Grab your kids or some friends and go explore science museums in Korea. Reasons to Visit Science Museums in Korea There are many science museums in Korea that both kids and adults may enjoy. Each of the museums offers a unique experience for visitors of all ages. Here are a few of the many reasons to go to a science museum while living and traveling in South Korea: Overall, science museums offer a fun and educational experience that can benefit people of all ages and backgrounds. Issues Expats May Face When Visiting Science Museums While visiting science museums in Korea can be a great experience, there may be some hurdles that expats face. Some of these hurdles may include: To overcome these hurdles, ex-pats visiting science museums in Korea can consider booking a guided tour in their native language, downloading translation apps, researching cultural differences before visiting, and checking for discounts or free admission days. Seven Science Museums in Korea Now that you know a little bit about what to expect, here are seven great science museums to visit with your friends and families. Located in Osan City, Eunsan Eoullim Ecology Museum recommends that you make a reservation for your visit. If you go without reservations, you may be disappointed because you will not be included in the class (or ongoing tour) and will be left on your own. However, reservations can be made by booking on Naver. This museum specializes in amphibians and reptiles. Environmental Science Center (or Asan Ecological Environment Insect Museum) is in Asan. This large park is dedicated to learning more about environmental science. There are various tropical plants, and the area includes over 40 types of creatures, including tarantulas and scorpions. Also, the site has the Green Tower Observation Deck, and the Asan Insect Museum included. Located in Busan, Hong Dae-yong Science Museum was named after the inventor who developed the first Korean-made sewing machine. The museum focuses on the life and work of Hong Dae-yong. Also, it is dedicated to the history and development of science and technology in Korea. Exhibits include displays of Hong Dae-yong’s inventions and interactive exhibits for exploring scientific concepts. Located in Daejeon, the National Museum of Science and Technology covers various sciences, from physics and chemistry to astronomy and biology. Exhibits include interactive displays, live demonstrations, and educational programs for children and adults. The Daegu National Science Museum is located in Daegu and features a variety of interactive exhibits covering a wide range of science topics. The presentations engage visitors by including hands-on activities, games, and demonstrations. More popular exhibits include a giant piano that visitors can play with their feet, a virtual reality space exploration exhibit, and a simulated earthquake experience. Also, this museum hosts temporary exhibitions and educational programs. The Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute (KASI) established Naro Space Science Center in Goheung, Jeollanam-do. The museum features exhibits and activities educating visitors about the universe. The Planetarium features a 23-meter dome with state-of-the-art projection technology creating an immersive night sky and beyond. In addition to the museum, they operate a research center and a rocket launch site. Yangpyeong Insect Museum is located in Yangpyeong. Dedicated to insects, it features over 20,000 specimens from around the world. The exhibits educate visitors about the different types of insects and their importance in the natural world. The displays and activities include both live and preserved specimens. Popular exhibits include a silkworm room and a butterfly house. How to Source Additional Information About These Locations Whenever you have questions about things like business hours, you can use the free foreigner support app/phone number 1330. In addition, this is really helpful especially around holidays to make sure if a business will be open when you want to visit. With this app, you can prevent a wasted trip to a location when they are enjoying their regular day off or a holiday. Join the Pyeongtaek Travelers Group You are also welcome to join our Pyeongtaek Travelers. This South of Seoul moderated community includes active and friendly travelers sharing their adventures across the country. (Most of the members live in Pyeongtaek, South Korea). Volunteer with South of Seoul Interested in working with a fun team of talented volunteers? The South of Seoul volunteer team is always looking for other like-minded folks to research information, compile blogs, and edit content. LeaDan Yee, M.EdLeaDan Yee holds a Master’s in Education with a focus in Secondary Education and Teaching – Language Arts and Bachelor’s in Psychology, with a minor in Speech. As a Cultural Liaison and Content Creator at South of Seoul, Ms. Yee focuses on creating content for families interested in traveling and those with toddlers.  She is especially interested in opportunities to share her Native Hawaiian background and empower others to be cultural ambassadors. Prior to joining South of Seoul, LeaDan worked as a High School Speech Teacher and Adjunct Communications Professor. She specializes in Public Speaking, Argumentation and Debate, Team Management, and Event Planning.

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Korea has a plethora of folk villages where you can learn about Korean history during different eras. Take a day for this Yongin Korean Folk Village itinerary and enjoy all the expansive, family-friendly park has to offer. Also, this particularly itinerary happens all in one place! About Folk Villages In South Korea Korea has many different types of folk villages across the country. Folk villages provide a way for Korean citizens, residents, and tourists to learn more about Korean culture. Each folk village may focus on one particular historical time period or may have different areas of the village dedicated to a variety of historical time periods. Korean folk villages focus on Korean history from a Korean education standpoint. This means that the villages are designed for those who live and travel in South Korea. They aren’t designed specifically for foreign visitors. This means most information may be in Korean. Arrive at Folk Village Early It’s a great idea to arrive around 10 am – 11 am so that you can enjoy 5-8 hours since tickets aren’t cheap. There is more about ticket costs later. As I mention later in the blog, we spent 5 hours and wished we had more time. Additionally, arriving early means cooler weather during the hot months. Our Experience at Yongin Folk Village While you may find a number of folk villages across the peninsula, which we encourage you to visit, the Korean Folk Village in Yongin offers the most immersive, traditional cultural experience.  This folk village stands out against the rest. While MOST of the folk village is stroller-friendly, you may find the folk village dirt path bumpy at times. Thankfully, the markets and amusement parks are paved. Just keep in mind that there may be easy areas and more difficult areas. We recommend blocking out your day for this trip. When my toddler and I visited, we arrived when the Korean Folk Village opened and stayed for almost 5 hours.  I felt unfulfilled because there were SO many things that we did not experience but such is the life of a toddler mom.  The folk village is wonderful day and night. The evening experience looks like a beautiful moonlit walk, including shadow performances in traditional houses and a haunted house, which you can also experience during the day.  Things to Do The Yongin Korean Folk Village offers many things to do. Experience includes traditional food, performances, educational classes on traditional craftwork, Korean architecture, horseback riding, riverboat rides, and an amusement park. Overall Experiences Stroll through the houses of a traditional Korean village, from farmers and tradesmen to scholars and nobility.  Participate in crafts, such as pottery, woodshop, silk-thread making, mask painting, straw shoe making, traditional fan making, and bamboo flute making, located in different houses.  Peruse exhibits and demonstrations in the museums.  Horseback riding, swings, and ferryboats are also in this part of the village.  Enjoy a breathtaking walk to Keum Ryeon Sa (Buddhist Temple).  * The temple walk is not stroller-friendly. Lots of stone steps. Performances Performances begin at 10:00 and run every hour with the last performance at 14:00.  Each performance showcases a different traditional instrument or dance so you may want to circle back to the stage to catch each one.  The schedule may change due to weather conditions. Amusement Park Park rides for children and adults of various sizes.  My toddler was limited to 4 rides – the Merry-Go-Round, Mini-Viking, Magic Tea Cup, and Bounce Spin because of the height requirement but there are 11 other rides for those less vertically challenged.  You’ll also find toys, arcades, a photo area, a folk museum, a shooting range, western-style food options, and a haunted house.  Definitely go through the haunted house, which includes recreations of ghosts that have been seen in Korea. Lunch or Dinner Breaks Hungry?  You’ll find a variety of Korean dishes, street food, desserts, and cafes at the Yongin Korean Folks Village.  For the cafe experience, stop at Darakbang, in the Market Village, near the entrance to the folk village.  Otherwise, you will find coffee and street food at the kiosks in the Market Village.  If you have more of an appetite, the Market Village and the Marketplace, at the opposite end of the folk village, offer touchscreen ordering with a cafeteria-like experience.  The kid’s plate includes orange juice, soup, rice, a hamburger patty, and sotteok (rice cakes and sausage).  If you require something more Western-inspired, visit the Amusement Village.  Lockers are available at a price. Seasonal Attractions The pool opens during the Summer and a snow sled field during the Winter.  The folk village also hosts seasonal festivals, such as the Romantic Fall by Joseon during the Autumn, rice cake on New Year’s, Jeongwol Daeboreum (First Full Moon), Dano (hair washing in flower water), Chuseok Farmers’ Performance, Dongji (Winter Solstice) red bean soup. Accessibility Stroller, wheelchair, and audio guide rentals are available at the entrance. The availability of mobility support means that Korean Folk Village in Yongin may be perfect for multi-generational travel. Yongin Korean Folk Village is family-friendly. You’ll find nursing stations throughout the park.  If your toddler is potty-training, like me, the restrooms include toddler-sized toilets. Yongin Folk Village Listing and Location Additional Information for Yongin Folk Village Remember that all Yongin Folk Village policies, prices, and opening hours may change over time or during different seasons and holidays. You may want to confirm details via their website or by contacting 1330. Hours of Operation Open from 10:00 to 19:00 on weekdays (Monday to Thursday) and 10:00 to 21:30 on the weekend (Friday to Sunday) Shuttle Service The Korean Folk Village offers a free shuttle service 3 times a day, to Suwon Station and back, on a first come-first served basis. The shuttle leaves Suwon Station Exit No. 4 at 10:30, 12:30, and 14:30; Korean Folk Village at 13:50 and 16:00. Please remember that times may change due to traffic. Parking If you have a Hi-Pass, there’s a fast parking option that will charge your Hi-Pass card.  Just keep an eye out for the usual Hi-Pass blue lane and sign. Otherwise, don’t forget to cover your parking fees before you leave. Ticket Prices Adults & Youth (14yo to 64yo) admission costs W32,000; Children (36 months to 13yo), W26,000; and Over 65, W22,000.  Under 36 months are free. The price was a bit more than I wanted to pay but if you stay for the day, then you’ll discover that it’s worth it.  You may purchase annual memberships, ranging from W90,000 to 190,000.  The Amusement Village, museum, and exhibition halls are included in the cost of admission. Pet Policy Pets are not allowed.  Bikes, Scooters, Etc Policy While strollers and wheelchairs are permitted, bicycles, scooters, skateboards, etc are not.  Drone Policy Drones are not permitted. Join a Facebook Group I hope you enjoyed the Yongin Korean Folk Village Itinerary. Looking for more travel itineraries or ideas for families? Join some Facebook groups. Explore More Korean Travel Itineraries South of Seoul has over 52 travel itineraries that extend across Korea. That’s one trip every week for a year! Many itineraries range from 1 to 3-day plans which can be combined to create extended trips across the country. LeaDan Yee, M.EdLeaDan Yee holds a Master’s in Education with a focus in Secondary Education and Teaching – Language Arts and Bachelor’s in Psychology, with a minor in Speech. As a Cultural Liaison and Content Creator at South of Seoul, Ms. Yee focuses on creating content for families interested in traveling and those with toddlers.  She is especially interested in opportunities to share her Native Hawaiian background and empower others to be cultural ambassadors. Prior to joining South of Seoul, LeaDan worked as a High School Speech Teacher and Adjunct Communications Professor. She specializes in Public Speaking, Argumentation and Debate, Team Management, and Event Planning.

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The top 10 Things To Do Osan-si include indoor and outdoor activities. Perfect for families, outdoor lovers, and art lovers. About Osan City Osan Administrative District (Osan-si / 오산시) exists above Pyeongtaek-si and below Suwon. The city shares a name with Osan Air Force base which exists 20-30 minutes south of Osan City in the administrative district of Pyeongtaek-si. The similarities in name often cause confusion for English speakers unfamiliar with the area who may call the area around the US Air Force base Osan instead of Sinjang-dong or Godeok. Types of Things to do in Osan-si The Osan-si administrative district does not focus on international or national tourism. Instead, the area provides relaxed, family-friendly activities for residents of Osan-si and the surrounding areas. These recommendations provide access for those wishing to spend a calm weekend near home. Family Time in Osan-si Families may love bringing their toddlers or strollers to some of these activities. US Military stationed at Osan Air Force Base and Camp Humphreys will find perfect activities for their next day trips. Additionally, the list has artsy or adventure-focused options perfect for middle school and teens. Top Ten Things To Do in Osan-si All of the following locations exist within the boundaries of Osan-si. They do not flow out into other administrative districts. Subway Station in Osan If you don’t have a car, you can catch the subway to Osan-si. Once in Osan-si, you may choose to taxi or bus to your destination. Current Air Quality in Osan-si Air quality and weather change throughout the day. However, having an idea of what the air quality is right now can help make decisions easier. You can download the Air Matters App for your phone to keep current on changing air quality conditions throughout the day. You can even set up alerts. Osan-si Air Quality Lanae Rivers-Woods, MAITLanae Rivers-Woods moved to Korea in 2011 where she lives in the countryside with her family, friends, and puppies. She holds a BSSW (Bachelor’s of Science in Social Work), a MAIT (Master’s of Arts in International Teaching), and registered by the Pyeongtaek Korean Times with the Korean government as a Cultural Expert. Ms. Rivers-Woods used her 15 years experience as a social architect, UX/UI designer, and technology consultant to found South of Seoul in 2015. South of Seoul is a volunteer organization that leverages technological tools to mitigate cultural dissonance in multi-cultural communities. Through South of Seoul, Ms. Rivers-Woods works with independent volunteers, non-profit organizations, businesses, local & federal government, universities, and US military organizations to develop solutions to support English speaking international residents in rural South Korea. Additionally, Ms. Rivers-Woods founded the South of Seoul smart phone app available for Google Play and iPhone. The app provides information a resources for those living and traveling in South Korea. When she isn’t in South of Seoul development meetings or working her day job, Ms. Rivers-Woods loves to be outside at skate parks, the beach, or playing in the mountains. www.southofseoul.net

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Visiting the best Little Prince-themed locations in Korea can be fun for adults and toddlers. Kids can enjoy the fun illustrations while parents can connect with the themes of the book as it relates to living lives abroad. Here are The Little Prince places I go with my little one. Antoine de Saint-Exupery Antoine de Saint-Exupery was the French writer, poet, journalist, and aviator, who gifted us, the dreamers and the adventures, the story of “The Little Prince”. This young prince traverses a galaxy and gains invaluable wisdom as he interacts with other characters on distant planets. And, in doing so, his story captivates audiences of any age. I’m not going to ruin this story for those who have not yet read it because, much like the quest for the holy grail, the actual treasure hides in the journey. His lessons will resonate with world travelers and expatriates, especially during a pandemic, to remind us of what is most important, our relationships with others and our imagination.  About ‘The Little Prince’ Book The Little Prince has sold millions of copies, translated into many languages, adapted to screen and theater, it’s no wonder that Korea has also fallen in love with the story. The Little Prince is filled with beautiful esoteric writing that allows the reader to reflect on their priorities, perceptions, loves, and losses. Reading ‘The Little Prince’ While Living in South Korea In fact, The Little Prince may be the perfect story for those of us who live abroad and struggle to balance our priorities. The story brings up many themes such as love we have left behind, how confirmation bias forms our perceptions of a place, and how the words of others may influence our journeys. Additionally, reading a book on Korean history written by a Korean historian and then following it up by reading “The Little Prince” with an understanding that Korea loves The Little Prince can be an incredible tool for gaining deeper insight into the heart and the soul of the culture. While you may find many locations, such as pensions and hotels, named “The Little Prince”, don’t be misled. For current and future generations of Little Prince fans, I’ve highlighted a few obvious and not so obvious places to find him.  Where to look for the Little Prince Travel Notes: For beautifully illustrated murals, pick up a coffee and treat at Cafe Hangout. This cafe isn’t 100% dedicated to The Little Prince but they do feature the character and their drinks and baked goods are fantastic so you get theme and substance. Travel Notes: For a day of feeling as though you’ve traveled into another world, visit this Little Prince theme park. This is a VERY popular Instagram spot in South Korea. Travel Notes: In the National Sejong Arboretum garden and gift shop. You’ll find beautiful, woodcrafted nightlights with the Little Prince inside. Perfect gift for Little Prince fans of any age. Travel Notes: A trip for the senses, this flower park includes a maze, a petting zoo, a tea and spa house, a cafe, and a Little Prince-inspired garden and pension. Rather than traversing the galaxy, this garden is organized by chapters so you’ll watch our main character meet characters on distant planets. If you visit during the Spring and Summer, you’ll even meet his rose. Travel Notes: Sculpture Park at St. John’s Hotel in Gangneung has a statue of the Little Prince. If you love the beach, seafood, and coffee, this is a beautiful location any time of year. Off-peak season, such as the Fall, is also much more affordable. Travel Notes: Stay in a pension that will leave you feeling relaxed and transported into the world of the Little Prince.  Travel Notes: A chromatophile’s dream adventure to a half-moon island in South Jeolla. As you walk along the bridge, you’ll meet a familiar face. Travel Notes: Take a walk along Gwangjucheon Stream in Gwangju and find a Little Prince statue. You’ll also find Little Prince murals around the city. Travel Notes: The most popular and Instagram-able location for Little Prince sightings,  Gamcheon Village in Busan.  Travel Notes: Le Petit Prince has a few cameos, as one should expect, in Fairytale Village, Incheon. Travel Notes: The Byeolmadang Kids Library in Anseong Starfield Mall – As a blend of literature, art, and technology, kids may practice coding while watching the story of The Little Prince. Travel Notes: With one of the largest collections of The Little Prince books, art, memorabilia on display, this beautiful 3-floor cafe is a must-see-destination for all Little Prince fans. There’s also a small golf putting area on the first floor and a walking trail along the side with lovely, white butterflies. As you travel around Korea, remember The Little Prince says, “Well, I must endure the presence of a few caterpillars if I wish to become acquainted with the butterflies” and allow yourselves to be transformed by his story. More family friendly trips in South Korea Join the Pyeongtaek Travelers Group You are also welcome to join our Pyeongtaek Travelers. The South of Seoul moderated community of active and friendly travelers (most who live in Pyeongtaek, South Korea) sharing their adventure across the country. Volunteer with South of Seoul Interested in working with a fun team of talented volunteers? The South of Seoul volunteer team is always looking for other like-minded folks to research information, compile blogs, and edit content. LeaDan Yee, M.EdLeaDan Yee holds a Master’s in Education with a focus in Secondary Education and Teaching – Language Arts and Bachelor’s in Psychology, with a minor in Speech. As a Cultural Liaison and Content Creator at South of Seoul, Ms. Yee focuses on creating content for families interested in traveling and those with toddlers.  She is especially interested in opportunities to share her Native Hawaiian background and empower others to be cultural ambassadors. Prior to joining South of Seoul, LeaDan worked as a High School Speech Teacher and Adjunct Communications Professor. She specializes in Public Speaking, Argumentation and Debate, Team Management, and Event Planning.

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Dinosaur lovers rejoice. There are many Korean dinosaur parks, restaurants, and cafes to explore. A Blog for Dinosaur Loving Families and Tourists in South Korea Do you love Dinosaurs? Are you the parent or spouse of a Dinosaur lover? Or just love feeling transported through time … to the Jurassic or Cretaceous periods?  Korea has many diverse opportunities for dinosaur lovers. In the following list of locations, it will be easy for you to select the specific dinosaur experience you prefer.  While I tried to highlight locations close to Humphreys, there are quite a few locations for those who like to vacation further south. Indoor / Kid Cafes with a Dinosaur Theme: Starting close to Pyeongtaek, two very cool kids cafes exist with that celebrate dinosaurs. These kids’ cafes are perfect for families with young children. One dinosaur-themed kids cafe is in Dunpo, Asan and the other is in Sosabeol, Pyeongtaek. Both of these dinosaur-themed cafes will ignite the imagination of your little dinosaur lovers. Then you can sit back and watch their minds and hearts light up as they discover new things. A Dinosaur Restaurant in South Korea For the hungry family, just south of Pyeongtaek in Cheonan is a dinosaur themed restaurant that will fill your bellies and your minds. Grab the kids and make your next night a pre-historic family adventure. OutdoorDinosaur Parks and Theme parks Dinosaur-themed parks are scattered across South Korea. I’ve visited almost all of them with my family and I’ve organized them (mostly) by distance from Camp Humphreys in Paengseong, Pyeongtaek. With my blogs, I try to keep the recommendations easy for families living near Pyeongtaek or in popular family vacation destinations within South Korea. For example, I’ve included a recommendation in Jeju that will be perfect for your next holiday. If you don’t live near Pyeongtaek, you can easily find out how far these locations are from you using the South of Seoul smartphone app with organized content based on its distance from you! Additionally, you can leave your reviews for each of these Dinosaur adventures in South Korea so that more families and tourists in South Korea can bring learning about dinosaurs to life. Join the Pyeongtaek Travelers Group You are also welcome to join our Pyeongtaek Travelers. The South of Seoul moderated community of active and friendly travelers (most of whom live in Pyeongtaek, South Korea) sharing their adventures across the country. LeaDan Yee, M.EdLeaDan Yee holds a Master’s in Education with a focus in Secondary Education and Teaching – Language Arts and Bachelor’s in Psychology, with a minor in Speech. As a Cultural Liaison and Content Creator at South of Seoul, Ms. Yee focuses on creating content for families interested in traveling and those with toddlers.  She is especially interested in opportunities to share her Native Hawaiian background and empower others to be cultural ambassadors. Prior to joining South of Seoul, LeaDan worked as a High School Speech Teacher and Adjunct Communications Professor. She specializes in Public Speaking, Argumentation and Debate, Team Management, and Event Planning.

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Looking for spring flower festival information? You’ve come to the right place. About Spring Flower Season From March through May, spring flowers bloom across South Korea. Arboretums across the country will host festivals and show off their stunning gardens. The country is covered with stunning locations to view copious amounts of blooms that will make your Instagram sing. Famous Spring Flowers in Korea Famous spring blooms in South Korea include cherry blossoms, pear blossoms, apricot blossoms, tulips, canola, digitalis, lupine, daisies, grape hyacinths, azaleas, magnolia, and forsythia. Of all of these flowers, cherry blossoms and tulip photos are the most coveted by Instagram lovers. Confirming Festival Dates Since spring blossoms are a thing of nature, festival dates may change a little each year. You can easily confirm the dates of any festival or the hours of any location by contacting the free tourist help center 1330. Use Instagram to Follow Blooms Korean influencers use an amazing system for tagging their images to make it easy to track bloom progress. We have created a whole blog to help you track the best picture-taking moments across South Korea. Five Places for Spring Tulips and Flowers [Photo Credits] Header Photo: Julie O’Leary, Pyeongtaek Travelers South of SeoulFounded in 2015, the South of Seoul team consists of volunteers on three continents working together to support English-speaking people traveling or living in South Korea. South of Seoul volunteers work with organizations and individuals across South Korea to improve equitable access to information across South Korea. Much of South of Seoul’s information focuses on Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea. Blogs published under the authorship of “South of Seoul” include blogs compiled by multiple volunteers to improve access to standardized information unrelated to individualized personal experiences. www.southofseoul.net

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