LOTTE WORLD AQUARIUM — Attraction in Seoul

My husband and I took our 4- and 1- year olds to this aquarium. We went on a Friday, very obviously on a day where there were literally 12 different pre-school/kindergartens having field trips there. So, it was a cute and crowded experience for us.

The aquarium is small but very well set up. You walk in on the "second" floor, view mini loops of different populations of marine life, then walk down a long ramp/take the elevator down to the "first" floor. Then you take an escalator back up to head through the souvenir shop to exit. There is one ginormous tank that you can view from both floors and while you're on that escalator near the end - this seems to be the highlight of the place. Considering the fact that when they were building the place, reports of faulty construction and leaking tanks were rampant, I have to admit that the end result was cool. Is the whole aquarium pretty much looking at one tank from five different views? Who cares - each area had a seating/kneeling step for kids and the young ones enjoyed it.

The various "loops" are categorized in the typical way: South America/Amazonian (cool! Pirahnas!), Tropical (Nemo! Dori! Pufferfish!), jellyfish, penguins (didn't expect this one in a mall...), Beluga whales (two of them, both of which were very active and fun to see!), etc. They also have at least two "feeding" tanks (bring W500 coins for the food capsule machines), a well-organized touching pool, and two little "walk/crawl-in aquariums" for the young ones.

We ended up finishing up the second floor during lunch time, and they had a reasonably-over-priced cafe there. They had various meats on sticks, crackers, coffees, Pororo bottles of fruit juices for the kids, etc. We opted for two cream-cheese pretzels (yes, this was new to us too) and drinks, none of which made us sick and held us over fine to finish the bottom floor. The bottom floor was cool just because you got to look up into that one big tank, and it's well-populated enough in the tank so that the kids can see SOMEthing at any part of the tank, no matter how crowded the aquarium is with people.

I, personally, enjoyed the skeleton area, where they displayed parts of a dolphin and whale in comparison. My young ones couldn't care less though.

I give full props to the bathrooms: they have family bathrooms, which are spacious lounge-y type places in which you can change a baby's diaper, contains adult AND toddler toilets (cute!), nurse, etc. If one is taken, there always seemed to be a stall in the women's AND MEN's bathrooms where you could go into one stall with your toddler to do your businesses.

The reason for an extra star off: We visited the Lotte World Tower (this, obviously reviewed in a separate post) on the same day, and were charged for parking because we stayed in the Lotte Mall too long - we had to pay $12/parking, which I honestly think they should've paid for, considering we spent like, $500 visiting the aquarium, going up the Tower, and having lunch in the same mall afterwards. Cheapskates.

So, in conclusion, I probably wouldn't go back with older kids, but the small size of the aquarium and variety of marine life was perfect for the kindergarten-age. If you know your marine life, you could walk through it in 20 minutes (it took us 2 hours). TAKE THE SUBWAY there unless you are capable of spending less than four hours total in the whole place (and I mean the WHOLE place, including the mall, shopping, Lotte World, Lotte...

Lotte World Aquarium is located in the Lotte World Mall in the Songpa District of Seoul. It is one of the largest aquariums in South Korea, featuring over 55,000 marine animals from around 650 different species. The aquarium is known for its themed exhibits that recreate various marine environments, allowing visitors to explore ecosystems from rivers to deep oceans.

The aquarium’s main attraction is its large ocean tank, where you can see a variety of sea creatures, including sharks, rays, and schools of fish. There are also interactive exhibits where visitors can touch marine animals like starfish and sea urchins. Another highlight is the beluga whales, which are a popular draw for families and children.

Lotte World Aquarium is family-friendly and provides educational programs aimed at raising awareness about marine conservation. The aquarium offers daily feeding shows, diving performances, and guided tours in Korean. Some exhibits also have English information, making it accessible to international visitors.

The aquarium is located inside the Lotte World Mall, so you can easily combine your visit with shopping or dining. There are various restaurants and cafes within the mall, and the adjacent Lotte World amusement park is a popular attraction for families.

Tickets can be purchased at the entrance or online. It is recommended to buy tickets in advance, especially during weekends and holidays, as the aquarium can get crowded. The aquarium is stroller-friendly, and there are facilities for families with young children, such as baby care rooms.

The nearest subway station is Jamsil Station on Line 2 and Line 8. The aquarium is a short walk from the station, and there are signs directing visitors to Lotte World Mall. Plan to spend at least a couple of hours at the aquarium, especially if you want to take your time exploring all...

Lotte World Aquarium is an enchanting destination for families, particularly those with young children, and it offers an unforgettable experience that combines education and fun. As soon as you step inside, you are greeted by a vibrant underwater world, showcasing a diverse array of marine life. The aquarium features captivating exhibits that include adorable penguins waddling around, graceful beluga whales swimming elegantly, playful sea lions performing antics, and charming sea turtles gliding through the water.

Our visit was a quick but delightful morning adventure, and it exceeded our expectations. The aquarium is thoughtfully designed, allowing for easy navigation through various habitats that mimic the natural environments of the sea creatures. One of the standout moments for our kids was the opportunity to feed the koi fish, which added an interactive element to the visit. Watching the koi eagerly come to the surface was a highlight for the little ones and made them feel like they were part of the experience.

The educational signage throughout the exhibits is informative and engaging, allowing both kids and adults to learn more about the marine life on display. The staff is friendly and knowledgeable, always ready to answer questions and enhance your visit. Overall, Lotte World Aquarium is a well-maintained attraction that provides a perfect blend of entertainment and education. It’s a fantastic outing for families, and I highly recommend it to anyone looking to explore the wonders of the ocean in a fun and captivating...