The National Mall appeared sparse Saturday during the second weekend of the partial government shutdown. News4’s Darcy Spencer reports.
What to Know
- Many of the free tourist attractions around Washington, D.C. will remain open during the government shutdown
- However, the Smithsonian museums and the National Zoo are now closed until funding is appropriated
- The current shutdown began Dec. 22, when the Senate and House adjourned without a budget deal
The Smithsonian museums, the National Zoo and National Gallery are among an extensive list of closures due to the partial government shutdown.
The National Gallery of Art was the last holdout before announcing its shutdown Thursday morning.
"During the partial federal government shutdown, the offices and all premises of the National Gallery of Art and its Sculpture Garden are closed to the public, and all programs are canceled," read a message posted on the gallery's website.
No online transactions, including purchases from the gallery shops, will be processed.
Washingtonians have weathered several government shutdowns since a 16-day closure in 2013. The current shutdown began Dec. 22, when the Senate and House adjourned without a budget deal.
Although multiple destinations around D.C. are now off-limits, some other popular spots remain open — and many of the 800,000 federal employees put off the job or working without pay can find discounts, deals and specials across the region.
Local
Washington, D.C., Maryland and Virginia local news, events and information
What's Open or Partly Open?
Capitol Visitor Center
The Capitol Visitor Center is open with options for tours and programs. The center's calendar of events is online here.
National Parks
The National Park Service says that some parks are open to visitors, but access could change without notice. Websites will not be updated. Many services, including restrooms and visitors centers, may be closed. Educational programs will be canceled.
Park roads, lookouts, trails and open-air memorials will mostly remain accessible to the public, according to Department of Interior guidelines.
Because of an agreement with a third-party concessioner, several restrooms on the National Mall will be open. According to an NPS spokesperson, you can find open restrooms near the following areas:
- Lincoln Memorial (south side)
- Thomas Jefferson Memorial
- Tidal Basin between the Martin Luther King, Jr. and Franklin Delano Roosevelt memorials, Washington Monument grounds (at 15th Street, between Madison Drive and Jefferson Drive)
- West Potomac Park (between Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial and Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial)
- The World War II Memorial
Food kiosk and concessions operated by Guest Services, Inc., will stay open, except at the Ellipse Visitor Pavilion and the retail operation located in the basement of the Thomas Jefferson Memorial.
Eastern National will continue to operate bookstores at the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial, Lincoln Memorial, Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial, Thomas Jefferson Memorial, Washington Monument Lodge and the Old Stone House in Georgetown.
Mayor Muriel Bowser arranged for D.C. sanitation crews to pick up trash from bins on the Mall.
Some areas of Rock Creek Park will remain accessible, the park posted on Facebook.
Private Museums
Museums that aren't government-sponsored will still be open during the shutdown, and many are offering discounts to workers who are currently off the job. The B&O Railroad Museum in Baltimore is free to furloughed employees with ID and online tickets from the Newseum are 15 percent off. Others, including the Anderson House in D.C. and The National Museum of Health and Medicine in Silver Spring, are free daily.
The Phillips Collection n
Where: 1600 21st St. NWn
How Much: Adults $12; students & seniors $10; youth & members free.n
It may not be a Smithsonian or on the National Mall, but you can still find some of the world's most unique and incredible works of art. In the museum's sprawling collection of over 3,000 works, see world-renowned paintings such as Renoir's "Luncheon of the Boating Party" and lose yourself in the Rothko Room, a room (as the name implies) dedicated to abstract expressionist Mark Rothko. Sit and stay awhile. Federal workers with an ID can enter for free.
Where: 1313 Bonifant Road, Colesville, Maryland
How Much: Adults $7; kids & seniors $5.n
Experience what it was like when streetcars ruled the rails by riding one of the still-operational cars at the National Capital Trolley Museum. Tracks take visitors on a short journey around the museum's campus. In addition to the rides, the museum features exhibits, antique route maps, and a collection of historic streetcars from D.C. as well as from other U.S. and Canadian cities. It's open on Saturdays and Sundays, and for special event days.
Where: 2118 Massachusetts Ave. NW, Washington, D.C.n
How Much: Free.n
The Society of the Cincinnati is a historical organzation that works to promote appreciation of America's independence. The museum focuses on all things related to the American Revolution. You'll find antique tapestries, sculptures, portraits and more.
Where: 444 E St. NW, Washington, D.C.n
How Much: Prices are $14.95 for kids and $21.95 for a regular adult ticketn
The newly opened National Law Enforcement Museum showcases the process of law enforcement through exhibits highlighting daring undercover operations, heroic rescues and troublesome prison histories. Here's a preview of what's inside.
Where: 2500 Linden Lane, Silver Spring, Marylandn
How Much: Free.n
From antique microscopes to jars of preserved human specimens to the bullet that killed Abraham Lincoln, the National Museum of Health and Medicine provides visitors a deeper understanding of medicine's past and its future. The Silver Spring institution has been operating since the 1860s and has a special focus on American military medicine. Note that the museum's collection contains quite a few human-related specimens that may not be suitable for small kids or anyone with a delicate stomach. If you're feeling up for it, though, you'll likely find the displays fascinating. Visitors can also see a portion of a trauma bay used to treat soldiers in Iraq as part of its "Advances in Military Medicine" exhibit.
Where: 437 7th St. NWn
How Much: Adults $9.50; students $7; seniors & military $8.50; kids free.n
If it weren't for a chance discovery during a demolition inspection of an old shoe store on 7th Street, about 1,000 artifacts left behind by the woman who founded the American Red Cross would have been lost forever. Clara Barton lived in and opened her Missing Soldiers Office in the building after the Civil War to help reunite families with their loved ones. Today, visitors can tour the restored building and learn the story of the "Angel of the Battlefield." The museum also hosts events throughout the year including concerts, presentations and even amputation demonstrations. It's open regularly from Thursday to Saturday.
Where: 555 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, D.C.n
How Much: Buy your tickets online during the shutdown for a 15 percent discount: $21.21 for adults and $12.71 for kids aged 7 to 18.n
The Newseum highlights the old and latest in journalism and news. Current exhibits look back the Civil Rights movement in 1968, segments of the Berlin Wall and the editorial cartoons of Michael Sloan and Jake Halpern.
Where: 1250 New York Ave. NWn
How Much: Adults $10; seniors & students: $8; museum members & youth free.n
This museum is billed as the only one in the world that holds a collection of 4,500 works of art created exclusively by female artists. The collection features present-day artists, but some of its earliest pieces date to 16th century. One of its most prominent artists is 19th century impressionist Mary Cassatt. whose later works focused on the theme of mother and child. Visitors to the museum this summer can see the Heavy Metal, a series featuring artists who created sculptures, jewelry and other objects in metal.
Where: 901 W. Pratt St., Baltimore, Marylandn
How Much: Adults $20; seniors (age 60+) $17; kids (ages 2-12) $12; furloughed federal workers can flash their ID for free entry through the shutdown.n
Ride the (historic) rails! One of the world's largest collections of railroad artifacts and locomotives is in Baltimore at the B&O Railroad Museum, where you can take a ride along the first commercial mile of train track ever laid in the U.S. The historic train station and workshops date back to 1829, and the site is considered by some to be the birthplace of American railroading, the museum says. In addition to seeing historic locomotives and other train vehicles, you'll also find smaller artifacts and can search for ancestors in B&O's employee records.
Where: 902 Wythe St., Alexandria, Virginian
How Much: Suggested $2 donation.n
In the building that once housed Alexandria's segregated library, the Alexandria Black History Museum uses exhibits to tell the story of the African-American Alexandrians during slavery, the Civil War and post-Civil War era. This summer, visitors can also check out a collection of African American dollhouses and miniatures depicting African-American life in Alexandria and Virginia. In addition to the museum's main building, visitors can check out the Watson Reading Room and the Alexandria African American Heritage Park, a satellite location that includes a sculpture garden and a one-acre 19th century African-American cemetery.
Where: 800 Key Highway, Baltimore, Marylandn
How Much: Adults $15.95; seniors $13.95; students, kids & veterans $9.95; active military, members & kids under 6 free.n
If you feel like a mini-road trip, consider visiting the eye-popping collections at the American Visionary Art Museum in Baltimore, featuring an eclectic mix of sculptures, mosaics and paintings. Curators take special attention to add work by self-taught artists to the collection. Because the museum's mission is to preserve "outsider art," you'll discover a mind-bending group of pieces that run the gamut from sculptures built from scrap metal to giant neon lights. Don't miss the gift shop.
Where: 400 4th St. SW, Washington, D.C.n
How Much: Tickets for children over 7 cost $9.99 online and $14.99 for walk up. Regular adult tickets are $19.99 online and $24.99 at the door.n
The Museum of the Bible opened its 40-foot Gutenberg Gates in 2017, welcoming anyone interested in a biblical perspective on history. With lots of kid-oriented exhibits and historic artifacts on loan from Israel's esteemed official collection, the museum is a good bet near the National Mall.
Where: 4519 Rhode Island Ave., North Brentwood, Marylandn
How Much: Tours are $5 per person.n
The museum and cultural center is located in North Brentwood and hosts an array of exhibits focusing on cultural and historical contributions of its African-American community. The museum has several exhibitions including "Footsteps from North Brentwood." The exhibit was first displayed in the Smithsonian’s Anacostia Museum. It features historical information, photographs, interviews and memorabilia about North Brentwood, a town first settled by African-American Civil War veterans.
Where: 2401 Foxhall Road NW, Washington D.C.
How Much: $10 suggested donation for a regular adult ticketn
The Kreeger Museum features a collection of modern art, ranging from painting to sculpture. You can also walk through the sculpture garden.
Where: 105 N. Union St., #327, Alexandria, Virginian
How Much: Free.n
Over the years, Alexandria residents, workers and developers have uncovered thousands of artifacts in the historic city. The museum's collection contains more than 2,000 items including parts of ships, ceramics, wooden toys, leather items and other relics that tells the story of Alexandria's past. Visitors are encouraged to learn about the people that lived and visited Alexandria from prehistoric times all the way to the 20th century.
Where: 1238 Maryland Ave SW, Washington, D.C.n
How Much: Regular admission starts at $15 for adults, $12 for students, seniors and military and $8 for kids.n
The current interactive exhibit, New Nature by Marpi, is open through Jan. 13. Wave your hands to pet a digital plant that makes music, tap your smartphone to feed a larger-than-life beast illuminated on the wall and enjoy beautiful lights at this art exhibit that's probably unlike anything else you've seen. It's a good option for kids during the day, and hosts adults-only hours at night.
Local Governments
Local government services in Washington, D.C., Virginia and Maryland won't be affected by the shutdown.
Metro
Metro and bus routes continue to run despite the funding lapse.
Library of Congress
The library remains open.
Old Post Office Tower
The Old Post Office Tower was closed to visitors due to the shutdown, but it reopened on Saturday. National Park Service employees are resuming tours through an agreement with the General Services Administration, which owns the building and is funding the NPS staff.
The Kennedy Center
All performances will go on as scheduled, and you can shop in the gift shop during certain hours. The building's public hours will be curtailed.
Ford's Theatre
Performances of "A Christmas Carol" went on as planned but have now wrapped up with the end of the holiday season. The Aftermath Exhibits in the Center for Education and Leadership are open for daytime visits. The historic site, which includes the theater, museum and Petersen House, are closed to visitors.
East Potomac and Langston golf courses
The Langston and East Potomac golf facilities are open.
Glen Echo Park
Despite being owned by the National Park Service, Glen Echo Park will remain open during the shutdown because of its new agreement with Montgomery County, the park said on its website.
Marinas on National Park Land
All marinas on National Park land in the D.C. metro area will remain open, including Belle Haven, James Creek, Columbia Island, Washington Sailing Marina and Fort Washington Marina.
The Phillips Collection n
Where: 1600 21st St. NWn
How Much: Adults $12; students & seniors $10; youth & members free.n
It may not be a Smithsonian or on the National Mall, but you can still find some of the world's most unique and incredible works of art. In the museum's sprawling collection of over 3,000 works, see world-renowned paintings such as Renoir's "Luncheon of the Boating Party" and lose yourself in the Rothko Room, a room (as the name implies) dedicated to abstract expressionist Mark Rothko. Sit and stay awhile. Federal workers with an ID can enter for free.
Where: 1313 Bonifant Road, Colesville, Maryland
How Much: Adults $7; kids & seniors $5.n
Experience what it was like when streetcars ruled the rails by riding one of the still-operational cars at the National Capital Trolley Museum. Tracks take visitors on a short journey around the museum's campus. In addition to the rides, the museum features exhibits, antique route maps, and a collection of historic streetcars from D.C. as well as from other U.S. and Canadian cities. It's open on Saturdays and Sundays, and for special event days.
Where: 2118 Massachusetts Ave. NW, Washington, D.C.n
How Much: Free.n
The Society of the Cincinnati is a historical organzation that works to promote appreciation of America's independence. The museum focuses on all things related to the American Revolution. You'll find antique tapestries, sculptures, portraits and more.
Where: 444 E St. NW, Washington, D.C.n
How Much: Prices are $14.95 for kids and $21.95 for a regular adult ticketn
The newly opened National Law Enforcement Museum showcases the process of law enforcement through exhibits highlighting daring undercover operations, heroic rescues and troublesome prison histories. Here's a preview of what's inside.
Where: 2500 Linden Lane, Silver Spring, Marylandn
How Much: Free.n
From antique microscopes to jars of preserved human specimens to the bullet that killed Abraham Lincoln, the National Museum of Health and Medicine provides visitors a deeper understanding of medicine's past and its future. The Silver Spring institution has been operating since the 1860s and has a special focus on American military medicine. Note that the museum's collection contains quite a few human-related specimens that may not be suitable for small kids or anyone with a delicate stomach. If you're feeling up for it, though, you'll likely find the displays fascinating. Visitors can also see a portion of a trauma bay used to treat soldiers in Iraq as part of its "Advances in Military Medicine" exhibit.
Where: 437 7th St. NWn
How Much: Adults $9.50; students $7; seniors & military $8.50; kids free.n
If it weren't for a chance discovery during a demolition inspection of an old shoe store on 7th Street, about 1,000 artifacts left behind by the woman who founded the American Red Cross would have been lost forever. Clara Barton lived in and opened her Missing Soldiers Office in the building after the Civil War to help reunite families with their loved ones. Today, visitors can tour the restored building and learn the story of the "Angel of the Battlefield." The museum also hosts events throughout the year including concerts, presentations and even amputation demonstrations. It's open regularly from Thursday to Saturday.
Where: 555 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, D.C.n
How Much: Buy your tickets online during the shutdown for a 15 percent discount: $21.21 for adults and $12.71 for kids aged 7 to 18.n
The Newseum highlights the old and latest in journalism and news. Current exhibits look back the Civil Rights movement in 1968, segments of the Berlin Wall and the editorial cartoons of Michael Sloan and Jake Halpern.
Where: 1250 New York Ave. NWn
How Much: Adults $10; seniors & students: $8; museum members & youth free.n
This museum is billed as the only one in the world that holds a collection of 4,500 works of art created exclusively by female artists. The collection features present-day artists, but some of its earliest pieces date to 16th century. One of its most prominent artists is 19th century impressionist Mary Cassatt. whose later works focused on the theme of mother and child. Visitors to the museum this summer can see the Heavy Metal, a series featuring artists who created sculptures, jewelry and other objects in metal.
Where: 901 W. Pratt St., Baltimore, Marylandn
How Much: Adults $20; seniors (age 60+) $17; kids (ages 2-12) $12; furloughed federal workers can flash their ID for free entry through the shutdown.n
Ride the (historic) rails! One of the world's largest collections of railroad artifacts and locomotives is in Baltimore at the B&O Railroad Museum, where you can take a ride along the first commercial mile of train track ever laid in the U.S. The historic train station and workshops date back to 1829, and the site is considered by some to be the birthplace of American railroading, the museum says. In addition to seeing historic locomotives and other train vehicles, you'll also find smaller artifacts and can search for ancestors in B&O's employee records.
Where: 902 Wythe St., Alexandria, Virginian
How Much: Suggested $2 donation.n
In the building that once housed Alexandria's segregated library, the Alexandria Black History Museum uses exhibits to tell the story of the African-American Alexandrians during slavery, the Civil War and post-Civil War era. This summer, visitors can also check out a collection of African American dollhouses and miniatures depicting African-American life in Alexandria and Virginia. In addition to the museum's main building, visitors can check out the Watson Reading Room and the Alexandria African American Heritage Park, a satellite location that includes a sculpture garden and a one-acre 19th century African-American cemetery.
Where: 800 Key Highway, Baltimore, Marylandn
How Much: Adults $15.95; seniors $13.95; students, kids & veterans $9.95; active military, members & kids under 6 free.n
If you feel like a mini-road trip, consider visiting the eye-popping collections at the American Visionary Art Museum in Baltimore, featuring an eclectic mix of sculptures, mosaics and paintings. Curators take special attention to add work by self-taught artists to the collection. Because the museum's mission is to preserve "outsider art," you'll discover a mind-bending group of pieces that run the gamut from sculptures built from scrap metal to giant neon lights. Don't miss the gift shop.
Where: 400 4th St. SW, Washington, D.C.n
How Much: Tickets for children over 7 cost $9.99 online and $14.99 for walk up. Regular adult tickets are $19.99 online and $24.99 at the door.n
The Museum of the Bible opened its 40-foot Gutenberg Gates in 2017, welcoming anyone interested in a biblical perspective on history. With lots of kid-oriented exhibits and historic artifacts on loan from Israel's esteemed official collection, the museum is a good bet near the National Mall.
Where: 4519 Rhode Island Ave., North Brentwood, Marylandn
How Much: Tours are $5 per person.n
The museum and cultural center is located in North Brentwood and hosts an array of exhibits focusing on cultural and historical contributions of its African-American community. The museum has several exhibitions including "Footsteps from North Brentwood." The exhibit was first displayed in the Smithsonian’s Anacostia Museum. It features historical information, photographs, interviews and memorabilia about North Brentwood, a town first settled by African-American Civil War veterans.
Where: 2401 Foxhall Road NW, Washington D.C.
How Much: $10 suggested donation for a regular adult ticketn
The Kreeger Museum features a collection of modern art, ranging from painting to sculpture. You can also walk through the sculpture garden.
Where: 105 N. Union St., #327, Alexandria, Virginian
How Much: Free.n
Over the years, Alexandria residents, workers and developers have uncovered thousands of artifacts in the historic city. The museum's collection contains more than 2,000 items including parts of ships, ceramics, wooden toys, leather items and other relics that tells the story of Alexandria's past. Visitors are encouraged to learn about the people that lived and visited Alexandria from prehistoric times all the way to the 20th century.
Where: 1238 Maryland Ave SW, Washington, D.C.n
How Much: Regular admission starts at $15 for adults, $12 for students, seniors and military and $8 for kids.n
The current interactive exhibit, New Nature by Marpi, is open through Jan. 13. Wave your hands to pet a digital plant that makes music, tap your smartphone to feed a larger-than-life beast illuminated on the wall and enjoy beautiful lights at this art exhibit that's probably unlike anything else you've seen. It's a good option for kids during the day, and hosts adults-only hours at night.
What's Closed?
Smithsonian Museums and the National Zoo
The Smithsonian museums are closed as of Jan. 2, until funding is appropriated. Closures include the American History Museum, the Renwick Gallery and the Air and Space Museum in the District and the Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Virginia.
The National Zoo is also closed. Staff charged with taking care of animals are reporting to work, the Smithsonian said.
National Gallery of Art
The gallery is closed as of Jan. 3. This includes all premises of the National Gallery of Art, its Sculpture Garden, website updates and online transactions.
National Archives
All facilities are closed, meaning you can't go see the country's founding documents. The Federal Records Center and Federal Register remain open.
Arlington House, The Robert E. Lee Memorial
Arlington House was already closed through fall 2019 for a multimillion dollar rehabilitation.
Belmont-Paul Women's Equality National Monument
The Belmont-Paul Women's Equality National Monument is closed during the shutdown for resource protection and safety.
Carter G. Woodson Home National Historic Site
The Carter G. Woodson National Historic Site, which is operated by the National Park Service, is closed during the shutdown.
Clara Barton National Historic Site
The Clara Barton National Historic Site, which is operated by the National Park Service, is closed during the shutdown.
Ford's Theatre
Performances of "A Christmas Carol" went on as planned but have now wrapped up with the end of the holiday season. The Aftermath Exhibits in the Center for Education and Leadership are open for daytime visits. The historic site, which includes the theater, museum and Petersen House, are closed to visitors.
Fort Marcy
Open-air sites along the George Washington Memorial Parkway are accessible, according to NPS, but all other areas and facilities, including restrooms, are closed.
Fort Washington Park
Fort Washington is accessible to the public during the lapse in federal funds but there is no vehicle access and on-site facilities are closed.
Frederick Douglass National Historic Site
The Frederick Douglass National Historic Site is closed.
Great Falls Park
During the government shutdown, Great Falls Park in Virginia will remain accessible, but emergency and rescue services will be limited.
Hains Point Picnic Area
If you've made a reservation. the park says it may not be honored. There's also no staff on site.
Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens
Areas of the park are closed due to flooding.
Rock Creek Park
Some Rock Creek Park areas are accessible, but access may change without notice
Turkey Run Park
Open-air sites along the George Washington Memorial Parkway are accessible, but all other areas and facilities, including restrooms, are closed.
Washington Monument
The Washington Monument is closed until spring 2019 for elevator repairs.
White House Visitor Center
The White House Visitor Center is closed.
