While we spent the Thanksgiving holiday in Busan, we wanted to make the most of our trip down south. Busan is about four hours from Camp Humphreys, so it’s not a trip we expect to make too frequently. Being in the southern area, it made sense to explore our surroundings a little bit, and we made a list of places we wanted to visit whilst in the area. High on the list for our friends was visiting the Goseong Dinosaur Museum. Truth be told, I didn’t want to go because indoor activities aren’t really my jam. Let me be the first to tell you though; this one is worth it.
Goseong Dinosaur Museum (고성 공룡박물관)
The Goseong Dinosaur Museum is located in Sangjogam County Park and is actually Korea’s first dinosaur museum. First opened in November of 2004, the museum was built next to one of the world’s largest fossilized dinosaur footprint sites. While the museum is a tourist attraction that showcases dozens of breathtaking murals, enhanced recreations, and exhibition halls, the scenery beyond the museum’s doors is equally incredible.
Our first course of action, however, was to explore the museum’s interior. With four stories, five halls, a film room (unfortunately closed due to COVID), a gift shop, and more, visitors can explore five main exhibits, including “Capital of Dinosaur,” “Dinosaur’s Footprint of Goseong,” “Dinosaurs of the Cretaceous Period,” “Dino Land,” and “Old Trace.” While all interior displays are written in Hangeul, translation services are available – though we just used Papago.
Exploring the Goseong Dinosaur Footprints
I think it’s safe to say that the highlight for all of us, however, was exploring the grounds of the Goseong Dinosaur Museum. With hiking trails, numerous playgrounds, two cafes, and a pathway down to the water, we got all the fresh air we could want and more. Our main objective was to get down to the fossilized dinosaur footprints, which are down by the water. The pathways are accessible until you reach several series of steep stairs, which lead to the water.
You can go either left or right. Turn to the right, and you’ll see your first set of footprints, as well as have the opportunity to walk through a beautiful sea cave. Turn to the left, and you’ll see your second set of footprints, as well as have the chance to walk directly along the sea wall over the water. We did both, and it was so neat to literally walk in the footsteps of giants. While the museum was two hours away from Busan, it was the most beautiful area of South Korea that we’ve seen thus far, and I’d definitely love to go again!
Our Favorite Parts
If you ask the kids, their favorite part was the dinosaur waffle which, in true South Korean fashion, was made extra extra. If you ask me, it was everything outside. I loved exploring the caves, and the forest by the playgrounds was such a treat, too. I reminded me a little of our hikes in Washington. The best part though? When you leave at the end of the day, don’t take the stairs down to the parking lot. Take the slide! You won’t want to miss it…some of us did it twice 😉
Tips for Visiting the Goseong Dinosaur Museum
Cost: Adults – W3,000, Teens – W2,000, Children 3-12 – W1,500; Senior citizens 65+ are free with ID
Accessibility: The interior of the museum is fully accessible, but the exterior is only partially accessible. Getting to the footprints by the seaside would be difficult, at best, with the amount of stairs required to reach them.
Tips: Make a full day of visiting the Goseong Dinosaur Museum! It’s so much more than just an interior exhibition hall. From the forest (pictured above) to the footprints, the sea, the playgrounds, and more, it’s a full day activity.
Address: In Waze – 618, Jaranman-ro, Goseong-gun, Gyeongsangnam-do; In Naver or Kakao – 경상남도 고성군 하이면 자란만로 618
