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International Spy Museum Review

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International Spy Museum

Address: 800 F St. NW, East End, Washington, DC | Map It
Phone: 202/393-7798
www.spymuseum.org

Category: Museums/Galleries
Location: East End

Write a review | Avg. member rating: 1.0/5

Fodor's Review:

Cryptologists, masters of disguise, and former CIA, FBI, and KGB operatives are among the advisers of this museum, which displays the world's largest collection of spy artifacts. These artifacts range from the coded letters of Revolutionary War ber-spy Benedict Arnold, to the KGB's lipstick pistol, to high-tech 21st-century espionage toys, showcased with theatrical panache in a five-building complex (one, the Warder-Atlas Building, held Washington's Communist party in the 1940s). Fittingly, the museum is a block away from FBI headquarters.

The interactive experience begins in the "briefing room," where you can assume a covert identity and learn the importance of memorizing its details. See if you have what it takes in the School for Spies, which describes what skills make a good spy, what motivates people to become spies, and how spies are recruited and trained. The Secret History of History takes you through espionage techniques from biblical times to the early 20th century. Stories of spying through World War II are told in films, videos, and the interactive exhibit Spies Among Us, including tales of celebrity spies like singer Josephine Baker, chef Julia Child, and actress Marlene Dietrich. Cold War espionage, which fueled tremendous advances in technology—from satellites to spy planes to tapping and tracking devices—is detailed in War of the Spies, set in a backdrop evoking postwar Berlin. Today's espionage experts analyze the latest spy trends in the museum's final film, Ground Truth.

This is one of the most popular museums in Washington: advance tickets (purchased at the museum or its Web site) are highly recommended. All tickets are date and time specific, but it is possible to buy same-day tickets. Tickets are most likely available (and your visit less crowded) on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday or daily after 2 pm. Allow about two hours to take in the whole museum.

This is a great museum for kids age 12 and up; younger ones might not get it. At the popular monthly KidSpy workshops for kids ages 10-14, participants can assume a cover identity and disguise, make a portable lie detector, crack a cipher, check out surveillance electronics, and more. The museum regularly hosts films, events, and lectures by espionage experts, and more elaborate programs like a "Spy Scavenger Hunt" and a "Spy City Tour" of Washington. A large gift shop, a café, and the restaurant Zola are here as well.

Cost: $16, children $13
Open: Apr.-Oct., daily 9-8; Nov.-Mar., daily 10-6; hrs subject to change; check Web site before visiting
Metro: Gallery Pl./Chinatown

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Member Reviews and Ratings

Reviewed by ewerner from Maryland on 3/23/09
This was the worst experience of my life! I had wanted to go to the spy museum forever and I finally got tickets and my mother, fiance, and myself all went to spy at night. our tour guide Patrick was very rude and when my mother made a comment about what she thought we should look for in one of the rooms he told her to shut up and to not make ne more comments! He made fun of me and really hurt my feelings...dont go and save your money!!!