Seeing the pillow with Lincoln's blood was honestly one of the most vivid historical experiences…read moreI've ever had. It's one thing to read about history in a book, but standing in a place where such a major moment actually happened makes it feel completely different. Ford's Theatre does a great job of preserving the history and telling the story of what happened that night. Walking through the theatre and seeing the artifacts in person was honestly chilling, but in a really fascinating way. Definitely a place I'd recommend visiting if you're in DC and want to experience history up close

I am so glad that this theatre is still in operation…read more Also contains a first rate museum in the basement that includes the gun used to kill Lincoln and a pillow that still has dried blood on it So glad that I went!

What a beautiful home! The tour was made even better by our guide, who was incredibly knowledgeable…read moreand genuinely passionate about the history of the house. His enthusiasm made the experience both engaging and memorable. I especially enjoyed hearing the story behind the home and learning how it was built as an expression of love for the owner's wife. I also found the stories about the secret society connected to the property fascinating--they added an extra layer of mystery and intrigue to an already wonderful tour. I highly recommend visiting!

I was very pleased when I was invited to the special showing of the house during their special…read morebloom event. On top of the historical background of the house itself, the florists did a great job decorating every room with seasonal flowers with taste and many of the paintings were augmented with floral decor making it look like it came alive. If you ever were to visit the Anderson house, spring bloom time is it. Located in the embassy row, it is a very convenient location for me and I love this place and highly recommend it for everyone to check out.

The National Museum of the United States Navy is a hidden D.C. gem that's currently in transition,…read morebut still worth the visit. As of September 2025, the museum is being slowly dismantled to prepare for a move to a new location. When I visited, only about half of the displays were still up. Even so, the exhibits that remain are fascinating and full of history. I highly recommend taking a guided tour since the museum is not at 100% right now. The guides add so much context and bring the history to life. Tours are finished for this year but will start back up next year, so plan ahead via Eventbright. Fun fact: the library at the Navy Yard is the oldest library in Washington, D.C. How's that for a bonus bit of history? If you love military history, naval stories, or simply discovering parts of D.C. that most tourists miss, this is a stop worth making before the move.

Free museum with friendly people. Go to the lower level for the history of the US Navy. Cool info…read more There's info about wars, awards, and people. It's a good place to find things for the soldier from the different branches of the military. I bought my army veteran brother a magnet. They also show films in the auditorium. We're going to a Robert Reich documentary which will be followed by a zoom q and a with him. So cool!

After being a "local" for so long, I'm surprised that I hadn't been to here before. Check the entry…read moreprices online as there are discounts for seniors, military, students and members. There is parking below ground however the closet metro stop is Le'Enfant Plaza. This area can become congested with traffic and there is very little street parking. Upon entry, I was pleased to see the James Bond "007" car. Depending on your age, you may remember the movies and how "advanced" his cars and gadgets were. There are five levels and an opportunity to explore as a "Spy" or soak in some of the educational parts of tools, people and significant events in spy history. There are elevators that take you up/down. I do not recall wheelchair access for those who require ADA compliance. There are exhibits that have corresponding films. This is a kid friendly and interactive. I do recommend coming here to explore and challenging yourself to learn something new. Wear comfy walking shoes and pay attention to the things hiding in plain sight.

This was my first time visiting this museum…read more It is just minutes away from the L'Enfant Plaza Metro Station, walking distance. It is in a high traffic area given that it is D.C. There is an option to purchase tickets online and select a time, but not necessary We came on a Friday evening and were let in immediately. Expect to spend anywhere from 2-4 hours. Upon purchasing a ticket, they escorted us to a room where we each had our own Undercover Mission cards to scan on screens, which show us access to our spy name, mission and other information. There was a short video, then we were given access to the showcases. The experience varies from display cases to videos to interactive screens. I was more interested in hearing the different spy stories. The gift shop had some great items consistent with the spy-theme including (but not limited to): t-shirts with a variety of images, pens, books, games, hats, etc. Given that it is a museum gift shop in D.C., the prices were fairly high, but not surprising, but I bought a t-shirt for someone. The staff here weren't particularly friendly, some were standing around on their phones or chatting with each other. Would I return? Maybe, I don't feel the need to re-visit once i toured the full museum, unless I'm bringing someone new. I would highly recommend at least one visit to this museum!

I'm a plane nut so of course I'm going to rate this place pretty high. With three floors to…read moreexplore, there is plenty to see and do here. This museum is easily my favorite museum out of all the Smithsonian museums, hands down. So much amazing history is found here to witness with your own eyes. It really makes the monumental accomplishments that you read in books and online come to life. Unfortunately, my last visit was shorter than usual because a good chunk of the museum was closed for renovation so I wasn't able to see the historic WW2 war birds. Bummer. Hopefully, that section is back up very soon. Looking for a cool souvenir from your time in D.C.? The gift shop here is absolutely huge, three floors with all things space and aviation.

Space... the final frontier.... Whether you're a kid, or just a kid at heart, your mind will wander…read morewith the possibilities of seeing the actual vehicles and relics of historical significance and marvel at the drive of the human spirit to first take flight, then zoom past the curvature of the ocean until you hit new land, and, finally, break the bonds of gravity and stake your claim in the cosmos. I've been so many times, and it's free to go and see these incredible achievements of humanity in real life. You can look at the lunar capsule and imagine the bravery and ingenuity of the millions of people whose guts and brains it took, over thousands of years, to make such an achievement possible. This is the true legacy of humanity and it inspires while posing the question, what is next for mankind....

Great place to visit, fun facts and plenty of history of the White House…read more This is a great and very interactive experience. If you like to keep your brain active, learn and take fun pictures of the replica in the oval office, this is your place! They have a great spread of souvenirs, the staff is very welcoming and full of knowledge. You can either make a reservation or just walk in.

I found out upon arriving in D.C. that all White House tours had been canceled until June…read more The People's House which opened last September is an immersive museum about the White House. Reservations are available online, so I was able to book reservations for our party the day prior to visiting. It's located a block from the actual the White House, so I was able to walk just a few blocks from my hotel to arrive for my 11:30 am reservation. I loved the actual replica of the oval room where we took pics behind the oval office desk and the immersive tour through the situation room, press briefing room, and the history and artifacts of the white house. In addition, there's displays for the kids where they can interact and design a state dinner or build a mini-White House. Overall, good exhibits, and history of the White House. Our entire group enjoyed this museum and I would recommend it to everyone.

One of my favorite national museums…read more The museum makes a strong first impression, with sculptures and a rushing waterfall surrounding the exterior. Inside, the soaring ceilings create a grand sense of scale. The walkways were accessible and easy to navigate, though the elevators were a bit slow. During our visit, the museum was not particularly crowded, allowing us to take our time reading the exhibits and fully appreciating the displays. What I appreciated most was the museum's emphasis on the differing perspectives of American Indians and Americans throughout history. Many exhibits presented both viewpoints side by side, highlighting how dramatically interpretations of the same events could differ. The timelines were thoughtfully organized and I learned about numerous Indigenous nations and communities that were rarely discussed in my prior education. The Americans exhibit was particularly memorable. It explored the representation of American Indians throughout popular culture, including television, sports mascots, advertising, food branding, and more. At the end, visitors were invited to write postcards reflecting on examples of Indigenous representation in modern life. Pocahontas was a recurring figure throughout the exhibit and I gained a much deeper understanding of both her historical significance and how her story has been commercialized and reinterpreted over time. The Nation to Nation exhibit focused more on cultural and historical artifacts, showcasing clothing, household items, tools, and musical instruments. Meanwhile, Water's Edge explored the importance of water through both artistic expression and its relationship to Indigenous life and traditions. The gift shop was easily one of the best I encountered among the national museums. It featured a wide variety of unique and meaningful souvenirs, and the lighter crowds meant several items sold out elsewhere were still available here. I was surprised by some of the lukewarm reviews, as I found this museum engaging and informative from start to finish. It easily filled two to three hours and I left with a far greater appreciation for Indigenous history and perspectives. I would love to see future exhibits further explore Native American music, art, and cultural expression.

I came for the taco and stayed for the art! After researching a few places for lunch, the reviews…read moreof the Mitsitam cafe here were amazing for their fry bread taco. The museum itself is gorgeous, inside and out. The grounds area has lots of plants and shrubbery to observe. It's kind of serene and takes you away from the capital craziness which isn't too far away. Inside, you'll find multiple floor with displays about history, conflict, and art. I took the elevator to the top then worked my way down each level via the stairs. It's an awesome place and the gift shop had some of the coolest stuff too. It's right next to the super popular Air and Space Museum so if you don't feel like walking too far after exploring that one, check this one out.

My spouse and I call it the annual pilgrimage. We walk from the host hotel to the museum. It's…read moreabout an hour and a little more. The staff is wonderful, you do have to go through metal detectors. The cost worth the interactive experiences in the museum. You can learn the history of policing, see how it's evolved to include women and people of different backgrounds. They have a lot of interactive learning opportunities, and every time I go there's something new to see. We plan on going back next year.

We had the most amazing time at the Law Enforcement Museum in Washington DC. Instructor Charles…read moreHumphrey taught two classes; Use of Force and Driving. Charles has to be the most knowledgeable person in these subjects in the country! The classes were extremely informative and anyone in law enforcement would greatly benefit taking classes from Charles!!