Roy A.

We dropped by the DEA museum knowing it's small but wanted to check it out. They have a strict security process which was quick. Once inside you get the stark realization of how bad the fentanyl issue is in America with photos of victims on the walls. Once inside the museum they have segments that detail individual drugs and some history of how it's impacted America. The self tour was quick but to the point.

Tank G.

This place is a hidden gem. It is kind of hard to find outside of the signs directing you here. It is located in the very secure Lincoln Place Building. To enter the museum, you must present your government issued ID and go through a tight security screening. I felt like I was going on a flight. Admission to the museum is free and the museum is pretty much the building's first floor. The tour is self guided and the exhibit area is not very large. I walked here so I did not have to worry about parking, but I can imagine that parking here is difficult since there is no onsite parking available. I did see metered street parking and a commercial lot within a reasonable walking distance, but there is nothing too close. The first thing you will encounter is the Faces of Fentanyl exhibit which are pictures of people that were killed by misusing fentanyl. The photos line the hallway and include the world famous musician, Prince. You will also find the Wall of Honor in the hallway which tastefully honors those DEA agents that made the ultimate sacrifice. The main room has exhibits that include: The Science of Addiction, Drug Waves, History of the DEA, and a revolving Spotlight Exhibit that featured the takedown of El Chopo while I was there. There is also a changing exhibit area that was featuring Disrupt, Dismantle, and Destroy, an exploration of the kingpin strategy, during my visit. Other exhibits include the DEA Takeback program, marijuana, synthetics, DEA tools, and What Drugs Do to Your Brain. They have seized items on display as well as equipment and clothes used by agents in operations. The museum is well organized and tidy. I really enjoyed it and gain some knowledge of the DEA. I spent about 45 minutes here and that time flew by. I feel that it should have its own stand alone building and not tucked away on the first floor of an office building. I really like this museum and think that it does not get as much publicity as it deserves, nor in an optimal location.

Trendy D.

Really great museum! It's FREEE!! It's located on first level of their 600 building closest to mall. The museum had really cool artifacts that they seized and was very informative. They have tour guides that are very knowledgeable and make the tour fun SHOUT OUT TO CAISE!!! Also, they have a large memorial wall of all the victims that lost their lives to fentanyl. It's very sad and touching... there new born babies :( Overall, this is a cool museum where they have a rotation of seized property from various drug bust that look cool.

Austin G.

In the land of free museums (the D.C. area), the DEA Museum is often overlooked. Visiting on a Wednesday morning in February, here's my experience. 1) Museum: Open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., admission is free. There's one main area with exhibits and it's essentially two rooms. When I visited, a high school group was there and the space felt crowded. The exhibits talk about America's connection to drugs- how we fight them and how drugs affect people. There are a few interactive exhibits and memorials honoring law enforcement. It's a lot of reading so come prepared. 2) Security: Since it's located in a federal building, you must go through security. You start by giving your I.D. to the guard, go through security and wait in the lobby for a museum staffer to let you in. 3) Parking: It's impossible. Street parking was a bust so park in the paid Costco lot. Metro if you can. It's near the Pentagon City station. 4) Neighborhood: It's right by the Pentagon City mall and new development with cafes and restaurants. If you love coffee, go to Commonwealth Joe.

Travis T.

Although the museum was small, it had plenty of information about drug concerns, drug abuse history, and how people lost their lives to drugs sadly. I wish the museum had positive effects about some drugs too such as marijuana instead of only the negative effects since many states are legalizing marijuana, which was biased.

Shalita W.

I can't remember my first visit to the DEA museum but I sure do like how they renovated the museum. Nice added touches. I also like that you can now visit this museum on Saturdays. Admission is still FREE.

Kathy F.

I gave it 5 stars because I know it would of been a great museum. My hotel was around corner but it seems like it would be easier to park at the shopping center across the street.

Melissa C.

FREE. Very good information, artifacts, and chronological order of the drug trade. This museum is expertly curated with tons of information. I didn't have time to read all the exhibits, but it's laid out very well.

Danny V.

"I want Americans to realize that, although they may not use drugs, everyone is impacted by drug use in this country," DEA Administrator Karen Tandy ('03 -'07) I love these tangible, intimate experiences. While the Washington, D.C. museums get all the glory, Northern Virginia makes up for it in heart. So, this isn't the Smithsonian- get over it. The downtown museums tend to be time intensive and feature a smorgasbord of topics. This museum is easily digested and can be experienced on a leisurely lunch break, but is best experienced if you allow more than an hour to peruse. This museum certainly makes use of its space and there is something lurking around every bend. The museum opens like a storybook and reads like a Dan Brown novel. There's plenty of history, a little suspense and there's plenty of stuff that makes you realize that there is more to the DEA than what you saw on Breaking Bad. The first chapter opens with a storefront that symbolizes the changing face of main street America over the decades. Travel down the road from the 1920's and 30's apothecaries, the head shops of the 60's and 70s, the crack houses of the 1980's and onto a modern marajuana vending machine that was disguised as medicinal, but was owned and operated by people who did not don the caduceus symbol. From there, expect to be whisked through the decades of illicit drug use and see the evolution of the Drug Enforcement Administration. Learn about the Anglo-Chinese Opium wars, find out why the Bayer company used heroin for medicinal purposes, see pieces of The World Trade Center up close and discover why the world once considered cocaine to be a "wonder drug." You can also expect to learn how the DEA works to regulate new and perspective drugs and how the DEA and forensic scientists are MFEO. (Meant For Each Other.) Celebrities and athletes are not immune to overdoses or prosecutions and feature prominently throughout the decades. Read about people like Janis Jopplin, Jack Kerouac, Len Bias, Kurt Cobain and Jerry Garcia while hearing clips of the famous, and sometimes infamous, Billie Holiday. It's reported that Jimi Hendrix's people weren't too enthusiastic about his induction into this particular "hall of fame." Along the way you'll see various pieces of seized property and clothing worn by agents who were behind various sting operations. Who knew that DEA agents were so pimp back in the day? We're talking fur coats and green platform shoes that would make Superfly envious. Verdict: Compact, interactive and impactful museum, fresh from a $400,000 renovation, patiently awaits the honor of your presence. Currently it's only open M-F so plan accordingly.

Heriberto G.

Good place although it would be nice if there would 've been more info about Noriega-North...i.e. Contra and to extent did that affect the U.S.A. in late 80's early 90's. A niece are we winning or loosing the war concluision would also be....although on second thought I think we all have our biased opinions.

Sharon W.

Being a huge fan of narcos on Netflix, I was surprised this museum was so close to my hotel. I had to check it out!! So cool they had a timeline of the evolution of drugs and America. They had a lot of information of drugs in the medical field as well. Note: enter through the back of the Building. Only downside is that it's a little small and short and they could work on the decor a bit. Staff was great and they had so many cool artifacts.