If you’re coming to Israel in the winter, you will be looking for indoor activities in case of cold, wind or rain. There are many indoor activities in Jerusalem for audiences of all ages. Here are just a few of them.
The newly renovated Israel Museum is a great place to spend a rainy day. The museum is vast and includes exhibits on ancient and modern art, archaeology and Jewish life and history. The Shrine of the Book contains some of the oldest Jewish manuscripts – the Dead Sea Scrolls – and tells the story of their discovery and the ancient sect that copied them. If weather permits, visit the outdoor model of ancient Jerusalem and the Second Temple. The children’s wing is both fun and educational, and on holidays there are usually workshops for kids to enjoy.
The Bloomberg Science Museum is a hands-on experience, demonstrating various scientific phenomena. Some exhibits are geared toward adults and others toward children. Guided tours are available and there are always workshops, demonstrations and talks. If you have a membership at a science museum at home, check whether the membership includes international museums.
The Bank of Israel Visitor’s Center explains a lot of the mysteries behind money and the Israeli skekel. View ancient coins and their modern imitations, learn about the functions of the Bank of Israel via computer game and watch a film about price stability. The center is geared toward children 8 and over.
The Supreme Court is open to the public and conducts free tours on the justice system and the architectural design of the building. If you are lucky you will get to sit in on an actual court session. The English tour takes place daily at 12 PM and is open to children and adults of all ages.
For an overview of the history of Jerusalem, visit the Tower of David Museum. Yad Vashem chronicles the atrocities of the Holocaust (not suited to children) and the Bible Lands Museum educates about the biblical period.
A good source for more activities in Jerusalem is the Fun in Jerusalem website.