Spend one day walking through gardens and another unwinding at an exhibition or performance. From daylight in a greenhouse to fireworks over the sea at night, there is still plenty to enjoy during the rest of the holiday.
The ranking
Ordered by overall index (interest, reviews, buzz, fit; 0–100), which sets the star score
- 1Sejong National ArboretumBest for You want to see plants and gardens on September 26 or 274.582
- 2MMCA GwacheonBest for You want to see indoor exhibitions on Chuseok day4.075
- 3Baekdudaegan National ArboretumBest for You want to explore tiger ecology with children on September 263.054
- 4Asia Culture Center Children's Cultural CenterBest for You want crafts, play and performances with children3.052
- 5Nokdong Port in GoheungBest for You can stay in Goheung into the evening on September 25 or 262.538
At a glance
- A day among gardens and greenhouses, an afternoon of exhibitions, a night at the harbor. Five different ways to spend the rest of the holiday.
- Sejong and Baekdudaegan national arboretums close on September 25 and offer free admission on September 26 and 27. MMCA Gwacheon offers free admission even on Chuseok day.
- At the children's cultural center in Gwangju, check fees and booking requirements for each activity. Nokdong Port's special shows are scheduled for 21:00 on September 25 and 26.
After a holiday meal with family, you may feel like heading out for a while. An exhibition that involves little walking can be welcome, especially if there is somewhere for the children to play too. The final weekend of the 2026 Chuseok holiday falls on September 26 and 27.
Your options change with the date. Both arboretums close on Chuseok day and reopen for the weekend. The Nokdong Port drone show is scheduled to run through the evening of September 26. Deciding when to leave and when to return makes choosing a destination a little easier.
#1Best for You want to see plants and gardens on September 26 or 27
Sejong National Arboretum (국립세종수목원)
Alternative with limitations Closed September 25. Check fees and registration requirements for each activity.
- Five Score
- 4.5A weekend outing combining greenhouses, gardens and traditional games
- Price
- Free admission September 24, 26 and 27
- Spec
- 09:00–18:00 · Last admission 17:00 · Closed September 25
- Indices
- Interest 100 · Reviews n/a · Buzz 100 · Fit 50 · Overall 82
- Keywords
- Sejong National Arboretum, Chuseok holiday, Greenhouses, Garden walks, Traditional games
- Tags
Sejong is a good choice if a hike feels like too much and you would rather spend half a day relaxing in a garden. Explore the Four Seasons Conservatory, then head into the outdoor gardens. It is a setting for an unhurried walk, stopping to look at plants along the way.
The holiday activities include yutnori, a traditional stick board game, and jegichagi, a shuttlecock-kicking game. These could suit children who might tire of looking at gardens alone. The arboretum closes on September 25, so visit over the weekend on September 26 or 27. Check individual activity requirements separately from the free admission offer.
- Watch out
- Closed September 25. Check fees and registration requirements for each activity.
#2Best for You want to see indoor exhibitions on Chuseok day
MMCA Gwacheon (국립현대미술관 과천)
Alternative with limitations Cafeteria closed September 25. The art shuttle between Seoul, Deoksugung and Gwacheon is suspended September 24–28.
- Five Score
- 4.0A holiday outing for adults exploring indoor exhibitions
- Price
- Free September 24–27 · Ticket required
- Spec
- September 24–27, 10:00–18:00 · Free ticket required
- Indices
- Interest 49 · Reviews n/a · Buzz 87 · Fit 100 · Overall 75
- Keywords
- MMCA Gwacheon, Chuseok holiday, Indoor exhibitions, Sculpture park, Open on Chuseok day
- Tags
Consider MMCA Gwacheon if you want to see an exhibition on Chuseok day. Browse the artwork indoors, then continue to the outdoor sculpture park if the weather is good. On a rainy day, focus on the indoor exhibitions.
Admission is free, but you still need a ticket. Both online reservations and on-site ticket collection are available. The museum cafeteria closes on September 25. If you had planned to have lunch inside the museum, make separate arrangements for your meal.
- Watch out
- Cafeteria closed September 25. The art shuttle between Seoul, Deoksugung and Gwacheon is suspended September 24–28.
#3Best for You want to explore tiger ecology with children on September 26
Baekdudaegan National Arboretum (국립백두대간수목원)
Alternative with limitations Closed September 25. Allow time to reach Tiger Forest; the tram costs extra.
- Five Score
- 3.0For families who want to watch tigers and walk through the forest
- Price
- Free admission · Adult one-way tram fare ₩4,000 extra
- Spec
- 09:00–18:00 · Last admission 17:00 · Closed September 25
- Indices
- Interest 35 · Reviews n/a · Buzz 97 · Fit 50 · Overall 54
- Keywords
- Baekdudaegan National Arboretum, Chuseok holiday, Tiger Forest, Forest walks, Tram
- Tags
A forest outing with tigers gives you a reason to travel to Bonghwa. On September 26, Tiger Forest hosts behavioral enrichment activities and an ecology talk. The program explores tiger behavior, making it a good fit for children interested in animals.
Tiger Forest is not right beside the entrance. The Korea Tourism Organization advises that the walk takes at least 30 minutes. Allow plenty of travel time instead of dropping in briefly late in the afternoon. If you take the tram, you need a separate ticket in addition to admission.
- Watch out
- Closed September 25. Allow time to reach Tiger Forest; the tram costs extra.
#4Best for You want crafts, play and performances with children
Asia Culture Center Children's Cultural Center (국립아시아문화전당 어린이문화원)
Alternative with limitations Some activities have fees and require advance booking. Check each program's schedule and remaining availability.
- Five Score
- 3.0For crafts, play and performances with children
- Price
- Fees vary by program · Some require payment and booking
- Spec
- September 24–27, 10:00–18:00 · Individual program times vary
- Indices
- Interest 3 · Reviews n/a · Buzz 72 · Fit 100 · Overall 52
- Keywords
- Asia Culture Center Children's Cultural Center, Chuseok holiday, Children's activities, Performances, Open on Chuseok day
- Tags
Hands-on play can suit children who quickly get bored just looking. Full Moon Asia offers illustrated calendar-making and augmented reality games. Children can alternate between crafts and active play in the same place.
Two circus productions are being presented as free special performances. Black Rabbit at the Children's Theater requires a separate booking. The event is not entirely free, nor can you join every activity whenever you like. Choosing your programs' dates and checking how to register first will make the outing easier to organize.
- Watch out
- Some activities have fees and require advance booking. Check each program's schedule and remaining availability.
#5Best for You can stay in Goheung into the evening on September 25 or 26
Nokdong Port in Goheung (고흥 녹동항)
Alternative with limitations No special show on September 27. Rain or strong winds may affect the schedule; plan your journey home after 21:00.
- Five Score
- 2.5For those who can spend a holiday evening in Goheung
- Price
- Free viewing
- Spec
- September 25 and 26, 21:00 · In and around the Nokdong Port Dome Theater parking lot
- Indices
- Interest 16 · Reviews n/a · Buzz 64 · Fit 50 · Overall 38
- Keywords
- Nokdong Port in Goheung, Chuseok holiday, Drone show, Fireworks over the sea, Night views
- Tags
If you can spend a holiday evening in Goheung, there is something to look forward to at Nokdong Port after dark. A total of 2,000 drones are scheduled to take flight on September 25 and 26. Fireworks over the sea have also been announced. It suits anyone who wants to add night views to a day of sightseeing.
The show starts at 21:00, so think about your journey home first. The September 24 performance took place at the traditional market in Goheung-eup, not at Nokdong Port. There is no Chuseok special show scheduled for September 27. Wind and rain can cause delays or cancellations, so check the notice on the day you leave.
- Watch out
- No special show on September 27. Rain or strong winds may affect the schedule; plan your journey home after 21:00.
Chuseok outings, part 2: five picks at a glance
- 1Sejong National ArboretumYou want to see plants and gardens on September 26 or 27Closed September 25. Check fees and registration requirements for each activity.4.5
- 2MMCA GwacheonYou want to see indoor exhibitions on Chuseok dayCafeteria closed September 25. The art shuttle between Seoul, Deoksugung and Gwacheon is suspended September 24–28.4.0
- 3Baekdudaegan National ArboretumYou want to explore tiger ecology with children on September 26Closed September 25. Allow time to reach Tiger Forest; the tram costs extra.3.0
- 4Asia Culture Center Children's Cultural CenterYou want crafts, play and performances with childrenSome activities have fees and require advance booking. Check each program's schedule and remaining availability.3.0
- 5Nokdong Port in GoheungYou can stay in Goheung into the evening on September 25 or 26No special show on September 27. Rain or strong winds may affect the schedule; plan your journey home after 21:00.2.5
Choosing in more detail
- If you want to unwind with a garden walk — Sejong National Arboretum. Explore the greenhouse and outdoor gardens, then add some traditional games.
- If you want an exhibition outing with other adults — MMCA Gwacheon. Focus on the indoor galleries and add a walk through the sculpture park.
- If you are taking a child interested in animals — Baekdudaegan National Arboretum. Visit on September 26 for the tiger ecology talk.
- If you want both crafts and performances for your child — Asia Culture Center Children's Cultural Center. Choose activity and performance sessions that fit together.
- If you are spending a holiday night on the southern coast — Nokdong Port in Goheung. Plan how to get home after the 21:00 show on September 25 or 26.
Ask before you go
- 1Can I take the art shuttle from Seoul to Gwacheon?
It is unavailable during this holiday. The art shuttle linking Seoul, Deoksugung and Gwacheon is suspended September 24–28. This is a different route from the connection between Seoul Grand Park Station and the museum. For that connection, follow the separate service notice for the day.
- 2Is the tram at the Bonghwa arboretum free too?
The free-entry notice covers admission. Official one-way tram fares are ₩4,000 for adults and ₩3,000 for ages 7–18. Tram tickets are purchased on-site on the day, so allow time to wait for boarding too.
- 3Can all ages participate at the children's cultural center in Gwangju?
The overall event is listed as open to all ages. However, individual activities and performances have their own age limits and registration procedures. If you are visiting with a young child, first check the age requirements for the programs you want to join.
Research notes
Research date September 25, 2026 · Sources Notices from operating organizations, Korea Tourism Organization, Newspim · Subject to change Events, opening hours, registration and weather Five Score Converted from relative indices of search interest, recent news mentions and suitability for the holiday · Visitor satisfaction Not measured separately
Ranking methodologyScope · index formula · data sources
- Selection pool — Five places not mentioned in the body or FAQ of previously published articles
- Interest index 30 — Naver DataLab, all genders and ages, July–September 2026
- Review index 30 — Visitor ratings not measured; excluded from the total
- Buzz index 15 — Relative logarithmic value of Naver News mention counts over the past 60 days
- Suitability 25 — Open for at least three holiday days and on Chuseok day: 100; open for two days or closed on Chuseok day: 50
- Overall index — The sum of Interest × 30, Buzz × 15 and Suitability × 25, divided by 70
- Score conversion — Overall index of at least 90: 5.0; at least 78: 4.5; at least 66: 4.0; at least 55: 3.5; at least 45: 3.0
- Reference date — September 25, 2026; no places specified in advance
Data sources
- Interest네이버 데이터랩 검색어트렌드전체 기준 상대지수
- Reviews한국관광공사 2026 추석 여행 안내행사 안내; 이용자 평점·인기 순위 아님
- Reviews국립세종수목원 전통놀이 행사운영 안내; 이용자 평점 아님
- Reviews국립백두대간수목원 이용안내운영 안내; 이용자 평점 아님
- Reviews국립아시아문화전당재단 보름달 아시아운영 안내; 이용자 평점 아님
- Reviews국립현대미술관 추석연휴 정상개관 안내운영 안내; 이용자 평점 아님
- Reviews뉴스핌 고흥 추석 드론쇼 9월 21일운영 안내; 이용자 평점 아님
- Reviews한국수목원정원관리원 2026 추석 보도자료9월 14일 발표, 수목원 무료 개방·25일 휴관·26일 호랑이 행사
- Reviews국립아시아문화전당재단 추석 행사 보도자료9월 15일 발표, 체험·서커스 공연 구성
- Buzz네이버 뉴스 검색네이버 뉴스 검색 API 최근 60일 기사 수(최신 1,000건 안에서)
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