Washington, DC
Southwest
International Spy Museum - Do your kids wonder about being a spy? The International Spy Museum is the perfect place to find out (are there more spies in Washington, DC than anywhere on earth ?).
Kids can pick their cover and see how they do as a spy - discover tricks of the trade, try to break the codes, learn about bugging, disguises, microdots and secret inks, flashlight guns and lapel knives, surveillance, and the history of spies, including women spies, spies in World II against the Nazis, and after that, Berlin and Cold War with the Russians.
The Spy Museum is great for older kids and teens.
Bureau of Engraving & Printing - Take a forty minute tour to see where the U.S. dollars are printed, starting with blank paper, and ending up with real money! Watch bank notes as they're printed, and check out shredded money (200+ notes make an inch of shredded money). This is a big hit with kids, and tours are free. Tours are given on weekdays only.
Tip: From March through August, tickets are required, available on the same-day, first-come-first-serve basis, starting at 8:00am (15th St. entrance).
