We’ve lived in South Korea for over a year now, and I only just realized that I never actually posted our South Korea bucket list to my blog. I’ve had it in my notes on my phone so that I’d have it close at hand at all times, but I never actually got around to posting it. Honestly, we came in with huge goals of what to do, where to go, and what to see, and a lot of that was halted when we got hit with our restriction of movement (ROM) last year right before Christmas. Thankfully, things seem to be lightening up significantly now, but we’re also down to just about nine months left in South Korea.
So, before it’s too late, I’m sharing our South Korea bucket list from when we first arrived on the peninsula last summer. We’ve accomplished a lot, but there’s a lot we’ve yet to see and do – and we definitely won’t be able to see it all. But, despite that, cheers to making the most of every second here!
Our South Korea Bucket List
Let me caveat this list by stating that it’s 100% not a comprehensive list of all the things one can do in South Korea. Frankly, there’s just so much to do that it would be impossible to accomplish it all in two years. But, over time, I hope to update our list and link to individual posts in case others want to accomplish some of these things, too! Ready?
Visit Bird Sori CaféExplore Gwangmyeong CaveExperience the Daejeon Expo Bridge at night- Take a trip to Namhae
Cross the Tando Island Sea RouteTake a trip to Busan- Stay overnight at the Jeonju Hanok Village
Hike Crocodile PeakSpend a day at one of Korea’s hot springs- Photograph the Jeju diving women/visit Jeju Island
Hike Elephant Rock Trail- Explore the Uirimji Reservoir and Jerim Woods
- Visit the Boseong Tea Fields
Explore Ppuri ParkExperience the Mancheonha SkywalkHike Pinnacle Four in Asan- Explore Upo Marsh
- Visit Sokcho in the winter
- Take a trip to Haesindang Park
Visit the War Memorial of Korea in Yongsan- See the Christmas lights at Garden of the Morning Calm
- Spend a day on Jebudo Island
Walk through Gamcheon Culture Village in BusanFly in the balloon over Suwon Fortress at nightHike Baebang Mountain LoopHike in Bukhansan National Park- Hike in Seoraksan National Park
Visit the Starfield Coex Library in Seoul- Taste the treats at the Harry Potter Café in Seoul
Eat at Eggslut in SeoulVisit Bee & Honey Café + hike the trailSpend a day at Songnisan National ParkStay in an AirBnBVisit the Chungju Jade CaveSpend a day at Daecheon Beach
- Add our own lock at North Seoul Tower
- Go to the top of Lotte Tower
- Experience the Boryeong Mud Festival
- Cross the sea at Jindo Island
- Visit Petite France
Explore Farm Kamille in Taean- See Nami Island in the winter + snow
- Visit the Juknokwan Bamboo Forest
Visit a temple (or 10!) – Haedong Yonggungsa Temple, Guinsa Temple, Gakwonsa Temple, Seoknamsa TempleWalk along the East Gate Wall in SeoulSee the seaside temple in BusanExplore Yeonginsan Natural ForestDo karaoke in a Korean karaoke studioVisit the Goseong Dinosaur Museum to see the dinosaur footprintsTry out a kid’s café (or 10!)– Naughty Child Cafe, Zoolung ZoolungCross the Sogeumsan Suspension Bridge in WonjuDo the Pohang Space WalkEat bingsu at a proper sulbing establishment- Visit the DMZ (this is a tricky one because the kids can’t come to the Joint Security Area)
Explore Oeam Folk VillageSpend a day at Yeonpo Beach- See the muhly grass at Sky Forest in Seoul
- Experience a traditional tea room in Insadong
See the cherry blossoms+ visit a cherry blossom festivalHarvest salt at Jeungdo Island
And there you have it, folks. That is our South Korea bucket list. We’ve added to it throughout our time here thus far, and we’ve crossed off and documented most of it on the blog. In writing this, I realized just how much we’ve actually done and experienced here thus far. Sometimes it feels like there’s just never enough time, but I’m eternally grateful for the time that we do have to experience, see, and explore this amazing country.
And yes, we still have nine months left here, and we intend to fill it with as much excitement and joy as we possibly can! Who thinks we can conquer at least 90% of this bucket list?!
Tell me – what would you do first if you got to visit South Korea?
