National Museum of Crime & Punishment

575 Seventh St. NW, Washington, DC 20004 | 202-393-1099

Neighborhood:

Chinatown

Metro:

Gallery Place-Chinatown (Red, Green, Yellow lines)

Hours:

Hours vary.

Quick Take

National Museum of Crime & Punishment

With such exhibits as J. Edgar Hoover’s revolver and Pancho Villa’s death mask, dare we say that missing this spot would be a real, uh, crime?

Read Our Review >>
 
 
 
 
 

Event Calendar

  • 6/20

    Purses With Power

    An event to raise awareness of arthritis with WUSA 9 anchor J.C. Hayward as host, cocktails, a silent auction, free makeovers and more.

  • Through 9/30

    Dogfighting: The Voiceless Victims

    The exhibit, created in partnership with the ASPCA, will focus on the crime of dogfighting and highlight some famous cases.

  • 6/24 - 12/8/14

    Ongoing exhibits:

    Interactive displays show the history of crime, as well as American crime-fighting and punishment.

  • Through 12/12/14

    Prohibition

    In honor of the 80th anniversary of the repeal of Prohibition, the exhibit looks at the creation of the law.

  • Through 12/12/14

    The Bernie Madoff Case

    Features items from the Bernie Madoff fund.
 

Our Review

In a Nutshell:
Developed by the lawyer-businessman behind the WonderWorks amusement parks of Florida and Tennessee in partnership with TV host John Walsh of "America's Most Wanted," the museum aims to illuminate the history and practice of crime-fighting without glorifying criminals while reminding visitors that illegal actions have serious and sometimes painful-looking consequences. Call it "Scared Straight: The Museum."

Cost:
Adults $19.95 in advance, $21.95 at the door; seniors, military and law enforcement (ID required) $16.95 in advance, $19.95 at the door; children $14.95, free for age 4 and younger.

Ideal Visitor:
Anyone considering a career in law enforcement ... or crime.

Average Length of Visit:
2-1/2 to 3-1/2 hours.

Bang for Your Buck:
4-1/2 stars (out of 5).
Definitely worth a visit.

By Michael O'Sullivan

Have a plan:
Purchase tickets at least a week in advance if you’re visiting in April through August, the museum’s busiest months. For insider scoops, sign up for an audio tour. Another good idea: Visit the set of the television show “America’s Most Wanted,” which has been filmed at the museum since it opened in 2008. A 45-minute guided tour is Saturdays at noon ($10 with admission, $12 without).

Insider tip:
See if you’ve got what it takes to be a forensic investigator, and sign up in advance for the museum’s CSI Lab Workshops. The hour-long sessions, which are usually on Saturdays and Sundays, cover such topics as DNA and body decomposition ($5 with admission).

By Kris Coronado

Updated April 25, 2012

 
 
 
 
 

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National Museum of Crime & Punishment
575 Seventh St. NW
Washington, DC 20004
202-393-1099

 
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