Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...

No search results found for
“”

Make sure words are spelled correctly.

Try searching for a travel destination.

Places near me Random place

Popular Destinations

  • Paris
  • London
  • New York
  • Berlin
  • Rome
  • Los Angeles
Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Sign In Join
Places near me Random place
All the United States Washington, D.C. International Spy Museum
AO Edited

International Spy Museum

Home to items never before seen by the public.

Washington, D.C.

Added By
caraobrien
Email
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list
CAPTION
  Michael Busch / Atlas Obscura User
Spy Museum Exterior at Night   Sam Kittner for the International Spy Museum
Spy Museum Exhibit - Cyber Command   Sam Kittner for the International Spy Museum
Spy Museum Exhibit - Turncoats & Traitors   Sam Kittner for the International Spy Museum
Spy Museum Exterior   Sam Kittner for the International Spy Museum
Spy Museum Exterior   Sam Kittner for the International Spy Museum
  Doc Nicholas / Atlas Obscura User
  Doc Nicholas / Atlas Obscura User
  Doc Nicholas / Atlas Obscura User
  Jason Michael Walker / Atlas Obscura User
Spy Museum   Jason Michael Walker / Atlas Obscura User
  Jason Michael Walker / Atlas Obscura User
Why spy?   Jason Michael Walker / Atlas Obscura User
Spy kit   Jason Michael Walker / Atlas Obscura User
Che   Jason Michael Walker / Atlas Obscura User
You think this dog knows I am a spy?   Jason Michael Walker / Atlas Obscura User
I spy   Jason Michael Walker / Atlas Obscura User
Outside of building   Jason Michael Walker / Atlas Obscura User
Bond…James Bond   Jason Michael Walker / Atlas Obscura User
  Collector of Experiences / Atlas Obscura User
A shoe transmitter   International Spy Museum
Wigs for undercover characters   International Spy Museum
A hollow coin   International Spy Museum
Espionage Tools   Doc Nicholas / Atlas Obscura User
Blackphone, created by Silent Circle   Doc Nicholas / Atlas Obscura User
Model of the Cu Chi Tunnels   Doc Nicholas / Atlas Obscura User
  Doc Nicholas / Atlas Obscura User
Espionage Tools   Doc Nicholas / Atlas Obscura User
Rectal Concealment for Cyanide Capsule   Doc Nicholas / Atlas Obscura User
James Bond prop car   Doc Nicholas / Atlas Obscura User
Pigeon camera   International Spy Museum
Cold War exhibit   International Spy Museum
  Kmf164
Lipstick pistol   International Spy Museum
  International Spy Museum
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list

About

Lipstick pistols and the Enigma cipher machine, transmitters, receivers, tiny cameras, and disguised listening devices—the tools of espionage.

In what feels slightly counter-intuitive, the International Spy Museum in Washington, D.C., dedicates its time and space to educating the general public on the techniques of one of the most intriguing trades to ever overthrow a leader, win a war, or go through the trash bags of the rich and famous. In an attempt to shed light on the veiled but pivotal roles played by spies throughout history, the museum strives to portray the art of espionage in an educational and nonbiased format, at the same time showing the intricacies of the men and women driven to this lifestyle of lies and secrets.

Opened in 2002, this collection is the largest ever displayed in a public setting. Several items have been revealed to the general public for the very first time, ranging from James Bond kitsch to the very real and historically significant. When you tire of observing relics of missions past and Mission Impossible, there is an interactive program that takes you through an hour-long spy adventure with you playing the part of the undercover agent, walking in the footsteps of the sly masters of the spycraft.

Related Tags

Museums And Collections Spies Espionage Crime And Punishment Military History Military

Know Before You Go

The museum has timed passes. On busy days you can wait 1-2 hours. The best bet is to buy your timed pass ahead of time.

Community Contributors

Added By

caraobrien

Edited By

Rachel, AcreeMacam, stanislausbabalistic, gowens...

  • Rachel
  • AcreeMacam
  • stanislausbabalistic
  • gowens
  • Blindcolour
  • e1savage
  • anikajain
  • SpyMuseum
  • Ella Morton
  • Collector of Experiences
  • Michael Busch
  • Doc Nicholas
  • Jason Michael Walker

Published

June 24, 2016

Edit this listing

Make an Edit
Add Photos
Sources
  • https://www.spymuseum.org/
International Spy Museum
700 L'Enfant Plaza SW
Washington, District of Columbia, 20024
United States
38.883873, -77.025459
Visit Website
Get Directions

Nearby Places

Maine Avenue Fish Market

Washington, D.C.

miles away

Peacock Room

Washington, D.C.

miles away

Andrew Jackson Downing Urn

Washington, D.C.

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Washington, D.C.

Washington, D.C.

United States

Places 285
Stories 50

Nearby Places

Maine Avenue Fish Market

Washington, D.C.

miles away

Peacock Room

Washington, D.C.

miles away

Andrew Jackson Downing Urn

Washington, D.C.

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Washington, D.C.

Washington, D.C.

United States

Places 285
Stories 50

Related Stories and Lists

11 Places to Explore Spycraft

List

By Jonathan Carey

The Haunted Houses Designed to Scare Spooks

military history

By April White

A Former CIA Chief of Disguise Shows Off a Five-Second Mask

Video

By Atlas Obscura

The CIA's Fake Scrotum That Hid a Radio

Video

By Atlas Obscura

A CIA-Issued Rectal Tool Kit for Spies

objects of intrigue

By Lizzie Philip

A CIA-Issued Rectal Tool Kit for Spies

Video

By Atlas Obscura

Related Places

  • One of the crosses viewed from a Google satellite.

    Casa Grande, Arizona

    Corona ‘Satellite Calibration Targets’

    Rumor had it that these concrete crosses scattered across the Arizona scrubland helped align spy satellites. (They didn’t.)

  • M4A1(76)W Sherman tank.  Nearly 50,000 Sherman tanks saw service in World War II and Korea.  Accepted in 1944, this later version featured a larger gun and more secure ammunition storage.

    Boalsburg, Pennsylvania

    Pennsylvania Military Museum

    A history of the U.S. military, with a focus on Pennsylvania's contributions.

  • The Lanchester Diploma.

    Durham, England

    The Lanchester Diploma

    The 2,000-year-old pieces of metal are an ancient soldier's military discharge papers.

  • 19th-century hardware shop.

    Lincoln, England

    Museum of Lincolnshire Life

    The charming collection illustrates life in Lincolnshire in the 18th through 20th centuries.

  • Warrenton, Virginia

    Cold War Museum

    This museum sits on the site of a decommissioned military communications base.

  • Springfield Armory.

    Springfield, Massachusetts

    Springfield Armory

    The largest collection of historic military firearms in the United States.

  • Museo de la Revolucion.

    Perquín, El Salvador

    Museo de la Revolución Salvadoreña (Museum of the Revolution)

    Military artifacts from the Salvadoran Civil War are displayed in this small but notable museum.

  • The National Museum of Interventions.

    Mexico City, Mexico

    National Museum of Interventions

    A bullet-scarred monastery chronicles Mexico's turbulent history of foreign invasions.

Aerial image of Vietnam, displaying the picturesque rice terraces, characterized by their layered, verdant fields.
Atlas Obscura Membership

Become an Atlas Obscura Member


Join our community of curious explorers.

Become a Member

Get Our Email Newsletter

Follow Us

Facebook YouTube TikTok Instagram Pinterest RSS Feed

Get the app

Download the App
Download on the Apple App Store Get it on Google Play
  • All Places
  • Latest Places
  • Most Popular
  • Places to Eat
  • Random
  • Nearby
  • Add a Place
  • Stories
  • Food & Drink
  • Itineraries
  • Lists
  • Video
  • Podcast
  • Newsletters
  • All Trips
  • Family Trip
  • Food & Drink
  • History & Culture
  • Wildlife & Nature
  • FAQ
  • Membership
  • Feedback & Ideas
  • Community Guidelines
  • Product Blog
  • Unique Gifts
  • Work With Us
  • About
  • FAQ
  • Advertise With Us
  • Advertising Guidelines
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms of Use
Atlas Obscura

© 2025 Atlas Obscura. All Rights Reserved.