Washington DC - Spy museum or Museum of American History

We just went in January and I was very underwhelmed by the American History museum. It felt dated and most of it just wasn’t interesting to me or our 12 year old son. Didn’t go to the spy museum but heard good things and would definitely choose it over American history especially for kids from what I’ve read.

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Spy Museum ($$$) or Museum of American History (free).

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Hijacking a little.

We will be going soon as well (Next Week).

We have similar aged kids. I was told to bypass those and just stick to the hits.

-Tour US Capitol (Scheduled already)
-National Archives (Declaration of Independence)
-Washington Monument (Tour can take you to the top)

All FREE.

Obviously will see the White House, Lincoln etc... but not looking to waste a ton of time at looking at stuff not many in our group will care for.

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All FREE

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Another much less known FREE gem is the Old Post Office. It operates as the Waldorf but the National park service operates the tower to the top. Great views and not at all crowded. On the way to the tower there is some really cool exhibits lining the hallways. Its worth the time if you have 30-60 mins to kill.

Appreciate the insight.

Looking for all kinds of fun stuff to come across.

American History Museum had more stuff about DEI causes than actual good exhibits. Lots of wasted / unused space.
Instead of good item sitting in storage it should be on exhibit for everyone to see.
Under whelmed is an understatement.

The spy museum was a lot of fun. Of the free museums I like the air and space but both natural and American history are great too.
Though what others said. A lot of space is wasted on dumb stuff in the AHM. With kids I would pick spy museum.

With kids those ages, I would do the Air & Space near Dulles Airport since it has the larger items, but you may not have time for that. Or you can do the Smithsonian Air & Space Museum.

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The Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center near Washington Dulles International Airport is the companion facility to the museum in Washington, D.C. Hundreds of historically significant air- and spacecraft, along with thousands of small artifacts, are on display in an open, hangar-like setting. Other features of the Center include the Donald D. Engen Observation Tower, the Airbus IMAX Theater, and the Mary Baker Engen Restoration Hangar, where visitors can watch museum specialists at work restoring artifacts.

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Admission is free (pay to park), but you have to get to it near Dulles Airport. When we went years ago, I had a rental vehicle.

National Air and Space museum will be enjoyed much more by kids vs. the American History Smithsonian.

Normally we pack sandwhiches and snacks in a backpack and ride in on the metro. Last time I was up we went and ate at a few places in Old Alexandria that were all good. One was a korean noodle type hole in the wall; don't remember the name.

If I was picking 2 museums, I'd stick to the Mall and see Air & Space then Natural History. Both are part of Smithsonian. The original red Smithsonian "castle" is mostly admin space, skip it. There are hop on/off buses that circle the Mall from end to end. For a change of view ride a water taxi LINK Go to Old Town Alexandria, visit Torpedo Factory shops and eat in any large seafood place nearby...very family oriented.
Georgetown is mostly food, booze and shops. Out of the way colonial era house/museum/garden is Dunbarton Oaks LINK
National Zoo is nice. It's part of Smithsonian too.