Established by the Baron de Rothschild in 1882, Rishon Le-Tziyon literally means “first into Zion,” and it was, in fact, the first modern Jewish settlement in the Holy Land. However, the local vibe has become less trailblazing spirit and more classic suburbia as Tel Aviv sprawled closer and closer. This proximity—Tel Aviv is now only 15min. away—is both a blessing (most of the tourist traps are drawn there) and a curse (there’s nowhere to stay in the entire town). Rishon Le-Tziyon has a handful of historical sites peppered around a long, family-friendly midrakhov replete with ice cream stands and arts and crafts stalls. As it descends the large hill, the town evolves into a belt of industrial grunge, where most of her youth seem to have found asylum. This is particularly true along Moshe Beker St., a small cul-de-sac packed with bars, clubs, and flashy restaurants—including one of the country’s most celebrated sushi shops.