When will Smithsonian museums, National Zoo and other DC sites reopen after shutdown?

The Smithsonian museums and National Zoo are set to reopen within days after the longest government shutdown in U.S. history comes to an end.

The National Museum of American History, the National Air and Space Museum, and the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center will welcome back visitors on Friday, Nov. 14.

The National Zoo is set to reopen on Saturday, Nov. 15.

All other museums and research centers will reopen by Monday, Nov. 17. They will reopen on a rolling basis. Information is expected to be posted on the Smithsonian’s website.

All the Smithsonian properties are closed Thursday.

Other museums affected by the shutdown are also scheduled to reopen.

• The U.S. Botanic Garden was set to open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Thursday, then continue regular hours.
• The Library of Congress reopened buildings to the public, researchers and staff on Thursday.
• The National Gallery of Art’s West Building and Sculpture Garden will reopen Friday. The full campus, including the East Building, will reopen beginning Saturday, Nov. 15.

In the meantime, D.C. visitors can also visit private museums, including the National Museum of Women in the Arts and Planet Word, that were not affected by the shutdown. Here’s a look at what’s closed and where to go instead.

The Smithsonian museums and National Zoo closed on Oct. 11, after the Smithsonian Institution said it was using prior-year funds to remain open for the first 11 days of the shutdown.

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The Smithsonian Institution says it’s the world’s largest museum, education, and research complex and is 62% federally funded. Because it’s part of the federal government, it closed to the public during the shutdown and its employees were not paid. However, the animals at the National Zoo and its center in Front Royal, Virginia, were still cared for.

“A shutdown will not affect our commitment to the safety of our staff and standard of excellence in animal care,” the zoo said.

What about other sites in D.C.?

The National Archives said it’s working to restore full operations as quickly as possible.

“Our facilities around the country, including the Presidential libraries, will open to the public as soon as they are ready,” the Archives’ website said.

National Parks, including the National Mall and its open-air memorials, were still accessible during the shutdown. However, we’re still waiting to hear when visitors can resume trips to the top of the Washington Monument.

We’re also waiting on an update from the U.S. National Arboretum.

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