The U.S. government shutdown is affecting thousands of federal workers across the Washington, D.C., area, and it’s also leading some popular museums and sites to close temporarily.
But if you’re visiting D.C., hosting visitors, or simply want to get out of the house, you have options.
Some of D.C.’s biggest draws – the Smithsonian museums and the National Zoo – will stay open through Saturday, Oct. 11. If the government shutdown continues after that date, the Smithsonian’s 21 museums and the zoo will be closed from Sunday, Oct. 12 onward. The Kennedy Center is set to remain open, including for free performances on the Millennium Stage.
Visitors can still walk around open-air memorials, such as the World War II Memorial, although visitor centers may be closed. You can go to the Washington Monument, but rides to the top are suspended during the shutdown. Arlington National Cemetery is open, but the Arlington House and its facilities, including restrooms, are closed.
The D.C. area is also home to many private museums, plus theaters, parks and other attractions that aren’t closed during a shutdown.
Here’s a look at some of the popular attractions closed because of the government shutdown, and good alternative options that are open.
National Gallery of Art
The expansive art museum is closed and programs are canceled until further notice.
Where to go instead: The Phillips Collection in Dupont Circle is offering discounted $10 admission for federal workers who show their ID. Other private D.C. art museums include The Kreeger Museum, the National Museum for Women in the Arts and the Rubell Museum.
If you’re up for a trip to Potomac, Maryland, the Glenstone Museum is free to visit (make sure to get tickets in advance or take the free Ride On bus Route 301 for guaranteed entry).
U.S. Capitol and White House tours
The shutdown means the U.S. Capitol Visitor Center is closed, and tours are called off. White House tours were already on pause due to construction.
Where to go instead: At The People’s House: A White House Experience, you can learn about the Executive Mansion and visit an Oval Office replica. Make reservations in advance. It’s free, but donations are welcome.
The Library of Congress
All Library of Congress buildings are closed, and events such as Live at the Library are canceled “until further notice.”
Where to go instead: Planet Word ($15 suggested donation) is a great museum for language nerds and word-lovers, and it hosts special activities. Also, D.C.’s Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library hosts exhibits and events. The Folger Shakespeare Library also has hands-on activities and exhibits alongside books and manuscripts.
The U.S. Botanic Garden
The U.S. Botanic Garden isn’t expected to reopen until the shutdown is resolved, but its educational programs are still live on YouTube.
Where to go instead: Check out Meadowlark Botanical Gardens ($4-$8) in Vienna, Virginia, or Brookside Gardens (free) in Wheaton, Maryland. In D.C., the walled Bishop’s Garden at the National Cathedral is free to visit, and Dumbarton Oaks ($17.79) is near the tourist hotspots in Georgetown.
U.S. National Arboretum
Friends of the National Arboretum (FONA) says the large nature preserve in Northeast is closed and will reopen once Congress restores funding. FONA visitor events and educational programs are on pause.
Where to go instead: Right in Northeast D.C., you can tour The Franciscan Monastery of the Holy Land and its gardens, or take a walk through Kingman and Heritage Islands, which are run by D.C.
The National Archives
National Archives facilities are closed due to the shutdown.
Where to go instead: For a dose of American Revolution history, check out Anderson House ($6-$12), George Washington’s Mount Vernon (free to $28) and the DAR Museum (free). There’s also the National Museum of American History (open through at least Oct. 11).
The top of the Washington Monument
While you can still go to the Washington Monument (and it’s worth a stop), you can’t go inside or take a ride to the top of the tallest structure in D.C.
Where to go instead: If you’re there for the splendor of national granite monuments to storied leaders, spend extra time at other National Mall sites, including the Martin Luther King, Jr. and Franklin Delano Roosevelt memorials. One of D.C.’s best-kept secrets is the Theodore Roosevelt Memorial, which is accessible from Rosslyn, Virginia.
But if you’re looking for a sky-high view of D.C., try the Tower Climb Tour at the National Cathedral ($65+ and it’s a workout!). The Kennedy Center has lovely views from its terrace and a rooftop restaurant. Rooftop bars are a classic D.C. experience; check out The Watergate’s rooftop bar, Top of the Gate, or VUE Rooftop at the Hotel Washington.
Ford’s Theatre
The Ford’s Theatre Museum and Petersen House are closed during the shutdown.
Where to go instead: The historic site’s Aftermath Exhibits, Atlantic Lobby and Penny Café and Gift Shop are still open. The Congressional Cemetery’s self-guided Presidential Walking Tour has several stops that touch on President Abraham Lincoln’s history, and there’s a Lincoln Assassination Tour set for Oct. 19.
More places to check out
The Go-Go Museum and Cafe shares the story of D.C.’s homegrown music genre. The National Building Museum, the International Spy Museum and United States Holocaust Memorial Museum are major museums. Don’t miss out on museums in Alexandria, Virginia, either!
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