At the Seodaemun Museum of Natural History in the heart of Seoul, visitors can travel through the realms of dinosaurs, geology and biology interactively in a family-friendly environment.

Opened in 2003, this museum was the first of its kind in South Korea and still is one of the most popular places among locals and tourists alike. With three floors of exhibits, there is a lot to see for adults and children interested in the natural world.

Step inside and you’ll find a towering dinosaur skeleton, a welcoming idea of what else is in store. An exhaustive collection of fossils ranging from the Triassic Period up to the Ice Age are on display and show how life evolved on Earth. Here, a translator app will come in handy when reading the descriptions of each exhibit, as they are available only in Korean.

A large collection of Korean dinosaur fossils is a highlight that affords visitors unusual peeks at the species found locally. The life-size displays of realistic models make it very easy to imagine these massive creatures in the wild.

Besides dinosaurs, Earth Science Hall is about the history and structure of Earth. The displays on volcanic activity, earthquakes and minerals illustrate the power and beauty of the Earth’s geology.

Visitors may touch some of the specimens, which makes this section more interesting.

If you’re more interested in marine life, you’ll want to see the Life Science Hall, which has displays on the diversity of ocean ecosystems, along with preserved specimens and a large aquarium of fish native to Korean waters.

The big attraction is the Ecology Hall, which showcases a multitude of ecosystems in South Korea. This exhibit focuses on Korea’s plants and animals and has models of local habitats, thus giving you a better understanding of the environment right outside the museum’s walls.

The hands-on exhibits and realistic settings make this a learning experience that isn’t as much about going to a museum as it is an adventure.

On the QT

Directions: 51, Yeonhui-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, South Korea. The museum is a short walk from Hongje Station, Exit 3. Look for signs pointing to the museum.

Times: Open daily, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Closed Mondays and certain holidays.

Cost: Admission is 6,000 won for adults, or about $4.50; 3,000 won for students and 2,000 won for children.

Food: The museum hosts a small cafe serving drinks and light snacks.

Information: Phone: 02-330-8899; Online: namu.sdm.go.kr/web/main/main