10 Best Things to Do in Daejeon
What is Daejeon Most Famous For?
The best of Daejeon lies in its serene natural surroundings of dense woodland, modest mountain slopes, and the wide-reaching Daecheong Lake. Easy hiking trails and scenic drives immerse you in the gentle pace of life in this small city just 1 hour from Seoul.
Daejeon is a particularly family-friendly city, with plenty of activities for children and easily accessible outdoor recreation. Known as one of South Korea’s major hubs of science and technology, the city’s museums have tons of hands-on activities throughout their expansive exhibition halls. You’ll find plenty of places to rest and enjoy your surroundings here, too. Read on to discover the best Daejeon has to offer.
What are the best things to do in Daejeon?
1. National Science Museum
Natural history and modern invention
Good for: Families, History
The National Science Museum should be at the top of your list of places to visit if you’re traveling to Daejeon with children. Free to enter, this science museum is the largest in South Korea and comprises 4 large exhibition halls, a planetarium, and outdoor exhibits and playgrounds. The museum covers everything from human evolution and astronomy to bioscience and technology.
Exhibit highlights include an in-depth display of the stages of Earth’s development and a collection of trilobites from the Paleozoic period. The museum has many interactive elements, with displays demonstrating scientific principles and inventions.
Location: 481 Daedeok-daero, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, South Korea
Open: Tuesday–Sunday from 9.30 am to 5.30 pm (closed on Mondays)
Phone: +82 (0)42-601-7979
National Science Museum
2. Hanbat Arboretum
Diverse plant life from all over the world
Good for: Couples, Single, Budget
Hanbat Arboretum is a vast, man-made arboretum with more than 1,000 species of trees and shrubs plus another 600 plant species. Located in central Daejeon near the city’s major museums, it’s a great place to relax and stroll amidst wooded walks, colorful flower gardens, and tranquil ponds.
The vast park covers nearly 400,000 square miles and is divided into the West and East Gardens. The West Garden highlights the character of the region’s native flora, while the East Garden displays more exotic plant species and contains 19 distinct themed gardens, including the Magnolia Garden and the Medicinal Herbs Garden.
Location: 169 Dunsan-daero, Seo-gu, Daejeon, South Korea
Open: Daily from 5 am to 9 pm
Phone: +82 (0)42-270-8452
Hanbat Arboretum
3. Gyejoksan Mountain Red Clay Trail
Restorative clay walks
Good for: Adventure
The Red Clay Trail on Gyejoksan Mountain became a national attraction for its purported health benefits, which include improving blood circulation and curing insomnia. Visitors walk the long, gently sloping trail barefoot to get their feet in contact with hwangto, the mineral-rich red clay that the path is made up of. The clay is thought to be a natural purifier and to emit infrared rays that aid in cell regeneration.
The 9-mile loop trail takes around 5 hours from start to finish. Foot baths along the path are provided for trekkers to wash the clay off their feet, and locals can be seen taking breaks at mountainside cafes with snacks and glasses of makegeoli, a milky Korean rice wine.
Location: 485 Jang-dong, Daedeok-gu, Daejeon, South Korea
Open: Daily from 9 am to midnight
Phone: +82 (0)42-623-9909
Gyejoksan Mountain Red Clay Trail
4. Jangtaesan Recreational Forest
For fiery fall foliage
Good for: Photo, Adventure, Families
Jangtaesan Recreational Forest is a hugely popular eco-tourism destination among South Koreans. The lush, forested valley is lined with hiking trails and peppered with vacation cabins where locals come for holidays. Dense clusters of ginkgo and bald cypress trees turn a vivid shade of orange each fall, making it a popular spot for a photo op.
The forest’s Adventure Skywalk, an elevated walkway between towering metasequoia trees, draws a lot of visitors. An observatory offers views above the treetops, and wooden benches throughout the park make this a great place for a picnic.
Location: 461, Jangan-ro, Seo-gu, Daejeon, South Korea
Phone: +82 (0)42-270-7883
Jangtaesan Recreational Forest
5. Daecheong Lake
One of South Korea’s 3 great lakes
Good for: Adventure, Families
Daecheong Lake is a man-made reservoir providing water for Daejeon to the south and Cheongju to the north. The lake pools in valleys between small forested mountains and serves as a haven for white herons and many migratory birds. The area is known for its picturesque driving route that follows the perimeter of the lake along tree-lined mountain roads.
The Daechelong Lake Trails are a collection of 6 walking routes and 3 cycling paths that meander by the lake and through its mountains. The easy, relatively flat trails make this a great outing for the family or anyone looking for a tranquil environment to spend an afternoon in.
Daecheong Lake
6. Dongchundang
A serene 17th-century residence
Good for: History
Dongchundang is the former residence of Song Chun-gil, a scholar during the Joseon Dynasty who served as Grand Secretary, Minister of Interior, and Minister of War. Much of the residential compound looks as it did in the 17th century, including its pavilions and 3 ponds. This quiet estate is where Song Chun-gil pursued his studies, instructed apprentices, and produced his writings.
Walking around the compound is like stepping back in time, and its well-maintained garden is a lovely spot for a stroll. Treasured for its historical significance, the site also serves as the venue of the annual Dongchundang Culture Festival.
Location: 192 Songchon-dong, Daedeok-gu, Daejeon, South Korea
Dongchundang
7. Yuseong Foot Spa
Perfect for resting your weary soles
Good for: Couples, Budget
The Hanbang Hot Springs have a long history, known to have been frequented by Joseon-era kings Taejo and Taejong. The Yuseon Public Foot Baths, a favorite destination of locals and visitors alike, draw from these hot springs. The facilities are comfortable and free to use, with umbrellas providing shade on hot afternoons and dryers available so no towels are needed. Some bathers bring a book and take an extended soak.
The low-alkaline spring water contains radium, which is said to be effective against neurological, gastrointestinal, and skin conditions. A soak in the 104°F spring water will reenergize you and have you walking on air for the rest of the day.
Location: 545-2 Oncheon 1-dong Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, South Korea
Open: Daily from 8 am to 10 pm
Yuseong Foot Spa
8. Hanwha Life Eagles Park
The thrills of Korea’s favorite pastime: baseball
Good for: Couples, Families
Seeing a baseball game at Hanwha Life Eagles Park is a must for any sports fan in Daejeon and a great way to enjoy Korean culture. Home to the Hanwha Eagles, one of South Korea’s professional baseball teams, this small but nostalgic stadium park offers an exhilarating experience, and its compact size ensures you get up-close views of the action.
Join in on the cheers as the stands come alive with enthusiastic fans chanting unique cheers for each player as they bat. The stadium also boasts a variety of food stalls serving delicious Korean street food, making it a delightful spot to enjoy both the game and a meal.
Location: 373 Daejong-ro, Jung-gu, Daejeon, South Korea
Phone: +82 (0)42-630-8200
Hanwha Life Eagles Park
9. Ppuri Park
Korean genealogy at a charming city park
Good for: History, Families
Ppuri Park is a great place for a family outing. Located south of the city center, this park will be of particular interest to Koreans and those of Korean heritage, as it offers insight into Korean genealogy. Some 100 sculptures are placed throughout the park, each symbolizing a particular Korean surname and inscribed with information about the name’s origins. A small genealogy museum features exhibits about the roots of Korean clans and traces the history of Korean royalty.
This grassy park is well-maintained and furnished with picnic areas and a café. A river runs through it, and on fair-weather days family-size swan boats are available to rent.
Location: 79 Ppurigongwon-ro, Jung-gu, Daejeon , South Korea
Open: March–October: daily from 6 am to 10 pm. November–February: daily from 7 am to 9 pm
Phone: +82 (0)42-288-8310
Ppuri Park
10. Expo Science Park
City views and weekend entertainment
Good for: History, Nightlife
Expo Science Park was created to revitalize the site and facilities of the 1993 Taejon Expo and has remained as a public space for education and leisure. The futuristic Hanbit Tower, the park’s main point of interest, offers panoramic views of the city and is free to enter. The park is frequently used as a stage for music performances and other community events and is often packed with food trucks on weekend evenings.
Details in the park’s design like elements from the periodic table in its pathways gesture toward its history. For those interested in learning more, the World Expo Memorial Museum has more than 5,000 artifacts on display.
Location: 480 Daedeok-daero, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, South Korea
Phone: +82 (0)42-866-5114
Expo Science Park
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