Looking for what to do in DC during the government shutdown?
While some sites will be closed, you can still visit DC during the government shutdown! Lots of popular attractions remain open.
This video is from 2019 but sadly still mostly relevant to the many shutdowns we've had since then. A few notes, Newseum and Madame Tussauds are permanently closed. Also my kid is now 6 years old and we aren't on Twitter anymore (but find us on instagram @topthingstododc)
DC IS STILL OPEN! The city doesn't shut and in fact, there are often special events and discounts to accommodate all the visitors locked out of museums.
All of our tours will run as normal with little to no effect whatsoever. In the event of a shutdown, we will have special private tour options and discounts on our Capitol Hill & National Mall tour.
Every shutdown is different and whether a site can remain open depends on their funding, not whether the government is open or not.
During any potential shutdown, we will keep this page updated as more information is provided but please check the date of the updates, as these situations change quickly.
UPDATED: Nov 13, 2025
THE GOVERNMENT HAS REOPENED AS OF NOVEMBER 13, 2025 however it does take a few days for operations to resume.
SMITHSONIAN REOPENING PLAN: American History, Natural History and Air & Space (Mall Location) will reopen on Friday, Nov 14, 2025. Other Smithsonian Museums will reopen on Monday, Nov 17, 2025.
Library of Congress will reopen at noon on Thurs Nov 13, 2025.
Capitol Visitor Center reopen.
SITES THAT ARE ALWAYS OPEN DURING A SHUTDOWN:
Government shutdowns do not affect privately run museums and attractions or our walking tours!
You can also explore local neighborhoods - either on a guided walking tour with us, a self guided tour we offer, or just on your own. Charming row houses, street art & murals and the chance to experience DC apart from the federal government.
These sites will remain open as long as possible.
- The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum
- The Bureau of Engraving & Printing
See our full list of the many amazing sites in DC that are not affected by the shutdown.
SITES THAT ARE CLOSED DURING A SHUTDOWN:
While many federal buildings are forced to close during a shutdown, they will remain open as long as there is funding. In some cases this is many days and outlasts the actual shutdown.
With the threat of a government shutdown, we are basing the information we have on past government shutdowns.
Tourist attractions, museums, and sites are subject to budget concerns, and whether they are open or not depends on information that we (as tour guides) don't always have! We update this page to the best of our knowledge as soon as we hear more information, but what we're skilled out is knowing the long list of things that remain open. See below for those suggestions!
The sites below will be CLOSED DURING THE GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN.
- All Smithsonian Museums and National Zoo are now closed as of October 12, 2025. See our suggested alternatives below.
- Ford's Theatre: The museum and theatre walkthrough is closed. The Aftermath Exhibits will remain open and if you are attending a production, which are still running, you can visit the museum.
- Kennedy Center performances will continue but tours will be suspended.
- The Library of Congress (our Capitol Hill tours will still run even if buildings are closed!)
- National Archives
- US Capitol Visitor Center
- Supreme Court
- White House Public Tours
- White House Visitor Center (but The People's House remains open!)
- The US Botanical Gardens
- Bureau of Engraving and Printing
- FBI Experience
- Washington Monument
- Old Post Office Pavillion
- National Gallery of Art (it stayed open for a few days but has now closed due to lack of funding)
WHAT IS OPEN IN DC DURING A SHUTDOWN?
During partial shutdowns, some federal buildings remain open.
- The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum
- The Bureau of Engraving & Printing
You'll find a number of other recommended attractions, museums, and historic sites listed that are free or have admission prices (but we think they are worth it!)
These will not be affected by any government shutdown.
Museums:
- The National Building Museum
- National Law Enforcement Museum
- International Spy Museum
- Planet Word
- Folger's Shakespeare Theatre
- National Inventor's Hall of Fame Museum (Alexandria)
- Navy Memorial with Visitor Center
- Anacostia's GoGo Museum
- African American Civil War Museum - the museum is under renovation but it does offer exterior tour options for groups.
- Capital Jewish Museum
- The People's House
- National Cryptologic Museum
- Museum of the Bible
- National Guard Museum
Art Museums:
- The Phillips Collection
- Kreeger Museum
- National Museum of Women in the Arts
- Art Museum of the Americas
- Rubell Art Museum
- Glenstone Art Museum
- Textile Museum at George Washington University
Historic Sites:
- George Washington's Mount Vernon
- The Decatur House
- Mansion on O Street
- Dumbarton Oaks
- Woodrow Wilson House
- Hillwood Estates, Museum & Gardens
- Dumbarton House
- Gadsby's Tavern (this is included on our Old Town Alexandria tour)
Religious Sites
- National Cathedral - Though it has the word National in its name, it is not government-funded. Some of our guides are certified as National Cathedral guides and we are happy to set up private tours for small groups to make sure you have the best experience.
- Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception and Saint John Paul II National Shrine.
Experiences (not quite museums but something fun to do!)
- American Dream Experience (Milken Center)
- Museum of Illusions
- Bubble Planet
- Dopamine Land
- Machu Picchu Journey to the Lost City
- Escape Rooms
Memorials on the National Mall
Every memorial will still be open to visitors. All of our tours are running as normal! Hop on Hop Off Bus Tours are still running.
Most restrooms, ranger stations, gift shops, and museums will be closed but you'll still be able to visit the memorials as normal.
Often, NPS will still manage select restrooms. For the past few days of the October 2025 shutdowns, restrooms have remained open but this may change day to day.
Arlington National Cemetery
Arlington National Cemetery will remain open and our Arlington Cemetery walking tours were still able to operate.
There are actually many historic cemeteries in Washington, DC that you can visit.
- Oak Hill Cemetery (Georgetown)
- Congressional Cemetery (SE DC)
- Rock Creek Cemetery (Petworth)
Suggested Alternatives to Visit During the Shutdown
We agree it's a bummer that the Smithsonians are closed but there are some great alternatives if you know where to go.
We know a number of school groups are visiting DC for already planned trips, contact us for discounted rates on our tours to help make the most of your trip.
Below are our suggestions for some alternative things to do that are open during the shutdown and welcome groups.
You will need to contact individual sites for group pricing or special circumstances (some can only accommodate small groups).
Instead of the White House:
- The People's House
Instead of the Library of Congress:
- Folger's Shakespeare Theatre (free)
- MLK Library (DC Public Library with great local exhibits!)
Instead of the US Capitol:
- You can still explore Capitol Hill with us during a shutdown for best photo spots of exterior buildings, all the stories about history, architecture and more.
Instead of the Air and Space Museum:
- College Park Aviation Museum
- Navy Memorial Visitor Center
- National Inventor's Hall of Fame Museum (Alexandria)
Instead of the American History Museum:
- Woodrow Wilson House
- Clara Barton Missing Soldiers
- Tudor Place
- Anderson House / Society of the Cincinnati (free)
- National Cryptologic Museum
- National Guard Museum (good substitute for the America at War Exhibit)
Instead of the National Museum of African American History and Culture:
- African American Civil War Memorial (free) - the museum is under renovation but it does offer exterior tour options for groups.
- Alexandria Black History Museum
- Lincoln's Cottage
- Anacostia's Go Go Museum
Instead of Natural History Museum:
- Dumbarton Oaks Gardens
Instead of the National Archives:
- Lincoln's Cottage
- Folger's Shakespeare Theatre (free)
As a local walking tour company, we rely on visitors to Washington, DC and locals who want to explore. I hope you'll still come and visit, despite what is happening in the federal government. There is so much more to this city than the federal buildings.
Our Facebook Group, Washington DC Travel Tips & Hacks has thousands of locals who agree.
