Leah's Fun and Inspiring Tours in and Around Jerusalem 

What's the best Plan for Your Tour?

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Over the last 10 years, I have developed special routes as well as games and videos for tours with children/teens. I have discovered which sites families love and which ones are less sucessful for certain ages. I am happy to offer a 15 minute free consultation to help you decide which sites are just right for your family. Due to changes during the Covid lockdowns, some sites have closed and some new ones have opened. 

 

You might get many suggestions from family and friends about places you "have to visit" in Jerusalem, but what is actually the best plan for your group? Maybe you toured Jerusalem years ago and want to show your family similar sites. Jerualem is very dynamic - there's always something new (or actually old but newly uncovered) to see! Ask me for my list of the most popular and successful itineraries for touring Jerusalem these days.

 

Which sites are Good for all ages including families with Young Children or Older Visitors with Mobility Limitations for the Old City?

 

Here are some great sites that are fun and interesting for all ages and can also work well for groups with young children (under age five) or for anyone with walking limitations.

All tours have games, prizes, family-friendly, stories for young visitors. I have noted here the approximate length of time for each site and whether it's indoors or outdoors. For hot summer weather or rainy winter days, it's best to have at least half of the sites be indoor sites. Tours can be customized and are perfect for a bar or bat mitzvah celebration.

 

1) Private tour in the Kotel Tunnels. I have been guiding in the Kotel Tunnels for over 5 years and it's a pleasure to share with visitors all of the behind the scenes stories of this amazing site! The Western Wall Tunnels are one of the must-see sites in Jerusalem for all ages. Walk along hidden parts of the Western Wall and see remnants of the last few thousand years of the history of Jerusalem! Note: a stroller or wheelchair can only be brought on part of the tour. A front baby carrier is recommended. You can join a group tour of 35 participants, however, there's nothing like a private tour geared just for your group. Private tour is approximately 380 shekels minimum for the entrance fee, depending on the size of the group. This tour is ideal for a Bar or Bat Mitzvah day. The Western Wall Tunnels is now offering a new tunnel tour called the Great Bridge. I can also guide this new tour as a private tour for your group. (1 1/2 hours, indoors).

 

2) Treasure hunt tour of the Jewish Quarter: In this tour, we will learn why this part of the Jewish Quarter has been a center for Jewish life in Jerusalem for about 750 years, what happened there in the modern wars, and what's hidden underneath.  (1 1/2 hours but flexible, indoors and outdoors).

 

3) Virtual Reality experience at the Kotel: "A Look Into the Past" This is a 15 minute VR in which you can look all around and feel as if you are walking into ancient Jerusalem and the Beit HaMikdash (Temple). 30 shekels per adult, 15 per child for ages 4 and up. (25 minutes including instructional video, picking up tickets, indoors). 

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4) The Chain of Generations Center: This is a wonderful renewed site which combines amazing glass sculptures and inspiring videos that tell the story of the Jewish People with stories and familiar songs. It's fun for all ages. I can be your guide at this new site which is perfect for children for a meaningful and fun indoor activity at the Western Wall. (45 minutes).

 

5) Aish HaTorah: Aish is a wonderful indoor location to tell a few stories about the Kotel and has a "box seat" view over the plaza. It's a great place to help the kids focus, and learn about the Western Wall, and take some beautiful family pictures. 15 shekels per adult, children under 13 are free. (1 hour, indoors and outdoors). Currently closed.

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6) Game tour beside the walls of the Old City: learn about the ancient walls, building outside the Old City walls, and hear family-friendly stories of War of Independence and the 6 Day War, enjoy the sounds of songs of Jerusalem. Tour can include a visit to Kever David - the traditional tomb of King David. (1 1/2 hour, outdoors, shady in the morning).

 

7) Herodian Quarter: See homes of Cohanim underneath today's Jewish Quarter. These homes are exquisite mansions like on Masada but they are conveniently located in Jerusalem. This site has some stairs and a revolving door exit, so strollers need to be left at the entrance. 14 shekels per adult, 9 shekels per child 5 and up. (1 hour, indoors). Currently closed for renovations.

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8) The Hurva Synagogue: a symbol of the return of the Jewish return to Jerusalem over the last 300 years. See an amazing view from the rooftop balcony. 14 shekels per adult, 9 shekels per child 5 and up. (45 minutes, indoors and outdoors).

 

9) Davidson Center/Southern Excavations - This is a must - see site for learning more about Har Habayit (the Temple Mount), seeing evidence of its splendor and destruction by the Romans. 30 shekels per adult, 16 per child age 5 and up. (1 1/2 hours, mostly outside). Option for a 2,000 year old tunnel to reach this site. 

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10) Bat Mitzvah tour: a tour including some of the above sites with an emphasis on stories of Jewish women as well as a very meaningful Bat Mitzvah ceremony for your family in the Kotel Tunnels. 

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11) Park Teddy Splash Pad: Cool off in this chlorinated fountain next to the Old City.

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12) Kever David: Visit the traditional tomb of King David on Mt. Zion.

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13) Jerusalem Sifting Project: Be a part of uncovering history! Sift through archaeological finds from excavations in Jerusalem.

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14) Building Outside the Walls: the Windmill and the Story of Moshe Montifiore 

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15) The Underground Prisoner Memorial - story of pre-IDF fighters and their Rabbi, Rav Aryeh Levin.

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16) Israel Museum - Perfect for an indoor Tanach (Bible) tour.

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17) Hebrew Music Museum - Learn about Jewish music from ancient times until the present, from Jerusalem and throughout the diaspora and play unique instruments.

 

Additional Options for Groups with Children or Teens Ages 5 and Older and Good Walkers for the Old City

 

Here are some sites that work well for good walkers in addition to the sites above which are good for all ages. All tours for kids under age 10 have the options of games, prizes, and of course family-friendly stories. I have noted here the approximate length of time for each site and whether it's indoors or outdoors. For hot summer weather or rainy winter days, it's best to have at least half of the sites be inside sites. 

 

1) City of David: The most popular site for families in Jerusalem! This is the best tour to truly connect to ancient Jerusalem and have a great time. See the detailed description of City of David tours at the City of David. 

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2) Highlights of the Tower of David: (near Jaffa Gate) see fascinating aspects of Jerusalem's history. We will go up to the tower for an incredible view of all of Yerushalayim, see a large model of Jerusalem from 1873 before the Jewish Quarter was destroyed by the Jordanians in 1948, see new excavations not generally open to the public with an emphasis on Jewish history in Jerusalem from 2700 years ago until the modern times. We can continue from there on Ramparts to the Jewish Quarter for an additional small entrance fee. (Tower of David special price is 20 shekels per adult, 13 per child, reservation required, 1 1/2 hours both indoors and outdoors, involves one spiral staircase). Some parts of the Tower of David are currently under construction.

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3) Ramparts: it's so exciting to walk on top of the walls of Jerusalem! We will start the Rampart walk at Jaffa Gate. There is one route that goes to the Jewish Quarter and another route that goes around the Christian and Muslim Quarters. Both have fascinating views. It's possible to do part of either direction. There is no shade on the Ramparts (so sunhats and a lot of water are key), and it's not possible to walk on them if it's raining. Ages 9 and up only. 20 shekels pp. (1/2 hour approximately, outdoors).

 

4)Jewish community of the Old City: hear the fascinating history of Jewish buildings dating back to the 1860s when there was a large Jewish population throughout the Old City including Jews from Galicia, Morocco, Georgia, as well as Chabadnikim, Chasidim of many types, students of the Vilna Gaon, and others. 1,000 Jews have returned to these areas to live today. Tour can also include the Kotel HaKatan (Little Western Wall) and other interesting Jewish sites in the area such as Tzedkiyahu’s cave. 10 shekels pp donation to enter sites.  to enter their sites. There are many sites in this area so tour length varies.  (½ hour – 3 ½ hours, indoors and outdoors).

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5) Yad Vashem - International Holocaust Memorial (ages 10 and up).

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6) Mt. Herzl Cemetery - Herzl, Prime Ministers, Presidents, soldiers and more are buried in this important Jerusalem Cemetery.

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7) Shuk Mahane Yehuda - this market is a must-see in Jerusalem.

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