3 Best Sights in Jongno-gu, Seoul

The Gyeongbokgung Palace grounds are home to this museum dedicated to the traditional and present-day lifestyles of the Korean people. It's a great introduction to the culture and history of the country for first-time visitors, especially the captivating permanent exhibition that covers daily life in villages from the 17th to 20th centuries. There's also a rotating special exhibit; its past subjects have included folklore, makgeolli, and the history and development of towns such as Busan and Incheon. English-language docent tours occur twice a day on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, and once a day on Thursdays and Sundays. A café on-site sells snacks and sandwiches.

Located across from Gyeongbokgung Palace, this free history museum not only displays documents and photos that chronicle the recent past of the city but also has some stunning views of the Gwanghwamun area from its 8th-floor rooftop garden. The museum has several permanent exhibitions spanning the years 1894 to the present day and is a good place to go to begin to understand the city's modernization, independence, and shift to democracy. English language guided tours are available for groups of five or more with advance reservation.

The Seoul Museum of History traces the growth of the nation's capital through its permanent collection organized in four chronological zones: The Joseon Capital, The Capital of the Korean Empire, Seoul under Japanese Control, and The Capital of the Republic of Korea. The museum's Donated Relic Exhibition Hall, with seemingly ordinary objects and photos, may be especially interesting to those curious about everyday Korean life. For children aged 5 to 7, there is a learning room full of activities and interactive exhibitions. Also, the museum frequently hosts concerts, movies, and other events. While the museum is free, special exhibitions have a separate admission fee.