Plan an Autism Friendly Vacation in South Korea

Are you ready to show your autistic family the world? There are so many unique destinations to choose from when you are planning autism friendly vacations. One of the destinations people often forget about is South Korea. And yet, it is a fascinating place to visit. You can learn quite a bit about the culture in South Korea as you dine on delicious cuisine and hike the mountainous terrain when you are not exploring the big cities. And don’t worry. Your vacation in South Korea can be as autism friendly as you need. Especially when you allow me to plan your South Korea vacation. Today, I am giving you a glimpse into what you can look forward to during your autism-friendly vacation in South Korea. 

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Plan an Autism Friendly Vacation in South Korea

Before I go into detail about what your autistic family can experience in South Korea, we need to chat about the best times to visit. The weather in South Korea can be extreme during the winter and the summer months. The winter brings frigid temperatures, while the summer months bring extreme heat. 

Therefore, I recommend planning your vacation in South Korea during the spring or the fall. This is when the temperatures are more moderate. The spring months also bring blooming cherry blossoms. So, keep that in mind if you have always wanted to see the cherry blossoms while traveling worldwide. 

Things to See and Do During Your Autism Friendly Vacation in South Korea

Enjoy a Little Fun at Lotte World

Lotte World is an amusement park in the heart of Seoul. Like Disney or Universal, this theme park can get quite busy. So, I recommend purchasing the Magic Pass for each family member. This will save you a lot of time since you won’t need to spend hours standing in line for the rides. 

When you need a break from the rides, you can watch a show or grab a bite to eat from one of the food vendors. 

Visit Seoul Children’s Grand Park

You may think that Seoul Children’s Grand Park is simply a park. However, it is much more than an open green space. This park contains a playground, zoo, botanic garden, imagination center, and amusement park. 

It is best to plan your visit carefully so your autistic child doesn’t experience sensory overload. You may even want to visit this area a couple of days in a row to give yourself some downtime between attractions. 

Hike the Dobongsan Trail Within Bukhansan National Park

Okay, I know your autistic family won’t be hiking for miles while on vacation in South Korea. But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t check out Bukhansan National Park. 

When you arrive at the park, you will see a market that sells everything you may need for a hike. Stop to explore or grab a bite before passing a beautiful temple on the way to the Dobongsan Trail. 

This trail begins with paving stones and then changes to natural rock steps. Madang Rock can be seen at approximately the two-and-a-half-mile mark. This smooth granite rock is where most people turn around since the trail gets quite challenging after this point. 

Walk at Cheonggyecheon River Park

If you want to experience the great outdoors but don’t want to go hiking with your autistic child, you have options. I recommend walking at Cheonggyecheon River Park. 

A small waterfall flows into the sparkling river, which you can cross over on the stone step bridges. This is an easy stroll that everyone in your family will love. 

See Marine Life at Lotte World Aquarium

You will find the Lotte World Aquarium at the Lotte World Mall. The aquarium is on two floors of the mall. 

There are plenty of interactive exhibits for your family to enjoy during your visit. The kids can crawl through tunnels to see marine life differently. Head to the carp feeding station after seeing the otters, sea lions, penguins, sea turtles, and a beluga whale. There, you can pay for a baby bottle filled with carp food. The fish will suck from the bottle you are holding until all the food is gone. 

Eat a Meal at the Namdaemun Market

The Namdaemun Market is the largest market in South Korea. It is an excellent place to eat local street food for lunch. Some of the street food options include pork and kimchi steamed dumplings, deep-fried potato-covered corn dogs, and sweet rice honey hotteok pancakes. 

In between bites, you can shop for souvenirs. If you are looking for traditional items and souvenirs, head over to Dongdaemun Market. There are twenty-six shopping malls and thirty thousand specialty shops located there. 

Meet Local Families at the Children’s Museum of the National Museum of Korea

If you have a rainy day while on vacation in South Korea, head to the Children’s Museum. It is best to reserve a time for this adventure, but you may get lucky and be allowed in without one. 

This is an interactive museum filled with kid-friendly activities. Your kids will love playing with the local kids at all the exhibits. 

See the Cherry Blossoms at Yeouido Park

If you take your autism-friendly vacation in South Korea during the spring, you should go to Yeouido Park to see the cherry blossoms in bloom. It is also a great place to enjoy a picnic lunch or get the wiggles out at the playground. 

Take a Selfie or Two at the Photo Booths

Photo booths seem to be everywhere in South Korea. They are a wonderful place to grab a selfie or two with your family. Your photos will print out in minutes, and you will have a fabulous souvenir to take home. 

Dine at an Animal Cafe

Animal cafes seem to be popular in South Korea. If your autistic family loves animals, I recommend you visit one during your vacation. Some cafes have cats or dogs to see while sipping on your drinks. Others have sheep, raccoons, and even a fox or two. 

There are so many other autism-friendly things you can choose from when planning a vacation in South Korea for your family. Planning an autism-friendly vacation in South Korea on your own is possible. However, if you want to save time and ensure you have the resources you will need in a foreign country, you will want to schedule a planning session with me. I will plan your trip from start to finish while ensuring your family has every resource you need while away from home. Let’s chat today and make your South Korea vacation dreams a reality.