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Washington, D.C.  is noted for its free Smithsonian museums.  A museum that charges admission needs to be pretty spectacular.  We are happy to report we have visited the International Spy Museum multiple times.  This was before the museum doubled in size in 2019!

Overview

WEBSITE: https://www.spymuseum.org/

NOTE: Upfront we need to note that we have only visited the original International Spy Museum.  Our pictures are from our last visit in August 2018.  The new museum opened in May 2019 and we have not visited this new location.

The original International Spy Museum opened in 2002 on F Street across from the National Portrait Gallery and Smithsonian American Art Museum.  We visited this location several times, usually eating at the Shake Shack next door.

In May 2019, the International Spy Museum opened in a huge new building near L’Enfant Plaza.  The new site doubles the amount of space of the original museum.

We did not visit the International Spy Museum on our last trip to Washington, D.C. because we were worried about crowds.  New museums tend to be very crowded the first year or two and we stay away.

With those caveats we can say we have been huge fans of the International Spy Museum.  We expect that the new museum is even better, and we look forward to visiting.

Tickets and Location

The new International Spy Museum is located about two blocks off the National Mall near the L’Enfant Plaza Metro.  It is also a short walk from the Smithsonian Metro.

In recent years, we have driven into the District and parked in one of the many garages.  We use the app SpotHero.  This allows you to put in your destination and find all available parking spaces.  Generally, a garage close to the museums will be about $20 for most of the day.  If you are willing to walk further, you can find lower prices.

Unlike most museums in the area, you have to pay for the International Spy Museum.  The sticker price for tickets currently is:

• $24.95 adults 13-64
• $14.95 youth age 7-12
• $19.95 senior and military
• $19.95 college students with ID
• Children 6 and under are free

There are several ways you can save money on tickets.  Just by ordering online in advance you save $2 each on adult, senior and military tickets.

When we visit we use the Go Washington DC card.  There are several options for this pass, a multi-attraction Explorer Pass and a Build Your Own Pass.

The Build Your Own Pass is the one we use most often in multiple cities (including San Diego).  This pass basically saves you 20% off regular admission when you visit two or more of the included attractions.

The Explorer Pass for Washington, D.C. is a little different from the San Diego pass.  With San Diego you buy a pass good for 1 to 5 days.  During that time, you can visit as many attractions as you like.  For the Washington, D.C. Explorer Pass you buy either 3,4 or 5 attractions.  The pass is good for 30 days from the first attraction you visit.

At the start of 2020, a 3 Attraction Explorer Pass is $60, a 4 Attraction Pass is $76, and a 5 Attraction Pass is $90.

We have a full guide to using the Go Washington DC discounts.  The Explorer Pass makes sense if you are doing the International Spy Museum and some other big attractions such as a Mt Vernon Cruise or Bus Tour.  However, most of the time we use the Build Your Own Pass option.

Using Go Washington DC Card for Ticket Discounts

Go Washington D.C.: Save up to 47% on top museums, tours, and activities, and pay nothing at the gate.

Exhibits

We are providing an overview of the International Spy Museum based on our several visits to the original museum.  We have yet to visit the new museum.  However, the old one was a family favorite so we expect the new one will be even better.

At the old the International Spy Museum you took an elevator to the top floor and worked your way down.  It appears this continues at the new museum with exhibits starting on the 5^th floor.

It also appears they kept the interactive concept where you take the identity of a specific spy.  You receive a briefing and an initial spy identity that you can use throughout the museum.  You need to memorize your identity and look for clues.  At the end you are debriefed.  You can see more about what they call the Undercover Mission here.

Throughout the museum there are all kinds of exhibits on the history of spies, spy gadgets and lots of information to absorb.  Much of it will be over the head of children.  However, younger kids love the interactive exhibits.

At the old museum there were air ducts for kids to crawl through.  It appears they still have those at the new museum.  They also had fun activities like trying to hang from a ledge (Hangtime).  You can see a full list of activities for children here.

There are also regular special exhibits.  When we visited in August 2018 the Exquisitely Evil: 50 Years of Bond Villains was nearing the end of its run.  However, there is still a full-size replica of the Aston Martin from the classic Bond movie Goldfinger (which has even been made into a Lego set).

Generally, we would spend at least 2 hours at the International Spy Museum.  However, the museum is now twice as big and as teenagers our children would spend more time actually absorbing the information.  Personally, I would plan on at least 3 hours.

 

Dining

From experience I know meal planning is crucial for a successful visit to DC area museums.  The old International Spy Museum was right next to a Shake Shack and many great dining locations.

We have yet to visit the new International Spy Museum, but we are familiar with the neighborhood.  Dining options are relatively barren in this stretch of DC.  Furthermore, it appears the museum does not have its own dining option.

The L’ Enfant Plaza Metro area does have shopping and dining options.  These will be similar to a mall food court with names like Panda Express, Five Guys, Subway, Panera Bread and more.  They also have our personal favorite, Potbelly Sandwich.  Potbelly is located all over the area and is a family tradition.  We even make our own Potbelly giardinera!

http://www.lenfantplaza.com/restaurants-shops/

Whatever option, making sure your group is well feed is a key to success for visiting a place like the International Spy Museum.  This comes from experience where we have had to cut visits short because of hunger.

 

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