SPOT 1 Where Planes and Parents Share the Frame, Haneul Garden

Haneul Garden is a spacious 36,000㎡ park located southeast of Incheon International Airport Terminal 1. It offers yellow canola flowers in spring and cosmos and silver grass in fall. You can stroll along flat walking paths, take photos in flower fields, and watch planes soar overhead. It’s perfect for families.

The biggest attraction of Haneul Garden is that you can frequently see planes taking off and landing on the runways of Incheon International Airport. Created by Incheon Airport Corporation on unused land after the airport was built, this garden allows you to get closer than anywhere else to low-flying planes. Especially from mid-May to early June, the garden is covered in blooming canola flowers. Watching planes fly overhead while standing in the bright yellow flower fields will create special memories for your parents’ generation.

Flights pass every 5 to 10 minutes, and using aircraft tracking apps like Flightradar24 can help you capture the perfect moment to include both your parents and a plane in one frame. Photos of landing planes tend to look better than those of takeoffs, as they appear larger in the shot. Mini greenhouses, shade huts, and various other structures provide charming backdrops to make your family photos even more beautiful.

[TIP]
- When using public transportation, take the free shuttle bus bound for the International Business Center (direction to AICC) from Gate 3 or 12 on the 3rd floor of Incheon International Airport Terminal 1, or from the Airport Cargo Terminal Station of Airport Railroad Express, and get off at the temporary Haneul Garden stop.
- Hats or sunshades are highly recommended.

• Address2848-6 Unseo-dong, Jung-gu, Incheon
• Inquiries+82-32-741-2686(Incheon International Airport Corporation Landscaping Team)
• Opening HoursOpen 365 days a year 09:00~18:00

SPOT 2 From Former Mayor’s Residence to Free Cultural Heritage Space, Incheon Citizen’s House

Once closed off to the public, the former residence of the Mayor of Incheon has been reborn as an open cultural space. This is the story of Incheon Citizen’s House, located in Jung-gu, Incheon. Step through the gate with the sign “Incheon Citizen’s House (Former Mayor’s Residence)” and you’ll be greeted by the soft curves of *cheoma, the gracefully sloping eaves of a hanok (traditional Korean house). During Korea’s port-opening period, this site was part of the German concession in Incheon. In the Japanese colonial era, it served as a vacation home for a Japanese businessman. The city of Incheon purchased the land in the mid-1960s, demolished the old building, and constructed the current hanok. Between 1966 and 2001, a total of 17 mayors lived here.

* Cheoma: The protruding edges of a hanok roof that shield the building from sun and rain.

The house is divided into three main areas. The modern hanok, renovated from the mayor’s residence, is called the “1883 Modern House.” The front yard and garden are known as the “Jemulpo Garden,” and the former security office, which offers views of Incheon Port, is now the “Historical Observatory.” Unfortunately, Jemulpo Garden is currently under renovation until mid-June (dates may be subject to change).

The central building, 1883 Modern House, is an ideal place to appreciate the charm of a traditional hanok with your parents while exploring Incheon’s unique history and culture. The space offers various small but engaging experiences: an exhibition room for diverse displays, the Daecheongmaru Lounge (daecheongmaru: a spacious wooden-floored hall for gatherings), where you can color traditional sketches, the Sarangchae Lounge (sarangchae: a reception room or study in a traditional Korean house) with views of the lush garden through wide windows, and the Landis Tea Room, perfect for small group visits. Back when the building served as the mayor’s residence, the Daecheongmaru was used as a banquet hall, the Sarangchae as an office, and the Landis Room as the private quarters. At the Sarangchae Lounge, you can browse books on Incheon recommended by a local bookstore and enjoy the afternoon sunlight streaming through the windows as you soak in the tranquil atmosphere of a hanok.

• Address74 Sinpo-ro 39beon-gil, Jung-gu, Incheon
• Inquiries+82-32-765-0261
• Opening HoursTue–Sun 09:30–17:30 (Lunch break 12:00–13:00), Closed on Mondays

SPOT 3 A Cultural Complex Where Every Corner Is Picture-Perfect, Cosmo 40

There may be countless cafés in the world, but those that are truly ideal for visiting with parents must meet a few key conditions: ample parking, themes parents can relate to, and desserts that suit their tastes. Cosmo 40, a cultural complex and large bakery café located in Seo-gu, Incheon, ticks all those boxes.

Cosmo 40 was formerly a titanium dioxide production plant operated by Cosmo Chemical. For over 40 years since the 1970s, the company operated in the industrial complex in Gajwa-dong. When it moved to Ulsan in 2016, its buildings were left vacant. Among them, Building No. 40, once used to reprocess sulfuric acid, was set to be demolished—until it caught the eye of Cosmo 40’s current owner, who decided to transform it into a cultural venue.

Traces of the past remain throughout the space. The new structure was built while preserving the framework of the original factory. Equipment like the old electrical room and “hoist” were intentionally left in place. Thanks to these features, older generations are reminded of the past, while younger visitors find inspiration in its aesthetic. The entire building serves as a massive photo spot, making it perfect for snapping memorable shots anywhere inside.

Spanning the first and second floors is Void Hall, used for exhibitions, performances, and various cultural events. The café lounge is located on the third floor, with its soaring ceilings, exposed steel beams, and weathered corrugated metal panels giving the space a unique atmosphere. The bakery has a solid reputation, especially for its salted butter rolls with pollack roe and buttered baby potato focaccia. Convenience is also a plus: an elevator makes it easy to move between floors, and the entrance is wheelchair accessible.

• Address 9 Janggogae-ro 231beon-gil, Seo-gu, Incheon
• Inquiries+82-32-575-2319
• Opening HoursMon–Fri 10:00–20:00 / Sat–Sun 10:00–21:00
• Websiteinstagram.com/cosmo.40/

SPOT 4 Epic Views Without the Climb, Aramaru Observatory

Being able to enjoy magnificent views without climbing stairs is a great advantage for the older generation. In this regard, Aramaru Observatory is a winning choice.

Located in the gorge of Gyeyangsan Mountain, Aramaru Observatory is a circular viewing platform with a diameter of 46 meters. Its name comes from “Arario,” the refrain of the Korean folk song “Arirang.” From the observatory, you can see clearly below the 18-kilometer-long Gyeongin Ara Waterway, an artificial canal connecting the West Sea and the Hangang River. Visitors can take an elevator from the ground level up to the observatory, and the wooden deck has a gentle slope that allows wheelchair access.

The observatory’s biggest appeal is the safe thrill it offers. The deck floor is made with triple-layered reinforced glass, and the railings are double-layered glass, providing an exhilarating feeling while ensuring safety. It’s perfect for the older generation who want to enjoy a little excitement without the stress of extreme adventure. Walking while looking down at the calm waterway and taking photos of your parents here would be a great experience. The wide-open view, where forested hills meet the water, makes an ideal backdrop for family photos. The most beautiful time to visit is at sunset, when rainbow-colored lights on the railings and floor create a magical nighttime scene.

Just a five-minute walk from the observatory is Ara Waterfall (open April to November). This 150-meter-wide, 45-meter-tall artificial waterfall offers a refreshing sight, and from the stairs beside it, you can see the cascading water up close as it crashes into white foam.

• Address228 Ara-ro, Gyeyang-gu, Incheon
• Inquiries1899-3650(Ara General Information Center)
• Opening HoursOpen 365 days a year 09:00~22:00
• Websiteitour.incheon.go.kr