10 Best Outdoor Places to Hang Out in Seoul!

by Keith

Seoul Forest

(Flickr)

Seoul Forest is that one spot in every city that every nature lover should go to. It’s easily accessible by subway (Seoul Forest Station – Exit 3, Bundang Line or Ttukseom Station – Exit 8, Line 2), and it’s both a nice walk and bike ride. And any place that has nature and walking/biking paths are great if you’re looking for Seoul date places. It’s also super kid friendly, complete with an insect class, nature experience study field, and the wetlands ecological park! If you don’t have one of these nature safe havens that every city should have, take a nice leisurely stroll at this awesome spot!

Here’s the Korea Tourism’s info page on Seoul Forest!

Outdoor Seating in Seoul

(Source)

If you’re sick of eating indoors, and you’re looking for outdoor seating to enjoy the nice weather these days, you have your pick of the litter when it comes to outdoor seating in Seoul! If you’re looking for cafes, you can always head to Hongdae or Samcheondong, which both have awesome cafe streets; and if you can’t find one with outdoor seating, you’ll definitely be able to find places with nice big windows that make people smile  . If you’re looking for good international eats outdoor (i.e. American, Thai, French, etc.), you can head to Itaewon. And if you want to just chill out at some of Seoul’s parks (see below) and just order some food to where ever you are, Korean delivery will do it. Korean delivery is just that awesome!

Mountains in Seoul

(Flickr)

Seoul is a very large city, and included in the city limits are some of the nicest peaks Korea has to offer! If you’re looking for some exercise that’ll give you a bit of reprieve from the Seoul traffic, you can head to any of Seoul’s super accesible mountains. Gwanaksan Mountain is on Subway Line 2, Seoul National University Station – Exit 3; Achasan Mountain is on Subway Line 5, Achasan Station – Exit 2; and Bukhansan Mountain, a national park, is on Subway Line 4, Suyu Station – Bus 6, 6-1, 8 to the last stop. And of course you’ll have an awesome view of Seoul whichever Seoul mountain you choose to climb!

Cheonggyecheon Stream

(Flickr)

This beautiful stream in the middle of Seoul is one the more calming places to chill out on a hot summer day. If the sun’s beating down, you can hang out under the shade of a bridge and feel the cool air the stream brings. Night times are also really great weather and a pretty awesome date places at that. The salarymen in the area go there during their lunchbreaks before they have to go back in, and the couples come out at night when the night lights are on and the mood is romantic. Korean drama moments start here  .

Palaces in Seoul

(Flickr)

Korea’s last royal dynasty (Joseon) left behind their legacy in Seoul with their beautiful royal palaces. And because kings were… well… kings… they had a lot of space to do their thing. The main royal palace in Seoul is Gyeongbokgung Palace, and although there’s a lot of space, it might be too crowded with tourists for some. If you’re looking for a smaller more intimate palace to hang outside, try Deokseogung Palace (City Hall Station – Exit 2, Subway Line 1 & 2). And Changdukgung Palace has the beautiful and picturesque “Secret Garden” if you want a very relaxing stroll. Outdoor lovers, say thanks to old school Korean kings!

Han River (Hangang)

(Flickr)

The Han River (Hangang) is a huge river that runs down the middle of Seoul. Back in the 60′s it used to be a playground for 3rd world Korean kids. But now it’s been developed to be one of the coolest and nicest spots in Seoul. There’s Hangang Park near Yeouido Station, Line 5 & 9, which is great for picnics, bike riding, inline skating and frisbee. The Banpo Bridge Rainbow Fountain is a popular place for romantic things like proposals and Jason Mraz songs. And the bike path along the entirety of the river is great for anyone looking for a fresh breeze on a cool summer night  .

Coffee and Bridge Lovers Anyone?: 8 Han River Cafes for Spectacular Views

Seoul Olympic Park

(Flickr)

The first big international sporting event, the 88 Summer Olympics in Seoul, was the first event that spotlighted Seoul on the international stage. And one of the presents to the city of Seoul was the beautiful Olympic Park near Mongchontoseong Station (몽촌토성) – Line 8, Exit 1. It’s cool because there’s skaters and bikers that gather, old Korean men and women having picnics and families with strollers. If you’re a film student looking for an awesome backdrop for your film without too many people messing up your shot, this place is perfect!

Seoul Botanical Garden

(Flickr)

Located between two of Seoul’s mountains is the super awesome smelling Seoul Botanical Garden. There’s the “Medicinal Plant Garden” for all your Korean medicinal needs, the “Iris Garden” for 130 different species of Irises and the “Wetland Park” for even aquatic plants. Head over to Dobongsan Station – Exit 2, Line 1 & 7 if you want a free outdoor activity in Seoul that’ll have you reconnecting with nature in the middle of the busy Seoul metropolis.

Seoul Grand Park

(Zoo, Botanical, Amusement Park)

(Flickr)

If you want an awesome outdoor place that’ll let your kids (or the kid in you!) have a great time, head over to Seoul Grand Park Station – Exit 2, Subway Line 4! There’s a zoo open 9AM to 7PM in the summers (9AM to 6PM in the winter), and it only costs 3,000 won for adults. Enjoy cherry blossoms (if you’re there for the season) with gorillas, giraffes and other animals that have no business being on this peninsula. There’s a fun little kiddy train, a cable car, a botanical and the Seoul Land Amusement Park, too! It’s a fun day with kids, lovers or just people needing a much needed break from their Starcraft addiction!

See the Seoul Zoo official website here!

Amusement Parks in (or near) Seoul

(Everland, Ocean World, Vivaldi Park, Lotte World)

(Source)

Although Seoul Land might do the trick for those looking for quick, fun thrills, if you’re looking for a dedicated amusement park in Seoul, head over to Lotte World (Jamsil Station, Line 2 & 8), a Korea amusement park full of cuteness overload. Don’t forget the newcomer to town, Ocean World (access information here), a close-to-Seoul waterpark with huge and long water slides (it also doubles as Vivaldi Park, a ski resort in the winter!). And of course the most complete amusement park of them all, Everland (access information here), which has a Disney-style magical feel, along with the fun water park, Caribbean Bay. If you’re looking for a day out in the sun, check out these amusement parks in Korea! Don’t forget your sunscreen!  .