Leisure orea has been good to our fam- Also, the Official Korean Tourism Organi- 3. Gyeongbokgung (Seoul) Again ily both times we’ve been stationed zation (KTO) has a thorough website and nu- we are back to ancient Korea with a visit to K here. We have enjoyed the small merous ways to get involved (www. visitkorea. Gyeongbokgung. Seoul has four palaces, but town feel of Osan Air Base; running into or.kr). The KTO also offers the amazing 1330 this is the biggest that allows you to explore friends at the BX and Post Office daily, biking phone number; call it anytime you need trans- on your own. Changdeokgung is a close sec- and walking everywhere, and having a squad- lation help or travel information like bus or ond and includes the pretty Biwon (secret ron full of people to rely on. But that isn’t the ferry times. garden), but must be visited on a joined tour entire Korea experience. from the ticket office which can be a bit pro- We’ve learned to read Hangeul, eaten ev- MUST-SEE SIGHTS hibited for those on a time crunch or with kids. Culture & Language erything imaginable, and traveled almost This is the absolute must-do list. If you are The palace is the first of four must-dos that every inch of the peninsula. Throughout our brand new to Korea, these would be good are in Seoul, and the Dragon Hill Lodge at experiences, it has been the interactions with firsts. And if you have family come visit, this Yongsan is my absolute favorite home base for Korean people or spontaneous hilarity of Ko- list makes a great introduction to the country. touring around the city. rean methods that make an Osan (or Yongsan, They are all easily accessible via public trans- 4. N’Seoul Tower (Seoul) A trip up to Cell phones Humphreys, Kunsan or Red Cloud, etc.) as- port, inter-base bus, or base travel offices. N’Seoul tower at sunset it absolutely wonder- signment memorable. 1. Korean Folk Village This may shock ful; on a clear night you can watch the entire This is a beautiful country! Get out and en- some as the No. 1 thing on this list, but the folk city light up and soak up the feeling of being joy it. Set aside any preconceived notions and village in Yongin is a wonderful introduction part of the gigantic whole that is Seoul. There embrace the opportunity living abroad has of- to old Korean culture that truly helps build an are a few options to get up Namsan Mountain: fered you. appreciation for the Korean people. I love it in Taxi to the cable car, take a Namsan bus, or Education So, without further waxing nostalgic, here the fall and spring. This place fed my obses- hike from one of the parking lots. It is not nec- are my top 100 things to do in Korea! They are sion with how pre-industrial cultures heated essary to go up the tower for a fun experience, triflingly organized by region. One caveat be- their homes; ondol floors are the best. but to see the 360 views of the city it can’t be fore we get started: I appreciate unique cultur- 2. DMZ An absolute must-do for an in- beat. For a very special date, a visit to N’Grill is al experiences and beautiful times outdoors your-face look at the reason our armed servic- incredible – make reservations for 20 minutes way more than urban nightlife and shopping es are in this country. This is it, folks, the real prior to sunset. Directions and varying costs at Transportation that I can experience elsewhere. Visit my blog deal. Book a tour through the travel office on www.nseoultower.co.kr at RamblingFamily.com for a KOREA MAP base or the USO. Make sure your trip includes Shopping is not a favorite of mine, but this with all these places, and more! the tunnels and the JSA. shopping is a cultural experience. Namdae- Private vehicles My top 100 things to do in Korea Online By Kat Nickola Legal Shopping Leisure Leisure Namdaemun 52 Welcome to Pacific 2015-16 KOREA Leisure mun is an incredible collection of buildings to a nearly 1-kilometer forested walk along a Osan or trek to the Gwangjang market in and underground spaces crammed with stall stream. It is absolutely bursting with color in Seoul, and try it all. Dip the eomuk fish cakes, after stall of vendors selling everything under the fall. Unfortunately, public transport is not sit at a metal barrel on the plastic stools and the sun. Dongdaemun has a gigantic fabric simple to most Korean temples as they are partake of soju and raw squid with old men, Culture & Language market nearly bursting with trendy fashion conventionally up in the mountains. Magoksa have some fried corndog goodness, or even go designer subordinates running around with is no different, so driving by car is best. Go the distance and eat “pundaeggi” (silkworm lists; plus two more sections feature the fash- south on I-1 or 39 and choose a connector to larva). ions of the day (or night) with half open daily 329. The parking lot is located at 36.556542, 10. See a Show (Seoul) There is a lot of and half open nightly. Namdaemun is my 127.020494. A close second choice for Korean talent and creativity in Korea! Go to a concert, pick. www.namdaemunmarket.co.kr temple is Guinsa, which has a steep mountain- watch a play, see the symphony, or watch a 6. Korean War Memorial (Seoul) Here ous approach, but accessible to everyone via non-verbal performance such as Bibop, Jump Cell phones is another sober reminder of what Korea has ITT trips. or Nanta. Seoul gets major acts and does ex- been through in its recent past. This well-done 8. Seoraksan Seoraksan National Park cellent Broadway. Easy booking at ticket.in- museum walks visitors through the entire truly is a gem in the northeastern part of the terpark.com history with many interactive exhibits and country. It features enormous granite out- videos; all in multiple languages. The actual croppings and durable pines perched precari- DAY TRIPS memorial at the center is simplistic and very ously high. The main entrance to the park has So, now you are here! This is a real assign- Education symbolic. There is also an extensive outdoor a large temple complex and cable car up to a ment, treat it as such, and find your niche. section featuring vehicles and equipment, plus windswept outcropping. There are many hik- There is a lot to do in Korea that has nothing to two very large wings with carved memorial ing options, but our favorite is in the south- do with the downtown scene, and a significant names of the fallen. With some parental ern portion along the Heullimgol Valley portion of it is nearby. All of these sites are guidance and discretion, I find it appropriate boardwalk trail to the Yaksuteo Ranger worthwhile to visit and most of them can be for all ages. www.warmemo.or.kr Station and then returning via a taxi. Note seen via public transportation. Some are obvi- Transportation 7. Magoksa Magoksa is my absolute fa- that the Seoraksan camp ground is outside the ously kid-specific, but Korean attractions are vorite regional temple to visit. It is situated park and not ideal for trail access. I highly rec- typically both single and family friendly alike. along a stream near Gongju and has a very ommend visiting mid-week as it gets insanely I have taken my children to every one of these serene setting. Like all Korean Buddhist tem- crowded on weekends. places. When traveling in Korea with kids, it’s ples, the approach is part of the mindfulness 9. Eat Korean street food This can be involved in a visit. At Magoksa, you are treated done anywhere! Walk out the main gate at Continued on page 54 Private vehicles Online Legal Shopping Leisure Leisure Dongdaemun Welcome to Pacific 2015-16 KOREA 53 Continued from page 53 the city library on the right side of have kid lands for cheap babysit- the road: 37.078602, 127.059540. ting, this one takes the cake for generally easier to navigate with- Another great day trip is the Py- sheer size and options. It costs out a stroller; if you must bring eongtaek City Tour; this is a more for these features and is a one, smaller is better. free day trip offered by the PIEF special treat for my kids. Even Begin right outside Osan Air (Pyeongtaek International Ex- without children, this extra-large Base with a bike ride along the change Foundation) six times a HomePlus is worth a wander Jinwi river bike trail. Pedal out year to see the local sights and his- or just to visit the food court for the Morin Gate, turn left and fol- tory in our area. www.pief.or.kr lunch. low the road as it curves right out A little further afield, up in of town, turn left onto route 306 Osan City, are many wonder- SHOPPING at a light; the trail access is at the ful options for day trips (www. Speaking of shopping, there are next bridge over the river. You osan.go.kr). You could take a hike numerous options right outside could even follow the trail north- around the cute ancient Doksan- the gate. First, of course, are all ward to the Jinwi Community seong hilltop fortress where our friends and good neighbors Campground and Pool.