South Korea Day 11: How Did We End Up on Texas Street in Busan?

Siva McAteer • October 21, 2025

How Did We End Up on Texas Street in Busan?!

Wait… why is there a Texas Street in the middle of Busan, South Korea?!

On Day 11 of our Celebrity Cruise adventure, we stepped off the ship ready to explore downtown Busan — and what we found was not what we expected!

After spotting an entrance to Chinatown, we wandered a little further and stumbled across a sign for Texas Street. I had to do a double take. Texas? In Korea? Yeehaw, partner — it’s true! 🤠

🌆 A Little Bit of America in Busan

Everywhere we looked, there were cowboy statues, Western-style bars, and signage that looked straight out of a Wild West movie. It turns out Texas Street Busan has a fascinating history — it originally developed around the 1940s when American soldiers stationed in Korea began frequenting the area after the Korean War. Over time, it became a nightlife hub known for its bars, restaurants, and vibrant expat culture.

Today, it’s one of those quirky cultural mashups that makes travel so fun — a little slice of America dropped right into South Korea’s second-largest city.

📸 Exploring Downtown Busan

From Texas Street, we continued our walk through Dong-gu, one of Busan’s most bustling districts. There were plenty of photo ops, colorful street art, and scenic waterways that gave us major “urban explorer” vibes.

And of course, no trip to Busan is complete without visiting its famous fish markets. The smell of fresh seafood hit us before we even turned the corner! Vendors were selling everything from octopus and abalone to glistening rows of freshly caught fish — a true feast for the senses.

🍖 Korean BBQ… Here We Come!

After our surprising Texas detour and seafood adventures, our next mission was clear — find the best authentic Korean BBQ in Busan. Because no day in Korea is complete without sizzling bulgogi or spicy pork belly fresh off the grill!

If you’re planning your own Celebrity Cruise stop in Busan, definitely carve out some time to visit:

Texas Street (for quirky photos and nightlife)
Jagalchi Fish Market (for incredible seafood)
Gamcheon Culture Village (colorful hillside gem)
And of course, any local BBQ joint that smells too good to walk past!

🌍 Fun Travel Fact:

Did you know Busan is South Korea’s busiest port city and home to one of the largest beaches in the country, Haeundae Beach? It’s also known for its annual Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) — the biggest in Asia!

✨ Final Thoughts

Busan surprised us in the best possible way. From Chinatown to Texas Street, and from fish markets to BBQ heaven, it’s a city that perfectly blends cultures, flavors, and experiences.

And to think — it all started with a sign that said “Texas Street.” 🤠

📸 Follow Along:

Stay tuned for our next stop as we continue cruising through South Korea and beyond!

#Busan #TexasStreet #CelebrityCruises #SouthKoreaTravel #BusanTravelGuide #KoreanBBQ #BusanNightlife #ChinatownBusan #DongGu #TravelBlog #CruiseLife #ExploreBusan #TravelSouthKorea #BusanFoodie #SeafoodMarket #Wanderlust #TravelCouple #AdventureTravel #CulturalMashup #CruiseAdventures

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Crazy Horse Memorial Part 3:

By Siva McAteer • January 30, 2026

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By Siva McAteer • January 30, 2026

👀 “Would you believe me if I told you this mountain has had over ELEVEN MILLION tons of rock blasted away… and it’s still not finished? Let me show you why this $5 tour is one of the best travel deals in America.” Welcome to Part 2 of our Crazy Horse Memorial adventure — and today we’re hopping on the guided bus tour that takes you right up to the mountain itself. For just five dollars per person, this ride gets you shockingly close to the carving-in-progress — and trust me… hearing the story while standing beneath it hits completely different. Our guide, Allen, shared how this all began back in 1947, when sculptor Korczak Ziolkowski arrived in the Black Hills from Connecticut… to a place with no roads, no water, no electricity. He literally lived in a tent for seven months before clearing trees and building a log studio by hand. By the late 1950s, with ten kids to raise, the family even opened a dairy farm right on site — and today they still raise cattle here. Oh — and the very first admission to Crazy Horse in 1950? 👉 Just 50 cents per carload.

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By Siva McAteer • January 27, 2026

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By Siva McAteer • January 26, 2026

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Mount Rushmore Tour Part 4:

By Siva McAteer • January 25, 2026

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Mount Rushmore Tour Part 3:

By Siva McAteer • January 24, 2026

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Mount Rushmore Tour Part 2:

By Siva McAteer • January 24, 2026

Most visitors snap a photo from the viewing terrace and move on… but if you really want to experience Mount Rushmore National Memorial, you have to get on the Presidential Trail. Welcome to Part 2 of my five-part Mount Rushmore travel series, where I’m sharing insider tips, fun facts, and smart planning advice so your South Dakota adventure feels unforgettable — not rushed.

Mount Rushmore Tour Part 1:

By Siva McAteer • January 22, 2026

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Celebrity Cruise & The Bittersweet Flight Home

By Siva McAteer • October 30, 2025

There’s that one moment every traveler knows too well — when you slip into your comfiest travel slippers, grab your airplane blanket, and realize… it’s time to head home. After sixteen incredible days exploring Japan and South Korea, I still can’t believe our journey has come to an end. This trip was everything — relaxing, inspiring, and filled with memories that will stay with us forever. From mouthwatering sushi in Tokyo to breathtaking temples in Busan, every single day felt like a new adventure.

Celebrity Cruise Day 12: The Airport That Feels Like the Future

By Siva McAteer • October 29, 2025

Only in South Korea would a robot greet you the moment you step into the airport. Welcome to Incheon International Airport, where technology meets tranquility — and yes, your travel expectations will never be the same after this. The first thing that hit me wasn’t the size (though it’s massive) — it was how quiet and calm everything felt. No rushing crowds, no blaring announcements — just peaceful background music and mesmerizing floor-to-ceiling digital screens showing relaxing visuals. It honestly felt like I stepped into a luxury spa disguised as an airport. 🤖 Smart Travel at Its Finest Incheon Airport is one of the most advanced smart airports in the world, powered by big data, robotics, and biometric technology. From self-check-in kiosks and face-recognition immigration to helpful robots roaming around ready to assist, it’s clear that South Korea has travel innovation down to a science. Every detail here is designed to make travel effortless — even the seating areas have wireless charging stations built right in!