D.C. for Spy-Obsessed Kids

A must-visit for both wannabe spy kids and their John le Carré-reading parents, this terrific interactive museum gives you the chance to try your hand at espionage. Visitors compete against each other in elaborate scavenger hunts, decoding messages, solving problems and rendezvousing with other spies. Those who participate in Operation Spy can attempt to solve actual assignments for U.S. intelligence officers by decrypting a recorded conversation, escaping from a high-security compound or putting a suspect agent through a polygraph test.

Find out if you have what it takes for a career in espionage. Can you commit a cover story to memory in three minutes? Examine lipstick pistols and buttonhole cameras, learn how to work up a disguise and buy an invisible-ink pen so the kids can write baffling postcards to their friends.

Insider tip: The Spy Museum Store is the rare gift shop worth a visit, with goods that range from practical (a wireless outdoor security camera with night vision) to the goofy (safes disguised as peanut-butter jars and cans of hairspray).
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International Spy Museum
800 F St. N.W.
202-393-7798
866-779-6873
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Admission:
Ages 12-64 $18
Age 65+ $17
Ages 5-11 $15
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Hours
Daily 9am-7pm

Continue your global tour down the street at the Freer and Sackler galleries, exhibiting amazing Asian art. In addition to Chinese, Japanese and Korean art, the galleries also features exhibitions of American, Ancient Egyptian and other works.
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Freer Gallery of Art
Jefferson Drive at 12th St SW

Arthur M. Sackler Gallery
1050 Independence Ave SW
202-633-4880
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Admission Free
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Hours
Daily 10am-5:30pm
Closed Dec. 25

The National Museum of African Art is the finest collection of its kind in the United States. Works include musical instruments, costumes, painting, printmaking, sculpture and other media. There is also a museum store onsite and online.
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950 Independence Ave. SW
202-633-4600
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Admission Free
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Hours 10am-5:30pm
Closed Dec. 25

The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum is as grim as the Spy Museum is whimsical. Although its concentration-camp footage and photos of victims are not for children younger than 12, they're required viewing for older ones and will likely spark more discussion than anything else you do in D.C.
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Holocaust Museum
100 Raoul Wallenberg Pl. SW
202-488-0400
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Admission: Free
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Hours: Daily 10am-5:20pm

The Hilton Washington is dubbed the Hinckley Hilton because it's where John Hinckley tried to assassinate President Reagan in 1981.

In addition to its notorious place in history, the hotel is also a kids' Shangri-La. It has a glorious outdoor pool (with a separate toddler pool) and an alfresco café where you can load up on fries. Don't worry about all the security guards giving you the hairy eyeball--there's always some foreign leader and his entourage ensconced here.
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1919 Connecticut Ave. NW
202-483-3000
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Rates
Doubles from $229

Adams Morgan and the adjacent U Street Corridor are D.C.'s most cosmopolitan neighborhoods. Eat at one of the many Ethiopian restaurants, such as Dukem or Meskerem (see last POI). The stews are delicious, but be prepared to use your hands: the spongy injera bread is both plate and fork.
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Dukem
1114-1118 U St. NW
202-667-8735
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Cost: Dinner for four from $70
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Hours: Daily 11am-midnight

For dessert, try America's contribution to the world's waistline: the cupcake. Treat yourselves to the butter cream beauties at Love Café.
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Love Cafe
1501 U St. NW
Ph: 202-265-9800
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Hours:
Monday-Tuesday 11am-9pm
Wednesday-Thursday 9am-9pm
Friday-Saturday 9am-10:30pm
Sunday 9am-9pm

2434 18th St. NW
Ph: 202-462-4100
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Cost:
Dinner for four from $75
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Hours:
Monday-Thursday 11am-midnight
Friday-Sunday 11am-2am