What an amazing autumn experience we’ve had this past season here in South Korea. One I’m grateful for as we come to the end of our time here. Spending a weekend in Gapyeong, we learned of its popularity this time of year and the views of changing leaves are genuinely spectacular. Between the fall foliage and gorgeous sights, Gapyeong is also an excellent area for food and amusement. The perfect checklist for a family adventure with a little something to be enjoyed by all.
Day One: The Road Trip and Dak-galbi dinner
On Friday morning, we packed everyone up with all the essentials for our Air BnB and weekend trip. The drive took a little over two hours, with some traffic near the end, but mountain views always help. Luckily for us, rest stops and bathroom areas are very common here in South Korea, so we managed an accident-free trek with our potty-training toddler.
Once we arrived and settled into our Air BnB, we hunted for food and checked out the local surroundings. Just a mile or two down the road from where we were staying was the Nami Island ferry location, which is a huge attraction. Big attractions equal lots of restaurants, and the cuisine most favored for the local eateries is dak-galbi which is essentially Korean BBQ but for chicken only which is rare in other areas.
After a quick search, we landed in a cozy spot with great food and even better service. We ordered two types of chicken, the salted and soy garlic flavors, which came with a different set of banchan (Korean sides) than we were used to but all delicious. We especially loved the fresh cabbage salad and a fondue cheese sauce for dipping.
Day Two: Italian Village and the Kraemerlee Brewing Co
Shawn and I went back over some of the sights in the area and decided that Italian Village and Petit France were amusements our girls would love. Family-friendly and food on location.
We started the day early and arrived shortly after opening, which was a great idea. The parking lot was already beginning to fill up, and we could get on-site and have a snack before the crowds came in. Italian Village was our first stop, and it did not disappoint! The buildings were reminiscent of our favorite places from Shawn’s and my childhood. No crowds meant our girls could explore more freely, and we all took a moment to enjoy the views above the valley.
The theme in Italian Village is focused mainly around Pinocchio. It’s a darling setting with modern memorabilia and imported antiques from the period, making it an excellent opportunity for learning and play. We toured every building, each adorned with its own chapter of the Pinocchio story, traditional marionettes, and attractions you would only find in Italy.
We also briefly toured Petit France, which we learned was more of a hotel location, and its theme centered around the children’s book The Little Prince.
After our morning exploration, we settled on a local brewery for lunch. Kraemerlee Brewing Co. is reminiscent of what you would find in the U.S. with a South Korean flare. We started with the truffle fries and crispy squid, then on to freshly made burgers with a tasting of their in-house brews. Everything was a hit; we grabbed some of their steins and a stylish pullover for Shawn on our way out the door.
Day Three : The Donut House and The Garden of Morning Calm
On the last day of our trip, we decided to explore The Garden of Morning Calm. This is one of the more popular places to visit through different seasons, but it is especially spectacular in the fall. Since we checked out of our Air Bnb, we decided to go out for breakfast.
The Donut House is a sweet little spot located just before the garden. With a wide array of donut choices and freshly made coffees, we could fill our bellies in a cozy booth with once again a beautiful view. The service added an extra touch of warmth to our experience, and I’m just sad we don’t live closer to frequent here more often.
Once we finished breakfast, we made our way to The Garden of Morning Calm. While we didn’t make it in time to beat the crowds, it didn’t phase our experience. The garden is full of vast open space and a fun play house area for the kids. We took our time moving from one place to the next and were able to view the annual chrysanthemum greenhouse exhibit. This was the perfect finale to our trip and the end of a beautiful introduction to Gapyeong.
