International Spy Museum

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Camouflage: Designed to Deceive

Immersive self-guided show tracing camouflage from animal mimicry to dazzle ships, disguise kits and deepfakes, across four galleries: disappear, distort, disguise, deceive.

Now showingFrom 1 Mar$15

Open Source: Ukraine & the Intelligence Revolution

SPY's first digital exhibition, exploring open-source intelligence (OSINT) through the lens of the Russia-Ukraine war, supported by a grant from General Dynamics Information Technology.

Now showingOngoing$34.95

Permanent Collections

Gallery: Debriefing Center

The fourth-floor conclusion of the visit: an interactive debrief that summarises the visitor's top spy skills based on choices made throughout the Undercover Mission.

Permanent collection$34.95

Gallery: Stealing Secrets

Fifth-floor gallery on how secrets are taken: real spies and spymasters, recruitment and cover, and the gadget makers behind concealment devices, disguises and miniature cameras.

Permanent collection

Gallery: An Uncertain World

How states answer threats real, perceived and contrived: spy stories from Renaissance Venice to Cold War Berlin, plus turncoats and traitors, illegals next door and economic espionage.

Permanent collection

Gallery: Briefing Center

The fifth-floor starting point, where visitors are issued a cover identity and briefed before testing their spy skills through the rest of the museum.

Permanent collection

Gallery: Spying That Shaped History

Seven exhibits on intelligence successes and failures, from George Washington the spymaster and OSS operatives in WWII to Snowden, the Rosenbergs and cyber warfare.

Permanent collection

Gallery: Covert Action

The age-old techniques leaders use to influence events abroad in secret, from the Trojan Horse and the assassination of Trotsky to Operation Zapata and the Canadian Caper.

Permanent collection

Gallery: Making Sense of Secrets

How raw secret material becomes usable intelligence: code making and code breaking, the mind games of analysis, and a Red Team interactive that puts your judgement to the test.

Permanent collection

Undercover Mission

Take a cover identity in the Briefing Center, then work digital interactives spread through the galleries: hold your legend, crack codes and find dead drops before the final debrief.

Permanent collection

Nearby

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National Museum of Asian Art

DesignFree5 min walk

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Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden

DesignFree6 min walk

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United States Holocaust Memorial Museum

ArchitectureFree8 min walk

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National Air and Space Museum

HistoryFree8 min walk

Visitor Information

How much does International Spy Museum cost?

Standard adult admission to International Spy Museum is $34.95. Dynamic date-based pricing: adult (13-64) approx. $34.95-$36.95; senior 65+, military/law enforcement and college approx. $31.95-$33.95; youth 7-12 approx. $23.95-$25.95; children 6 and under free. Save up to 30% by booking in advance. Members free. Special exhibition Camouflage: Designed to Deceive is included with general admission through the end of 2026, or $15 exhibit-only.. Prices for special exhibitions and timed-entry slots may differ.

What are the opening hours of International Spy Museum?

International Spy Museum is open Open daily. Autumn/winter (September-February): Mon-Fri 10:00-18:00, Sat 09:00-19:00, Sun 09:00-18:00. Spring (March-June): Sun-Fri 09:00-19:00, Sat 09:00-20:00. Summer (July-August): Mon-Thu 09:00-19:00, Fri-Sun 09:00-20:00. No regular closing day is announced; the last ticket is sold one hour before closing and hours are often extended on holiday weekends.. Holiday hours can vary, so check the museum's website before you go.

Where is International Spy Museum?

International Spy Museum is located at 700 L'Enfant Plaza SW, Washington, DC 20024, United States, in the L'Enfant Plaza, Southwest Waterfront area of Washington, DC. The nearest stations are L'Enfant Plaza (Green, Yellow, Orange, Blue, Silver lines) — Exit C at 9th St & L'Enfant Plaza, Federal Center SW (Orange, Blue, Silver lines) and Smithsonian (Orange, Blue, Silver lines).

What can I see at International Spy Museum?

Real tradecraft, real spies: the world's largest public espionage collection, from a lipstick pistol to Bond's Aston Martin. Current highlights include Gallery: Debriefing Center, Gallery: Stealing Secrets and Gallery: An Uncertain World.

Do I need to book International Spy Museum in advance?

Booking ahead is recommended, especially for weekends, school holidays, and special exhibitions. Tickets are normally on the museum's website, and a pre-booked timed slot helps you avoid queues at the entrance.

When is the best time to visit International Spy Museum?

Weekday mornings shortly after opening are typically the quietest, especially mid-week. Late afternoons can also be calmer. Weekends, school holidays, and the lunch rush are the busiest periods.