International Spy Museum

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 a trip to the International Spy Museum feels like. Kids go crazy for this spot, but be warned: lines form long and early. There are all kinds of artifacts, anecdotes and interactive displays on the inside, and guests are invited to play the role of a secret agent by adopting a cover at the start of their visit. Throughout the museum, you can try to identify disguises, listen to bugs and spot hidden cameras. A lot of the exhibit is 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 sponsors a huge range of activities outside of its permanent exhibition. KidSpy Overnight, held once a year, is basically a spy-themed slumber party held within the museum; participants get to wear disguises, break codes, discover a mole and basically blow the top off an elaborate clandestine mystery. It’s only open to kids aged nine to 13, although an adult is required for every two minispies; the cost is $115 per person. Spy at Night ($22) is a similarly themed hour-long role-play/puzzle challenge for adults held in the evening; the main difference is alcohol is served and you don’t get to sleep over (although who knows? You might just meet that special undercover someone, as it were). Spy in the City ($14) is a sort of GPS-driven scavenger hunt across DC with an attached plotline that Jack Bauer from 24 would appreciate. The two-hour Spy City Tour ($75) takes in 25 skullduggery-associated sites across the city; there’s an interactive mission component to this tour as well. All of the above are great fun, and can be booked through the museum’s website.