First time to Seoul

We are planning a 4 day trip to Seoul. Our family - 2 adults %26amp; 2 young adults (12 %26amp; 16 years old). What is a good safe area to stay at? Any recommendations on hotels (4 to 5 star). Restaurants? What we want to get out of this trip is WHAT MAKES SINGAPORE, UNFORGETABLE?? What Attractions should we as a family experience to get the most out of this trip? i.e. museums, sites, culture, food. Within 5 days what is it that we need to do, visit, experience, taste. etc. to get the most out of this trip? What should we STAY AWAY from?

We are very active- we walk a lot. Love the outdoors, we are open minded to different experinces, foods, etc. We like SHOPPING!! We however are not so much into the night life/clubbibg, etc. We are more ';day'; or early evening people. Please provide as much info as you think you can. Answer the question, in your opinion, WHAT MAKES SEOUL UNFORGETABLE?? What will keep us talking about this trip for years to come?

Thanks

First time to Seoul

I think it%26#39;s all safe. At least I%26#39;ve not found anywhere that seemed unsafe. Stay downtown, I think, is best for you- in Junggu or Myeongdong. Your budget will determine your hotel, of course. The Shilla hotel is a real experience, but costly. Visit palaces: esp Changdokkung- you need a tour. Climb Namsan. Walk along Cheongyecheon.

Whatever you do, do take the train to Suwon- walk the ramparts and visit the Folk village.

Do try some Korean food before you go to Seoul; then you%26#39;ll know what you like. Many regional or dynastic restaurants exist in Seoul,but the standard BBQ or instead a bibimbap for lunch is a staple.

Also, take subway to Samseong station on the circle line. Walk through the Coex mall to the north end and then cross the road and climb to the temple. Afterwards, eat in O%26#39;Kims%26#39; Brauhaus in the COEX centre -great fun and bizarre!

First time to Seoul

Don%26#39;t miss the DMZ tour. It is a unique experience and a place the young adults should see.

What makes Seoul unforgetable to me is the fact that the city was totally destroyed in 1953. It is now a bustling city of 11 million.

I%26#39;m sure you will have a great time in Seoul. it is a bustling mega city with lots of stuff to do. Don%26#39;t worry about the safety. All places are safe. I have been to Seoul many times, visited most parts of Seoul and Korea and never had any problems whatsoever. That includes late night drunk taking taxi across Seoul to get back to my accomodation...and no, I don%26#39;t speak korean. Here are my suggestions:

1) Hotel: I have only 1 experience with 4/5 star hotel and that is Somerset Palace. IMHO an excellent place. You can read my review here on tripadvisor.

2) Restaurants: I wouldn%26#39;t bother.....lovely food everywhere. For cheap korean lunch or dinner, do as the koreans and go to Kimbab Chongguk($3-$8). Try pork(tuechi) or beef(so) kalbi, bulgogi, grilled kalchi (kalchi gui).

3) Sights: DMZ, Kyoungbuk palace, Fish market in Noryangjin (have to be early!), Blue house (have to make a reservation in advance), Insadong, traditional market in kyuong dong, hike up Namsan tower.

4) Amusement: Everland outside Seoul have amusment park, Zoo, water land.

5) Shopping: Myeong-dong, Dongdeamun %26amp; Namdeamun which also have night markets and are cheaper options, Shinsegea Department %26amp; Lotte Department for more expensive shopping, COEX mall and many outlets around the city. Shopping is everywhere in Seoul.

6) What about a trip to North Korea?

Hope this helps

you%26#39;re planning a lot of trips; strange you seem to ask identical questions and make similar errors in each.

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