✨ Jolly Jottings in Seoul Pt. 1

Consuelo Grier
2 days ago
5 min read

Seoul has a way of meeting you exactly where you are.

For our family, this trip wasn’t about racing from landmark to landmark or checking every “must-see” off a list. It was about experiencing the rhythm of the city — wandering quiet streets in the morning, warming up in cozy cafés, discovering unexpected moments of care and kindness, and letting each day unfold in its own way.

We spent our time based in Insadong, one of Seoul’s most walkable and culturally rich neighborhoods. From there, we explored traditional palaces, bustling night markets, modern attractions, and hidden spaces dedicated to Korean wellness and food. Some days went exactly as planned. Others required a pivot — rain, timing, or simply the desire to slow down. And in many ways, those pivots became some of the best parts of the trip.

In this series, I’m sharing our Seoul adventure one day at a time — the places we visited, the food we loved, and the small travel moments that made the experience special for our family. If you’re planning a trip to Seoul with kids, or simply want a travel pace that balances culture, curiosity, and rest, I hope these stories help you map your own adventure.

Let’s start at the beginning — our arrival in Seoul and the gentle first evening that helped us ease into the city.

✈️ Travel Notes: U.S. → Seoul

When traveling from the U.S. to Seoul, you lose one calendar day due to the time change. Planning for a low-key arrival day is helpful, especially when traveling with a child.

🚐 Airport Transfer: ICN → Seoul

From Incheon International Airport (ICN) to central Seoul, there are many transportation options, including airport buses, trains, taxis, and private transfers.

We chose a private airport transfer, and it was absolutely worth it for our family.

Clear and responsive communication before arrival
Driver met us at the airport holding a sign
Assistance with luggage to the van
Smooth, direct ride to our accommodation

The cost was approximately $90 USD, which is more expensive than public transit options, but after a long international flight, the ease, comfort, and peace of mind made it a great choice for us.

🏨 Home Base

We stayed at Orakai Insadong Suites, just steps from Insadong Cultural Street.This location was ideal for a family trip—centrally located, walkable, rich with traditional culture, cafés, and artisan shops, and well connected to public transportation.

☕ Arrival Night: Settle In & Ease Into Seoul

After checking into our aparthotel, we kept our first evening intentionally simple.

Just about a block and a half from our hotel, we found Cafe Adagio, a small neighborhood café serving sandwiches, pastries, and coffee—exactly what we needed after a long travel day. It felt cozy, welcoming, and low-key, making it a perfect first food stop in Seoul.

Right across the street from our hotel was a 7-Eleven, so we also grabbed:

Bottled water
A few sandwiches
Snacks to keep in the room

Back upstairs, we settled in and stayed up talking with our cousin who had come to meet us from Thailand. It was such a grounding way to land—sharing food, catching up, and easing into a new place together.

Since we arrived late in the evening, we didn’t push ourselves to explore further. We all turned in so we could get a good night’s rest and a strong start the next day.

Family travel tip: Planning a gentle arrival night—food close to your hotel, minimal logistics, and no pressure to sightsee—makes a huge difference when crossing time zones.

🇰🇷 Day 1: Rainy-Day Pivot — Cafés, Culture & Cozy Exploration

Our original plan for Day 1 was to dive straight into tradition: hanbok rentals and a visit to Gyeongbokgung Palace. But Seoul had other plans. It was raining!

Rather than forcing an outdoor-heavy day, we pivoted. And honestly? It worked beautifully. We woke up early, looked out at the rain, and decided to start the day slowly by walking the neighborhood to see what was nearby. One of the things we loved most about staying in Insadong was how easy it was to explore on foot without a fixed agenda.

Just a short walk from our hotel, we stumbled upon Obelee Cafe. It was exactly the kind of find you hope for while traveling—warm, inviting, and clearly loved by locals. We grabbed delicious pastries and gourmet coffee to take back to our “home for the week,” giving us a cozy start to the morning before heading out for the day.

With rain still falling and plans officially pivoted, we leaned into an option that worked perfectly for the weather: Lotte World.

🎟️ How We Booked Lotte World (and Why It Made Sense)

We purchased the Discover Seoul Pass ($33) through Klook, and it ended up being a fantastic value for our trip. One of the attractions included with the pass is Lotte World, which made the decision to pivot on a rainy, cold day an easy one.

With the weather working against us and Lotte World located quite a distance from Insadong, we decided to take a taxi rather than navigate public transportation. The ride cost about $11 USD, which felt very reasonable considering:

There were four of us
It was a fairly long cross-city trip
We were warm, dry, and door-to-door

Sometimes convenience wins — and this was one of those times.

🎢 Lotte World: A Full-Day, Rain-Proof Win

Visiting Lotte World during the early winter season felt especially magical. Because it was close to the winter holidays, the park was filled with festive decorations, seasonal displays, and a holiday parade, which added an unexpected layer of joy to the experience.We were honestly in awe of how massive Lotte World is, and how much there is to see and do, all under one roof.

🎠 Rides We Loved

French Revolution
The Adventures of Sindbad
The Conquistador
World Monorail
Bumper Cars

Between rides, we grabbed snacks, took lots of photos, and soaked in the atmosphere. We arrived while it was light outside and we didn’t leave until it was fully dark — a true full-day experience.

🌙 Evening Wind-Down: Comfort Food Close to Home

By the time we made it back to Insadong, we were happily exhausted. It had been a long day filled with walking, excitement, and sensory overload — the good kind.

Thankfully, there was no need to go far. On the ground floor of Orakai Insadong Suites, we found a restaurant serving a really wonderful Korean BBQ menu. It was exactly what we needed: comforting, satisfying, and close enough that no one had to rally for one more adventure.