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International Spy Museum
(Now Closed)Museum and Science Museum
Penn Quarter, Washington
The experts at Michelin Travel & Lifestyle and Wired recommend this place
201 Tips and reviews
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Bradley CookAugust 1, 2016Tons of information and exhibits! They get bigger all the time! Plus you can crawl through the air vents, who wouldn't love that? Tons of fun for everyone.
Lily JungJuly 7, 2016Very interesting. You see gadgets, cars, etc that you might hear about in the movies, but they exist in reality. There is a large James Bond display. There are sections about the history of spying.
LillianAugust 25, 2013Definitely do operation spy! It's not just some game for kids, but a well designed and thought out interactive game, even for adults. It puts you in a spy mindset. Requires actual thinking. Worth it.
DailyCandyFebruary 26, 2014Learn the story behind Argo, separate James Bond fact from fiction, and practice your decoding skills. The gift shop is stocked with invisible ink, bionic ears, thrillers and peel-and-stick mustaches.
WiredJuly 18, 2012Every summer The Spy Museum hosts an Espionage Camp for kids ages 10-13. Kids get to build 'intelligence files', meet real spies and forensic scientists, head out on a surveillance missions & more.
Kevin Soltero-SilvaFebruary 19, 2017Great place to learn about spies in history, as well as technological inventions created for espionage. Down side is that it gets real crowded real fast...
CherylSeptember 7, 2014I'm not much of a museum person but this was the most entertained I've EVER been. Wish I set aside more time to explore more in depth. Def interesting. Would return & recommend! The James Bond floor!
AFAR MediaAugust 4, 2014Here, you can learn all about the gadgets and techniques real spies used, from cameras embedded in everyday objects, to my favorite, the lipstick pistol. Read more
- Jenna Rose RobbinsNovember 15, 2013Operation Spy, an interactive role play that lets you pretend to be an undercover agent, is one of the best museum experiences I've ever had. Well worth the extra money. I'd definitely do it again.
International Spy MuseumJanuary 6, 2019The International Spy Museum has moved! January 1, 2019 was the last chance to visit our F street location. Explore the new SPY MUSEUM at Washington DC’s L’Enfant Plaza, opening spring 2019.
Danielle DaSilvaJuly 12, 2018Really one of a kind experience. There's something for everyone, and an absolute must for all fans of espionage.
Alexandra SchmidtDecember 14, 2014I recommend doing one of the spy simulations instead of just general admission, it makes it more interesting and interactive but overall we had a blast with our group!
Insider PerksFebruary 24, 2012This is one of our favorite museums because it's so much more. Test your memory by adopting a cover identity and see some of the gadgets you thought were made up just for James Bond movies. Read more
Deniz AydemirAugust 16, 2012Take a 10 minute museum survey on the computer in the cafe for a free fountain drink. Pull up a chair and it's a nice rest with a free drink.
Michelin Travel & LifestyleAugust 13, 2012Washington’s countless museums equals countless museum shops. The International Spy Museum boastes spy gadget, disguises and espionage-related reading for kids, young and old. -- Green Guide Editor
The Transit NavigatorSeptember 25, 2011A must-see with tons to explore. Remember your cover when entering, and see the history of spies. What else can you do? Well, that's confidential. And an inside spy tip, mention AAA for a discount.
James CAugust 29, 2015Absolutely amazing museum. Worth every penny and the interactive parts make it so much more interesting.
DHR.comSeptember 9, 2011This is home to one of the world's largest collection of spy artifacts. Highlights: Operation Spy exhibit and Spy in the City, an interactive mission. This is espionage education at its finest!
Betsy BaxterOctober 21, 2014This museum is AWESOME. It does cost money to get in but it is so beyond worth it. My family and I had a blast.
Serhii LutskoAugust 17, 2017This place is not free but you can learn a lot from it so worth to visit
Ана ЛековићFebruary 17, 2017Thought it will be interesting to adults, too - but except some new facts I've learned about world most famous spies it was clear it's made for kids (from 2 to 18).
Matthew WeymarApril 11, 2013Fun, but not cheap. When we visited, a loooong line. Becoming members allowed us to skip the line & made the difference between visiting and not - and wasn't /that/ much more $. #ConsiderMembership
Ben MalbonApril 7, 2012Spectacularly dumb ticket system in which you line up for tickets in one line and then line up all over again for entry. If you come with friends join both lines at once.
ConnorMarch 14, 2016So freaking cool. Lots of spy gear used from way back. 007 Villain exhibit was excellent. Gift Shop is legit.
Storm C.November 8, 2017The interactive displays are really fun and the entire section devoted to the bond movies is awesome!
Andrea PNovember 16, 2013More theme park, less museum. 20 bucks is a lot in a city where most museums are free. No mention of bay of pigs, Edward snowden, just boo Russians and nazis boo!
NorahSeptember 5, 2016Very interesting information & more interesting presentation! I the most unique museume I ever visited
Jennifer FApril 11, 2013Check out the library on the third floor. If you're lucky you'll see the letter written by Washington that is only on display two months of the year.
Allen VoglianoSeptember 23, 2018Lots of memorabilia and interactive features. A bit on the expensive side, but students get a discount so that’s nice.
Jenny KMarch 26, 2016If your hotel concierge sells tix, get them! You can skip the line and get right to the museum that way.
Tany MonteiroMarch 22, 2011It's bigger than you can imagine but if you visit Washington you MUST go there. It's so interesting. Also, the gif shop has a lot of interesting things! :)
Nicole StahleckerMay 2, 2018Such a fun and educational museum! They are building a new one so I recommend going to this one while you still cal
Maggie MacGDecember 29, 2015This place can get so crowded but fun museum with lots of information on Soviet-era KGB spy history.
Rob CavenaghMarch 30, 2013Order tix online (not on mobile) and choose 10 am on day you want to visit. Get there at least 30-45 minutes before your time.- Nela LichtscheidlNovember 18, 2013Very pricey, but definitely worth it! Take a couple of hours to get through it. There's a ton to see!
InternsROCK!June 3, 2013Interning in D.C.? Grab a key tag from The Washington Center and get $3 off general admission and 15% off in-store purchases during InternsROCK! June 7 - 16th 2013. internsrockdc.com #InternsROCK
Isa GFebruary 15, 2014Drink lots of coffee before coming here. Museum is very interesting but the amount of detail and information can be overwhelming/tiring.
Charles MullighanJuly 22, 2018An absolute ripoff. Minimally informative. The one hour “operation spy” was rubbing salt into the wound. Capped off with a James Bond exhibit that shows the lack of interest in spy craft.
Yilen RodriguezFebruary 26, 2012This museum is so much fun!! It's incredible how many things were used years ago to spy! It's a must see when coming to DC
Sean FurtadoOctober 7, 2013If you want to get through the whole museum, allow yourself at least 4 hours. Everything is awesome in it.
Bill 🇺🇸October 2, 2012Cool joint, lots of interactive thing, reasonably priced, only thing is ya cant take pictures. But mos def check it out
Lucie MelahnNovember 7, 2011Loads of fun, especially the section on spy gadgets. Little kids may be bored but older kids will love it. Don't linger too long in early sections because whole thing is very long.
Lorraine-Lori JohnsJuly 3, 2014Awesome display of 50 years of James Bond Villains! Kids loved Operation Spy. Was WAY too hot for Spy in the City.
RiotAct ComedyFebruary 15, 2011Spy Museum you're awesome!!! The Riot Act Comedy Theater is going to be at the other end of your building!!! You can SPY & LAUGH without crossing a street! AWESOME!
Jackie GutierrezJune 21, 2011Memorizing your identity is a waste of time in the beginning, but some really cool gadgets and knowledge to be picked up here. Celebrity spies, cloak and dagger, ninjas...yup, all here. Read more
Aniruddha MandkeSeptember 15, 2014Fun place. Perfect for kids and nerds. Tad bit expensive. Look for discounts on tickets.
Gemma YoungermanAugust 20, 2010the mission is a lot of fun and def try to remember all your spy information...there is a kiosk at the end where you get to see what happens to your spy...and crawl thru the ventilation ducts!
WorldStridesApril 8, 2011The Secret History of History: Uncover the stories of famous men and women considered above suspicion and doubly effective as spies. You know the history, now you'll know the secret history.
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The International Spy Museum has moved to a new location. Explore the Spy Museum - coming soon spring 2019!
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- 7.4
"Great artwork and antiques inside! Really amazing. Staff was rude."
Annie M. - 8.3
"This is an awesome place to check out the state of US history and politics, esp if you have a short window to explore."
Monica - 8.7
"Get their early.... order tickets online and you can start when you want .... they are extremely nice and good with kids"
Shannon Brott
Places people like to go after International Spy Museum
- 8.7
"The best burgers and shakes in town,hands down! Shake sauce is delicious! And their fries are nice and crispy!"
Kayla - 9.4
"Magnificent collection of both modern art and portraits. The variety of styles, people, and stories makes for an excellent museum day."
L K
- 9.0
"A hidden gem. Very gorgeous with a cool modern art section."
Camille Wright
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