Entry No. 32 — the Washington, D.C. file — filed under: codebreaking

National Cryptologic Museum

Run by the NSA two blocks from its own headquarters, the museum lets visitors put their hands on two working WWII Enigma machines and stand next to the Navy Bombe built to crack them, alongside a decommissioned Cray Y-MP supercomputer and Cold War reconnaissance aircraft parked outside in National Vigilance Park.

The move: Go during the free Tuesday–Friday window, work the hands-on Enigma machines yourselves, then walk out to National Vigilance Park to inspect the reconnaissance planes before driving past Fort Meade's perimeter fence on the way out.

• 📍 Annapolis Junction, MD (Fort Meade)
• 💸 $
• ⚡ Up for anything
• 🌗 Indoors

Where: 8290 Colony Seven Road, Annapolis Junction, MD 20701

Hours: Added 2026-07-19 — confirm current hours before you go.

⚠ Seasonal or scheduled — always check before you go.

Plan a visit & invite your people →

Further reading: Wikipedia · Official site

last checked: 2026-07-19