A shutdown traveler’s guide for open attractions, tours and hidden gems while Smithsonian museums and other top attractions are closed.
Even during a government shutdown, DC stays wide open for exploration. With the Smithsonian museums, the National Gallery of Art and other attractions temporarily closed, the city continues to shine, from hidden gems and guided tours to neighborhood museums and outdoor adventures. So if you’re traveling here now, don’t worry. In fact, one lining of a shutdown: these awesome alternatives might be less crowded.
Plan your full visit with our What’s Open guide, learn what to know about a shutdown and explore one-of-a-kind events happening all month long.
For History Buffs & Civic Explorers
Looking for the National Archives? Try Planet Word Museum
The Constitution and Declaration may be off-limits for now, but Planet Word brings the power of language and communication to life in interactive ways. This museum – built in the historic Franklin School in which Alexander Graham Bell made his first successful photophone message – lets you step inside immersive galleries that spark creativity and curiosity about how words shape our world.
Free admission; Advance passes required
925 13th Street NW, Washington, DC 20005
Looking for the Washington Monument? Try George Washington’s Mount Vernon
The elevator and observation deck at the Washington Monument may be closed, but you can still get your GW fix at George Washington’s Mount Vernon in Virginia. Tour the first president’s riverside estate, walk through his mansion and gardens and see rare artifacts (the key to the Bastille!) that bring his legacy to life. If that’s not enough, the beautiful views of the Potomac are also stunning.
Tickets
3200 Mount Vernon Memorial Highway, Mount Vernon, VA 22121
Looking for the Library of Congress? Try the DC History Center
Step inside another iconic library, the Carnegie Library at Mt. Vernon Square. Home to the DC History Center, the space chronicles the story of Washington through maps, photographs and unique exhibits. It’s a great stand-in for those who love historic architecture and research, and it’s always free to visit. Adding to the allure: the space is shared with an Apple Store, which also has free workshops and other programming.
Free admission
801 K St NW, Washington, DC 20001
Looking for Arlington House? Try Arlington National Cemetery
The National Park Service-run Robert E. Lee Memorial at Arlington House is closed, however the rest of the on-site grounds of Arlington National Cemetery remain open. Join an ANC tour or simply pause for reflection at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and the John F. Kennedy Eternal Flame.
Free admission; ANC tour tickets
1 Memorial Avenue, Arlington, Virginia 22211
Looking for the Frederick Douglass National Historic Site? Try the African American Civil War Memorial
Although Douglass’s home is closed, you can honor DC and America’s Black history and resilience at the African American Civil War Memorial on U Street. It commemorates more than 200,000 Black soldiers who served in the Union Army, a powerful and free tribute to the fight for freedom. Good to know: The museum will reopen on Nov. 11.
Free
1925 Vermont Ave NW, Washington, DC 20001
Looking for a White House Tour? Try the People’s House
Whether there’s a shutdown going on or not, access to the White House is tough to come by. But luckily for visitors, the People’s House offers the perfect way to experience the White House, echoing each current president’s decor, but with even better access, like your own Oval Office photo-op. Good to know: You can score the latest White House Christmas Ornament from the gift shop.
Free timed-entry passes
1700 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20006
@epiclifeimages
Looking for a U.S. Capitol Tour? Try the Supreme Court
While many visitors are eager to experience the legislative branch of government, the Supreme Court carries on, even during a shutdown. The building remains open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., for self-guided visits, however some court proceedings may limit access to the building. Check out Today at the Court’s schedule to visit. You might just be able to see the Court Chamber when sessions aren’t in progress and view exhibits on Supreme Court history and Justices.
Free to visit, check schedule for availability
1 First Street, NE Washington, DC 20543
For Arts & Culture Lovers
Looking for the National Gallery of Art? Try the Phillips Collection
Said to be the nation’s oldest modern art museum, The Phillips Collection in Dupont Circle offers intimate galleries filled with works by Renoir, Van Gogh, Jacob Lawrence and Rothko. This privately run museum lets you experience masterpieces without the crowds and stays open during the shutdown. Good to know: The museum offers free admission on first Thursdays.
Reserve timed tickets
1600 21st Street NW, Washington, DC 20010
Looking for the Hirshhorn Museum? Try the Rubell Museum DC
In a former school near the Southwest Waterfront, Rubell Museum DC celebrates bold contemporary art by emerging and established artists. Its rotating exhibits bring the energy of Miami’s famed Rubell Collection to the District. Admission is pay what you can on Wednesday through Friday, and on weekends is $15 for adults, $12 for seniors and $10 for students and youths. DC residents with IDs get in for free.
On-site tickets required on weekends
65 I St. SW Washington, DC 20024
Looking for the National Museum of Asian Art? Try the Freer Gallery Collection at The Kreeger Museum
The Smithsonian’s Asian Art museum on the National Mall is closed, but the in Northwest DC hosts a beautiful blend of Asian, African and European art inside a stunning modernist home, part of the Kreeger Museum. Its gardens and architecture alone make it worth the trip.
Advance tickets and reservations
2401 Foxhall Road NW, Washington DC 20007
Looking for the Renwick Gallery? Try The DAR Museum
The Daughters of the American Revolution Museum, just a short walk from the White House, features historic decorative arts and period rooms that let you step into America’s past. Better yet, it’s free to visit. Open every day of the week except for Sundays.
Free
1776 D Street NW, Washington, DC 20006
Looking for the National Museum of African Art? Try the National Museum of Women in the Arts
Recently reopened after a major renovation, NMWA is the world’s only major museum solely dedicated to women artists. It celebrates global voices often missing from mainstream museums, and it’s free on the first Sunday and second Wednesday each month. Good to know: There’s a Frida Kahlo self-portrait
Tickets
1250 New York Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20005
For Families & Curious Minds
Looking for the National Museum of Natural History? Try Hillwood Estate, Museum & Gardens
You may miss the Hope diamond and other glitzy gemstones, but you can still see sparkle and splendor at Hillwood Estate, where Post Cereal heiress Marjorie Merriwether Post’s collection of Fabergé eggs and jewels dazzles visitors. The surrounding gardens are perfect for a family stroll and photo-op. Closed Mondays.
Tickets
4155 Linnean Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
Looking for the Pentagon or a Military Museum? Try the International Spy Museum
If you’re curious about the history of espionage, then check out the high-tech, interactive exhibits at the International Spy Museum in L’Enfant Plaza. It’s a modern, gadget-filled museum where you can see real-life spy planes, satellites and code-breaking devices – plus test your own spy skills. Fun fact: the nation’s first documented spy is memorialized in a recruiting letter from George Washington.
Tickets
700 L'Enfant Plaza, SW Washington DC 20024
Looking for Hands-On Science Experiences? Try the National Children’s Museum and the National Building Museum
Part play space, part STEM hub, the National Children’s Museum blends learning and fun for kids of all ages with interactive exhibits about innovation, design and the natural world. The National Building Museum features special programming, including storytime and builder-forward hands-on workshops, plus an impressive LEGO exhibition called Brick City.
National Children’s Museum Tickets ($19)
National Building Museum Tickets ($7-$10)
Looking for the National Zoo? Try The National Aquarium
If the zoo is closed, the National Aquarium in nearby Baltimore is still making a splash. It’s a short trip away and offers incredible marine life from sharks to sea turtles — a worthy day trip for families seeking an animal adventure.
For Scenic Views & Outdoor Adventures
Looking for the U.S. Botanic Garden? Try the Franciscan Monastery of the Holy Land in America
Step into peaceful gardens and flower-filled courtyards at the Franciscan Monastery in Brookland, where the grounds and replica shrines offer tranquil beauty and meditative paths, and they’re free to explore.
Free
1400 Quincy Street NE, Washington, DC 20017 United States
Looking for the View atop the Old Post Office Tower? Try The Capital Wheel at National Harbor
Soar 180 feet above the Potomac on The Capital Wheel, a colorful Ferris wheel with glass-enclosed gondolas. From the top, you’ll see the Washington Monument, the Capitol and beyond – proof that you can still get that signature DC view.
Tickets
141 American Way, National Harbor, MD 20745
For Tour Lovers & Unique Experiences
Looking for Ranger-Led National Mall Tours? Try DC by Foot, Big Bus Tours and Unlimited Biking
Even without National Park Service guides, you can discover DC’s stories with local experts. DC by Foot offers pay-what-you-like walking tours, and Big Bus Tours lets you hop on and off at your own pace to see monuments and memorials.
DC Design Tours
Looking for Insider Access? Try Black Broadway Travel, Fiat Luxe Tours and DC Design Tours
For a personalized experience, book a private guided tour with a local operator like historian Briana Thomas of Black Broadway Travel, which will take you back in time to when U Street was a center of Black arts and excellence, predating the Harlem Renaissance. Fiat Luxe Tours can curate custom routes through neighborhoods and historic sites you won’t find anywhere else. DC Design Tours will guide you through Embassy Row, Georgetown, Capitol Hill and other neighborhoods, pulling out unique design angles.
Looking for museum-backed cultural cuisine, like Mitsitam Café’s native foods or Sweet Home Café’s African American cooking? Try Blue Fern Travel Food Tours or Underground Donut Tour
Taste the stories of America through DC’s diverse neighborhoods. Check out Blue Fern Travel food tours, or tap into the Black Broadway Tour from Ben’s Chili Bowl for a half-smoke, DC’s take on a hot dog. Other options: try the Little Ethiopia Food Tour, Underground Donut Tour or Tea Around Town.
Find the latest information on What’s Open Now during the government shutdown, and discover even more ways to make the most of a trip to DC.
