entry was free due to the holiday, and the palace grounds were surprisingly busy.
We also spent a night in Myeongdong, which was much more fun to explore compared to Gangnam. There are tons of great places to eat, including Myeongdong Kyoja, a Michelin Bib Gourmand restaurant. We weren’t huge fans of the dumplings, but the Bibimguksu (spicy mixed noodles) was fantastic. The line was long, but since we were a party of five, they sent us up the elevator to wait inside, which meant we ended up bypassing a lot of people in line for smaller tables. Once you order and pay, the food comes out really fast.
We also explored Seoul Tower, taking the gondola up and wandering around the grounds, which offer amazing views of the city. We chose not to pay to go to the top of the tower since the view from the base was already stunning.
Another stop was Bukchon Hanok Village. It was swarming with tourists despite the frigid weather. To be honest, we didn’t find it as charming as the historic areas in Kyoto.
Walking along Cheonggyecheon Stream in the snow was magical. The holiday lights and decorations made it a fun and festive experience.
For dessert lovers, The Spot Fabulous café in Myeongdong is a must. Their banana pudding and crème brûlée were incredible, and the baked goods didn’t disappoint either. It’s easily been the best dessert spot of our journey so far, definitely worth a visit if you’re in the area.
We stayed at the Moxy Hotel in Myeongdong, a Marriott property, and we really enjoyed it. They offer welcome drinks, and there are game consoles in the lobby for kids, which was a nice touch. We’d definitely stay there again. The only downsides were the lack of a pool and gym.
If you’re curious about where we went before South Korea, check out what we did in Japan with our kids, from Tokyo and Kyoto to Disney parks and beyond!
