The Newseum - coolest museum in DC

outside the Newseum

Washington, D.C. is full of amazing museums, but the coolest one by far is the Newseum. Now, the reason I love this museum may very well have a lot to do with the fact that it is an entire museum based on the career I am pursuing - news. However, I'm pretty sure it goes beyond that. The Newseum is unique in that it host exhibits on subjects that many of us can actually remember, as opposed to ancient history that we can't really relate to. Also, almost every exhibit incorporates some sort of video or interactive feature that draws in today's audience, who's too lazy to actually stop and read.

The only downside to the Newseum is the price. Yes, there is a price. Unlike most DC museums, the Newseum is NOT free. Adults (age 19-64) pay $21.95; seniors (age 65+), military and students with a valid ID pay $17.95; youth (age 7-18) pay $12.95; and children (6 and younger) are free (though I do not see a reason to bring anyone under the age of 6 to this museum...). The tickets are good for two days though, and you'll probably need both days to thoroughly explore the whole museum. I've gone twice and have used both days both times. It's open daily, 9a.m.-5p.m.

Keep reading, and I'll tell you about my favorite exhibits...

Berlin Wall, west side

Start your visit in the basement. Here you'll find something I didn't even know still existed - a real section of the Berlin Wall. They've also somehow managed to get an actual guard tower from the east side in the museum as well. It's very striking to see the difference between the colorful, graffitied west side of the wall and the barren, desolate east side.

Also in the basement is a gallery of sports photography. Beautiful images here (especially the ones of Michael Jordan!). Just beyond the sports photos is an exhibit on the FBI. Here you'll find the actual wood cabin the unabomber lived in and the car used in the DC sniper attacks, along with exhibits on many other FBI cases, from John Dillinger to Oklahoma City.

After you've finished up with the basement, take the gigantic glass elevator all the way up to the top floor. Here, you'll find my favorite exhibit - Covering Hurricane Katrina. A long hallway depicts the chronology of events through front pages of newspapers from around the world (including one from my own Daily Herald! (see right)). Be sure to step out onto the deck outside this gallery. Some of the best views of DC can be seen here. Back inside, you'll find a very compelling video of news coverage of Katrina. It's made me cry twice. Also, you'll find lots of little things saved from the event, such as a battered camera and doll.

The next exhibit contains historical newspapers, from the very first newspaper to modern day. There's also a fun little exhibit in here about "making fun of the news," which includes a video with clips of Weekend Update from Saturday Night Live, The Daily Show and The Colbert Report. Stephen Colbert's "threatdown" is there too (see left)! Here, you can also find the door to the room in the Watergate Hotel that was broken into during the Watergate scandal.

Next is a giant video screen showing a reel about presidential photography. They've got some pretty cool images in there.

Next is the 9/11 exhibit. It is very simple. The broadcast antenna from the first tower to be hit sits in the center of the exhibit, preserved, but completely mangled and devastated (see right). Surrounding the tower is a timeline of AP alerts that were released throughout the day. A two-story wall displays front pages from the next day from around the wold. A video tells the story of a photographer who lost his life covering the collapse of the two towers. Then in a room off to the side is a video about covering 9/11. Nearly everyone I've seen walk out of this room has tears trickling down their cheeks. This exhibit is very emotional, moving, and well-done.

Next is Tim Russert's office (see left), relocated to the Newseum.

After that is an exhibit on the first amendment... interesting, but not my favorite in the museum.

Following is a video that is updated weekly, maybe daily... frequently, with footage making light of the news. The lighting in here is bad, so it's kind of hard to see, but it's very funny. There are usually clips of shows like The Daily Show, The Colbert Report, Conan, Jimmy Fallon and Jay Leno.

Keep going down and there is a little something for the kids. They can pretend to be broadcast reporters at a station on the second floor. Also, the Newseum shows a "4-D" movie about three important historical journalists - Isaiah Thomas, Nellie Bly and Edward R. Murrow. It's incredibly cheesy, but entertaining. The "4-D" means, in addition to wearing silly 3-D glasses, the seats rock back and forth, air is blown in your face... they try to make you actually feel like you're there.

The last thing you HAVE to see is the Pulitzer Prize-winning photography gallery. The images are outstanding.

Also, the Newseum has a great gift shop. I got a black mug that says "trust me, I'm a reporter" on it, and a wine glass painted with little pink cherry blossoms. There are a lot of good books here too. There is a cafeteria in the basement, but it's pretty expensive.