Hermit crab catching after the renewal at Dongtan indoor zoo: Artis

Hi, this is Tteo-jji Mom.

I was satisfied when I visited with Tteo-a two years ago, and after the renewal, this hands-on indoor zoo Artis Theme Park got even better. Still no smell, and the animals were in great condition.

Compared to other indoor zoos, the experiences here are more specialized, and there were so many animal friends we'd never seen before that even us adults were amazed and had a blast! I highly recommend Artis Theme Park for an indoor date or an indoor experience — here's my full review.

Where is Artis Theme Park, and where do you park?

📍 Address: 10 Dongtan-daero 19-gil, Dongtan-gu, Hwaseong-si, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea, 9F

🅿️ Parking: Sinyu Medi Plaza underground parking B1–B3 (free parking for up to 3 hours)

Artis Theme Park hours and admission fees

📅 Open days: Wednesday–Monday (closed Tuesdays)

⏰ Hours: Weekdays 13:00–19:00 / weekends 12:00–19:00 (including holidays), last entry at 18:00

💛 Admission

• Naver booking: adult ₩16,900 / child ₩18,900
• 18–24 months ₩17,500
• Under 18 months free admission

❤️ Other notes

• No outside food allowed (baby food exempt)
• No outside animal feed allowed
• No re-entry after leaving
• No strollers or other wheeled items allowed

Numbered entry: watching the axolotls while you wait

Take the elevator to the 9th floor and arrive at Artis Theme Park, decked out in flashy decorations! After paying, you get a name-tag sticker and a wristband, then wait until your number on the receipt shows up on the screen.

While waiting, we watched the cute axolotls and fish tanks up front! Oh, since there's no re-entry, we made sure to use the restroom and stash our bags in a locker beforehand.

Animal handling with a feed cup in hand

When our number was called on the receipt, in we went! Up to 6 groups enter together, and we filled an empty bucket with feed (the feeding experience is ₩6,900). You carry it around in the little basket they give you. There's also a stamp booklet the kids love.

Right after entering, we got to do a touch handling experience! Tteo-a was a bit scared, but the staff cheered her on and helped with the handling, haha.

There's a media art sand play zone where you trace paths in the sand, and the kids loved it.

Such a pretty sound was coming from somewhere and I thought, huh? Turned out to be crickets!! I'd never seen that at an indoor zoo before. I'm not really into insects, but the cricket sound was so soothing and lovely.

Feeding the fish and guinea pigs, plus the Dr. Fish tank

Feeding time with our allotted feed! Tteo-a wanted to feed each fish one by one, so we took it slow off to the side, haha. The guinea pigs lining up waiting for food were so cute too..

In the aquarium area, the kid-favorite Dr. Fish were waiting~ Next to it you could also touch starfish. There are handwashing stations near every touch-experience spot, so no need to worry!

Feeding loaches to the rays, then the otters and pelicans

We also got to feed the rays! Giving them a loach right at the mouth, they'd slowly shift and eat it — so fascinating. Tteo-a made a face of 'eww~' the first time she held a loach, but seeing other kids do it, she got brave, haha.

Apparently a group of crocodiles was getting ready to fly in by plane! If you want to see the crocodiles, I'd recommend calling ahead before your visit.

The otter is in charge of cuteness at Artis! Feed it and it brings you a little pebble as a gift. Watching it gather several in its tiny hands is just too adorable.

There's a pelican too!!!! Such a truly special indoor theme park. Tteo-a said 'wow!' two years ago and said 'wow!' again this time, haha. She gave it sunflower seeds and immediately asked for more. So cute munching away.

Catching hermit crabs, crayfish and crabs, and taking 3 shrimp home

Artis's signature experiences

• 1. Hermit crab catching
• 2. Crayfish catching

• 3. Crab catching
• 4. Hermit crab catching

Among these, you can catch and take home up to 3 shrimp! The other friends can be taken home if you buy a house kit.

The self-serve café, kids' play area and school-holiday event

Besides the experience zones, there's also a self-serve café and a small kids' café! As a school-break event, adult drinks were free no matter what you ordered! There was also a Pororo drink for kids, and you could get it free with a receipt event, haha.

I couldn't fit everything into this post, but Artis had no smell at all and the animals showed no signs of stress, which I loved. That just shows how well managed the place is!! We decided to prepare a home for our shrimp and come back again..!

Complete with a nursing room and diaper-changing station! If you're looking for somewhere to go with kids, or looking for a quirky date spot, I recommend the Dongtan indoor zoo Artis Theme Park!