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September 2024 by Joel Moore
It’s for kids, and it’s got in my opinion a very cringe theme with the staffs uniforms, and stuff.
It’s good, but I don’t think it’s worth the money.
Secondly it’s mostly about British WW2 operations, and as a Brit I already know this stuff, so I was a little disappointed in not learning anything new.
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September 2024 by Alexandre Dufresne
Amazing museum for adults! The value we got was incredible! We went there as a couple and we actually spent 5 hours in there. If you’re willing and have time to read, you will have a blast. We had so much fun and learnt so many fun facts about the spy world. There are also some funny and interactive activities. I think we could have spent 7-8 hours in there if we wanted to read everything and do all the activities.
The downside : I wouldn’t see myself going there with a 10 year old kid. Even though there are some interactive games and activities, most of the museum requires you to read or have a certain attention span to watch a 4min video. I think that most kids that age would go through this museum in 1 hour and would feel that it wasn’t flashy enough. The value of this museum really comes from paying attention to the content.
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September 2024 by Hw8da
There are few docs that does not look right however i was impressed to see all the gadgets
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September 2024 by Kara Marziali
Since nearly everything in the Capital City is free, I was reluctant to spend money on a museum. However it was well, well worth it! I also assumed I'd be "in and out " within 90 minutes to 2 hours. Boy was I wrong! (You don't need to spend more time, but I couldn't get enough!) I was there a total of 5 hours. (I kid you not! But that also included the special James Bond exhibit, which I'll discuss later, and a jaunt through the gift shop) I was thoroughly impressed by the attention to detail of each element of the experience. Each visitor receives a badge which enables them to assume the role of a spy and "play along" as they move throughout the 2 floors of exhibits. You'll see spy gadgets that evoke Hollywood, you'll discover countless heroes and "villains", you'll learn about tactics, infiltration, propaganda, etc, there are stories of spy failures and successes that have changed the course of history. As you traverse the exhibit visitor are reminded by way-finding arrows just how far along they are in the experience. I was amazed when at 2 hours in I was only 35% through. There a lot if interactive kiosks to grab your attention along the way which are both fun and educational. (Who knew I have the perceptive skill for forecasting trouble!) All in all it was one of THE most delightful museums i've been to. Captivating and creative, intriguing and inspiring, entertaining and educational. A 5 Star attraction in my book. Additionally there was another exhibit, with a separate entrance fee, consisting of some of the vehicles featured in James Bond movies. I'm not a "car person," but one can't help be fascinated by the beauty of these cars. And if you're a Bond fan, you'll easily recognize them from the dozens of movies in out collective memories. Again, I can say enough overall about this terrific attraction!
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September 2024 by Eran Salmon
The experience is pleasant and the content is very nice and includes an interactive game for young people. The museum is very expensive and included for an additional fee a very nice James Bond display by the way, but the price is not justified.
In any case, about 3 interesting hours are spent there and famous episodes are shown in performances and films.
Very nice but a bit expensive in my opinion
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September 2024 by Keri Hamberg
This was our family's favorite thing that we did in DC. We only allotted 1.5 hours, and it wasn't nearly enough time. I would suggest 2.5 hours. It is super interactive; you are given a spy mission card, and use it at touchscreen kiosks around the museum. Plus, there are real spy missions, like when they gathered intel on bin Laden. My 9 and 11 year olds loved it. I think kids who aren't strong readers would struggle. It was fine for my beginning 3rd grader.
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September 2024 by Kimberly Pham
I enjoyed my visit; this place is pretty cool. You can easily spend several hours here and learn a lot about gadgets in just one day. Although there's no food or drinks on site, there's a food court and Starbucks behind the building. The gift shop offers many fun items, and the museum features both historical and modern information. They cover topics like female spies and the Russian spy who was caught. It's also great for kids, with interactive activities that keep them engaged. As a die-hard Bond fan, I especially loved the 007 Bond tour, which features all the Bond cars. Though it costs extra, it's well worth it.
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September 2024 by Madison Axtell
really fun experience and lots of cool stuff to see. only thing is it's expensive to get in and then you have to pay extra for the special exhibitions
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September 2024 by Alina Rii
sold out at 6pm, but museum open until 8pm? so they don’t let anyone in. asked about tickets QTY and the time you should purchase tickets, didn’t get any good answers, just offered next day.
You better set up cut off time for ticket purchasing.
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September 2024 by MacKenzie Lamon
My family and I went this past Labor Day weekend, and we had fun. It was cool to participate in our own mission while getting to learn about real-life spies and spy gadgets. We all missed a check-in spot somewhere for our mission, but that was on us. Some areas were a little crowded, but it wasn't so bad that you couldn't really move or had to push through people. Overall it was really fun and I would recommend going.
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September 2024 by Diana Loeb
It was fun!! I learned at lot about spying and famous people who were spies. It was great to see the vehicles used in the Bond movies. I highly recommend it. Go early in the day because there are 5 floors of fun and interesting items to see and learn about.
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September 2024 by Adam Flowers
I had an absolute blast at this interactive and immersive museum near The Wharf DC. It’s easy to walk to with accessible routes for those with mobility challenges. If you’re going to the Smithsonian Natural History Museum, you could do the International Spy Museum afterwards.
Once you’re in, you’ll be given a digital keycard that will unlock games throughout your time there, as you see whether or not you’d make a good spy. This kept the entire experience both educational and enjoyable as you strive to complete your mission.
There are plenty of articles and exhibits for you to digest, as you delve into the shadows to hear how the world of espionage has changed over the years. It was genuinely fascinating to see some of the contraptions and tools that have been deployed by various countries and organizations.
It was also awesome to get real insights into some of the biggest and most historically important strategic missions (e.g., finding and targeting Osama’s compound).
If you have some extra cash (+ $12.50 ish from memory), the James Bond exhibition (additional cost) was worth a visit. It’s short, taking maybe 10 minutes, but you get up close to some of the iconic vehicles from some of the biggest Bond movies.
The shop at the end was also massive.
Pro tip: there’s a member of staff in red, who will occasionally ask random members of the public if you want to help with a secret mission! ?
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September 2024 by Kevin B. Ploth
From the moment of getting tickets on line and being honored as a veteran to experiencing the “Bond” exhibition plus the Spy Museum at its new location was by far over the top…staff, layout and flow all were incredible
On point and as we say “Time on Target!” A Sunday visit on Labor Day Weekend plus staying at the Hilton around corner from the museum with a food court and metro right below
You can not ask for more
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September 2024 by Emilie Salinas
Absolutely loved becoming a spy in training. This museum will keep you entertained kids, young and adults. Family had so much fun we will return. Staff are courteous, knowledgeable and make you feel like you are talking to your best friend. Tip: when booking make sure you add the 007 showing. And book your entry time ahead so you'll get no waiting time.
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August 2024 by Bonnie Limbird
This was a fun and great museum. Parking was a nightmare, but probably only because 1) there was some construction happening somewhere, and 2) our rental was over 6 feet tall. Beware : many of the garages in DC have a 6 foot clearance limit!
I don't understand how some reviewers were able to see the whole museum in 1-1/2 - 2 hours. We skipped a lot of reading and exhibits and we're still there for at least 2-1/2 hours! We only left because our parking meter was about to expire.
