Planet Word Museum in Washington, DC: A Complete Visitor Guide

Updated July 7, 2026

Looking for one of the most unique museums in Washington, DC? Planet Word is the world’s first voice-activated museum dedicated to language. Through interactive exhibits, immersive galleries, and hands-on games, it celebrates the power of words in a way that appeals to visitors of all ages. Whether you’re planning your first trip to the nation’s capital or searching for an off-the-beaten-path attraction, Planet Word deserves a place on your itinerary.

I wasn’t quite sure what to expect before my first visit, but within minutes I found myself laughing, speaking, singing, and interacting with exhibits that brought language to life. It quickly became one of the most fun museums I’ve visited in Washington, DC.

What Is Planet Word?

Planet Word Museum opened on October 22, 2020. The museum is located in the historic Franklin School. A 2025 Tripadvisor Travelers’ Choice Award winner, Planet Word is the only museum in the country dedicated to renewing and inspiring a love of words and language. 

Planet Word is an interactive museum dedicated to the power of language. It uses voice recognition, digital technology, and immersive exhibits to explore how we speak, read, write, and communicate. Visitors can sing karaoke, deliver famous speeches, solve word puzzles, and discover how language shapes our daily lives.

Interactive Museum

Unlike many traditional museums, Planet Word encourages you to participate rather than simply observe. Every gallery invites you to speak, listen, or interact with the exhibits, making it one of the most engaging museums in Washington, DC for adults, children, and anyone who loves words.

“The museum where language comes to life” is the slogan for Planet Word. I felt like a terrestrial on another planet from the moment I crossed the plaza leading up to its front door. Ready for orbiting!

First, I discovered a large metal tree decorated with dangling objects that sits in the center of the plaza. I circled around it several times to view it from different angles. This “Speaking Willow Tree” immediately became my moon rock. As I walked under its branches, I heard whispers in hundreds of languages. (Contemporary artist Rafael Lozano-Hemmer created this sculpture.)

Next, I pushed open the entrance door to enter and glided to the front desk. After I showed my registration, the clerk pointed me to the elevator on my right. Ready for takeoff.

I was momentarily confused when I stepped into the elevator. It appeared I had stepped into a library room. All the walls were covered with books … digital images that is. Books would be the energy that propels my journey through planet Word.

Planet Word: Six Core Values

As an English major, I heartily endorse the museum’s mission. Imagine if I could have encountered a museum dedicated to reading and writing when I was a child. This museum turns into a summer writing camp condensed into a day’s visit.

“Through ten immersive learning galleries, visitors can use their voices to interact and engage with exhibits while hearing from a diverse international cast of leaders, authors, and everyday people who share what language means to them.”

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Fun Planet

You don’t have to be 3, 7, or 13 years old to find this museum fun. From the second I met the cheerful staff who launched me on my trajectory, I knew that I would be climbing high into the clouds.

The museum embraced what I have always known as a writer. Words matter. You want words to swirl around in your mouth as you read aloud a sentence you write. How does it feel on your tongue? What image does it summon? How melodic does a combination of words sound?

My educational tour begins at the “First Words” exhibit. It tells the story of English. The idea is to show how humans learn to speak their first language. This interactive exhibit shows the whole process, from a baby’s first word to a toddler’s stream of words.

Next, I examine the “Where Do Words Come From?” exhibit. Standing 22 feet high, this “wall of words” literally can speak. Watch attendees’ reactions to the talking wall as it shares the story of the English language on my blog’s YouTube channel.

“Planet Word offers unique, participatory, changing, and innovative experiences with language and words.”

Planet Word

Playful World

While I didn’t arrive at Planet Word with a second-grade class or even several children in tow, I absolutely discovered how energizing this place could be. I could spend an entire day exploring the Library. Some of my favorite books in the world can be found here.

But I think my favorite discovery was the Planet Word’s poetry nook. It is hidden behind a wall of books in the library. Imagine touching a button to reveal a secret meditation room. You sit down on a bench alone and start to hear poetry recited.

Closing your eyes, you ponder how these poems summon up feelings inside you. While you might not have the opportunity to hide away in this secret room, it is still a fun place to spend a few minutes during your visit to Planet Word.

“Planet Word engages participants in physical, social, and cognitive play to increase understanding of language.”

Planet Word

Unexpected World

I was caught off guard in almost every room I entered at Planet Word. The architecture of the historic building coupled with the high-tech technology made me feel transported to the World of Words.

Clearly, the founder understood that “Spontaneous learning takes place around every corner.”

Motivational Planet

While I didn’t record myself in the Lend Me Your Ears booth reciting a favorite speech or poem, I can clearly picture an 11-year-old girl reciting Amanda Gorman’s speech at the 2021 Presidential Inauguration. I can also picture a 9-year-old boy delivering President Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address.

Planet Word lets children go on stage by incorporating a sound studio where they can record themselves. The museum’s goal is to “encourage a lifelong interest in words and language.”

Meaningful

If I were a teacher, I would love to bring my students to visit Planet Word. This is a place where they can experience language in person instead of on their tablet. I thought the room where books come alive was both meaningful and symbolic.

As every parent or teacher knows, the hardest job is getting a kid to open a book and read for 15 minutes. If the author is successful in telling a story, the kid will keep reading … long after the minimum reading time set for his homework. The museum’s goal is to help kids achieve: “Planet Word strives to have a measurable impact on literacy outcomes.”

There is no better way to improve a child’s test scores than reading aloud to him or her.

Inclusive Museum

Planet Word is not a museum about American vocabulary or authors. It celebrates the world of literature. “Planet Word strengthens the community by celebrating and valuing all types of linguistic diversity.”

The Glittering Globe is housed in a huge room on the upper floor. Sunlight streams in the long window. People stand near microphones staring back at Planet Word.

The idea of this interactive exhibit is to experience the “awe-inspiring diversity of languages from around the world. Meet speakers and signers from all over the globe, and let them introduce you to what’s unique about their own language.”

Word World

Orbiting Planet World took me out of my life as a business owner and transported me back to my childhood. I was only a second grader when I first began to dream of being a writer. It would take 16 more years of writing in school newspapers, competing in writing contests, and earning my dual degree in English and Journalism to launch me into space as a professional writer.

Planet Word will also help its visitors discover words. In fact, my favorite interactive exhibit was Paint with Words. “Dip your brush into verdant, surreal, or luminous and thrill as you transform the room around you with color, sound, and motion.”

After you finish your tour, be sure to visit Embassy Row, Dupont Circle or Georgetown neighborhoods. This is a great place to immerse yourself in DC’s history and architecture. There are also many great restaurants!

Historic Franklin School

Planet Word is housed in the historic Franklin School. Renowned architect Adolf Cluss designed the Franklin School as the flagship of eight modern urban public school buildings in Washington, D.C. A special section of Planet Word is reserved as a museum dedicated to “Adolf Cluss: Brick Master.” It includes a historic photo of students who attended the school.

“The building served as a model for the modern public school system and offered free education to as many as 900 White boys and girls per year (D.C. schools were segregated at this time).” (Planet Word)

“The building’s 19th-century façade – including a bust of Benjamin Franklin – is an eloquent expression of principles of public education for a democracy in post-Civil America.”

www.Adolf-Cluss.org

Planet Word is a joy to explore. You can almost hear the shouts of children who once milled in the lobby or played on the school grounds at recess. Now it is a place of wonder for children in the greater DMV to explore.

About Planet Word

Ann Friedman is the Founder and CEO of Planet Word. The museum’s auditorium is named after Friedman.

“Planet Word is an immersive language experience located at the historic Franklin School in Washington, D.C. Ideal for all ages, Planet Word is a voice-activated museum (the world’s first!), and our interactive galleries and exhibits bring words and language to life in all sorts of fun ways.”

There is no fee to visit the museum, but reservations are required. As a nonprofit museum offering free admission, Planet Word could not exist without donations. Be generous!

We’re on a mission to share the power, fun, and beauty of language with as many people as possible. Will you help us?

Planet Word

Say YES!

FAQs about Planet Word Museum

Is Planet Word free to visit?

Admission is free, but timed-entry passes are required. Planet Word recommends a donation of $15 per person to support the museum.

How long does it take to visit Planet Word?

Plan 1½ to 2 hours for your visit, depending on how much time you spend with the interactive exhibits.

Where is Planet Word located?

Planet Word is located at 925 13th Street NW, Washington, DC 20005. The main entrance is located on K Street. The nearest Metro stops are McPherson Square and Metro Center.

Is Planet Word good for adults?

YES! Although families will naturally enjoy it, adults interested in language, history, literature, and interactive museums will also find it engaging.

Is Planet Word good for children?

School-age children generally enjoy the hands-on exhibits, although younger children may not appreciate every gallery.

What are the best exhibits at Planet Word?

I particularly enjoyed the speaking galleries, karaoke experience, word puzzles, and immersive interactive displays.

Final Thoughts

Whether you’re a word lover, a history enthusiast, or simply looking for a unique free museum in Washington, DC, Planet Word is well worth a visit. Its interactive exhibits, engaging technology, and beautiful setting inside the historic Franklin School make it unlike any other museum in the city.

I left with a greater appreciation for the power of language and the many ways words connect us through stories, music, humor, and conversation. If you’re planning a Washington, DC itinerary, be sure to add Planet Word to your list. It offers a fun and memorable experience for visitors of all ages and is one of the city’s true hidden gems.