American Art Museum/ Portrait Gallery
Maybe it’s the location – removed from the National Mall – but the Smithsonian American Art Museum and the National Portrait Gallery (two great museums, same building) never seem to get their due. Fortunately, that makes it one of the less-crowded Smithsonian buildings and an extremely convenient place to kill some time before a movie at Regal Gallery Place Stadium. The National Portrait Gallery is currently featuring an exhibition on the changing faces of Abraham Lincoln, while the American Art Museum is gearing up for its Frank Gohlke photography exhibition, beginning Dec. 5.
International Spy Museum
OK, so as spoiled frequenters of the Smithsonian, we find it difficult to shell out cash for any museum in Washington. But if you haven’t been to the International Spy Museum, there are far worse ways to blow $18. The museum offers a pretty impressive display of pop history, detailing the evolution of espionage with a heavy emphasis on the Cold War. In contrast to the more serious art and history museums around the city, the Spy Museum takes the flashier, more media-savvy approach – there are plenty of videos and hands-on features, and it’s all pretty friendly to kids, or perhaps your inner-kid.
