Rishon LeZion, or shortened to Rishon, is a city in Israel which is located on the central coastal strip, south of Tel Aviv, and considered a part of the Gush Dan metropolitan area.

Rishon, is the fourth biggest city in Israel, with more than 230,000 residents spread over 60,000 dunam.

The city was founded in 1882 along with the city of Petah Tikva, and it is considered the first Zionist settlement in Israel. 
That is why the city is named Rishon Le-Tzion, with the fact that the literally meaning of the name is ‘first to Zion’.
By locals the city is also called Rishon or Rashlatz.

The city's main industries are wine, construction, services and commerce. The industrial zones don't contain any residents, so at the night time they are becoming a center for having a good time. 

Learn history through places
The main street in the city is Hertzel street. A walk along the long street is exposing the city through all its true nature.
The street is a mixture of old and new, starting with the old Carmel winery and closing with the recent shops.

In the old city of Rishon there are a lot of sites which contains historical characters.

Most of these sites are located along the The Midrahov, or around its area. The sites are placed a walking distance from each other.

Among these sites there is the Gan-HaMoshava, or the Gan Ha-Nadiv, park.
The park is located in the center of the old city, along Hrtzel street, and has been renewed recently. It contains an avenue of tall palm trees, lawns playground for children and a little pond.

More attractive site is the old wine factory, Carmel Mizrahi, which includes a museum and an authentic place to learn more about wine.

The first Hebrew school, Beit Sefer Haviv, is also a part of the city, together with the Great Well, "Matzanu Mayim", and the Old Water Tower.

In the Rishon LeZion  History Museum, you can find a rare collection of documents and pictures from the days Rishon Le-Zion was a colony.
the museum offers its visitors an interesting site to the different professions, the first settlers performed back then, to build and develop the colony of Rishon Le-Zion.

All of the sites above are part of the Rishonim road ("Shvil Ha-rishonim"), which includes 14 historical places, to learn about the colony's story.

Culture
The city hosts the annual Rishon Le-Zion Wine Festival, which is considered to be one of the biggest cultural events in Israel.
The city is celebrating with thousands which arrive during the week of the Sukot holyday.

The festivities  includes choirs, dance troupes and different artists from all over the country and the world.

In the hall of culture of Rishon Le-Zion you can be exposed to the large verity of artistic performances, starting with concerts and closing with theater shows. 
 
Nightlife and entertainment
 Rishon Le-Zion is known for its vivid nightlife with The Old Industrial Zone, which is packed with dancing clubs pubs, bars, cafes and restaurants that are open till dawn.

This attractive area is called M.B.T which is a shortage to Mis'har, Biluy, Taasia (commerce, entertainment and industry).
In daytime the area is a center of, large food stores, restaurants and motor garages.
The area is located in the northern part of Rishon, near HaMaccabim
road, which is also called Beit-Dagan road.
In the city's Amfi-Park, there are often big performances by Israel greatest artists and even international ones like Metallica, Alanis Morissette, Sting, and more.

The city's zoo, Hay-Keff, is an attractive park with non-conventional animals, and lots of activities for children.

The Superland, is one of the major entertainment centers in Israel, and it is located in the west part of the city, next to the beach.

Rishon Le-Zion us blessed with one of the most beautiful beaches in the country. At the beach area, which is in a development process to become a great center for tourists, there are restaurants, coffee shops and pubs.
Exclusive hotels and health clubs are planed to be build along the beach strip of the city.  

Shopping
In the last decade the west part of the city got developed with new neighborhoods, many shopping centers and malls that were built.

This west part is considered to be the modern part of Rishon, and includes one of the two major malls in Rishon, Kanyon ha-Zahav (Gold mall).
The other one is located in the old town and called Rothschild Center.
In general the city is known for its high number of malls and shopping centers.