Length: 1 hour
Mode of Transport: Stroller friendly
Why Go? Picturesque fresh pools
Toilets: Nope
What to Bring: Bathing suite, towel, picnic, water, floaties
Entrance Fee: Free, my friends, free
It's mid week. School's out for summer. Or, maybe Alice Cooper was right, and school is out forever. Too soon? Anyway, here is a lil' activity for any time of day: the pools and park of Ein Lavan. It's located in Jerusalem, right next to the Biblical Zoo and the Aquarium (read my Aquarium blog post here), so you can mix n' match, add in a picnic lunch, and voilà, full day o' fun. If you just want to stick to the park, it can provide about an hour of entertainment, depending on how many cups of coffee you sip from the finjan or how pruney you want your fingers to get in the water.
The Ein Lavan (click for location) pools are located in the Rephaim Stream Park. The park has been renovated and gives a really user friendly, clean vibe. There is a parking lot at the entrance, which makes the walk to the pools just a few minutes. Or, if you are looking to stretch the ol' legs, you can park as we did, at the Aquarium and walk an easy peasy, stroller-friendly 20 minutes. See the paved path in the picture below:
The park has lots of nooks and crannies to spread out a blanket and picnic. The main attraction are two fresh water pools (one pictured above and one below). The water was cold yet refreshing, and the view wasn't anything less than bodacious. I'm 5'7 or roughly 170 cm (totally had to just look that up), and when I was standing at the deepest part, the water went up to my shoulders. So if you have little kids, blow up them Fireman Sam floaties.
Once you get out and dry off, roam around a bit. The area is a sweet Garden of Eden, boasting all those trees that every prophet in the Bible lived off of for 40 years while hiding out in a cave - fig, grape, carob - you feel my flow.
The name of the game is, jump in the water, find a spot in the shade and just relax. It requires very little physical activity, but you can always walk around and explore. Great for small kids or just a mini-getaway. Note, if you are thinking about coming with a stroller, you will need to stick to the paved path. There are stairs as well, as pictured above.
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