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The International Spy Museum: more fun off the mall

When it comes to museums in the nation's capital, there are very few that you actually have to pay to get into. The reasoning is: Why should I pay for something when I can see it for free across town?

Well, there is a VERY good reason when it comes to The International Spy Museum. Even though there is an admission cost and it can be expensive depending on the group, (General admission is $18 for adults, $17 for seniors, military & intel people, $15 for kids and free for those 5 and under) it IS worth every dollar. It usually takes about 2 hours, according to the website, but if you want to see all of the museum in detail and not just brush through it, expect to take a full afternoon at least. In the beginning of your tour, you are taken up in groups of about 10 people, When the elevator stops, it opens up into a room full of alias, one of which, you are directed, will become yours as you become a spy in the International Spy Museum. Once you have chosen your identity and memorized its facts, you are sent into the 'Debriefing Room' as a movie plays, explaining the life of a spy. Then you are allowed into the exhibits.

Needless to say, the museum does a great job with the atmosphere. You truly feel like you are a secret agent, slipping around people, ninja style, covertly completing your mission... At least I did. It was definitely hard to choose what to look at and what to pass by. The International Spy Museum holds true to its name. The museum isn't just about American espionage or Western espionage. There is a whole room dedicated to espionage in Asian countries, including a life size ninja.

While the museum is mostly for  those who are 12 and up, some of the exhibits and movies can be a tad frightening at times, there are many parts of the museum that are kid-friendly. For example, in the beginning of the museum, there is an 'air duct' that kids can sneak through and see how quietly they can make it through.

The hours that the museum are open are also fairly regular (9:30am to 6pm or 7pm), though you would need to check the specific day that you want to go to see when the museum is open.

Closest Metro Stop: Chinatown/Gallery Place - The International Spy Museum is right across from the National Portrait Gallery.