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October is one of the most beautiful months to visit South Korea. The air is crisp, the maple trees are turning red and gold, and family-friendly attractions are less crowded after the summer rush. Average temperatures range from 15–22°C (59–72°F) — perfect for outdoor adventures.
We actually ended up visiting Korea completely on a whim — a severe weather warning hit just as we landed in Manila, and we did what any slightly panicked family would do: we booked flights to South Korea! And honestly, it turned out to be one of the best decisions of the trip. We got to explore an incredible country in our own way. We’re not the type to stick to the usual “kid-friendly” checklist — theme parks and purely children-focused attractions aren’t usually our style unless there’s a strong cultural twist. What we really loved were the experiences that gave us a sense of the country, the culture, and a bit of adventure along the way. These are the highlights from our 10 days in Korea that the whole family genuinely enjoyed:
1. Step Back in Time at Gyeongbokgung Palace (Seoul)
Built in 1395, this royal palace is the heart of Seoul’s history. Rent a hanbok (traditional Korean outfit) nearby for free entry and gorgeous/slightly comedy photos (we didn’t do this as we thought it might be inappropriate…but apparently not!
Don’t miss the Changing of the Guard ceremony that happens twice a day.
2. Wander Through Bukchon Hanok Village
Bukchon Hanok Village is one of the best places in Seoul to experience traditional Korean culture with kids. 🏯 The neighborhood is filled with beautifully preserved hanok (traditional wooden houses), narrow alleys, and small craft shops. Families can explore at their own pace — stop for tea, try on hanbok for fun photos, or visit a few of the local art galleries and workshops. It’s a great spot to show kids how old and new Seoul come together, with quiet courtyards just a short walk from the busy city streets. Don’t miss the viewpoints overlooking the rooftops — they make for some of the best family photos in Seoul..
3. Eat Your Way Through Seoul’s Street Food Markets
Korea is a foodie’s paradise and markets are at their best in autumn. At Gwangjang Market, try spicy tteokbokki, mung bean pancakes, and mayak gimbap (addictive mini seaweed rolls). In Myeongdong, you’ll find sweet hotteok, lobster skewers, as well as plenty of sweet treats — hotteok (syrup pancakes), corn dogs, and roasted chestnuts. We tried everything. some things worked and others were maybe a bit out there for the kids, but food is a big part of our travels, particularly street food, and Seoul definitely didn’t disappoint.
4. See Seoul from the N Seoul Tower
Head up N Seoul Tower for panoramic views but if you don’t want to pay to do that, you can also see incredible views for free around the tower. There’s some places to buy drinks and souvenirs as well as a very phot worthy, cute padlock collection. There’s also a photo booth! We went during the day and for sunset and honestly, the views are totally sensational. Definitely a must do in my book.
5. Visit Suwon
Suwon ended up being one of our favourite day trips from Seoul. We got the train which was easy and cheap. We loved walking along the Hwaseong Fortress walls — the views of the city below were amazing, and the gentle slopes made it easy even for the kids. Along the way, we stopped to do some of the hands on activities, grabbed some snacks from a nearby stall, and just enjoyed stroll. Walking the walls was also free which was a bonus!
6. Take a bullet train
I am a big train fan. I love travelling by train and it’s my favourite mode of transport so I was excited to try the bullet trains in Korea. They’re fast, spotless, and surprisingly easy to navigate, even with kids and luggage in tow. We were amazed by how smooth and quiet the ride was. We’d settle into our seats with snacks from the station, watch the countryside blur by, and be in another city before we knew it. It made day trips to places like Gyeongju feel effortless — no stress, no traffic, just comfortable seats, clean toilets, and it felt pretty cool when the train starts to fly down the tracks. Getting tickets was very easy, we just went to the train station and got them there and then. They were also super affordable which for a family of five on a budget, was a definite bonus.
7. Explore the Ancient City of Gyeongju
Often called “the museum without walls,” Gyeongju is packed with royal tombs, Buddhist relics, and 1,000-year-old temples. It really felt like we were wandering around some serious Korean history. The kids loved running (yes, running) around the burial mounds and the temples looked just picture postcard surrounded by the colours of Autumn. Visit Bulguksa Temple, Anapji Pond, and Cheomseongdae Observatory for a deep dive into Korean history.
8. Gamcheon Culture Village
Gamcheon Culture Village in Busan was a great place to visit. Walking through the steep, winding streets felt like stepping into a giant art project — every wall, staircase, and alley was covered in bright murals, sculptures, and quirky installations. The kids loved spotting hidden characters, taking photos with the painted doors, and peeking into little galleries and shops along the way. It was fun to wander at our own pace, stopping for snacks or ice cream while enjoying the views of Busan’s harbour below. Gamcheon was definitely one of our favourite places.
9. Celebrate Halloween
Although we weren’t really prepared for it, Halloween in Korea felt like a much bigger deal than we expected — and not just for kids. Teenagers and adults were decked out in full costumes, roaming the streets and partying Halloween-style days before the actual holiday. Everywhere we looked, there were people dressed as superheroes, zombies, or K-pop stars, and the energy in neighborhoods like Hongdae and Itaewon was electric. Shops and cafés had spooky decorations, and even some subway stations got into the theme with pumpkins and themed displays. It honestly felt more like a city-wide festival than a single night of trick-or-treating — a mix of costume fun, music, lights, and laughter that made wandering the streets with the family feel lively and colourful. For families with kids, it’s easy to enjoy the atmosphere from a distance — grab a hot chocolate, stroll through the decorated streets, and let the kids marvel at the costumes without getting caught up in the late-night party scene.
10. Try a Korean BBQ
Eating Korean BBQ in Korea was definitely a fun experience — Most restaurants have grills right at the table, so everyone can cook their own meat, vegetables, and seafood exactly how they like it. The meat eating kids loved watching the meat sizzle and trying little bites of everything, while the vegetarians enjoyed sampling all the side dishes — kimchi, pickled radish, and tiny pancakes. It’s very interactive, which makes it perfect for families. Full disclosure: if you’re vegetarian, options are limited, but it was a fun thing to do and a must do for all meat eaters.
11. Visit a photo booth
You can’t visit South Korea without trying a Korean photo booth — we absolutely loved them. Known locally as “purike” or self-photo studios, these booths are sprinkled all over Korea. Step inside, pick a background (from dreamy flower walls to neon K-pop vibes), and snap away! Ours kids loved choosing props and fun filters, as did we, in all honesty. You get instant, professional-quality photo strips to take home — the perfect souvenir of your Korea trip and some of our favourite and precious souvenirs from our entire 5 month trip around Asia. Korean photo booths guarantee genuine fun and a keepsake your family will absolutely treasure. We ended up visiting about 5 during our stay and we’ve now made a decision that whenever we see one, we use it, we love them so much.
Final Thoughts
Visiting Korea with children in October was an incredible experience. From exploring historic palaces and walking along fortress walls to travelling on bullet trains, wandering the colourful streets of Gamcheon, and enjoying interactive meals like Korean BBQ, each day was full of new experiences. The autumn leaves added a beautiful backdrop to parks, temples, and city streets, and even Halloween brought a lively, unexpected energy to the cities. It was a great mix of history, adventure and fun and we’ll definitely be back.
Kitchen Family Travels 