Strange Attractions in Washington D.C.

Washington D.C. has so many things to see that are probably already on your list. The Smithsonian, Lincoln Memorial, Jefferson Memorial, Washington Memorial, the National Zoo etc. but Washington D.C. also has some attractions that are a little strange, a bit out of the ordinary. Any one of these strange attractions in Washington DC will add a little bit of spice and a little bit of education to your Washington D.C. vacation. Some of the exhibits may not be appropriate for the younger members of the family. They can be a bit hard for the youngest to understand and some can be a bit scary, but everything is fine for pre teens and up.

National Museum of Crime & Punishment
575 7th St. NW
Washington, D.C. 20004

The National Museum of Crime and Punishment is not your normal museum, not by a long shot. Their exhibits include A Notorious History of American Crime where you can Place your head and hands through the pillory and get your picture taken, a Shooting Gallery, a chance to try safe cracking and computer hacking. It also has artifacts from Medieval Times, Colonial America, Depression-Era Criminals and Wild West Outlaws. Other sections include Punishment: The Consequence of Crime, Crime Fighting, CSI Experience and the studio where America's Most Wanted is filmed.

National Museum of Health and Medicine
6900 Georgia Avenue,
Washington, D.C.
Phone: Phone: (202)782-2200

The National Museum of Health and Medicine is another attraction that is very unique to Washington DC. Some of their exhibits include "To Bind Up the Nation's Wounds: Medicine During the Civil War", "Evolution of the Microscope", "Human Body, Human Being", "Battlefield Surgery 101: From the Civil War to Vietnam", "Abraham Lincoln: The Final Casualty of the War", "Blood, Sweat, and Saline: Combat Medicine in the Korean Conflict" and "From a Single Cell," In addition to the permanent exhibits, there are revolving exhibits and special ones as well.

Holy Land of America - Catacombs Replica
1400 Quincy St NE,
Washington, D.C.
Phone:(202)526-6800

The Catacombs are at a Franciscan Monastery and a guide will take you on a tour of a replica of the catacombs of Rome where the early Christians hid to avoid prosecution. You can combine a tour of the catacombs with a tour of the rest of the grounds, which will take about an hour or so. This is definitely a one of a kind experience and you will come away with a new appreciation of what the early Christians had to go through. Admission is free, but the order does exist on donations.