Gyeongju Family Trip Day 1: Kyowon Dream Center & Museum 2026
Embark on the first day of our 2026 Gyeongju family trip! From budget-friendly stays at Kyowon Dream Center to exploring historical treasures, discover how to kickstart your adventure.
Get ready for the tale of our family trip to Gyeongju from last year!
It was a fantastic 3-day, 2-night adventure.
I'll break down the amazing spots we explored each day.
Our journey began in Gwangju, and soon enough, we arrived in the beautiful city of Gyeongju!
For our first night, we settled into the wonderful Kyowon Dream Center.
It was a perfect find for our family of five, offering comfortable stays at a really reasonable price – fantastic value!
Kyowon Dream Center
Gyeongju Kyowon Dream Center, 280-34 Bomun-ro, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do
Pool/Sauna/Fitness 06:00 - 21:00
Convenience Store 12:00 - 22:00 (Closed Sundays)
054-778-5001
Kyowon Dream Center Exterior
Here are photos of the Kyowon Dream Center entrance and restaurant.
While they boasted a swimming pool, we didn't get a chance to dive in this time!
It seems like a popular spot for weddings, as a lovely doll greeted us right by the entrance!
Finding accommodation for five can be tricky, but here, we comfortably stayed in an Ondol room by paying a small extra fee for the additional person – perfect for families!
Take a peek inside our room, including the bathroom and shower!
The bathtub was a huge plus, making bath time for the kids super easy and fun.
After settling in, our first mission was to hit up a nearby Starbucks to grab our Summer Frequency items!
Starbucks Gyeongju Bomun-ro DT
510-6 Bomun-ro, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do
Store 08:00 - 22:00
Drive-Thru 08:00 - 22:00
Sat, Sun until 23:00
1522-3232
Our first grand adventure with the kids in Gyeongju? The magnificent Gyeongju National Museum!
Gyeongju National Museum
Gyeongju National Museum, 186 Iljeong-ro, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do
054-740-7500
Gyeongju National Museum Visitor Information
Mon ~ Fri 10:00 ~ 18:00
Sat, Sun, Public Holidays 10:00 ~ 18:00
Every last Wednesday of the month and every Saturday from March to December 10:00 ~ 21:00
Regular Closing Days: January 1st, Seollal (Lunar New Year), Chuseok (Korean Thanksgiving)
Admission Fee : Free
The Gyeongju National Museum is absolutely a must-do for families exploring Gyeongju!
Behold the Divine Bell of King Seongdeok! This magnificent artifact, started by the 35th Silla monarch, King Gyeongdeok, in honor of his father, King Seongdeok, and completed by his son, King Hyegong, is widely celebrated as the most outstanding bell in all of Korea.
Silla History Hall
Neolithic Age, Comb-pattern Pottery
We were truly immersed in history, encountering a fascinating array of cultural treasures!
We also explore Bronze Age artifacts.
We also took advantage of smart devices to listen to exhibition explanations about Geumgwanchong (Gold Crown Tomb) on our own while exploring.
Face-patterned roof tile-ends
Silla's Smile, a Millennium's Smile
I imagine that being able to see so many artifacts that we've only ever seen in history textbooks must have had a great educational impact on the kids.
Special Exhibition Hall
The Special Exhibition Hall hosts a variety of engaging and story-rich special exhibitions.
Nangsan: The Road to Trayastrimsa Heaven was a special exhibition held in '22.
After finishing our tour of the special exhibition room, they were starting to get a little tired.
Seokgatap and Dabotap Pagodas at Gyeongju National Museum
It is said that these replica Dabotap and Seokgatap pagodas were made under the direction of President Park Chung-hee.
It was an excellent spot for tourists to take photos.
Wolji Hall
Wolji Hall is designed to help visitors understand the unified Silla Kingdom and its royal court's lifestyle by exhibiting over 1,100 cultural artifacts, out of the 30,000 discovered at Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond.
Gyeongju National Museum September Newsletter
National Gyeongju MuseumBaekjo Restaurant
Baekjo Restaurant, 2F, 31 Cheomseong-ro 81beon-gil, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongbuk
Daily 11:00 - 24:00
0507-1351-9592
We had dinner at Baekjo Restaurant, located on Gyeongju's famous Hwanglidan-gil street.
We ordered three sets each of the 'Tuna Feast' (참치듬뿍한상) and 'Spicy Grilled Meat Feast' (양념석쇠구이한상), and I believe we also added a Seafood Soft Tofu Stew (해물 순두부).
The plating was lovely, but the food itself was just average.
After a leisurely stroll around Hwanglidan-gil, we each grabbed a Tanghulu for dessert before heading back to our accommodation.
If you're traveling to Gyeongju with children, I truly believe the National Gyeongju Museum is an absolute must-visit!
Our second day in Gyeongju was packed with a rather tight schedule.
We'll explore Seongdong Cathedral, Seongdong Market, Sono Belle Gyeongju, a Ssambap restaurant, King Munmu's Underwater Tomb, Bulguksa Temple, and Cheomseongdae Observatory in our next Gyeongju travel post!
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the operating hours of the convenience store at Kyowon Dream Center, where our family of five stayed on the first day of our Gyeongju trip?
The convenience store at Kyowon Dream Center operates from 12 PM to 10 PM. Please note that it is closed on Sundays.
At the Gyeongju National Museum, what artifacts or exhibition halls are good for visiting with children?
In the Silla History Hall, you can see artifacts from the Neolithic Age, such as comb-pattern pottery, and Bronze Age relics. The Wolji Hall exhibits approximately 1,100 cultural properties from the Unified Silla period, discovered at Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond.
What are the weekend and public holiday viewing hours for the Gyeongju National Museum, and when are its night opening days?
On Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays, the museum is open from 10 AM to 6 PM. It offers night openings until 9 PM on the last Wednesday of every month and every Saturday from March to December.
What menus did we order at Baekjo Restaurant on Hwanglidan-gil, where we had dinner on the first day of our Gyeongju trip?
At Baekjo Restaurant, we ordered three "Tuna Full Set Meals" and three "Seasoned Grilled Meat Set Meals," along with an additional "Seafood Soft Tofu Stew." The food taste was average, but the plating was reportedly good.
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