Free Admission on Yom Ha'Atzmaut (April 19)

NOTE: This list was UPDATED on Tuesday, April 17

Thursday, April 19, 2018 is Yom Ha'Atzmaut, and this year, in honor of 70 yrs of the State of Israel, more than 70 attractions around the country will open to the public at no charge.

The list on this page represents many hours of work translating and researching, and I request that if you want to share this information, you link to this blog post. Thank you for your cooperation and understanding.

If you need wheels for Yom Ha'atzmaut, check out this great deal for just 70nis per day!

Go thru this who list - find a place you've never gone to, and go have fun! In past years we've gone to museums that were free on Yom Haatzmaut, and they was almost completely empty. I think many Israelis prefer their mangal in the park and sitting in traffic. I prefer free admission!

I'm sure there are other places that are offering free programs or free admission, that I haven't heard of, so please add information for other places in the comments, or send a note to ester@kosherfrugal.com and I'll add it in! Thank you.

I have tried, wherever possible, to link to websites in English. If you find a broken or incorrect link, please email me at ester@kosherfrugal.com so I can take care of it! Thanks!

Have a wonderful Yom Ha'atzmaut. May it bring us closer to the Geulah Sh'laymah!

Be sure to find me on Facebook and stay up to date about great Israeli free and frugal living ideas!

South:

Yad LaIsha HaLochemet in Nitzanim - guided tours 9 am - 1 pm. 08-6727895

The Open Museum in Negba - 050-55605540

From Holocaust to Revival Museum in Yad Mordechai - 08-6720599 , 052-3923104

The Water and Security Museum in Nir Am - 050-5709042

Ben Gurion's Hut (Sde Boker) - open 10 am to 4 pm. Last admission at 3 pm 08-6560469

Maoz opposite Gaza in Kibbutz Saad 052-3726644

The Joe Alon Center for Bedouin Culture at Kibbutz Lahav 08-9913322

The Revivim Museum named for Yosef Weitz. 10 am - 2 pm 08-6562570 \ 08-656263

Beit Ruchama, 9am - 2pm. Reserve by calling 054-7995149

Metzudat Yoav, The Givati Museum 08-6611316

Beersheba Turkish Railway Station (Engine 70414), Open 9-5, sign up in advance for guided tour: 08-6234613

Be'erot BaNegev Visitors Center in Kibbutz Alumim, Open 10-2, advance registration required for guided tours, 08-9937300

Jerusalem Area:

The Old Yishuv Court Museum, 02-6276319, 052-4002478

Ammunition Hill Memorial Site - 02-5829392/3, ext 115

The Yellin House - in Motza - 052-4257345

The Gush Etzion Visitors' Center - in Kfar Etzion. 02-9935160

The Tower of David Museum - 02-6265333 or *2884

The Underground Prisoners Museum in Jerusalem - 10 a.m - 5 pm. 02-6233166

The Shai Agnon House - 02-6716498

Menachem Begin Heritage Center - 02-5652020 02-5652011

Yad LaShiryon at Latrun - for more info: 08-9784321

Jewish Quarter Tours, from 9-5, every hour. Advance registration required. Call *4987

Levi Eshkol House, 9-6, advance registration required. Call 02-6313091

Tel Aviv and the Center:

Independence Hall -03-5106426, 03-5173942

The Israeli Museum at the Rabin Center - with advance reservations only.*4585 (for ages 10+)

Ben-Gurion House - 03-5221010

The Jabotinsky Museum - open 8 am - 4 pm. 03-5287320 (reservations required for groups of 10, or for groups who need additional assistance due to accessibility issues)

The Joseph Bau House - 054-4301499 (Special programs available for Olim Chadashim and for children)

Rokach House - for more info: 03-5168042 or email info@rokach-house.co.il

Sarona-HaKirya Visitors' Center - 03-604-9634 (you should call to register in advance. Tours on the hour between 10am and 3pm)

IDF Historical Collection Museum - (Toldot Tzahal) -03-5172913 , 03-5161346

The Etzel Museum 03-525-3307

The Hagana Museum - 03-560862

The Lechi Museum - guided tours at 10:30, 12:00. 1:30. 3:00. Trivia contest at 1 pm. Reservations required. For more info: 03-6820288 or email lehi_museum@mod.gov.il

The Etzel 1948 Museum - open 9am - 4pm. 03-5177180 , 03-5172044

The Nachum Gutman Museum of Art - 03-5161970

Bank of Israel Visitors' Center 03-5640781/2 Reservations required. For ages 8+. Tours are at 10:00am, 11:30am, 1:00pm, and 2:30pm

The Hosmasa Museum - Holon - 03-5050425

Mikveh Israel Visitors' Center - Advance registration required (online). Tours on the hour from 9am to 1pm

The Rishon L'Tzion Museum - open 10 am - 2 pm. 03-9598862, 03-9598890

The Eran Shamir Moshava Museum in Mazkeret Batya - Open 10:30 am - 3:30 pm (also open Wed night from 8-10:30pm). 08-9349525

Ayalon Institute, (Bullet Factory) Rechovot - Open 9 am - 4 pm. Last guided tour at 3 pm (tours in Hebrew only!). Advance reservations required. 08-9406552

Minkov Citrus Orchard Museum, Rechovot - Advance reservations required 08-9469197 | pardes@shimur.org.il Tours are at 10am, 11am, 12pm, 1pm

Netanya Museum, Open 9:00am - 2:00pm, 09-8840020

HaG'dudim Museum, Moshav Avichayil. Open 9-4 09-8822212

The North and Northern Coast:

Beit HaShomer Museum, Kfar Giladi - 04-6941565 open 8am - 4pm

Tel Hai Courtyard - 10 am - 3 pm - 04-6951333 Advance reservations required.

Beit Zinati, Pekiin - 04-9997197 Reservations required.

HaReut Museum, Koach Fortress - 04-6432810. Open 10am - 4pm

The Restored Pioneer Village at Rosh Pinah, Hours not specified, so call! 04-6936913

Beit HaMeiri, Tsfat - 04-6921939, open 10am - 2pm. Guided Tours require advance registration. last tour at 1pm

The Kinneret Courtyard - guided tours at 10, 12, and 2. 04-6709117

Naharayim Experience in Gesher. Guided tours at 11:00 and 12:30. Open 9 am - 4 pm. 04-6752685

The Palmach Cave at Mishmar Ha'Emek- guided tours on the hour between 10 and 3. 04-9898946 ,052-4471109 NEW: "Escape Park" activity

The Historic Nahalal Police Station - guided tours at 9 am, 11am, and 1 pm. 04-6415073

The Nahalal "Sliq" - guided tours every hour from 9 am to 3 pm. 052-3347194, advance reservations required.

The Pioneer Settlers Museum - Kibbutz Yifat. Open 11 am - 3 pm. 04-6548974

The Chaim Shturman House - at Kibbutz Ein Harud. 04-6486337 | 04-6486328

The Tower and Stockade Museum at Hanita. 04-9859677

The Jezreel Valley Train Museum - Kfar Yehoshua. 04-953-4226 open 9am - 2pm

Atlit Detention Camp, Advance Reservations Required, 04-984-1980

The Treasures in the Walls Museum, Akko. Open 10 am - 4 pm. 04-991-1004

The Underground Prisoners Museum, Akko. Open 9am - 4pm. 04-991-1375

The Museum of the First Aliyah in Zichron. Open 10 am - 4 pm. 04-6294777 Reservations required for guided tours

The Khan Museum, Hadera 04-6322330 , 04-6324562 Reservations required.

The Feinberg House, Hadera - 04-6343296, open 9am - 2 pm

Haifa City Museums:

• The Haifa City Museum. 04-9115888 
• The Herman Struk Museum 04-9127090 
• The National Maritime Museum. 04-853662 

Etzel Museum at Shuni Forest. 052-8330177 Audio-visual presentation every hour between 9am and 3pm

Clandestine Immigration and Naval Museum, Haifa 04-8537672 open 9am - 4pm

Other FREE and discount attractions and activities:

The Israel Museum - free for children, 20 NIS for adults

The Open Museum at Tefen - 04-9109609 (The museum is generally open from 9am - 4pm. Staff takes breaks for lunch from 12:30-13:00, or 13:00 - 13:30)

Army Bases and Public Military Exhibits

Madatech in Haifa is just 10nis on Yom Ha'Atzmaut!

Bloomfield Science Museum in Jerusalem is just 10nis on Yom Ha'Atzmaut!

Davidson Institute (Rechovot), open from 10am-2pm, FREE family friendly activities!

Yechiam's Yom Ha'Atzmaut "70 BaGalil" Celebration - registration required (online) 9am - 4pm

Ein Vered Riding Club 9am-5pm (some activities are FREE, some have a small fee)

I will add more free attractions in this space as I find them!

So, let me know where you'll be going! Just leave a comment below this post. It's a good idea to confirm in advance that the place you plan to go will be open as posted. Some places require advance bookings even if not specified.