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Winter Family Vacation in Seoul – December 23, 2025 – January 3, 2026

Viewed by 146 travelers

Day 1 – December 23, 2025: Arrival & Evening

Morning: No activity – the family will be in transit.

Afternoon: After landing at Incheon International Airport (7:25 PM), take the Airport Railroad Express (AREX) Express train to Seoul Station (≈ 45 min). Transfer to Line 4 and alight at Dongdaemun History & Culture Park Station, then walk 5 minutes to The Recenz Dongdaemun Hotel.

Evening: Check‑in, refresh, and enjoy a relaxed dinner at the hotel’s nearby Jokbal Street (walk 3 minutes). Early bedtime to recover from travel.

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Day 2 – December 24, 2025: COEX Aquarium, Starfield Library & DDP Light Show

Morning (9:00‑12:00): Walk 6 minutes from the hotel to Dongdaemun History & Culture Park Station, take Line 2 to Samseong Station (≈ 20 min). Follow signs to COEX Aquarium (5‑minute walk). Explore marine exhibits, including the kid‑friendly Penguin Zone.

Afternoon (12:30‑16:30): Exit COEX and head to the adjacent Starfield Library (2‑minute walk). Browse the towering bookshelves, then stroll through COEX Mall for lunch and some souvenir shopping (walk to Bongeunsa Temple area for a quick cultural glimpse).

Evening (19:00‑21:00): From COEX, take Line 2 back to Dongdaemun History & Culture Park Station**, transfer to Line 5 and alight at Dongdaemun History & Culture Park Station** (same stop) and walk 10 minutes to the DDP (Dongdaemun Design Plaza). Find a good spot on the plaza’s open lawn to watch the dazzling LED Light Show while the kids sip hot chocolate.

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Day 3 – December 25, 2025: Dongdaemun Market & Cheonggyecheon

Morning (9:00‑12:00): Walk 5 minutes to Dongdaemun History & Culture Park Station**, take Line 1 to Dongmyo Station (2 stops). Walk 3 minutes to Dongdaemun Traditional Market for a breakfast of hot fish cakes and explore kid‑friendly stalls.

Afternoon (13:00‑16:00): Take Line 1 from Dongmyo to City Hall Station (3 stops), then walk 7 minutes to Cheonggyecheon Stream. Let the children splash in the shallow water features while you enjoy the winter lights along the stream.

Evening (18:00‑20:30): Return via Line 5 from Gwanghwamun Station** to Dongdaemun History & Culture Park Station** (≈ 15 min). Dinner at a family‑friendly Korean BBQ near the hotel, then a short walk to the hotel’s lobby for a cozy night.

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Day 4 – December 26, 2025: Everland Theme Park Adventure

Morning (7:30‑9:30): Walk to Dongdaemun History & Culture Park Station**, take Line 2 to Seoul Station, transfer to the Airport Railroad (AREX) to Gongdeok Station (≈ 30 min). Switch to the Gyeongui‑Jungang Line to Yongmun Station (≈ 40 min), then a 10‑minute taxi ride to Everland Resort (pre‑booked shuttle available).

Afternoon (9:30‑17:00): Enjoy Everland’s kid‑friendly zones: T‑Express (view only), Zootopia, and the Magic Land playground. Lunch at the park’s Safari Restaurant. The children will love the seasonal Snow Festival decorations.

Evening (17:30‑19:30): Take the park’s shuttle back to Yongmun Station, then retrace the subway route to the hotel. Light dinner at a nearby noodle shop near Dongdaemun.

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Day 5 – December 27, 2025: Seoul Forest & Seongsu‑dongs

Morning (9:00‑12:00): Walk to Dongdaemun History & Culture Park Station**, take Line 5 to Seongsu Station (4 stops). Walk 6 minutes to Seoul Forest. Explore the deer enclosure and the eco‑playground.

Afternoon (13:00‑16:00): Stroll along Seongsu‑dong’s “Brooklyn” streets, visiting kid‑friendly cafés with indoor play areas. Grab lunch at Viva Cacao (hot chocolate & waffles).

Evening (18:00‑20:00): Return via Line 5 to Dongdaemun History & Culture Park Station**. Dinner at the hotel’s restaurant, then a brief walk to the nearby Cheonggyecheon Light Tunnel for a night stroll.

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Day 6 – December 28, 2025: Insadong & Jogyesa Temple

Morning (9:00‑12:00): Walk to Dongdaemun History & Culture Park Station**, take Line 4 to Hyehwa Station (2 stops). Transfer to Line 5 and alight at Jonggak Station (1 stop). Walk 4 minutes to Insadong Street for traditional crafts and tea houses.

Afternoon (13:00‑15:30): Visit Jogyesa Temple (2‑minute walk) for a quick cultural experience, then head to Gwangjang Market (5‑minute walk) for lunch of bindaetteok and fresh fruit juices.

Evening (17:00‑19:00): Return via Jonggak Station to Dongdaemun History & Culture Park Station. Evening snack of hotteok from a street vendor near the hotel.

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Day 7 – December 29, 2025: Vivaldi Park Snowy Land (Sledding)

Morning (7:00‑9:00): Walk to Dongdaemun History & Culture Park Station**, take Line 2 to Seoul Station, then the ITX‑Cheongnyangni to Gangneung Station (≈ 2 hrs). Transfer to a pre‑booked shuttle (30 min) to Vivaldi Park Snowy Land.

Afternoon (9:30‑16:00): Enjoy sledding hills, snow tubing, and the indoor snow play zone. Lunch at the park’s Snowy Café. The kids can also try the gentle “Kids Snow Garden”.

Evening (16:30‑20:30): Shuttle back to Gangneung Station, take ITX‑Cheongnyangni to Seoul, then Line 2 to Dongdaemun. Light dinner near the hotel (e.g., Korean street‑taco “Tteok‑Bokki”).

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Day 8 – December 30, 2025: Hongdae & Kids’ Art Studio

Morning (9:30‑12:00): Walk to Dongdaemun History & Culture Park Station**, take Line 2 to Hongik University Station (3 stops). Walk 4 minutes to Hongdae Playground and the nearby Kids Art Studio for a painting workshop.

Afternoon (12:30‑15:00): Lunch at Mythical Burger (family‑friendly). Explore the vibrant street art and the Trick Eye Museum (interactive 3‑D photos).

Evening (17:00‑20:00): Return via Line 2 to Dongdaemun. Dinner at a nearby Samgyeopsal restaurant, then a brief night walk along the illuminated Cheonggyecheon again.

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Day 9 – December 31, 2025: New Year’s Eve at Banpo Hangang Park

Morning (9:00‑12:00): Walk to Dongdaemun History & Culture Park Station**, take Line 5 to Gwangnaru Station, then transfer to a river‑front shuttle (10 min) to Banpo Hangang Park. Enjoy a leisurely riverside walk.

Afternoon (12:30‑16:00): Picnic lunch with pre‑packed kimbap and fruit. Let the children play at the park’s Water Fountain Playground (winter lights).

Evening (18:00‑00:30): Stay at Banpo for the famous Moonlight Rainbow Fountain Show and New Year’s countdown. Warm up with hot drinks from nearby vendors before heading back to the hotel via shuttle and Line 5.

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Day 10 – January 1, 2026: Seoul Forest & Relaxation

Morning (9:30‑12:00): Walk to Dongdaemun History & Culture Park Station**, take Line 5 to Seoul Forest Station (5 stops). Walk 3 minutes to Seoul Forest. Explore the eco‑playground and butterfly garden.

Afternoon (13:00‑15:30): Lunch at Forest Café (kid‑friendly menu). Rent bicycles to ride the park’s scenic trails.

Evening (17:00‑20:00): Return to the hotel, enjoy a relaxed dinner at the hotel’s buffet, and early bedtime after the holiday excitement.

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Day 11 – January 2, 2026: Myeongdong – Church, Shopping & Street Food

Morning (9:00‑11:30): Walk to Dongdaemun History & Culture Park Station**, take Line 4 to Hoehyeon Station (2 stops). Walk 4 minutes to Myeongdong Cathedral for a brief visit and quiet reflection.

Afternoon (12:00‑16:00): Explore Myeongdong Shopping Street – pop‑up toy stores, cosmetics, and the kids’ Line Friends Store. Lunch at Namdaemun Kalguksu for handmade noodle soup.

Evening (17:00‑20:00): Sample street‑food delights: tteok‑bokki, hotteok, and fried chicken. Return via Line 4 to Dongdaemun History & Culture Park Station and walk back to the hotel.

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Day 12 – January 3, 2026: Checkout & Departure

Morning (8:00‑10:30): Pack and check‑out (by 11:00 AM). Store luggage at the hotel desk. Walk to Dongdaemun History & Culture Park Station**, take Line 2 to Seoul Station and transfer to the AREX Express to Incheon (≈ 45 min).

Afternoon (12:00‑15:30): Arrive at Incheon, have a quick lunch at the airport’s Food Court, and complete duty‑free shopping.

Evening (18:00‑20:35): Board flight 8:35 PM to Manila. Safe travels!

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Time and Cost Estimates

  • COEX Aquarium – 3 hrs – ₩25,000 per adult, ₩20,000 per child
  • Starfield Library & COEX Mall – 2 hrs – Free (shopping optional)
  • DDP Light Show – 1 hr – Free
  • Dongdaemun Traditional Market – 2 hrs – Free (food purchases ₩30,000 total)
  • Cheonggyecheon Stream – 2 hrs – Free
  • Everland Theme Park – Full day – ₩56,000 per adult, ₩47,000 per child
  • Seoul Forest – 3 hrs – Free (bike rental ₩5,000)
  • Vivaldi Park Snowy Land – Full day – ₩45,000 per adult, ₩38,000 per child (sled rental included)
  • Hongdae Kids Art Studio – 2 hrs – ₩20,000 per child (adults free)
  • Banpo Hangang Park New Year’s Eve – 5 hrs – Free (snacks ₩25,000)
  • Myeongdong Cathedral – 1 hr – Free
  • Myeongdong Shopping & Street Food – 4 hrs – Approx. ₩80,000 total
  • Transportation (subway, AREX, shuttles) – 12 days – Approx. ₩150,000 total for family (T‑money card)
  • Hotel (The Recenz Dongdaemun) – 11 nights – ₩1,650,000 total (incl. taxes)
  • Meals (average) – 12 days – Approx. ₩1,200,000 total
  • Miscellaneous (souvenirs, tips) – ₩200,000
  • Total Estimated Cost₩4,696,000

Tips

To extend the trip, add a day at Seoul Botanic Park or a half‑day excursion to the historic Suwon Hwaseong Fortress. If you need to shorten the itinerary, consider dropping the Hongdae art studio and combining the Dongdaemun market visit with the Cheonggyecheon walk on the same day, saving one half‑day of travel. Pack warm layers, thermal socks, and hand warmers for the snow day at Vivaldi Park, and keep a portable charger handy for the many photo‑op moments throughout the city.

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