One of DC’s most popular museums is flashy, over the top, and probably guilty of overtly glamming up a life of intelligence gathering. But who cares? You basically want to see Q’s lab, and that’s what the Spy Museum feels like. Check out James Bond's tricked-out Aston Martin, the KGB's lipstick-concealed pistol and more. Kids go crazy for this spot, but be warned: lines form long and early. Ease the wait somewhat by reserving online (there's a $2 surcharge per ticket).
There are all kinds of artifacts and interactive displays, and guests are invited to play the role of a secret agent by adopting a cover at the start of their visit. You can try to identify disguises, listen to bugs and spot hidden cameras throughout the museum. A lot of the exhibits are historical in nature, focusing on the Cold War in particular (a re-creation of the tunnel under the Berlin Wall is an eerie winner). The museum also offers several tours, such as ‘Spy in the City’ ($15), a sort of GPS-driven scavenger hunt across DC. Alas, the museum is planning to move elsewhere in DC sometime before mid-2017.
