ARLINGTON. The use of illegal drugs in America has long been a difficult problem, and this museum delves into the ways drugs have infiltrated our country, and the actions that have been taken to stem the tide. At the DEA Museum, the first of its kind in the US, see a recreated crackhouse, learn about the common over-the-counter drugs that once contained heroin and cocaine, and find out more about the diverse groups of people who have relied on illegal drugs for escape. Chronological exhibits examine time periods stretching back to the 1850s and leading up to today. Retired DEA agents serve as knowledgeable and interesting guides. METRO: Pentagon City

ALEXANDRIA. Learn about firefighting through the years at this museum, which began as a Fire Company in the late 18th century. See the items colonials used to fight fires, such as leather water buckets, hoses and engine-less fire engines, and learn about the development of the latest technology. A large section is devoted to the uniforms and capes worn by early firefighters. METRO: King Street

DOWNTOWN. The Building Museum offers a wide array of exhibits covering architecture, construction and engineering, but the biggest draw here may be the architecture of the facility itself. The Great Hall is the essence of Italian Renaissance splendor, with massive columns, a dramatic fountain, and an ornate ceiling soaring 15 stories high. A 1200-foot terra cotta frieze decorates the exterior. Inside, learn about design through interactive exhibits, or see temporary exhibitions focusing on the development of ghettos, factories, parks, roads and more. A must for the architecture buff or the casual observer. METRO: Judiciary Square.

DOWNTOWN. At the marble-and-glass headquarters of the National Geographic Society, this museum delves into archaeology and exploration of land and sea. The interactive Geographica exhibit is a highlight, allowing visitors to learn about primitive man, undersea life and the solar system. The 34-foot globe is said to be the largest in the world, and in the surrounding amphitheater, the Earth Station One show simulates space flight via high-tech special effects. METRO: Farragut North

TAKOMA PARK. If you would like to see Paul Revere's dental tools, surgical tools from as far back as the 1600s, or examine the bullet that took the life of Abraham Lincoln, you can find all of that and more at the National Museum of Health and Medicine. The oldest facility of its kind, this museum's collection began during the Civil War and shows the development of medicine and surgery over the years. METRO: Takoma Park, then Metrobus K2