[WEEKEND GETAWAY] Add twist to your summer vacation at these unique attractions

Air conditioners are our best friends during the summertime in Korea, and the vast majority of people who's spent a summer in Korea would agree. No matter how much we would like to plan an outdoor activity, we end up giving up due to the insane ...

Dry sauna in Aquafield, Hanam, Gyeonggi, is a traditional way to fight off the heat. [AQUAFIELD HANAM]

Air conditioners are our best friends during the summertime in Korea, and the vast majority of people who's spent a summer in Korea would agree. No matter how much we would like to plan an outdoor activity, we end up giving up due to the insane humidity and heat. Thankfully, there are still places you can go to without getting sizzled by the sun. Better yet, some of these places offer twists to your ordinary summer vacation.

If you are keen on trying something unique and unconventional this summer, the Korea JoongAng Daily has these four recommendations for you.

Dialogue in the Dark 어둠속의대화

Dialogue in the Dark leaves visitors in complete darkness for 100 minutes straight. [SCREEN CAPTURE]

Apart from the hours you spend sleeping, it is likely that your eyes would be busy every minute of the day, whether staring at a screen or making eye contact with the person you are talking to. However, Dialogue in the Dark, an interactive exhibition, gives your eyes a complete rest, leaving you in complete darkness for 100 minutes straight. It gives you no choice but to pay full attention to the rest of your senses and rely on the directions of the "road master." The program encourages its visitors to use their imagination and gives them space for reflection. Having no vision propels the participants to help each other and know the importance of teamwork. Each group has up to eight members and walks through various zones that incorporate touching unidentified objects and listening to different sounds.

Dialogue in the Dark runs two branches in Korea, one in Hwaseong, Gyeonggi and one in Jongno District, central Seoul. There are also English-speaking road masters available at the Dongtan branch in Hwaseong. You have to make a reservation before visiting online, but you have to call to book an English tour.

@dialogueinthedarkkoreaDongtan branch: 160 Dongtanyeok-ro, Hwaseong, Gyeonggi; Bukchon branch: 71 Bukchon-ro, Jongno District, Seoul(동탄점: 경기도 화성시 동탄역로 160 롯데백화점 7층, 북촌점: 서울시 종로구 북촌로 71)Hours: Wednesday to Sunday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Closed on Mondays, Tuesdays and national holidaysAdmission Fee: 33,000 won ($25) for adults (ages 20 and above), 22,000 won for children and teenagers (ages 8 to 19); Groups of 4 or more are offered group discountsPhone number: 1877-6145 Website: www.dialogueinthedark.co.kr

1Million Dance Studio원밀리언 댄스 스튜디오

Students learn choreography at 1Million Dance Studio in Seongsu-dong, eastern Seoul. [PARK SANG-MOON]

If you want to get active yet avoid a heatstroke under the intense sun, consider signing up for a dance class to sweat "safely." 1Million Dance Studio in Seongsu-dong, eastern Seoul, is one of the most famous dance academies in the world. Hundreds of dance clips uploaded on the studio's YouTube channel have gone viral, attracting dance lovers from across the globe to visit the academy to tick off a bucket list item.

It doesn't matter whether you are a good dancer, and being a novice shouldn't discourage you from paying a visit. The studio runs classes for dancers of every level, from beginner to expert.

The website thoroughly explains everything in English, so you won't face a language barrier. This is a great chance to learn a dance routine with other dance lovers from star choreographers of famous K-pop idols. You can check the schedule on the academy's official website and book a class there. Classes featuring popular dances or choreographers tend to sell out early, so reserve in advance.

@1milliondance33 Ttukseom-ro 13-gil, Seongdong District, eastern Seoul(서울특별시 성동구 뚝섬로13길 33)Hours: Monday to Friday, 4 p.m. to 10 p.m., Saturday and Sunday, 3 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Admission fee: 28,000 won for one session, 125,000 won for five sessions, and 220,000 won for 10 sessions. Refer to the official website for further detail.Phone number: 02-512-6756Website: https://www.1milliondance.com/

Aquafield 아쿠아필드

The infinity pool is one of the most popular outdoor water park facilities at the Aquafield in Hanam, Gyeonggi. [AQUAFIELD HANAM]

Planning a full day out on a weekend is fun but can also be demanding for some indecisive minds. Those eager to enjoy the summer vacation vibes but wish to save themselves from endlessly scrolling through recommendations should head over to Aquafield for a combination of water activities and a Korean sauna.

Aquafield has three branches, all in Gyeonggi, at Starfield Malls in Hanam, Goyang, and Anseong.

A typical visit to an Aquafield consists of the earlier half of the day splashing at the pools and riding water slides, while the other half would be spent relaxing at the jjimjilbang, or Korean bathhouse, where traditional Korean sauna culture is combined with modern facilities and leisure activities. You can order food or access services with your digital locker key and pay when you leave. Groups of families, couples and friends can all spend a satisfying day out at an Aquafield.

@aquafield.official750 Misa-daero, Hanam City, Gyeonggi (경기도 하남시 미사대로 750, 스타필드 하남 3층) Summer hours of operation: Water Park, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. (outdoor facilities close one hour before closing time)Spa zone, 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. General hours of operation:Water Park, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.Spa zone, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.Admission fee: Summer season prices (until Aug. 20), Water Park only, 55,000 won for adults and 45,000 won for children. Multi-Pass, 65,000 won for adults and 55,000 won for children.Phone number: 031-8072-8800Website: https://www.aquafield-ssg.co.kr/hanam/index.af

Seoul Escape Room 서울 이스케이프룸 홍대 2호점

Seoul Escape Room in Mapo District, western Seoul, has themed rooms that welcome English-speaking visitors. [SCREEN CAPTURE]

Playing a game of escape room could be a great option if you are intrigued by activities that require analytical and critical thinking skills. Although many escape rooms in Korea don't offer services in other languages, some escape rooms in the crowded areas of Seoul have games available in English, especially in the Hongdae neighborhood in Mapo District, western Seoul.

Seoul Escape Room Hongdae Branch is one of the favorite escape rooms among English-speaking visitors in Korea. It currently runs three different games to choose from, "Haunted House of Venetian Merchant," "The Lost City of Amazon" and "Escape from the CIA Headquarters." Once you start the game, you have to solve a series of quests using objects in the room within an hour or 75 minutes, with three chances to ask for a clue. Seoul Escape Room pioneered the escape room culture in Korea and runs different games at different branches.

@seoulescaperoom 11, Wausan-ro 17-gil, Mapo District, western Seoul (서울 마포구 와우산로 17길 11 코스모스빌딩 3층) Opening hours: 11 a.m. to midnight Admission fee: Ranges from 24,000 won to 28,000 won per person Phone number: 0507-1414-6502 Website: https://www.seoul-escape.com/?locale=en

BY KIM DONG-EUN [kim.dongeun@joongang.co.kr]