✨ Jolly Jottings in Seoul Pt. 3

Consuelo Grier
1 day ago
4 min read

Day 3: Sharks, Rainy-Day Adventures & Cooking in a Hanok

🌧️ The Pivot - Another rainy morning greeted us in Seoul, but by Day 3, we had stopped resisting it.

Instead of trying to rework outdoor plans again, we leaned fully into what the city does incredibly well: thoughtful, immersive indoor experiences. Rather than navigating public transportation in the cold and rain, we made a simple decision that shaped the entire day — we called a taxi and headed to COEX.

It was easy, comfortable, and exactly what we needed to keep the day feeling smooth instead of stressful.

📍 Where We Went - Here’s how Day 3 unfolded.

🐠 COEX Sea Life Aquarium

https://video.wixstatic.com/video/56e26e_108e4a9996104f52b5b7f114064f5018/1080p/mp4/file.mp4

Sea Life COEX Aquarium Adventure

Tucked beneath one of Seoul’s largest underground complexes, the COEX Aquarium ended up being so much more than we expected. We moved through it slowly, not rushing, not trying to “see everything,” but actually taking it in.

We wandered through:

Glowing jellyfish exhibits
Long glass tunnels with sharks swimming overhead
Koi ponds and immersive themed zones
A glass-bottom boat ride over a shark tank, where we even fed the fish

It turned into one of those moments where no one was hurrying us along. We lingered, watched, pointed things out to each other, and just experienced it together. Although there was a lot to see, it never felt overstimulating.

🍴 Quick Bite at COEX

After the aquarium, we grabbed a quick, casual meal inside the mall, nothing fancy, just a moment to reset and refuel before continuing on. Simple pauses like these make a full day sustainable, especially when traveling as a family. There's lots ot eat inside the mall, bathrooms are easy to find and well maintained, and it's not a bad place to grab a few souveniers.

📚 Starfield Library

Then came Starfield Library, and it stopped us in our tracks.

Even knowing it was popular, nothing quite prepares you for the scale. Towering bookshelves stretch stories high, wrapping the space in quiet awe. When we visited, it was glowing with soft lighting and anchored by a giant Christmas tree, which made it feel even more magical.

We didn’t rush this moment. We stood there, looked up, and just let it settle in. It was busy, yet there was ample space to be in awe.

Going to Starfield Library is definitely a touristy-type activity, but that should not deter you. It also is not a long, drawn-out stop, but the pictures, the vibe, and the views are completely worth adding the steps to your daily total.

🍳 Royal Seoul Cooking Class (100 Year Old Hanok Experience)

After heading back to the hotel to regroup, we walked just about 7 minutes to one of the most meaningful experiences of the trip — a traditional Korean cooking class inside a 100-year-old hanok.

From the moment we arrived, it felt warm and intentional. This wasn’t just about cooking — it was about understanding:

How Korean meals are structured
The meaning behind ingredients
The role of food in connection and care

We cooked side by side, laughed through the process, and learned together. And when it was time to sit down and eat, it felt less like an activity and more like a shared moment we had created. That dinner — made by our own hands, enjoyed together — became one of the memories we carry with us long after the trip.

Be sure to schedule ahead with Royal Seoul!

💛 What Made This Day Special

Letting go of the plan and fully embracing a rainy-day rhythm
Slowing down enough to actually experience each space
A perfect balance of activities between the aquarium, library, and traditional cooking class
A cooking experience that created connection, not just activity
Choosing ease — taxis, walkable locations, and thoughtful pacing

🌙 Ending the Night: Cozy, Creative & Fully Together

After such a full day, we didn’t feel the need to go back out — and honestly, we didn’t want to.

Instead, we returned to our hotel and leaned into something that ended up being just as memorable.

One of the things we appreciated most about staying at Orakai Insadong Suites was the space. Having a full kitchen and living room gave us room to spread out in a way that traditional hotel rooms don’t always allow — especially when traveling as a family.

That night looked like:

Sitting together in the living room
Playing a travel game we brought from home
Laughing way too hard
Making funny TikToks with our cousin

It was light, silly, and completely unplanned — the kind of night that reminds you that some of the best travel moments don’t happen out in the city, but right where you’re staying.

Being able to walk just minutes back from our cooking class and settle into that kind of comfort made all the difference. It gave the day a soft landing.

💡 Family Travel Tip

Where you stay matters more than you think.

Having space to come back to — especially on full or rainy days — can completely change the feel of a trip. Look for accommodations that allow your family to: