CLANDESTINE IMMIGRATION AND NAVAL MUSEUM. Devoted to На-Apala, the
story of European Jewish immigrants smuggled into Palestine during the British
mandate (see 0). The museum showcases impressive displays on Jewish
underground movements and a recreation of a Cyprus deportation camp. Perched
atop the museum is the Af-Al-Pi-Khen (In Spite Of Everything), a ship that once
ran the British blockade in the 1940s. (204 Allenby Rd. next to the National Maritime
Museum and opposite the lower cable car station; bus #3, 5, 43 or 44. Open Su-
Th 9am-4pm. NIS10, children and students NIS5, free for soldiers from any country.)
MANE KATZ ART MUSEUM. While the museum usually displays sculptures and
canvases by Mane Katz, a member of the Paris group of Jewish Expressionists that
included Modigliani, Chagall, and Cremegne, it packs everything up in storage a
few times a year for special exhibits of contemporary Israeli artists. (89 Yefe Nof St,
just behind Panorama Center. Bus #21, 22, 23, or 28, or Gan Ha-Eim Carmelit.
Open Su-M and W-Th 10am-4pm, Tu 2-6pm, F lOam-lpm, Sa 10am-2pm. Free, except during
special exhibits when the price ranges between NIS10-25.)
NATIONAL MUSEUM OF SCIENCE, PLANNING, AND TECHNOLOGY. Housed in
the old Technion building, this museum boasts over 200 hands-on stations demon-
strating technologies from telecommunications to architecture. Reclaim your child-
hood in the funhouse-like Mirrors & Optics Hall and repent for slacking off in high
school in the Chemistry Exhibition lab. (One block up from Herzl St. accessible from either
Balfour St. or Shmaryahu Levin St. Bus #12, 21, 28, or 37 or Ha-Nevi'im Carmelit and walk right
one block along Herzl St. to Shmaryahu Levin St Open Su-M and W-Th 9am-6pm,
Tu 9am-7pm, F 10am-3pm, Sa 10am-5pm. NIS25, students NIS15, seniors NIS12.)
MUSEUMS AT THE ZOO. These mediocre museums are worth a quick look only if
you're already at the zoo (see 00). (Prehistory open Su-Th 9am-3:45pm, F8:30am-lpm,
Sa 10am-2pm. Others open the same hours as the zoo. Zoo includes all museums: NIS20, stu-
dents NIS18.)
*S M BEACHES AND ENTERTAINMENT
The beaches surrounding Haifa may not be as large as Tel Aviv's or as beautiful as
Netanya's, but they're still a great place to sun-worship or take a see-and-be-seen
stroll. Although free beaches sprawl all along the northern coast, the best lie just
outside of the city in Dor (see 06) and Atlit, both accessible by bus #921. Within
Haifa, Hof Ha-Carmel and Hof Dado are most pleasant (bus #43, 44 or 45; 15 min.).
Hordes of Israelis pour down to these beaches on Friday and Saturday afternoons
to play matkot (paddleball) and people-watch on the promenade; in summer, the
bikini-clad and the men who love them hang out long after sunset. Near the central
bus station Hof Bat Galim (bus #41, 42) has a more sedate promenade. On Tuesday
evenings in summer, folk dancers kick it up at both promenades. Hof Ha-Shaket
(Quiet Beach), is a true-to-name, separate-sex beach. (Women: Su, Tu, Th; men M,
W, F; co-ed Sa) Lifeguards work from 8am-6pm at each of the beaches.
During Pesach, the Municipal Theater puts on a number of Children's Plays at
the Cultural Center in Carmel (information and tickets In December,
weekend nights bring concerts and small carnivals to Wadi Nisnas for the Feast of
the Feasts. Free concerts (usually classical, but occasionally modern pop or reli-
gious) at the amphitheater in Gan Ha-Eim park (in summer W 6pm, Sa 9pm).
In the beginning of July, the nearby town of Carmiel fills with people coming to
see the Israeli Music and Dance Festival. Carmiel is normally accessible from Haifa
by buses #261262, 361 and 501 (every 20-45min. NIS18), and Egged provides extra
transportation during the festival. The artsy Cinematheque, 142 Ha-Nassi Blvd.
, is next to the Cultural Center, a few blocks up from the Carmelit sta-
tion, just after Ha-Nassi curves right. This theater shows cult classics, new Israeli
films, film noir, and the latest American fare. (Su-Th shows at 7, 9:30pm and
occasionally 5pm; F shows at 2 and 10pm; Sa shows at 5, 7 and 9:30pm. NIS27).