Feeling intellectual? There is no better place to get nerdy with the one you <3, this Valentine’s day, then Seoul. With 100’s of Museums ranging in different interests it’s easy to explore your intellectual side together. Check out my list:
Five Fabulous Seoul Museums
1) National Museum of Korea
Housing over 220,000 relics and art pieces in total, and displaying 13,000 works at any given time, this museum can have you wandering it’s three floors for days. It’s first floor contains an archaeological and historical gallery. The second floor you can find painting and calligraphy and third floor Asian art.
Fee: Free general admission
Hours: Tuesday, Thursday, Friday: 9:00-18:00; Wednesday, Saturday 9:00- 21:00, Sunday 9:00- 19:00
Directions: Take Line 4 or the Jungang Line (Yongmun-Yongsan) to Ichon Station. Go out Exit 2, and walk 150m towards Yongsan Family Park.
2) Trick Eye Museum
The Trick Eye Museum in Hongdae will have your Facebook friends wondering for weeks “How did they get those pictures?” It displays hundreds of exhibits that use the French technique Trompe L’oeil (deceive the eye). Combo tickets can also be bought to include the ice museum next door. Visit their website for a 20% off coupon.
Website: www.trickeye.com
Fee: 15,000 (12,000 with online coupon)
Hours: Everyday 9:00-21:00
Directions: 10 minute walk from Hongik University Station Exit 9 (see website for walking map)
3) War Memorial of Korea
In Korea’s 5,000 – year history, the country has certainly seen their fair share of war. The museum is split into two main exhibits: The outdoor exhibits and indoor. Inside you will find six halls complete with the history of the Korean War, life-like Combat Experience Rooms, 4-D movie experiences, gun simulators and much more. For more information check out my war memorial blog post HERE!
Webiste: www.warmemo.or.ok
Fee: Free general admission
Hours: Tuesday-Sunday 9:00-18:00
Directions: Samgakji Station Exit 12, walk five minutes
4) Seoul Museum of History
Capture the traditional culture of Seoul with it’s many exhibits that will bring you back in time from the prehistoric era to modern Seoul. View the many Joseon Dynasty relics the museum houses.
Website: www.museum.seoul.kr
Fee: Free general admission/ Free audio guides available
Hours: March-October 9:00-21:00, weekends 9:00-19:00; November- February 9:00-21:00, weekends 9:00-18:00
Directions: Gwanghwamun Station Exit 7, do a u-turn and turn right at the 4-way intersection. Walk straight 500m
5) Seoul Museum of Art (SeMA)
Seoul Art museum has earned the reputation of ‘Korea’s leading art venue’ showcasing many world-famous exhibitions. The museum is situated in central Seoul and is housed in an impressive building which features large windows allowing exhibits to be viewed in natural light.
Website: www.sema.seoul.go.kr/global/eindex
Fee: Admission fee varies by exhibition
Hours: March-October: Tuesday-Friday 10:00-20:00, Saturday and Sunday 10:00- 19:00; November- February: Tuesday- Friday 10:00 am-20:00, Saturday and Sunday 10:00-18:00
Directions: City Hall Station Exit #1 Go to the right and turn down the first street on your left before Deoksugung Palace.
Keep going for 5 minutes; the museum is on a small hill to the left.
