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    Planet Word Museum

    4.8 (226 reviews)
    Closed 10:00 am - 5:00 pm

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    Brittany S.

    This museum is so magical! Our group of nine had a blast weaving our way from room to room. The museum is equally fun for kids and adults with topics like language, reading, translation and karaoke to make a few. Everything was so well thought out and interactive. I couldn't get enough of the library room where books come to life with video-like illustrations building off the pages. It felt like we were transported into Belle's massive and dreamy library from Beauty and the Beast complete with a secret hidden room off the side (tucked behind a bookcase door). We had kids ages 2-5 and it was perfect for them. Note that you'll need to park strollers in the basement level. To top it all off, we had a fabulous lunch at Immigrant Food located on the lower level. Oh, how could I forget to mention that the museum is free? Amazing!

    lockers
    Lam B.

    Planet Word is a fun pit stop geared mostly toward children, though adults will still find plenty to enjoy. The space feels very modern, with clean and well maintained exhibits throughout. I appreciated the free coat rack and lockers available to all visitors. One thing to note is that the stairs are unidirectional, so moving between floors requires walking across the entire level each time. We were advised to start on the third floor and work our way down. The third floor featured a massive globe surrounded by multilingual iPads. Each one offered different languages along with cultural and linguistic context. The video and audio quality stood out as especially clear. There was also an interactive show exploring the history and cultural influences behind everyday words. While museum shows can sometimes feel skippable, this one held attention for the full fifteen minutes with clever use of visuals, lighting, and a dynamic word driven backdrop. On the second floor, the free photobooth stood out as a highlight. Individuals or pairs pose based on randomly assigned words. The photo quality is not the best, but it still makes for a fun and memorable souvenir. There is also a sing along room where groups of children gather to perform songs. I had to laugh when Eminem came on, though I was genuinely impressed by how the lyrics were broken down and analyzed on screen. A small library space is also available, stocked mostly with children's books for casual reading. I also tried the Lexicon Lane experience, which cost forty dollars and is designed for groups of up to four. It is set up similarly to an escape room, but with a stronger focus on wordplay and language based puzzles. Since we were the first group of the day, we had full choice of the cases, while later groups had to pick from what remained. Each case offers a normal or expert level, though both were fairly challenging. Some puzzles rely heavily on familiarity with American idioms and cultural references, which could make them tougher for some players. That said, the staff were very accommodating and offered helpful nudges when groups got stuck. I would especially recommend this for puzzle lovers, as it is a unique add on and actually more affordable than a typical escape room. One of the standout aspects of Planet Word is the staff. They were consistently friendly, approachable, and clearly invested in making the experience enjoyable. Overall, it is a great museum to visit if you are looking to be entertained for an hour or so.

    Stacy A.

    Funny story - I was looking for kid-friendly ideas of things to do in DC and asked ChatGPT for ideas. One of the responses was the Planet Word museum, which I never heard of. I looked it up and decided to try it! They recommend you get timed passes online ahead of time; it's free but they do recommend a donation. This museum is SO COOL! As someone who loves different languages and words I loved everything about this place! My kids loved all of the interactivity. There is a room with an interactive word wall and you can interact and answer and request more info on the history of certain words. For example, I learned that "ketchup" was named after a Chinese sauce even though they are not similar. There is also a magical library room where you can pick a book off the shelf and place it on a book holder and the book is read to you. There are also mirror shadow boxes that come to life if you read the inscription. Finally, the kids loved the karaoke room - you select a song and as you sing along you see the types of parts of speech at play in the song. Great experience, would for sure recommend and go back!

    Top floor welcome exhibit
    Michele L.

    Surprisingly fun, with interactive activities for people of all ages. The magic library is particularly cool. The staff were all friendly and helpful. We found an hour was just fine for two of us, and the museum is free with a suggested donation. Will be curious to see how they grow this interesting museum in the future; it has a ton of potential!

    Win S.

    Such a fun museum and concept! I highly recommend this place for older kids and adults. It's not exactly for the younger set, but I did see a lot of young families! I came here with my friend's kids who are ages 5 and 7 - the 7-year-old had a lot more fun than the 5 year-old (who was blanking on a lot of concepts that went over his head). All the interactive activities were quite advanced. Perhaps age 8+ and up would be ideal? Admission is free with a suggested donation, which is great ($10-15)! It's museum worth donating to, as they have a lot of thoughtful features with a mission of connecting folks together with words and the pursuit of literacy. This location is near the McPherson metro. On the weekend, both my friend and I found ample street parking in front of the building. The museum is like a live action version of Taboo with mindful word games and high-tech, interactive activities. It's also beautifully aesthetic with each room having a different theme and a variety of digital projections and typography. When we first entered, we came across a room that shares word jokes on an iPad. You read the suggested jokes with your partner and see if they laugh. Spoiler alert: the kids did not laugh (lol!) but the adults did. There were a lot of moments like that where the younger one did not understand the play on words because it was quite advanced. In the same room, there were fun cardboard cutouts that you can wear like a game of charades and someone else has to guess what it is. They featured common idioms like "In a pickle" that the kids had fun wearing, but didnt really understand. There was also a karaoke room, where people could sing popular songs. I would love to see some Disney songs, if copyrights allow! Our favorite thing about the museum was the interactive, movement based digital projections. One example was in our favorite spot, the library parlor room, where you could "check out" books and open them at a magical table that featured projected animations and an audio summary of the book. I would love to hear more about what went into writing the book or hear from the authors themselves! Another room was an interactive digital art projection that reminded us of the Tokyo labs museums in Asia, where you could "paint" the walls with the movement of your body. the kids had a lot of fun zooming around in that pocket space and "painting" projections while trying to say very advanced words that aren't always commonly used. The top floor featured the most advanced station, which was a digital touch screen that featured mainstream advertisements seen in media. You had to guess what kind of word play they were using for the ad copy. Fun for adults - I loved it. but it was frustrating and took a lot of hard thinking for the kids! they just wanted to run around. Things finally slowed down in the final room, which was more analogue. It featured blank notecards with prompts that you could fill out and contemplate. It was a great practice to think about the meaning of words and how they affect people. Very heartfelt close to the day!

    Kellie R.

    What a niche and cool museum! I took my 11 and 13yo here and we had a lot of fun exploring! I appreciate that it's donation based and the ability to make reservations to help keep crowds at bay. Maybe next time I'll work up the courage to join some crews for karaoke!

    Adjectives and interactive paint wall
    Jana L.

    I would HIGHLY recommend this museum! While technically free they do ask for a donation, but it's worth it. The rooms are interactive and informative. It is not just a museum where you look at a display and read. Most exhibits have some form of interactive component and we spent 3 hours here with a young kid - so it definitely holds interest. The interactive painting was pretty cool and we definitely spent a lot of time seeing how the various adjectives changed elements of the landscape. Also who doesn't love a beautifully appointed library? Hint: if you want a little seclusion, there is a hidden poetry room where you can sit and relax. Definitely worth a visit if you want something away from the crowds of the mall.

    Tori H.

    I finally made it to Planet word, located near McPherson metro. It was a much smaller museum than I expected but had some interactive rooms. There was a karaoke room with select songs, a spoken word public speaking room that allows you to practice and record your own speech, a Photo Booth, and interactive read aloud library. A great spot for a high school field trip or weekend museum spot!

    Jess N.

    Highly recommend this museum to anyone visiting or just looking for a cool place to spend a few hours at. It has old charm with the modern touch. Everything was very well thought out. We spent a few hours here and not once were we bored. It's very interactive and there are so many activities you can do.

    Exhibit
    Grace K.

    Had a great time here! Planet Word is a museum for folks who love words and language. The exhibits are thoughtfully designed and for all ages. This is one of my favorite free museums in DC. The staff were also friendly and helpful. There's a cute little gift shop on the first floor near the entrance/exit. Will defs be back!

    Jill R.

    We came here and were disappointed. It seemed more for families & young kids and not so much art. We thought the library room was cool but went thru very quickly as it didn't keep any of our group's interest. We all had the same reaction.

    Chris C.

    Very interesting museum on the origins, history of words/languages. Entertaining, informative and fun for all ages. Housed in the old Franklin School, they have utilized many of the school characteristics in a creative way. Across the street from Franklin Park. If you are hungry, check out the Immigrant Cafe in the lower level. Excellent food!

    Chloe F.

    This was so cool! I wasn't sure what to expect at Planet Word and honestly still not sure who their target audience is, but I think it would be enjoyable for kids and adults. There are many installations that make learning fun and it's free (with a suggested donation). There's also a little gift shop, for some light shopping afterwards. I would plan to spend 1-1.5 hours here, but if you were on a tight time crunch it's still worth a shorter visit.

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    Planet Word Museum Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Planet Word Museum

    Is pre reserving tickets online necessary this time of year weekday or will we be able to get them onsite?

    No. They will assist you once you arrive. I didn't reserve tickets online; however, they provided them to me once there!

    Is this museum primarily for kids?

    It's a great experience with or without kids. I have been with my kids and once without and had a great time both times.

    View All 3 Questions

    Review Highlights - Planet Word Museum

    It is set up similarly to an escape room, but with a stronger focus on wordplay and language based puzzles.

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    Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History - She's looking right at me... it's a she, I peeked

    Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History

    4.5(1.4k reviews)
    0.7 mi

    You really can't go wrong with any Smithsonian museum, especially when admission is free, but we…read morereally enjoyed the Natural History museum. We got through security quickly and found the museum very clean and easy to navigate considering how much there is to see inside. You could easily spend several hours here and still not see everything. We spent most of our time in the fossil and gem sections. My favorite was definitely the Hope Diamond. If you're visiting Washington, DC, I would absolutely go to the Natural History Museum but give yourself plenty of time because there is a lot to see.

    Ok I hate that I am giving this 4 stars because it was so cool. I think just having been to the one…read morein London jaded me a bit. There is a lot of cool stuff here. Gorgeous building. But the whole thing was just screens and words to me. The animal parts were really fun, but the rest felt super super modern and basically like a textbook was printed on the wall. It didn't have any of the magic. I did not feel like reading paragraphs on the wall, I wanted to see actual stuff. And there was some stuff, but all the screens and modern-ness kinda killed it for me. As someone who didn't want to read or be in the middle of a pre-school field trip, this museum only took me 45 min. If you have never been to a Natural History Museum, definitely go. If you have been to any of the other ones, you can skip.

    Photos
    Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History - Line at 3p or so

    Line at 3p or so

    Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History - Model jellyfish in the marine life exhibit

    Model jellyfish in the marine life exhibit

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    Museum of Illusions - Washington DC - Abe Lincoln portrait

    Museum of Illusions - Washington DC

    3.5(126 reviews)
    0.3 mi

    The illusions here are fantastic, but what made the experience even better was the staff. If you…read moredon't quite know how to pull off one of the illusions, they're genuinely excited to demonstrate it, help you figure it out, and even help families get the perfect photos. They didn't just point us toward the exhibits and leave us to figure things out. It felt like a full, immersive experience rather than simply walking through a museum and looking at exhibits. We were able to really participate, play around, take photos, and enjoy every part of it.

    I've been to the Museum of Illusions DC before, but this was my first time bringing my niece and…read morenephew. I realized afterward that there aren't many reviews mentioning how great it is for kids. I honestly thought we'd be there for about an hour. Instead, they spent nearly two and a half hours exploring and going back to their favorite exhibits over and over again. They loved the exhibit where it looks like your head is being served on a platter and kept taking turns with it because they thought it was hilarious. They also enjoyed the rooms that make people appear different sizes and the mirror exhibits. Their absolute favorite was the spinning tunnel. It makes me dizzy every time, but they thought it was the funniest thing ever and must have gone through it dozens of times. The only reason we left was because it was a school night. If you're looking for a fun indoor activity for kids, especially on a hot day, I would definitely recommend checking it out.

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    Museum of Illusions - Washington DC - Tiny Momma and huge son

    Tiny Momma and huge son

    Museum of Illusions - Washington DC
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    National Gallery of Art - Mother and child

    National Gallery of Art

    4.6(896 reviews)
    0.9 mi

    What a lovely gallery! There was so much to see. A nice variety of art. I spent most of my time in…read morethe impressionist galleries. It wasn't crowded at all and it was easy to meander from room to room. The Garden Cafe was decent. They need more staff through. They had one person both clearing tables and serving food. She was working quickly but the wait was long.

    I gave up taking pictures after a while because each exhibit room felt like more of the same. It…read morestarted to feel like I was living out Groundhog Day--every wall was filled with similar-looking portraits. While the subjects were different people, the artwork had such a similar style that it all began to blend together. I don't even think I took any pictures. I've never seen so many portraits in one museum before. It felt like room after room was filled with similar-style paintings, and after a while, it became repetitive and honestly exhausting. I found myself rushing through many of the galleries, and at one point I was so bored I started hiding from my daughter while she explored. Don't get me wrong--the artistry is incredible. The painting techniques, attention to detail, and craftsmanship are truly impressive. My only criticism is that the sheer number of similar portraits made the experience feel monotonous. By the time I reached exhibits featuring other cultures and artistic styles, I was already experiencing museum fatigue, which made it harder to fully appreciate those collections. A little more variety throughout the galleries would have made the overall experience much more engaging.

    Photos
    National Gallery of Art - "The need for mystery is greater than the need for an answer"
    -Ken Kesey

    "The need for mystery is greater than the need for an answer" -Ken Kesey

    National Gallery of Art - Mankind? That is an abstraction. 
 There have always been and always will be only individuals.
  ― Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

    Mankind? That is an abstraction. There have always been and always will be only individuals. ― Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

    National Gallery of Art - Ices-cream is exquisite. What a pity it isn't illegal.
          --Voltaire

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    Ices-cream is exquisite. What a pity it isn't illegal. --Voltaire

    United States Botanic Garden - Annual holiday train set

    United States Botanic Garden

    4.6(629 reviews)
    1.3 mi

    As a self-professed plant geek, I enjoyed my trip to the US Botanical Garden. They have curated an…read moreimpressive number of specimens, sorted by biome. While it is smaller than you might imagine, there is a nice indoor area with tropical, desert, Mediterranean, and other climates. I am a collector of Tillandsia species, and they had some nice ones in the tropical areas. Probably worth a few trips at different times of year to see the different blooms, etc. Free, like most DC museums.

    I don't know how I hadn't visited the United States Botanic Garden until last weekend with how much…read moretime I've spent in DC in the last five years, but I hadn't! It's wild - because it's just off the National Mall, and I must have walked by dozens of times. I finally visited last weekend with a friend, and I had a pretty good time. It's free to visit, like a lot of the attractions on the Mall. We spent maybe a half hour to an hour exploring. This botanic garden is contained within two separate sections. The section that is north of Independence Avenue has some outdoor gardens and the conservatory. The section south of Independence Avenue has Bartholdi Fountain and another garden. They are connected, and you do have to cross Independence Avenue to visit both sections. It's not a large botanic garden; I've definitely visited larger. But as it's free, it's a great place to wander if you're in the area. The highlight for was actually the Bartholdi Fountain section. The fountain is beautiful and peaceful, and the Capitol building peaks through in the prettiest way in photos. If you visit lots of botanic gardens, this one might not wow as much as others. But it's yet another place that's worth a visit on the National Mall.

    Photos
    United States Botanic Garden - Botanical Garden main entrance

    Botanical Garden main entrance

    United States Botanic Garden - Orchids

    Orchids

    United States Botanic Garden

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    Milken Center for the Advancement of the American Dream - Word cloud

    Milken Center for the Advancement of the American Dream

    4.8(29 reviews)
    0.3 miDowntown

    I visited the Milken Center for Advancing the American Dream last weekend with my husband, and it…read morewas interesting. So what is it? It's a new museum that opened in the fall of 2025, just steps from the White House and the U.S. Treasury. It touts itself as an interactive museum which highlights the successes of American capitalism, entrepreneurship, and financial and banking institutions. The museum's namesake is Michael Milken, who partly curated and controls the museum. Located in five historic buildings, rumor has it the museum cost $500 million. Exploring the museum, I was conflicted. I love museums, and I think you should keep an open mind and learn what you can everywhere, from anyone, for your whole life. I value curiosity and critical thinking above many other things. However, this is definitely a museum with a point of view, and it's probably good to know that going in. Michael Milken is an American financier mostly known for his role in the development of the market for high-yield bonds (junk bonds), leading to his reputation as the "Junk Bond King," and his conviction and sentence on felony charges for violating securities laws. He was sentenced to 10 years (he served 2) and fined $600 million. He was pardoned by President Trump in 2020 and is considered to be one of the wealthiest people in the world (with an estimated net worth of $6 billion). None of this is to say you can't enjoy or learn from or even love the Milken Center. I just think it's relevant information to know going in as the museum deals with American financial markets and capitalism. I certainly wouldn't recommend taking your most progressive or democratic socialist friends to this museum. The museum is free to visit, but you do need to make an reservation for a timed entry (I'm not sure why, because they were not busy at all on a Sunday afternoon when we visited). There is an add on experience (the Holodeck Experience) which has an associated cost of $15 per person. We probably spent an hour and a half at the museum. You can certainly see where they spent the alleged $500 million. It's shiny and new and has lots of interactive aspects and exhibits. If you're into historical artifacts, this is not the museum for you. (They did have an iron lung, and since I'd only ever seen one other, that was a pretty interesting artifact to see.) This museum is full of videos and holograms and signs (and some art as well) but light on artifacts for sure. We wandered around the museum, not really sure what the highlights were that we shouldn't miss (we ended up missing the hologram gallery that many other reviews mention). Most of the financial floors of the museum weren't of very much interest to me, although I could see how it would be interesting/educational for kids (for example, there was an interactive quiz where you choose how much a young person with their first job should save, spend on trips, etc., and then you see how well they're doing after a bit of time). The highlights of the museum for me were the building itself and the art. The Basil Kincaid quilts are massive and and jaw dropping where they hang over the Tree of Generations. And two art-related exhibits really caught my attention: "Celebrating 250 Years: A Journey Through America with Robert Freimark" (which showcased abstract prints the artist made, each representing one of the 50 states) and "Visualizing Impact" (an exhibit showcasing art made by young artists in grades 6-12 focus on unsung heroes in history). We also did the Holodeck Experience - the add on experience for $15 per person. From their website: "It's more than just a movie--it's an unforgettable multisensory adventure held in a unique 360-degree megapixel environment. You're invited to embark on a new journey in the Perpetual Story Machine by Moment Factory, a mind-bending fusion of technology and imagination. Dive into stories of perseverance, innovation, determination, and mentorship at the breathtaking Kenneth C. Griffin Holodeck Experience. Are you ready to take the leap?" That's vague, but it's a hard experience to describe. I actually think children might enjoy it more than adults, because we found it a little silly (especially the parts where you have to "help" the Machine before the more movie-like part begins). We were alone at the experience, so it there were two staff members for the two of us. I did learn about three very different and interesting American experiences, but ultimately I found it a bit cheesy. The Milken Center is free, so I encourage anyone with some spare time to check it out for themselves. But it's not the museum for me. Some of the smaller art exhibits caught my eye, but the majority of the museum felt a bit off to me. Maybe I'm just not into these newer "museums" without artifacts. More like immersive experiences with informational signs. I doubt I'll be back, but you might get more out of it or enjoy more than I did. Who knows?

    Heart this museum that use to be the Riggs National Bank built in 1899 and is also known as the…read morepresidents bank of which over half of the U.S. presidents use to bank. It's steps from the White House and U.S. Treasury. Heart the interactive museum that celebrates the successes of entrepreneurs and the opportunities, innovation and statements and videos of personal achievements. The museum has photos, original documents from the past history of the bank, and two original bank vaults. The tree of generations greets you as you enter the main floor and is interactive, so you and your family can post instantly your digital pic. I recommend this museum to everyone and you'll feel inspired & motivated after visiting this new museum.

    Photos
    Milken Center for the Advancement of the American Dream - So pretty!

    So pretty!

    Milken Center for the Advancement of the American Dream - Holodeck

    Holodeck

    Milken Center for the Advancement of the American Dream

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    International Spy Museum - Plastic tank, exhibit on the "Ghost Army" of WW2

    International Spy Museum

    3.6(1.3k reviews)
    1.3 mi

    I didn't know there was a spy museum in DC. Perhaps I should have. Because the museum is amazing. A…read moresprawling history of espionage and intrigue that spans centuries, captured within this four-story, futuristic building that has a feel of the Soviet Bloc at the same time. From our hotel on the Wharf, it's about a 10-minute walk. I suggest prepaying for your passes, especially for timed entry, so you won't have to wait in line if there's a rush. Once you scan your passes, you'll receive an ID card, which you insert into a slot on one of the dashboards when you reach the fourth floor from the elevators. That card gives you your identity and cover as part of your mission while you go through the exhibit hall, examining the history of espionage. Overall, the museum is incredibly interactive, with face-swapping disguise stations, cipher devices, and simulated covert operations that keep you engaged. Beyond the interactive elements, the museum houses the world's largest public collection of international espionage artifacts, spanning from ancient times to modern cyber warfare. It highlights underrepresented figures in espionage history, such as female agents, wartime codebreakers, and civilian informants. The highlight of the exhibit is the recreated "Spy Hotel" room, an immersive exhibit that transports visitors directly into Cold War-era East Berlin and details the pervasive surveillance methods used by the Stasi (East Germany's Ministry for State Security). The exhibit recreates a typical East Berlin hotel room to show how everyday domestic objects were converted into tools for monitoring guests. The museum illustrates how audio bugs and hidden pinhole lenses were integrated into routine furniture--such as wall sconces, clock radios, bedside lamps, coat hooks, and picture frames. We saw how the Stasi used hidden bugs and covert recording devices systematically during their stays behind the Iron Curtain. The museum does a great job balancing real historic operations and intelligence failures with the fictional pop-culture excitement we have seen in the 007 films, showcasing film memorabilia, cinematic gadgets, and commentary from actual intelligence veterans. If you are from the DC area or visiting, the International Spy Museum is a must to check-out.

    Just call their customer service # is you need to make ticket adjustments. I did, since I needed an…read moreextra hour to get there L'efant Metro takes you to the museum. You go through a food court. Follow the signs to the museum, and you'll end up right behind the museum Timed entry. Took us about 2+ hours to get thru the entire museum Pretty cool to see all of the spy information Also, less than a 10 minute walk to The Wharf

    Photos
    International Spy Museum - Cool store full of gadgets for your next mission

    Cool store full of gadgets for your next mission

    International Spy Museum - Espionage oopsies

    Espionage oopsies

    International Spy Museum - James Bond exhibit

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    James Bond exhibit

    The Mansion On O Street - Hotel bedroom

    The Mansion On O Street

    3.8(449 reviews)
    1.0 miDupont Circle, Downtown
    $$$

    So much history here - so be sure to embrace that part of the mansion!…read more Otherwise, I've always just approached the mansion as a cool, quirky, fun house of stimulation. Every inch and every corner is pretty much covered with something interesting to look at. In terms of a fun house vibe, you can definitely get lost and explore the mansion for hours. But at some point, I usually adjust my lens a bit a realize that it's just a really extension collection of flea market and estate sale items that have been arranged in an way to make it interesting (it even smells like it, in a moth ball-like way!) Either way, I would recommend everyone to experience it at least once if you have a free afternoon and time to kill. It's definitely a one of a kind experience!

    O Museum - O Street, Washington DC…read more I was a judicial fellow at the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, and arrived at the DOT office complex in L'Enfant Plaza, Washington, D.C., for my first day of orientation. It was early on Tuesday morning, September 11, 2001, and while I had been in Washington many times in my work as an administrative law judge, this was my first time meeting my contacts at NHTSA. The world now recognizes the losses sustained on that day, in New York and at the Pentagon (and on United Airlines Flight 93), but at 8:30 in the morning at NHTSA's headquarters in D.C. our world was rapidly aging amidst the tragedy. My contact at NHTSA had family members he needed to get to, and he left me to my own devices. As transport systems turned into gridlock, I left the building intending to walk to my hotel in Georgetown. I had the day to explore. All the Smithsonian museums were locked down, as were most businesses. I had no agenda other than experiencing what D.C. was like during the turmoil of 9/11. I walked from L'Enfant Plaza to Dupont Circle, hoping to have lunch at my favorite restaurant, Johnny's Half Shell. In the process, in a long wandering exploration of the District, I happened upon O Street, not far from the Dupont Circle Metro station. During the walk I passed a string of brownstone residences on O Street between 20th and 21st Streets. While my memory has faded over time, I recall walking past curious bronze sculptures of the White Rabbit, Alice, the Mad Hatter, and the Cheshire Cat, ensconced in abundant greenery that seemed to fill the streetside frontages of four or five of the brownstones. Last week I found out that what I walked past that day 25 years ago was the O Museum in the Mansion, named after the mansion's street location. It's a venue that evokes a rich historical heritage that runs the spectrum from the lives of the rich and famous to the lives of courageous civil rights activists who created cultural change in our nation's capital. I learned the museum was opened in 1980 by its founder, H.H. Leonards Spero, and is housed in a mansion that now includes a boutique hotel with themed rooms. Their "Night at the Museum" tour offers an immersive overnight experience with extended access to the museum and its collection. Also known as The Secret Door Museum, there are over one hundred themed rooms, over eighty secret doors, and thousands of artifacts spanning art, music, sports, history, and American pop culture. I stopped by the display case that housed signed guitars from Bruce Springsteen and Bob Dylan and saw museum rooms packed with memorabilia from folk and jazz eras, and the early days of the Beatles. Nostalgia and history reign and the displays include important artifacts relating to the civil rights era in the United States, with prominent attention given to the inspired work of Rosa Parks and other civil rights mentors. The Museum features a bar, modern restrooms, an elevator, and secret doors throughout. Reservations are recommended, but I walked in without any wait (on a weekday in February 2026). Remarkably, most of the contents - probably counting in the thousands - are for sale. (So, we're on notice by the Museum's docents: if you break it, you buy it.) I found the Museum's staff to be friendly, well-informed, and exceptionally enthusiastic about their work. I learned there are limited-time themed events, such as the Secret Door Experience ($33), a Champagne Tour ($62.50), a Secret Portal Hunt & Tour ($45.95), a Secret Gardens of Asia celebrating cherry blossoms ($50), a Mother's Day Secret Door & Champagne Tour ($54.50), a Night at the Museum overnight package ($550.77) and a host of events celebrating the life and work of Rosa Parks and other civil rights leaders. This may well be one of the most curiosity-inspiring venues anywhere in the world. And good luck finding the secret doors!

    Photos
    The Mansion On O Street - Rosa Park Room

    Rosa Park Room

    The Mansion On O Street - From the secret Halloween room if you can find it! I dare you to in and make a noise...

    From the secret Halloween room if you can find it! I dare you to in and make a noise...

    The Mansion On O Street - Rosa Parks room.

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    Rosa Parks room.

    Planet Word Museum - museums - Updated August 2026

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