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Washington National Cathedral

Washington National Cathedral framed by trees with fall colors.

What's Open in Washington, DC During the Government Shutdown

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Find the latest status updates on attractions, museums, theater, festivals, events and more

Washington, DC is open for business

The nation's capital is ready to welcome you even during a government shutdown (check out our guide to DC during a shutdown). While some federally funded attractions and sites may offer limited access, daily life in DC remains active, full of museums, restaurants, can't-miss things to do and fall-flavored events throughout October.

Find things to do this week, weekend and month, plus guides to the best things to do during a shutdown and attractions ready to welcome visitors. 
 

Updated as of Oct. 20, 2025. 
 

What's Open

Museums, Attractions & Tours
 

Visitors sit and interact with a dynamic word display at Planet Word, a language-focused museum in Washington, DC.

Planet Word

The shutdown mainly affects federally funded attractions, which sometimes stay open briefly at the start of a shutdown. Fortunately, many of DC’s privately funded museums remain open and ready to welcome visitors right now.
 

Museums & Attractions

Tours

Theater, Performances, Sports & Games
 

The exterior of Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company in Washington, DC with it doors open.

Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company

The show must go on: Washington, DC's theater scene is alive and well during a shutdown. Most venues do not receive federal funds, and even though the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts does receive federal funds, the living memorial to the 35th president will continue all of its scheduled productions.
 

Theaters & Playhouses

Music & Concert Venues

Sports & Games

Parks, Gardens & Recreation
 

Due to the shutdown, federally operated National Park Service (NPS) sites may be affected. Open-air national parks like the National Mall and Rock Creek Park will remain accessible during the shutdown. Some of the monuments and memorial sites may offer limited access, and services like ranger-led tours and memorial shops are closed. Learn more about DC's parks and gardens and find a list below of what is currently open.
 

Restaurants
 

Places to eat and drink remain open to the public and unaffected due to the shutdown. Due to the popularity of DC's dining scene, it's always recommended to reserve your table in advance online. For diners who prefer to eat outdoors, check out these fall-friendly, al fresco options: beer gardens, patios and rooftop restaurants. And we encourage visitors and locals to join in on the Restaurant Association of Metroplitan Washington's Together We Dine initiative, celebrating the dining scene through events and menus through October.

Shopping
 

Shopping and retail attractions affected by the shutdown are limited to museum gift shops that are closed. Shop around the District at Black-owned businesses, made-in-DC shops and LGBTQ-owned enterprises and others. 

Hotels
 

Royal Sonesta Washington, DC Capitol Hill

DC-area hotels are open and ready to welcome guests. You can also take advantage of special deals and peruse properties that are ideal for sports fans, history buffs, families with kids and guests looking for cool places to stay.

Transportation
 

A long-exposure shot captures the motion of a train at Metro Center station in Washington, DC.

Metrorail and Metrobus will operate as usual during a federal government shutdown. Travel Metro easily with touch-free SmarTrip service for iPhone and Apple Watch devices, becoming the first rail system in the U.S. to offer a full service, touch-free payment option at every single stop.
 

What's Closed

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