Visit the KGB Museum… in New York
A KGB museum in New York? It may sound unusual! Yet New York was well known to Soviet secret agents…
This museum has permanently closed. Explore other museums in New York instead!
About the KGB Espionage Museum
- If you love spy novels, the KGB Espionage Museum is for you. Opened in January 2019, it claims to be “the world’s only museum dedicated exclusively to KGB espionage operations”—the Soviet Union’s famous secret service, which operated from 1954 to 1991.
- The museum reveals numerous espionage cases and shows the daily work of Soviet agents, particularly in the United States. The collection contains over 5,000 objects in total.
- This private museum was created by Julius Urbaitis and his daughter Agne Urbaityte, originally from Lithuania. The family is passionate about the Cold War: since 2014, they have converted a former KGB atomic bunker in Kaunas, Lithuania, into a museum. The Lithuanian and New York museums are now connected.
What to See at the KGB Museum in New York
- From the moment you enter, you’ll feel transported to the Soviet Union. A portrait of Lenin stares down at you, and the red flag with its hammer and sickle is everywhere.
- The museum has invested heavily in its design. You might encounter a KGB agent at a desk, and you’ll see various gadgets used by secret agents—hidden cameras disguised as everyday objects like a necktie, belt, or ashtray. My favorite? The lipstick gun, for a smile with real impact.
- Don’t miss the replica of the infamous Bulgarian umbrella, equipped with a retractable poisoned needle. This gadget was actually used: in 1978, dissident writer Georgi Markov was assassinated by a Bulgarian agent armed with this deadly umbrella.
Practical Information
- Address: 245 West 14th Street, between 7th and 8th Avenues. The museum is located in the heart of the Meatpacking District.
- Subway: 14 St station (lines 1, 2, 3, A, C, E, and L).
- Hours: Open daily from 10 am to 8 pm.
- Admission: $22 for adults, $17 for seniors over 65, and $13 for children ages 7–17. Your ticket includes skip-the-line access, so you won’t need to wait at the counter. If you need to cancel your New York trip, you can cancel your ticket free of charge as long as you request it at least 24 hours before your visit.