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From the city center, it's easy to head south to Jaffa and its ancient port and lively flea market—to get there the scenic way, saunter along the seaside promenade overlooking the beach—and the other southern neighborhoods like the gentrified Neve Tzedek and the more rough-edged Florentine.
Farther north, at the edge of Tel Aviv proper, lies the sprawling green lung of Tel Aviv, Hayarkon Park. You'll also discover the city's renovated port area, an ideal setting for a seaside breakfast or a toast at sunset with which to usher in Tel Aviv's famous inexhaustible nightlife.
This large museum's eight pavilions span 3,000 years of culture and history in Israel, covering everything from ethnography and folklore to ceramics and other handicrafts. In the center is the ancient site of Tel Kassile, where archaeologists have uncovered 12 layers of settlements. There is also a daily sound-and-light show in the adjacent planetarium.
The newly renovated ANU Museum of the Jewish People (formerly Beit Hatfutsot) immerses visitors in over 4000 years of Jewish history, culture, and life through a unique and interactive display. Spread out over three floors, the core exhibition takes visitors on a journey. It begins with a mosaic of Jewish culture today: its folklore, arts, religious customs, and languages. Next the visitor moves to the global historical journey of Jewish people from ancient times to the present day. The exhibit finishes at the foundations: the fundamental basis on which Jewish existence has been built. This core exhibit is accompanied by special exhibitions on Jewish humor, Jewish heroes, and a world-renowned collection of synagogue models that celebrate the diversity of Jewish life across the world. Combined, ANU is a fascinating exploration of the story of the Jewish people: past, present, and future.
This museum makes you feel as if you were back in the days of the Palmach, the pre-State underground army, with a group of young defenders. Visitors are led through rooms, each of which encompasses one part of the Palmach experience. There's the "forest," which has real-looking trees; a room with a falling bridge and faux explosions; and a chilling mock-up of an illegal-immigrants' ship. Visits to the museum must be booked in advance and the tour can accommodate up to 25 people. Call ahead for reservations.
