Washington, D.C., is heaven for museum lovers. For everyone else, it’s tempting to focus on the plethora of museums that are free and well-known, such as the Smithsonians. Yet the city also boasts a number of institutions whose admission fees obscure the treasures inside. We’ll explore some of the pricier halls of history.

International Spy Museum

The Spy Museum is one of the District’s best attractions for families, allowing children and adults alike to choose their own undercover identity at the top of the tour. As they walk through the building, ending up at the gift shop on the bottom floor, visitors will learn about spy craft, including how to pick a lock and how to put together a disguise.

The museum is unique in that it covers global espionage, not just that of a single country, as well as the portrayal of spies in movies and literature. A highlight is a model of the Aston Martin DB5 featured in the 1964 James Bond film Goldfinger.