I spent a semester at Inha University during my studies. My goal was to be close to Seoul but as I spent time there, I discovered that Incheon was not as boring as I thought it would be. Incheon has a lot of things to offer ! So if you’re a student in Incheon like I once was or if you’re just doing an Incheon day trip from Seoul here are my top recommendations !

Songdo Central Park – 송도 센트럴파크

Located in the far south of Incheon, Songdo Central Park is a beautiful park where families and locals enjoy spending time on weekends. Compared to Seoul’s city center, the atmosphere is much calmer, making it a true breath of fresh air within the bustling Songdo business district.

When you exit the metro at Central Park Station, you can pass through the Tri-Bowl (트라이볼), an exhibition center with unique architecture. From there, you can either cross the Songdo GCF Bridge (송도 GCF 브릿지) or stay on this side of the bank.

On the right side of the canal, you’ll find Songdo Hanok Village (송도 한옥마을), a collection of hanok-style houses that are part of a hotel. However, you can still walk around, and a café in the center allows you to enjoy the space without booking a room (which can be quite expensive).

On the left side is the National Museum of World Writing Systems, a fascinating museum that I mention below. You’ll also find NC CUBE Plaza, a pleasant shopping court with several restaurants.

If the weather is nice, you can rent a small boat to ride along the canal. Some boats light up at night, making the park even more beautiful !

National Museum of World Writing Systems – 국립세계문자박물관

The National Museum of Writing Systems is a new museum that opened in 2023 on the left bank of the park. The building’s architecture is quite unique and impressive, yet I think it blends well with its surroundings !

The museum showcases a permanent exhibit, “Civilization & Writing: A Great Journey,” which I found quite interesting. You start your visit with the history of cursive writing across all continents, covering Egyptian hieroglyphs, Korean Hangeul, the Latin alphabet, and more. Then, you see how it evolved from handwriting to printing and publication. The final section focuses on more recent systems, like Korean Braille (1894), and how technology is now influencing writing systems.

💡The Museum also holds temporary exhibits so you might be interested by one of them !

Chinatown – 인천 차이나타운

Next step in your Incheon day trip : Chinatown ! Located in the center of Incheon, the streets of Chinatown are truly impressive. As you walk through the beautiful main gate, you are surrounded by bright red buildings and decorations—streetlights, gold dragon, and other ornaments. On the main street, many small shops offer a variety of snacks, including Tanghulu (fruits covered in syrup).

If I had to highlight one building, it would be Yeongyeong, a large multi-story restaurant on the left side of the main street. I’ve never eaten there, but the building itself is quite impressive. You will also find large decorated stairs which will lead you directly to Jayu Park !

Chinatown is organized around a main street, but don’t miss the right side, where you’ll find a hidden alley with traditional masks and a charming little garden (차이나타운 한중원).

Jayu Park – 자유공원

As you walk up the flight of stairs leading out of Chinatown, you will begin your visit to Jayu Park. The park itself is nothing special, but it offers a pleasant stroll with a 180° view of Incheon’s harbor. Usually, families gather here on weekends, and older visitors often stop to play go.

Jayu Park is also a place of remembrance, featuring the Statue of General Douglas MacArthur and the Korea-U.S. Diplomatic Relations Centennial Memorial Tower. Less polished than Songdo, it’s still a nice spot to relax, especially in the fall when the leaves turn orange.

Songwol-dong Fairy Tale Village – 송월동 동화마을

After your stroll through Jayu Park, walk down Chinatown’s stairs and head right toward Songwol-dong Fairy Tale Village. This small neighborhood is perfect if you have young children—the streets are covered in bright colors, and some are shaped like castles from famous tales. You’ll find references to Disney movies, The Wizard of Oz, and other stories.

Unfortunately, some buildings are showing signs of age, so I was a bit disappointed by a few of them. Still, it’s a unique spot, and you might regret missing it if you don’t add it to your Incheon day trip.

Wolmi Island – 월미도

The final stop on this day trip is Wolmi Island! This small stretch of land by the sea is home to several charming spots. Wolmido Culture Street offers a beautiful view of the water, making it a great place to watch the sunset. Following this street, you’ll reach the small Wolmi Theme Park, where you can have fun and enjoy a few rides !

But my favorite part of Wolmi is its park. It provides a lovely viewpoint overlooking the sea and the city. The park also features traditional buildings surrounded by plants and small ponds (Gugdam-Won – 국담원, Aelyeonji – 애련지, Yangjindang – 양진당), adding to the peaceful atmosphere that makes this place so special.

This Incheon day trip is coming to an end, I hope you enjoyed discovering Incheon ! As i loved living there I hope I was able to transmit a bit of my passion !

If you are looking for another recommendation in Korea here is my article on Where to stay in Seoul ?