After the pop-up, several families (us included) spent a couple more weeks in Budapest. We enjoyed getting lost down cobblestone streets, sliding down endless slides, eating chimney cakes, and meeting a man with an unexpected mustache.
The kids had their crew — They spent hours playing Dungeons & Dragons in epic campaigns and chasing each other through parks like they were in a campaign. Vault 51 was a major hit — heaven for any game-loving kid (or Michael). We saw the new Mission: Impossible movie in an IMAX theater with a food court dinner afterwards. Several kids and adults did calisthenics twice a week and a select few (including Lucas) would run afterwards.
One of the biggest highlights was a few creative days at FabLab. FabLab Budapest is a community makerspace where people of all ages can explore digital fabrication tools like 3D printers, laser cutters, and CNC machines. It was the perfect place for our kids’ curious minds to turn their ideas into tangible projects. Lucas proudly made a Minecraft necklace and Henry? Mandalorian knives. Of course. They also made custom cups — now official souvenirs of “Budapest 2025.”
We had dinner at Mazel Tov one night in their outdoor garden with gorgeous plates of food, and a glorious mustache on one of the waiters. It deserves its own postcard. We might frame it. 
The parents got a night out too: the moms went back to Mazel Tov for a well-deserved evening of grown-up conversation, while the dads hit a local pool hall for some classic fun. We also had lots of coffee dates.
Our sightseeing rhythm was just right — a bit of culture, a lot of running around. We enjoyed the Money Museum (who knew economics could be so interactive?) and the Flipper Museum, which had vintage pinball machines and other video games with unlimited play.
Gellért Park had a bunch of slides that kept the kids busy for a while. Tag was the game of the day, and the slides made it unique. We hiked up to the Citadel Lookout, which is temporarily closed, but the views from up there are worth the hike. We also hiked to Buda Castle, which has stunning views. The city from up there feels like something out of a fantasy novel.
We also checked out Margaret Island. We took the kids one day, and the moms rented a golf cart and took off on a joyride around the island, laughing way more than expected. The kids rented an orange quad bike that was technically pedal-powered, but in reality, turned into a push-powered adventure.
Some parents also snuck away another day to the thermal spa on Margaret Island. It has outdoor heated pools and unheated lap pools. There are also waterslides and a wave pool that were not open yet. Inside is another heated pool, a cold plunge, and several saunas. For $10 per person, it was worth it.
We got into a good rhythm in Budapest but only scratched the surface. We all agree it is a place we would come back to someday.
