There’s a lot going on in Israel’s ancient city of Jerusalem in the way of new entertainment diversions. Within the Tisch Family Zoological Gardens in Jerusalem, Israel’s first aquarium opened. A goal of the new aquarium is to raise awareness about environmental challenges faced by the country’s aquatic ecosystems, which include the Mediterranean, freshwater habitats, the Red Sea and the Dead Sea. Programs are geared toward educating and inspiring visitors through awareness of wildlife conservation while encouraging community involvement.

There are two main areas. The first houses an open sea tank of Mediterranean sea life including sharks, sea turtles, tunas and rays. A second, enormous 100,000-gallon tank depicts the underwater Red Sea environment with parrotfish, Napoleon wrasses, triggerfish, reef sharks and blue-spotted rays. Dive shows and presentations are planned, and the Mediterranean area includes an underwater tunnel so visitors can view the sea life from a multitude of angles.

Meanwhile, at the Terra Sancta Museum in Jerusalem’s Old City, a new multimedia wing focuses on the history of Christianity through narrative storytelling, animation effects and archaeological artifacts related to the religion. Finally, if you’re planning a fall visit to Israel, the four-day urban culinary festival Open Restaurants, coming up Nov. 14–18, includes rising chef stars, top restaurants, workshops and lectures from industry leaders illuminating Jerusalem’s vibrant food scene.