Government Shutdown DC Activities
During a government shutdown, all tours of the US Capitol, White House, and the FBI will be automatically canceled. If you're still planning a trip to DC, there are still lots of museums and monuments to keep you busy.
Free Options
Outdoor Memorials
These are all FREE to go to, however, restrooms and ranger stations will more than likely be closed in the event of a government shutdown. In previous shutdowns, bathrooms located at the World War Two Memorial, Lincoln Memorial (south side), and Thomas Jefferson Memorial have remained open.
- National Mall: Lincoln, Jefferson, Vietnam, Vietnam Women's, FDR, World War 2, World War 1, Korean War Veterans, Washington, Dwight D. Eisenhower, and Martin Luther King Jr. memorials/monuments will remain open.
- Other notable memorials in the area include: African American Civil War Memorial, American Veterans Disabled For Life Memorial, National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial, George Mason Memorial, National Japanese Americans Memorial, and the Ulysses S. Grant Memorial
- Arlington National Cemetery: FREE; Arlington National Cemetery will remain open to visitors during the government shutdown, and funerals and interment services will also continue as scheduled. However, some services operated by the National Park Service (NPS) within the cemetery grounds may be curtailed; this may include locations such as bathrooms, building and site tours, as well as transportation services around the grounds.
Museums
- The National Museum of Asian Art: FREE, Cut + Paste: Experimental Japanese Prints and Photographs – Through Nov. 20
- Renwick Gallery: FREE
- Planet World: FREE w/$15 suggested donation
- National Museum of Health and Medicine: FREE
- Folger Shakespeare Library: FREE admission for walk-ins, ahead of time tickets can be obtained by making a “suggested voluntary donation” of ~$15.
- United States Navy Memorial: FREE
- National Inventors Hall of Fame: FREE
- The People’s House: FREE and open 7 days a week
Free Walking Tours
- A link to a plethora of FREE walking tours can be found here.
Capitol Harvest Market
- FREE; Open Wednesdays, spring through fall, 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. on Woodrow Wilson Plaza at the corner of 13th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, the market is accessible via metro by either the Federal Triangle (blue/orange/silver lines) or Metro Center (red/blue/orange/silver lines). Parking is available onsite in the Reagan Building's underground parking garage.
Paid Options
- The Anderson House: $12 for adults, $9 for seniors, and $6 for students. Ages 12 and under FREE
- National Museum of Women in the Arts: $13-16 for adults, FREE for ages 21 and under
- National Building Museum: $10 for adults, $7 for youths (ages 3-17), seniors (60+), and students with a valid student ID
- The National Gallery of Art: For the first couple of days, but once funding runs out–which is usually a few days–they will close their doors to visitors.
- College Park Aviation Museum: $5
- Lincoln’s Cottage: $15 for adults, ages 6-12 are $6, ages 6 and under are FREE
- The Phillips Collection in Dupont Circle: GA tickets $20, 18 and under are free.
- Dumbarton Oaks Park: Museum is free, Garden tickets ~$18.
- Hillwood Estates and Garden: $18
- Kennedy Center performances will be unaffected; prices vary by event/time of booking
- International Spy Museum: ~$30
- Woodrow Wilson House: $15 for adults, $10 for seniors/students
- Garden tours $5
Design On The Water: Washington D.C. Architecture Cruise
- Runs through 31 October, $30-45. See Washington DC's architectural icons, gain an in-depth understanding of the city's rich and tumultuous history, and enjoy the Federal Capital from a unique vantage point, sailing along the Potomac River.