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Photo: Elie plus (talk), Public domain via Wikimedia Commons
The museum in South Ashrafieh has artefacts ranging in date from prehistoric times to the medieval Mamluk period mainly dealing with Lebanon's archeology and history.
The National Museum of Beirut is the principal museum of archaeology in Lebanon. The collection begun after World War I, and the museum was officially opened in 1942. The museum has collections totaling about 100,000 objects, most of which are antiquities and medieval finds from excavations undertaken by the Directorate General of Antiquities.
This might be good if you are into the silk industry. It is set in an old – you guessed it – silk factory.
There is one at least one public beach though, right here. Lots of sand and pounding waves but sadly trash and pollution, maybe even some sewage releases into the water, too. Uff, at least you can watch the surf and sunset anyway. It is said to be a bit of a gay cruising spot too.