International Spy Museum - Washington, D.C.

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to be a spy? Have you ever thought about what it would be like to piece together pieces of evidence to solve a crime? The world of espionage has had an incredible impact in the world throughout history and today.

Located in Washington, D.C., The International Spy Museum is the world’s only public museum dedicated to the craft of espionage. The museum exhibit halls host the largest collection of international espionage artifacts every displayed in public.

These artifacts, coupled with state of the art programs, photographs, interactive displays and more will make your jaw drop. The exhibits reveal to guests the work behind some of the most secret espionage missions ever conducted in world history.

The permanent exhibit at the museum offers different sections regarding espionage. In Introduction to Espionage, visitors will learn an overview of this unique trade. Visitors can listen to spies tell their stories of their career. Take on a secret identity and learn what its like to get into the field of espionage, and out.

Moving on to the School for Spies, visitors can examine over 200 pieces of spy tools, including bugs, cameras, weapons and more. In this exhibit, visitors can learn spy techniques, disguises, and how the artifacts were developed, and by whom. Test your spy skills as you use your powers of observation, surveillance and analysis and learn if you have what it takes to be a spy.

Another permanent exhibit found at the museum is War of the Spies. Immerse yourself into divided Berlin during the cold war and experience what it was like during the war of the spies during this time, of which many of the largest spy stories arose from. Learn the covers of some of the most famous spies of that time period as you observe how they operated, and finally, caught.

Other permanent exhibits include The Secret History of History, Spies Among Us, and The 21st Century. The museum often has special exhibits that run for a period of time, each sending guests head first into the spy world, to educate and amaze guests.

The International Spy Museum is open seven days a week, aside from New Year’s Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas day, on which they are closed. Hours of operation vary, and are available on their museum’s official website, www.spymusem.org.

General admission tickets, which grant visitors access to the Permanent Exhibition at the museum, are $15 for adults, $14 for seniors citizens (65 years and older), active duty military and Intel community, $12 for children ages five to 11, and free for children under five years old. Admission tickets for special exhibits at the museum vary, depending on the time and date on which you would like to visit. Last admission is two hours before closing, and the average length of a visit to the permanent exhibition halls is two hours.

Allow yourself to be immersed in the world of espionage as you explore tools of the spies, take on a secret identity, and learn about the rich and captivating history of this unique and captivating tradecraft.