4 Best Sights in Yongin, Side Trips from Seoul

Right next to Everland theme park is Caribbean Bay, a water park complete with several twisting slides, an indoor diving pool, kids' pools, and a giant wave pool. There are several restaurants and "villages" where you can stay on site, plus a gift shop.

Korea's largest theme park is about an hour from Suwon (or about 40 minutes by bus from Seoul Station), but it's worth the detour if you're looking to fill a day with the kids on roller coasters and strolling through the zoo. Highlights include the Thunder Falls water ride; Panda World, where you can spot the cuddly bears; and the sprawling Four Seasons Garden, filled with rows of colorful blooms.

Korean culture from the Joseon period is on display at this 245-acre folk village, where you can see recreations of 270 traditional houses, nine work shops, a traditional farm, and museum-like exhibits showcasing tools used in daily life. There are also traditional teahouses and restaurants where you can fuel up, folk shops where you can purchase a souvenir, and a "Play Village" where kids can let loose. Traditional cultural performances by actors in period outfits take place throughout the year. An English audio guide is available for ₩2,000.

A 26-foot gold Buddha head called buldu towers over a reflecting pond set between the Yeonhwasan mountains at this peaceful temple built in 1970. As you stroll, you'll notice more than 3,000 smaller Buddha statues on the grounds.