International Spy Museum
add photosLearn about the authentic tradecraft that has been used throughout time and around the world. Hear spies, in their own words, describe the challenges and the "game" of spying.
10 Reviews for International Spy Museum
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"Great Interactive Museum!"
My husband and I went without any children and we even enjoyed this museum! It's not a free museum and if you purchase your tickets there you'll probably have to wait or come back. We grabbed lunch in the cafe at the Spy Museum and saw another museum close so we didn't waste any of our day. Very interactive and actually entertaining. It mixes spy history with entertainment and really does make it fun. At the end they have a computerized quiz you can take to see if you're a "good spy". Children will definitely enjoy this!
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"Be a Spy"
Unlike most of the museums in DC, this museum actually has an admission fee. But don't let that stop you - you and your older kids (10 and up) will be thrilled with the hands on activities and exhibits in this museum. Even spending time in the gift shop is fun - lots of cool gifts you have never seen anywhere else
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"Spy For a Day (or a Night)"
Your tween, boys and girls alike, will FLIP for the Spy Museum! This venue is one of the few museums in Washington that require paid admission, but it's well worth it, so plan/budget accordingly (SPECIAL DEAL: Dec. 1-6 there is a 25% discount). And be sure to checkout their occasional KidSpy program - about one Saturday a month, kids can attend a special class on espionage, code breaking, disguises, etc. for an extra fee - these classes fill up fast, so be certain to book online well in advance. If your tween is an Alex Rider or Agent 99 in the making, you may want to also check out the Overnight programs for kids at the museum - these also require advance booking and are pricey, but there's nothing else like it - they do a superb job. There is an Operation Spy program that allows visitors to adopt the identity of a spy for the tour, complete with dossier, polygraph tests, and code breaking. More details at www.spymuseum.org
1 family found this helpful
"Spy for a Day"
Anyone who has watched a James Bond film or read a spy novel or watched news coverage of the capture of a spy will love the International Spy Museum in Washington, D.C. The museum features displays ranging from spy gadgets from ancient times...scrolls with hidden messages...to spy gadgets from the high-tech age...listening devices smaller thatn a pinhead.
1 family found this helpful
"This place is super cool!"
It is super cool, but it can be boring for kids. I went with my 12 year old cousin and she was bored out of her mind, even though this was the #1 top thing on her vacation to-do list. I was completely immersed in the world of espionage and found the entire place amazing, and I saw a lot of families with kids of all ages thoroughly enjoying it. Definitely get your tickets in advance. We didn't, and had to come back 6 hours later for our ticket time.
2 families found this helpful
"Not a cheesy JB testimonal"
You won't find too many movie references here ...The spy museum is actually very well done and dedicated to a global history of spying. Displays are mostly interactive and kids (and kids at heart) can adopt a "cover" and play an interactive spy story as they move through the museum. The museum is balanced in its presentation does not depict the intelligence community as good v evil or stereotypic TV spies.
Best for elementry ages and up.
1 family found this helpful
"amazing"
the international spy museum is the best! the people there are very friendly, there are lots of activities to do, many things to see, and the spy mission was so exciting, fun, and good bonding time! the food at the cafe was delicious, there was always something fun to watch on there many movie screens, and we learned lots of interesting things.
1 family found this helpful
"I Spy Someplace Fun"
"My favorite part of the Spy museum was the different types of spy equipment," says Kelly, my 12 year old daughter. "When my mom told me about the spy museum, I was quite excited to see how they were so good at their job. I always thought they watched people only. But I was wrong about that, and I now want to go back soon."
2 families found this helpful
"This is a must"
We were at the Spy Museum when it first opened many years ago. What a great place for families. My kids loved it as much as my husband and I. Definitely one of the coolest museums in DC. Don't miss it! Get there early so that you don't have to wait too long in line.
3 families found this helpful
"How stealth are you?"
Calling all Nancy Drew, Hardy Boys, and Mission Impossible fans! To really understand the concept, kids should probably be around 8 or older. We did not do our research ahead of time so we did not know that tickets were on a timed entry. When we got there our entry time was for two hours later. Luckily it was lunchtime, so we went and had lunch at a nearby restaurant and returned for our time. Leave your stroller at home because it is packed! When you enter the museum you are "briefed" and get a cover story. The museum is full of all kinds of interesting spy gear and will keep the older kids captivated the whole time. The kids get to climb through an air vent! Children under five get in free. There is a museum store where you can purchase your very own spy gear!
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