If you’re visiting Sejong National Arboretum with kids for the first time, start at the visitor center, see the Four Seasons Conservatory first, then follow the official one-hour route through the Korean Traditional Garden, the Bonsai Garden and the Children’s Garden. With photos and breaks, two to three hours is realistic for families. In summer, see the conservatory before the outdoor gardens and use indoor and shaded areas during the hottest hours.
As of August 2026, summer hours were 9 a.m.–6 p.m., with last entry at 5 p.m.
It’s closed every Monday, and temporary closures are sometimes announced. If Monday is a public holiday, it closes the next day instead, so check before going.
Hours and Admission
From March to October, it’s open Tuesday to Sunday, 9 a.m.–6 p.m., with last entry at 5 p.m. From November to February it closes at 5 p.m., with last entry at 4 p.m. It’s closed on Mondays, January 1, Seollal and Chuseok days and during maintenance periods.
Admission at Sejong National Arboretum is 5,000 won for adults, 4,000 won for ages 13–18 and 3,000 won for ages 7–12. Two adults and one elementary child pay 13,000 won. Free visitors, such as kids 6 and under and seniors 65 and over, still need a ticket and may need ID.
You can buy tickets at the visitor center or kiosks; online tickets work as mobile tickets. Tickets are valid only on the day.
Best Order with Kids
The official Sejong National Arboretum Course 1 is about 1 km and takes an hour: visitor center, Four Seasons Conservatory, Korean Traditional Garden, Bonsai Garden, Children’s Garden, then the Living Garden. It’s the simplest choice for first-time families.
One hour is really the minimum. If kids look for plant names and play in the Children’s Garden, plan on two hours or more. Instead of explaining every plant, give them three missions, like “find the biggest leaf,” “spot the difference between cacti and succulents” and “find symmetry in the Korean garden.”
In Summer, Start with the Conservatory
The conservatory isn’t uniformly cool; temperature and humidity vary by zone for the plants. Enter in the morning, see the conservatory first, and take short outdoor walks before the sun gets strong.
For afternoon visits, pick just one of the Children’s Garden or the Living Garden after the conservatory. Last entry at 5 p.m. doesn’t mean every space stays open until 6, so follow on-site signs.
Parking, Transit and Food
The address is 136 Sumogwon-ro, Sejong. Parking can get busy on event days, so check the official directions. On weekends, arriving at opening time makes ticketing and the conservatory easier.
By public transport, check Sejong city bus timetables and stops. Transfers and walking distances differ from the Government Complex or the Sejong Express Bus Terminal, so use a map app.
Soupy food, fruit, and food that smells or creates waste aren’t allowed. Eat only in designated areas and take your trash. Pets, bikes and scooters, tripods, balls and badminton gear, drones and alcohol aren’t allowed either. Check the official rules before packing a lunch.
Pros and Cons
Pros: Sejong National Arboretum links a conservatory, traditional garden, bonsai and a children’s garden in one place, at a modest price. On rainy or cold days, the conservatory keeps part of the plan alive, and kids learn about plants naturally.
Cons: the grounds are big, so trying to see everything means a lot of walking, and the conservatory can feel humid in summer. Besides Monday closures there are temporary closures, so check the official homepage on the day.
FAQ
- Is it open on Mondays? No. If Monday is a holiday, it closes the next day.
- How much for two adults and one elementary child? 13,000 won.
- Do I need to book online? General admission can be bought on site; education programs may need booking.
- Can we bring a stroller or scooter? Bikes and scooters aren’t allowed; check stroller-friendly paths on site.
- How long should we plan? The official route takes an hour, but two to three hours is realistic with kids.
At Sejong National Arboretum, don’t try to see every garden. The Four Seasons Conservatory and the Children’s Garden alone make a good half-day trip for an elementary family.
Rules and details in this guide are as of August 2026. Check the latest official information before you travel.
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Schedules and prices can change, so check the VISITKOREA official tourism site before you go.