International Spy Museum in Washington DC
Address: 700 L’Enfant Plaza SW, Washington, DC 20024
Hours: Monday – Friday, 10 AM and 6 PM
Saturday – 9 am- 7 pm
Sunday – 9 am – 6 pm
Phone: 202-393-7798
The International Spy Museum in Washington DC is a non-profit organization that records the tradecraft and history and chronicles espionage work. It houses a vast collection of international intelligence on public display. With opening its gates in 2002, the spy museum analyzed the accomplishments, failures, difficulties, and controversies of the secretive intelligence field while lifting the secrecy over it.
In addition to an extensive collection, the DC Spy Museum provides a range of ongoing activities for people of all ages, such as a scavenger hunt for youngsters, bus tours of Washington DC’s famous espionage sites, and a speaker series. Ages 12 and older can participate in the dramatic one-hour experience Operation Spy, which combines live-action, themed environments, visual effects, and interactive tasks like opening a safe and testing a suspect agent’s polygraph.
Important Things To Know:
- The spy museum would be best for kids seven years and older.
- The Museum offers two weeks of Summer Camp starting July 24th for kids 9-.
i. Dates: July 15th -July 19th and July 22nd – July 26th
ii. Hours: 9:00 am – 3:00 PM Monday-Friday
iii. Cost: $625 (non-member) and $545 (member) per kid per week.
- If you want to experience the Spy Museum for FREE, every year the museum host their annual “Spy Fest” which is a free event. During the Spy Fest you can experience the museum, join spy skill challenges and so much more. This year Spy Fest is taking place on February 2nd from 6 to 9 pm. If you would like to attend, be sure to register here to secure your FREE tickets.
- Those receiving food assistance (SNAP benefits) can purchase up to 4 tickets per cardholder for $3 per person at the International Spy Museum. SNAP Card holders must present their cards at the museum to buy tickets. (Pro tips: SNAP holder can be from any state)
- The Washington DC Spy Museum has a large venue perfect for Weddings, Sweet 16th, Miss Quinces, or corporate events. If you are looking to host an event, their Ballroom can seat up to 380 people for $20K (The cost does not change regardless of the number of guests, so be sure to invite everyone). They also have the Rooftop for up to 200 for $15K. Tables and chairs are included with your event space rental.
- Do you have a birthday and want to try the mission top secret birthday at the Spy Museum? Let’s get to it! Birthday Kits must be purchased HERE for $35 per kit (nonmember) and $30 for the members.
- Where to find parking for the International Spy Museum? Garage Parking is available at the L’Enfant Plaza Garage. You can verify your parking ticket at SPY for a 20% OFF weekday discount and a 50% OFF weekend discount.
- Street Parking is limited, but it’s FREE on Sunday.
- Valet parking is available at the Hilton Washington DC Mall, right behind the museum, for $22.00 for up to 4 hours and $30 for 4-8 hours.
- Accessible parking can be found at 10th Street, SW, southbound lane close to Independence Avenue.
- Bicycle stands are right in front of the museum.
Activities you can enjoy at International Spy Museum
The Spy Museum in Washington, DC, offers a range of activities for kids and children. Are you curious to know? Let’s have a look at them!
1. City Challenge
The Spy in the city challenge is designed for kids aged 7-12. It involves solving puzzles and understanding riddles to complete a task. While completing the job, they complete puzzles and explore the displays related to their mission. To fulfill their objective, kids must use their powers of observation and deduction with the assistance of museum characters.
2. Educational Displays
The International Spy Museum provides interactive exhibits and educational services that may help increase their knowledge. The displays range from Schoolyard Spies, which highlights incidents of Cold War-era covert operations, and surveillance education centers that let kids learn more about espionage and these forces. The other enjoyable activities for children include interactive games throughout the museum that allow children to pick locks and think like spies.
3. Kids Spy
The museum offers interactive experiences to let children explore their inner spies. They are taught to handle secrets with skill and discretion. In the Spy School for Kids, they learn about secret codes, encryption techniques, and hidden messages. The children are taken on espionage adventures and practice disguise and surveillance. There is a Kids Spy Academy designed for children aged five to twelve. Feel free to check out their FREE at Home Spy movies, games, and activities HERE.
4. Undercover Mission
At The International Spy Museum,children can enjoy an unrivaled educational experience. They can explore its unique displays and interactive challenges. The Undercover Mission is super fun if you work with your kids to solve each espionage case. You can review your performance at the end of your mission or check it out later once you get home.
Pro tip: Take your badge home and access your mission performance from home!
5. Spy Technology
Children are attracted to the interactive exhibits at the spy museum, which provides a deeper understanding of the science behind spy technologies, from the chance to decode cameras and discover how the CIA used them to the opportunity to code messages through radio frequencies. Children can perform tasks by utilizing their cognitive abilities and skills. Then, real spies are invited to the museum to talk about their experiences and answer questions, and the museum also gives visitors a glimpse into the thrilling world of espionage.
The Bottom Line
The International Spy Museum in Washington, DC, is the perfect place to let children explore their minds and better understand spy techniques, interactive activities, and espionage. It offers children various activities that will benefit their cognitive growth. The spy museum allows you to enter a world you have never been to. We hope you plan a visit soon!
