Keep in mind that customers aren't allowed to take pictures inside....SO don't bother with that camera, unless you would like to take a before and after.

When we were told that we should plan to spend a minimum of 2 to 3 hours in this museum, I was surprised because I had a hard time believing there could be that much to see and do in such a place. But ,after 2-1/2 hours, we found that we could have easily spent another hour or two. Upon entering the museum, each person assumes a secret identity and is subsequently tested to see if they can maintain their cover. It's a really neat introduction into the concept of spying. Then there is one room after another filled with gadgets, tools, weapons, vehicles, and other devices used by spies. There are videos and written information explaining everything you ever wanted to know about how spies do their jobs.

I really enjoyed learning about surveillance and listening devices. The interactive exhibits were interesting too - my kids spent a great deal of time trying to decipher codes. They also very much enjoyed the rooms geared toward spies in the world of entertainment. There were so many photos and memorabilia from Austin Powers, Get Smart, James Bond, and many, many others. I wouldn't recommend this to anyone with small children - we saw many families leaving relatively quickly because of children who were not old enough to appreciate this museum. But other than that, I would highly recommend this museum to anyone who likes mystery and espionage. It really was fascinating - well worth the money and the time.

Although most museums in Washington, D.C., are free, this one has an entrance fee of $13 for adults and $10 for children over 5 years of age.

To control crowding, tickets are assigned an entry time. Get in line early to purchase your tickets and plan the rest of your day according to your assigned time. These exhibits can be very crowded, even with the assigned entry times, so if you are a spy buff and like to read and experience all of the exhibits, plan to spend a minimum of 3 hours exploring the museum.

I would not recommend the museum for young children, as most exhibits require a lot of reading and there are few interactive exhibits. The museum store on the lower level is another matter. Children (and some adults) usually find it more interesting than the museum itself, and entry is free.

Additional facilities include a museum store and two restaurants: Zola and Spy City Cafe. Zola is an upscale restaurant (which requires reservations) that has a great martini bar and wide selection of champagnes. Spy City Café is a casual place to grab a quick sandwich or snack.

Upon arriving at the Museum we discovered that admittance for us was $12.00 for my husband and father due to their military affiliations, and $13.00 for my brother, mother and me. Once paying our admission we stood in line and waited for an elevator to take us up to the beginning of the exhibits.

When you first arrive upstairs you are told to pick an identity from one of the many adorning the walls and to memorize it as this will be your identity during your time at the museum. Honestly each one of us attempted to memorize everything about our chosen identity in the assumption that at one point during our time at the museum we would be questioned about who we were and where we were going.

After a few moments of standing around and asking many of the other guests in the museum “Who are you?” rather jokingly, a pair of double doors opened rather ominously and we were instructed to take a seat for our briefing. It turns out that this was just a movie narrated by “actress name” that simply explains the many difficulties and complexities of the life of a spy. After the movie ended we filed out of the small auditorium through the double doors and were then surrounded by the exhibits in the Tradecraft skills area which has an amazing array of devices such as miniature surveillance equipment and weapons that were designed to be hidden in coat pockets, sunglasses or lipstick cases. There are even some hands-on exhibits that you can try out for yourself.

After approximately an hour and a half we had finally reached the end of the exhibits, walked through the doors marked exit and found ourselves in the Museum gift shop. We were all rather disappointed as not once did anyone inquire about our adopted identity which we all struggled to remember. We were also very disappointed by the lack of organization and directions as it just seemed as if the exhibits were just placed here and there randomly. Most of all we were rather frustrated because of the amount of adults and children that were present on a Friday morning which filled the museum hallways and made it extremely difficult to view many of the exhibits.

For more information please see the Museum’s website www.spymuseum.org

Opens 10am, except Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year's Day. Last admission 7pm April-October, 5pm November-March.

Discount and early admission may be arranged for groups of 20 or more prior to 10am.

Phone: (866) 779-6873, (202) 393-7798

There are many actual spy artifacts from old time to the most up-to-date. You can test your skill in breaking codes or sitting at a computer finding missiles and planes that are hidden. You can listen to earphones picking up soundwaves and other people's conversations going on in the building. Many old spy TV shows are displayed, which is fun for the nostalgic, like "Get Smart" and "Man from U.N.C.L.E." There is a room dedicated to female spies like Mata Hare and Belle Boyd from Civil War fame.

It was a wonderful museum, but, like most DC museums, it is hard to take it all in in one visit.