We noticed that you're using an unsupported browser. The TripAdvisor website may not display properly.
We support the following browsers:
Windows: Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome. Mac: Safari.

International Spy Museum

800 F Street NW, Washington DC, DC 20004 (Downtown / Chinatown)
202-393-7798
Website
Update attraction details
Ranked #74 of 229 attractions in Washington DC
Type: Speciality Museums
Activities: Group tours/bus tour, Driving
Fee: Yes
Recommended length of visit: 2-3 hours
Description: Opened in 2002, the International Spy Museum provides interactive exhibits and contains the most extensive collection of spy artifacts ever displayed.
Useful Information: Activities for older children, Wheelchair access, Stairs / lift, Bathroom facilities
Write a Review

1,107 reviews from our community

Visitor rating
    380
    362
    201
    104
    60
Date Rating
Sierra Vista, AZ
Senior Contributor
45 reviews 45 reviews
35 attraction reviews
Reviews in 15 cities Reviews in 15 cities
4 helpful votes 4 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 24 May 2013 NEW

It was great fun! Everyone should go see this museum! It really makes you aware of how easily it is to hide in plain sight. You learn a lot about being a spy and learn about the history of spying. I really loved that you had to do a memory test when you first entered. Many of the displays were... More

Was this review helpful? Yes
See 8 more reviews by Skyscape049 for Washington DC
Cleveland, OH
Senior Contributor
27 reviews 27 reviews
6 attraction reviews
Reviews in 15 cities Reviews in 15 cities
6 helpful votes 6 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 24 May 2013 NEW

If you are a devotee of espionage books or movies, this is a great place to visit. It was much more in depth than I expected and because of my schedule, I didn't get to stay as long as I would have liked. The museum devotes a lot of space to the history of spying, with some surprising examples. It... More

Was this review helpful? Yes
See 3 more reviews by travellngcircus for Washington DC
Tooele, Utah
Top Contributor
51 reviews 51 reviews
25 attraction reviews
Reviews in 12 cities Reviews in 12 cities
7 helpful votes 7 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 21 May 2013 NEW

The Museum itself was fairly impressive, but the best part was the Operation Spy tour that they do at an additional charge. It may have been my teenager's favorite part of the whole trip!

Was this review helpful? Yes 1
See 20 more reviews by Matthew C for Washington DC
SpyMuseumManager, Guest Relations Manager at International Spy Museum, responded to this review
22 May 2013

Thank you for visiting the International Spy Museum and providing your feedback! We're happy to hear that your family enjoyed saving the world in Operation Spy and we hope your mission was successful! Thanks again and Keep Spying! More

Atlanta, Georgia
Senior Contributor
27 reviews 27 reviews
15 attraction reviews
Reviews in 10 cities Reviews in 10 cities
10 helpful votes 10 helpful votes
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 20 May 2013 NEW

I had heard good things about this museum and my friends were not wrong. A really fun experience that would satisfy any age from older kids to adults. Nice bonus that it was not packed and you had time to linger if you wanted to read and learn at your own pace. Lots of interactive displays that kept my interest... More

Was this review helpful? Yes 1
See 3 more reviews by CJJ092 for Washington DC
SpyMuseumManager, Guest Relations Manager at International Spy Museum, responded to this review
22 May 2013

Thank you for visiting us at the International Spy Museum! We're happy to hear to hear that you were given good intel about the museum and enjoyed your visit. If you are interested in learning more about the constantly changing and evolving world of espionage you may be interested in our scheduled programs and workshops or maybe even become a... More

Windermere, Florida
Senior Reviewer
7 reviews 7 reviews
3 attraction reviews
Reviews in 5 cities Reviews in 5 cities
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 19 May 2013 NEW

We thoroughly enjoyed our visit to the Spy Museum, although it was a Saturday and EXTREMELY crowded and LOUD. The museum is well put together and the exhibits are great. We did the one hour "spy experience" and although a bit corny, it was fun and interactive. We were not able to see the entire museum, however everything we did... More

Was this review helpful? Yes
SpyMuseumManager, Guest Relations Manager at International Spy Museum, responded to this review
22 May 2013

Thank you for visiting the International Spy Museum! The International Spy Museum is the only public museum in the United States solely dedicated to espionage and the only one in the world to provide a global perspective on an all-but-invisible profession that has shaped history and continues to have a significant impact on world events. The International Spy Museum features... More

Whitby, Ontario, Canada
Senior Reviewer
9 reviews 9 reviews
5 attraction reviews
Reviews in 5 cities Reviews in 5 cities
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 17 May 2013

What a fun place. Obtain your new identity and remember all the details. You never know when someone may want to know who you are. Great historic spy equipment from around the world. The interactive James Bond exhibit is especially fun for children and teens. Had a great time. You can also participate in an assignment if you like, maybe... More

Was this review helpful? Yes
See 2 more reviews by Julie Y for Washington DC
SpyMuseumManager, Guest Relations Manager at International Spy Museum, responded to this review
22 May 2013

Thank you for visiting us at the International Spy Museum! We are happy to hear that you enjoyed testing your spy skills by memorizing a cover and exploring our new Exquisitely Evil exhibit. We hope you will spy on us again to test your skills further in our Operation Spy Mission! Keep Spying! More

Perth, Australia
Senior Contributor
22 reviews 22 reviews
13 attraction reviews
Reviews in 7 cities Reviews in 7 cities
7 helpful votes 7 helpful votes
1 of 5 stars Reviewed 14 May 2013

Biggest waste of money on our entire trip. Having some experience in this field, displays contained incorrect and misleading information

Was this review helpful? Yes
See 9 more reviews by Clazman for Washington DC
SpyMuseumManager, Guest Relations Manager at International Spy Museum, responded to this review
16 May 2013

Hello Thank you for visiting the International Spy Museum and taking the time to provide your feedback about that visit. . Our curatorial department of seasoned museum and intelligence agency professionals take the subject matter seriously and appreciate constructive feedback from guests. We encourage any guests who have any discrepancies, inaccuracies or questions about our Spy material to please reach... More

Doylestown
Contributor
12 reviews 12 reviews
5 attraction reviews
Reviews in 5 cities Reviews in 5 cities
2 helpful votes 2 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 12 May 2013

Fun and informative...007 exhibit added to the day. You got to take on a new persona and actually be a spy for the length of you visit. I think kids would really enjoy it.

Was this review helpful? Yes
SpyMuseumManager, Guest Relations Manager at International Spy Museum, responded to this review
16 May 2013

Hello "I SPY" Thank you for Spying with us and giving a debriefing about your International Spy Museum mission. We are glad your visit, was a good experience. Keep Spying and we will catch you later! More

Melbourne, Australia
Top Contributor
166 reviews 166 reviews
48 attraction reviews
Reviews in 48 cities Reviews in 48 cities
72 helpful votes 72 helpful votes
3 of 5 stars Reviewed 11 May 2013

Unfortunately I found this to be a bit mundane. Most of the stuff on display and in galleries end around the era of the Cold War in the 60s. Then there is the second display on James Bond - well laid out but James Bond is fiction. There is so much more that could be done in this field to... More

Was this review helpful? Yes
See 12 more reviews by Michael2810 for Washington DC
SpyMuseumManager, Guest Relations Manager at International Spy Museum, responded to this review
16 May 2013

Hello Thank you for visiting to the International Spy Museum and providing feedback about your visit. Our museum mission is to educate the public about espionage in an engaging way and to provide a context that fosters understanding of its important role in and impact on current and historic events. We feature the largest collection of international espionage artifacts ever... More

Lebanon, Maine
Senior Reviewer
7 reviews 7 reviews
3 attraction reviews
Reviews in 2 cities Reviews in 2 cities
3 helpful votes 3 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 11 May 2013

First time to the Spy Museum. This was very fun for myself and my 55 yr old mother. This is something that would be great for all ages. There was so much stuff to see and interact with. It was fun to pick my spy idenity and see if I would be a good spy or not by the end... More

Was this review helpful? Yes
See 4 more reviews by Jaime G for Washington DC
SpyMuseumManager, Guest Relations Manager at International Spy Museum, responded to this review
12 May 2013

Thanks for spying on us at the International Spy Museum! We're glad you and your mother enjoyed your visit here Mother's Day weekend! We hope you were successful in memorizing your cover and testing your spy skills. We look forward to seeing you again! More

Travellers who viewed International Spy Museum also viewed

 

Been to International Spy Museum? Share your experiences!

Write a Review Add Photos Add Videos

Owners: What's your side of the story?

If you own or manage International Spy Museum, register now for free tools to enhance your listing, attract new reviews, and respond to reviewers.

Manage your listing