The Spy Museum is located in the heart of L'Enfant Plaza, just south of the Smithsonian Castle on the National Mall and directly across from the United States Postal Service Headquarters in Southwest Washington, DC.
The International Spy Museum's address is 700 L'Enfant Plaza, SW Washington, DC 20024.
The Spy Museum can be easily accessed via: metro/train, bus, bike, car, or rideshare.
Metro / Train
Please note there will be limited Orange, Blue, and Silver line service to the L'Enfant Metro Station 12/20 - 12/30/24. Please see here for more details.
The closest Metro station is L'Enfant Plaza (Green, Yellow, Orange, Blue, and Silver lines).
L’Enfant Plaza Metro has multiple exits. The closest exit to the Spy Museum is Exit C, the 9th St and L’Enfant Plaza exit.
The only ADA Accessible exit with an elevator is Exit A, the 7th St and Maryland Av exit.
Directions from Metro Exit C, 9th St and L’Enfant Plaza Exit:
Proceed to the L’Enfant Plaza Mall Concourse, take the L'Enfant Plaza Exit up the escalator to enter the L’Enfant Plaza food court. Enter the glass doors straight ahead to access the food court.
At the first hallway, when you reach Potbelly, make a right at first open hallway.
Continue straight until you reach the Jamba Juice stand. You will see a large flight of stairs in front of you. Take the stairs up to the ground level and exit through the glass doors to your left once you reach the top. You have reached the back side of the Museum. Walk towards 10th street, SW to access the Museum's main lobby doors.
If an elevator is preferred, one is located in front of the Jamba Juice. Take it to the Plaza level. The Museum will be directly behind you when you exit from the elevator vestibule.
Directions from Metro Exit A, the 7th St and Maryland Av Exit:
For wheelchair accessible access, exit the L’Enfant Plaza station via the “elevator to street”, which brings you to the intersection of 7th & C Street.
Turn left as you exit the Metrorail elevator, heading north towards Independence Avenue SW and the National Mall.
Turn left onto Independence Avenue SW. You will be heading west and walk past the Hirshhorn Museum and the Smithsonian Arts and Industries Building.
Turn left onto L’Enfant Plaza SW, heading south.
The Spy Museum will be on your left.
If using google maps, make sure to filter results with the "wheelchair accessible" option, if needed.
Note: If you take this route you can also pick up the free Southwest Shuttle at its 7th street stop, directly across the street from the metro elevator you exit. Take the shuttle two stops to L’Enfant Plaza and you will get off across the street from SPY.
There will be no Red Line service between Glenmont and Takoma starting June 1 through August 31, 2024. Please note: the Red Line will be closed between Fort Totten and Takoma June 1-29, 2024.
Important Service Information:
June 1 – June 29, 2024
• Free shuttle buses replace trains between Glenmont and Takoma
• Stations closed: Glenmont, Wheaton, Forest Glen, Silver Spring, Takoma
June 30 – Aug. 31, 2024
• Free shuttle buses replace trains between Glenmont and Silver Spring
• Stations closed: Glenmont, Wheaton, Forest Glen, and Silver Spring
• Takoma Station reopens. Customers traveling between the closed stations and Takoma should use the local shuttle bus, or the Red Line via Fort Totten.
More information about the work can be found online at wmata.com/majorconstruction.
Bus
Metrobus stops are located on Independence Avenue, SW, and along 7th Street, SW. Visit the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority website for more information.
Free Southwest Shuttle
A free neighborhood shuttle bus makes regular stops at the Museum, the mall, and the wharf, offering a convenient way to explore the local area. The shuttle is wheelchair accessible.
Driving Directions
Uber/Lyft/Taxi:
- Please be aware that the Museum is on the upper/ground level. If your route takes you through the underground portion of L'Enfant Plaza, SW, be sure to stay in the left-hand lane and take the ramp to the upper level toward L'Enfant Plaza/Banneker Circle.
From the West:
- I-395N
- Take Exit 4 toward SW/Waterfront/Nationals Park/Maine Ave.
- Turn right onto L’Enfant Plaza, SW
From the North:
- Travel south on 9th street
- Travel through the 9th street tunnel
- Once on the south side of the tunnel take a right at the stop sign onto L’Enfant Plaza, SW
From the North East:
- 50 W/New York Ave to I-395 S
- Use the second from right lane to take exit 5 for 7th street Southwest/L’Enfant Promenade
- Merge onto Frontage Road, SW
- Turn right onto 10th Street, SW
From the South East:
- I-295N to I-695
- Use the right lane to merge onto I-395 S
- Use the second from right lane to take exit 5 for 7th street Southwest/L’Enfant Promenade
- Merge onto Frontage Road, SW
- Turn right onto 10th Street, SW
Parking
Garage Parking
- Garage Parking is available at the L'Enfant Plaza Garage*.
- Please note, the garage has limited spaces for large vehicles that are over 6 feet high. Other garages in the area, including the Wharf’s parking complex, can accommodate large vehicles. SPY only validates tickets from the L’Enfant Plaza Garage.
- Address to L’Enfant Plaza Garage: 420 10th Street SW Washington, DC 20024
You may validate your parking ticket at SPY for a 20% discount. Parking validation is available only during the Museum's regular business hours.
Note: Discounts not available for online parking reservations. Guests using SPY parking validation will pay upon leaving the garage. Please note that parking is limited. If you would still like to reserve a parking spot, you may with Ace Parking Online Reservations.
TO VALIDATE PARKING, present your same-day ticket at the Spy Store checkout counter.
*Note: The L’Enfant Plaza Garage is not part of the Spy Museum.
To access the L'Enfant Plaza Garage from the International Spy Museum main entry:
- Take the ramp going south on upper 10th street. It will take you underground to lower 10th street.
- Once underground, make a U-turn to access northbound lower 10th. Follow signs that say "To All Parking Areas."
- The Parking Garage entrance will be on your right.
- ACE parking staff will have you park close to the elevator for the south 490 L’Enfant Plaza building
Once you have entered the garage, you may park on level G2 (red) or G1 (blue). Park in the Zone B of either level (lettered zones are noted on the columns and walls of the garage).
To find the International Spy Museum from the parking garage:
- Enter Building 490 Elevator lobby.
- Take an elevator to the “Plaza” level.
- Exit the building to your left for street access. You will see the back (east side) of the Spy Museum building upon exit.
- Walk on the left (south) side of the Museum and around the corner to reach the Museum's main lobby entry. The main entrance is on 10th street.
Street Parking
- Street parking is limited, please read signs carefully for parking hours, permit restrictions, and tour bus parking. *Note: General Street parking Is FREE in DC on Sundays and National Holidays.
Valet Parking
- Valet Parking is available at the Hilton Washington DC National Mall, located just behind the Museum. For inquiries and directions, please call 202-484-1000. Maximum allowable vehicle height is 6’.
Accessibile Parking
- The District of Columbia allows extended parking at any meter, along with specific "red-topped" handicapped parking meters (the closest red-topped meter is located on 10th Street, SW, south bound lane close to Independence Avenue). Metered parking is available on 10th Street, SW, near the Museum. The Ace L'Enfant Plaza parking garage also has handicapped parking.
Cycling
There are six bicycle stands in front of the Museum, three in front of the Spy Museum Store entrance, and three at the main entrance to the Museum.
There is a Capital Bike Share stop one minute’s walk from the Museum on 10th St & L'Enfant Plaza SW.
