Kid Approved : Budapest
While mapping out our destinations for our year of travel, I realized that we had too many places to see at the slower pace that we wanted to travel. And then I stumbled upon a podcast episode dedicated to Budapest and I knew I was in trouble. I fell in love with the idea of the city and knew that we had to spend time there. Our two weeks in Budapest was the first time that we spent a long stretch in one place. We slowed down, started homeschool, visited our favorite parks each afternoon, and enjoyed multiple meals at the handful of restaurants that we loved.
Spending a longer stretch of time here means that our kids actually remember more about their adventures around the city. They love reminiscing about their favorite playgrounds. And still talk about the delicious chimney cakes that we ate. So here are all of Olivia’s favorites in… Kid Approved : Budapest!
PLAYGROUNDS & PARKS
MILLENARIS PARK - “I really liked that it was really colorful. There was a wheel were you would run inside of it and almost go upside-down! There are also big wooden buildings where you can climb onto the roof. We loved to play there with my dad.”
MARGARET ISLAND - “This island was so fun because it had a big water fountain and water shot out with the music. It has a playground where there are places to climb with a rope. You can climb up and back down. The playground is right by the water and there are lots of things you can spin on.”
SLIDES AT CSUSZDAPARK ON GELLERT HILL - “There were lots of places to climb at the top of the park. There were huge slides going down to the lower part of the park. There were little trampolines too.”
PALATINUS WATER PARK - “There were lots of fun slides there. I liked going down the fish and pirate ones. And I went down a big rainbow one too. That was so fun. There was a hippo seesaw in the water! The water park also had a playground. My brother and mom went down the huge slides. I wasn’t tall enough.”
THINGS TO DO WITH KIDS IN BUDAPEST
HIKE TO LIBERTY STATUE - Olivia has no memory of this, but I assure you she was there! It’s about a mile hike, quick and easy, though a bit steep at times. We made it in about 30 minutes with the kids. I do remember getting a bit turned around because there aren’t many signs. Fair warning! Good news, the views are spectacular and there’s a bar at top. As Trent says, “Europe is great. Whenever you hike up a hill, there’s a beer waiting for you!”
FISHERMAN’S BASTION - “You could see into the distance. It reminds me of a castle. There are musicians there and lots of carvings in the wall. We also got chimney cakes there.” The kids loved exploring this space and the neighborhood around it.
RUIN BARS - “There are lots of trees there. It had lots of posters and newspapers on the wall. It was really crafty. And people wrote all over the walls and drew pictures. They put a bunch of art of the wall. That’s what I like about it!” Szimpla Kert is the most well known of the ruin bars. You could spent hours walking through this building and checking out the artwork. Don’t forget to grab a beer or a juice while you’re there!
HARRY HOUDINI MUSEUM - House of Houdini is a museum dedicated to the great magician. We meant to visit but forgot about it during our time in Budapest! If we’re lucky enough to go back, we will definitely experience it. Our kids love magic and learning about Houdini.
WHERE & WHAT TO EAT
CHIMNEY CAKES - “It looks like a swirl chimney. They sprinkled sugar on it. They were really sweet.”
GYROS - “I had my first gyro in Budapest. It was so yummy. We ate it at the big food market (it was a St. Stephen’s Day Event) and then I made friends with two other girls and played. They told my brother and I Harry Potter secrets.”
GOULASH - “I don’t really remember eating it there but my mom makes it all the time now.”
We love our time in this kid-friendly city. Liv ended our chat by saying, “I want to go to all the parks in Budapest again. They’re so fun!” Me too, Liv. Me too!
Is Budapest on your destination dream list? If you’ve been there, what places did you love?
