The International Spy Museum
The International Spy Museum

Holiday Washington DC in Nov 2025: Day 3 – The International Spy Museum

By Nige on November 11, 2025 at 12:25 pm
Type: Post
Story: Holiday Washington DC in Nov 2025 Category: Travel
Tags: Hilton | Holidays | USA | Washington DC

On the basis that the International Spy Museum was one of the few attractions actually open during the Government shutdown, we expected it be popular.

It's an impressive looking building that hosts the Spy Museum
It’s an impressive looking building that hosts the Spy Museum
It's an impressive looking building that hosts the Spy Museum
It’s an impressive looking building that hosts the Spy Museum

However, its popularity on this particular day might reduce significantly due to the temperature.

Below freezing and a bracing wind made Vick wince as we wander down 14th Street.

Vick banged on the door to encourage the staff to open up a few mins early to take pity on us waiting outside in the cold, but they were not budging.

Rules is rules, as the saying goes.

When the staff finally opened the doors, the warmth overwhelmed us a little! It was nice to be out of that biting wind.

The reception area at the International Spy Museum
The reception area at the International Spy Museum
The reception area at the International Spy Museum
The reception area at the International Spy Museum

As we entered, there was a security check area, although they didn’t look at us, nor check Vick’s handbag that she had over her shoulder.

On the right hand side of the ticket desk, there was a place where we could scan our timed tickets and wait in a queue for the lifts to take us to the 5th floor, where the tour began.

We received an Agent Card and a brief intro into how the museum was split over two floors, starting on the 5th floor and ending on the 4th floor.

The first room on the 5th floor where we registered as an agent
The first room on the 5th floor where we registered as an agent
The first room on the 5th floor where we registered as an agent
The first room on the 5th floor where we registered as an agent

1. Briefing

When the lift reached the 5th floor, we were led into a room with lots of kiosks, where we set up our cover identity using our Agent Card.

We would then be able to use our Agent Card at a number of places around the museum to test our spy skills as we progressed on our undercover mission.

We could tell this would be a great adventure for kids.

    2. Briefing Film

    Five minutes later, we were led into a room where we watched a short film narrated by Morgan Freeman about the need for espionage, intelligence and how it has become essential in the world.

    It was perfect for kids, but a little basic for likes of us oldies!

    A room focused on stealing secrets
    A room focused on stealing secrets
    A room focused on stealing secrets
    A room focused on stealing secrets

    3. Stealing Secrets

    After the doors opened, we gained access to the first part of the museum focused on how secrets have been stolen over the centuries.

    There were about 4 or 5 short films set in their own themed areas, focused on different eras of time.

    These introduced the spies and spymasters, gadget makers, scientists, and engineers from past and present.

    Great fun for the kids, although there was a lot to take in and some kids would get bored, as we did to some extent.

    Into the making sense of secrets area of the museum
    Into the making sense of secrets area of the museum
    Into the making sense of secrets area of the museum
    Into the making sense of secrets area of the museum

    4. Making Sense of Secrets

    Then we moved into an area that focused on how the secret information acquired get turned into useful intelligence.

    There were interactive exhibits that allowed guests to try their hand at code-cracking, play the role of an analyst, and experience how decision-makers use intelligence.

    All great fun.

    The covert action area at The International Spy Museum
    The covert action area at The International Spy Museum
    The covert action area at The International Spy Museum
    The covert action area at The International Spy Museum

    5. Covert Action

    Then it was on to an area that talked about the age-old techniques leaders use to secretly influence events at home and abroad.

    There were examples of covert mission failures and successes.

    This section was less exciting and kids could easily start getting tired, which could easily have also described us at this point on the tour.

    We then headed down the stairs to the 4th floor.

    Into the spying that shaped history area
    Into the spying that shaped history area
    Into the spying that shaped history area
    Into the spying that shaped history area

    1. Spying that Shaped History

    Once downstairs, we came face to face with Chunk from Bull who narrated the first multi-media presentation on the 4th floor.

    This section covers the impact that spying has had on the world. This ranged from the American Revolution to 21st century cyber warfare.

    There were even short films starring real spies talking about what they thought about the actors that have played famous agents, like James Bond.

    Into an uncertain world area
    Into an uncertain world area
    Into an uncertain world area
    Into an uncertain world area

    2. An Uncertain World

    By this point, we were looking forward to another Starbucks, so we didn’t spend too long here.

    This section of the museum looked at threats at home and related tales about famous spies and spying events from Renaissance Venice to Cold War Berlin.

    The de-briefing centre at the end of the museum
    The de-briefing centre at the end of the museum
    The de-briefing centre at the end of the museum
    The de-briefing centre at the end of the museum

    3. De-Briefing Centre

    At the end, we used our Agent Card for the final time, to conclude our undercover mission and to get an assessment of our performance as a secret agent.

    Could do better might be a fair summary!

    From there we walked down the final flight of stairs and hit the gift shop.

    Summary

    Considering we paid $35 each, and there were no other museums open, for us it was money well spent.

    The museum was well organised and very engaging.

    There’s no doubt it would be great day out for a family, although a pricey one at that.

    Holiday Washington DC in Nov 2025

    Author Bio: About Nige

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    Nige is one of the co-founders of The Billingham Blog and works as a freelance management consultant. He loves to fly in his spare time!

    View all posts by Nige>

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