Complete Guide to a Day Trip in Songdo - BEST 7 Spots with Honest Reviews

Introduction - Just an hour from Seoul, who knew Songdo was this amazing!

I've seen Songdo so much on Instagram lately that I was curious! My friend kept recommending it, so I finally mustered up the courage to visit on a Saturday morning. I was really surprised by how much there was to see, much more than I expected. It takes about an hour by car from Seoul, and it felt like I was abroad. There are so many things to enjoy that you won't have a moment to be bored all day, so I highly recommend it!

I'll introduce you to the itinerary for a day trip to Songdo, which we spent from early morning to evening. If you're planning a trip to Songdo, be sure to check it out!

1. Triple Street - A shopping street with artistic umbrella ceilings

The first place we visited was Triple Street, the hottest spot in Songdo! It's directly connected to Exit 2 of Technopark Station, making it very accessible by public transportation. As soon as we arrived, the colorful umbrellas hanging from the ceiling caught my eye, and I realized this was the scene I had seen on Instagram!

The shopping street is 650 meters long, and it's much larger than I expected. There are various brand stores, cafes, restaurants, and even a cinema, so you can easily spend half a day here. Especially on weekends, there's a flea market, adding more things to see. We were lucky to come across the 'Songdo Market' flea market, and it was fun to browse the various handmade and vintage items.

We had curry for lunch at Abiko inside Triple Street, and it was delicious with a nice atmosphere. While eating, we could see a busking performance outside, which added to the lively atmosphere.

2. Songdo Central Park - The charm of an urban sea park

A 10-minute drive from Triple Street brings you to Central Park, Songdo's landmark. It's said to be inspired by New York's Central Park and is the first seawater park in the country. The artificial waterway, made by bringing in seawater, is 1.8 km long, which is quite impressive!

As soon as we entered the park, the combination of green spaces and skyscrapers was very impressive. It felt like I was in a foreign country with its exotic atmosphere. The park is so vast (370,000㎡) that it might be tiring to walk around, so I recommend enjoying water leisure activities!

We took a water taxi from the West Boat House, and the view of Songdo from the water was truly fantastic. They operate on the hour on weekdays and every 30 minutes on weekends, so you can plan your visit accordingly. For those who are more active, I recommend canoeing or kayaking. You can paddle to Rabbit Island or Deer Hill.

What impressed me the most in Central Park was the seawater foot bath. It's right behind the boat area, and since there's no beach in Songdo, it's a great place to dip your feet in seawater. It was really refreshing to soak my tired feet in the cool seawater!

3. Songdo Hanok Village - A blend of tradition and modernity

While strolling through Central Park, you'll naturally come across Hanok Village. It was fascinating to see traditional Korean houses suddenly appear among the skyscrapers. This place is more of a shopping area with Hanok-style buildings rather than actual Hanoks.

The most impressive part of Hanok Village was the view of Hanoks with modern skyscrapers in the background. Looking out from inside, it felt like a meeting of the Joseon Dynasty and modern times, making it a great spot for photos. It's especially beautiful at night when the lights are on, so I recommend checking out the night view!

There's also a Hollys Hanok Cafe in the village, which is a nice place to take a break. The interior is spacious with various themed tables, allowing you to relax with a cup of coffee while enjoying the view outside.

4. G Tower Observatory - A panoramic view of Songdo!

If you want to see the entire view of Songdo, the G Tower Observatory is a must-visit! Located on the 33rd floor, the IFEZ Promotion Hall Observatory offers a 360-degree panoramic view of Songdo International City, Incheon Bridge, and the West Sea. Admission is free, so you can go up without any burden.

From the observatory, the view of Central Park and the surrounding skyscrapers below was truly spectacular. Seeing the Incheon Bridge stretching out made me realize that Songdo is truly an international city. There's also a Sky Garden on the 29th floor, but it's closed on weekends, so be sure to visit on a weekday!

G Tower also offers free bicycle rentals. Just show your ID or passport, and you can rent a bike for free all day, which is a great service for those who want to explore Songdo by bike.

5. Hyundai Premium Outlet Songdo - A shopping mecca

If you love shopping, you can't miss the Hyundai Premium Outlet Songdo! It's right across from Triple Street, making it easy to explore both. It's said to be the first urban premium outlet in Songdo, and it's really large.

There are a variety of brands, from luxury imports to casual brands, so you can shop according to your taste. Especially for families, there are great kids' facilities, so those visiting with children can shop comfortably. There's also a food court on the basement level, so you can grab a meal if you get hungry while shopping.

The interior themed after 'Where's Waldo?' was unique and fun to explore. It's directly connected to Technopark Station, making it very convenient for public transportation users.

6. NC Cube Canal Walk - A European-style shopping street

A 10-minute walk from Central Park Station will bring you to NC Cube Canal Walk. The sight of European-style buildings lined up on both sides of an artificial canal is truly unique. It felt like I was in a small European town.

The shopping space is divided into four themes: spring, summer, autumn, and winter, which was interesting. Each section has different concept stores, making it fun to explore. The total length is 740 meters, so you can take your time strolling and exploring.

There are clock towers, fountains, and various sculptures, making it a great place for photos. It's especially good for couples on a date. However, it's relatively quieter compared to Triple Street or Hyundai Outlet these days.

7. Haedoji Park - The perfect spot for a family outing

The last place we visited was Haedoji Park. As the name suggests, it's a great place to watch the sunrise, but it's also enjoyable during the day. It's a really good outing spot, especially for families with children.

The most impressive feature of the park was the whale sculpture. It's a fountain facility called 'Whale's Dream,' and in the summer, it sprays cool water, making it perfect for cooling off. There's also a music fountain plaza where you can enjoy a fountain show with music at scheduled times.

There are well-established play areas for children. With various themed play facilities like communication play space and science play space, kids are sure to love it. When we visited, many families were out on an outing.

There's also a million rose garden, which is still under construction, but it looks like it will be beautiful once completed. I want to visit again during the rose season.

Songdo Night View - The perfect end to the day

As the sun began to set, we could see another charm of Songdo: the night view. The places we saw during the day transformed into a completely different atmosphere as the lights came on. The night view of Central Park was especially fantastic!

The lights installed along the artificial canal reflecting on the water were truly beautiful, and combined with the lights of the surrounding skyscrapers, it felt like I was somewhere abroad. You can get a closer view of the night scenery by taking the 'Moon Boat' operated by Songdo Comarine East Boat House, so I definitely want to try it next time.

The night view of Hanok Village was also really pretty. The combination of lit-up Hanoks and the modern buildings in the background was truly unique and beautiful.

Conclusion - Songdo was truly amazing!

Spending the whole day in Songdo, I was able to experience a wide variety of attractions. With shopping, culture, nature, and leisure all in one place, it's a perfect destination for a day trip. I didn't expect there to be so much to see just an hour away from Seoul.

The water leisure experience in Central Park and the view of Songdo from the G Tower Observatory were the most impressive. It was also fascinating to see the blend of tradition and modernity in Hanok Village.

Next time, I want to come for a 2-day trip to explore more leisurely. I especially want to do a proper night tour and visit the Incheon Bridge Observatory and Convensia, which I couldn't go to this time. I highly recommend it to anyone planning a trip to Songdo!

Recommended Visit Time

Anytime throughout the year, but spring to fall with good weather is best

Duration

8-10 hours for a day trip, 1 night 2 days recommended

Transportation

By car or Incheon Subway Line 1

Budget

50,000 to 80,000 KRW per person (including meals and experience fees)