News Summary
The U.S. government entered a partial shutdown after failure to secure funding for the fiscal year. Thousands of federal workers are affected, with numerous closures of federal services and attractions in Washington, D.C. The Smithsonian museums and the National Zoo remain open for now, but further closures are anticipated. Alternatives for visitors are being offered at local attractions. The situation raises concerns about critical services reliant on government operations.
Washington D.C. — The U.S. government entered a partial shutdown at 12:01 a.m. (EDT) on October 1, 2025, after the president and congressional lawmakers failed to agree on funding for fiscal year 2026. This shutdown marks the first government shutdown since 2019, creating a wave of uncertainty for employers and impacting numerous federal services and attractions, particularly in the nation’s capital.
Thousands of federal workers in Washington, D.C., are directly affected by the shutdown, which has left many unsure about their employment and financial security. Alongside government employees, many museums and attractions will face closures or alterations to their regular operations. For instance, the Smithsonian museums and the National Zoo will remain open until October 11, but subsequent closures are anticipated if the shutdown continues.
The Kennedy Center is reported to continue operations, featuring free performances on the Millennium Stage, providing local residents and visitors some cultural opportunities amidst the shutdown. Meanwhile, while open-air memorials such as the World War II Memorial will remain accessible to the public, the visitor centers at these memorials may close. The Washington Monument will still allow visits, although the elevators to the top are currently suspended.
Arlington National Cemetery remains open, but facilities like restrooms are closed, presenting potential inconveniences for visitors. As the situation evolves, the National Gallery of Art and its collections will close starting October 4, further limiting access to federal art resources. Moreover, the U.S. Capitol Visitor Center has closed, resulting in the suspension of all tours, while White House tours have already been halted due to ongoing construction.
Additionally, the Library of Congress buildings are closed, resulting in the cancellation of events until further notice. In light of these closures, potential visitors may consider alternatives such as The People’s House: A White House Experience, Planet Word museum, and various private art galleries, which are offering discounted admission to offset the impact of the shutdown.
The U.S. Botanic Garden will not reopen until the shutdown concludes; however, it is providing online educational programs to maintain engagement with the public. In addition, in an effort to mitigate the stress of the shutdown on federal employees, various activities such as discounted yoga classes, craft workshops, and public events are being organized.
Discounts and special offers are also being extended to government employees at several local attractions during the duration of the shutdown, allowing some respite and engagement for workers during this uncertain time.
As discussions continue in Congress, critical questions remain regarding the implications of the shutdown for vital services such as E-Verify, union election petitions, and OSHA workplace inspections. To address potential employer concerns, Jim Plunkett and Caroline Tang will conduct a webinar hosted by Ogletree, focusing on the impacts of the shutdown.
This government shutdown highlights the challenges and disruptions faced by federal employees and the public as scheduled events and museum programming are affected throughout the D.C. area, raising concerns for many reliant on these institutions and services.
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Additional Resources
- NBC Washington: Government Shutdown and Tourist Sites
- Axios: Government Shutdown and Marriage Licenses
- Fox News: Shutdown Looms Over Capitol Hill
- Washington Post: DC Museums Open During Shutdown
- Washingtonian: Surviving the Government Shutdown in DC
- Wikipedia: Government Shutdown
- Google Search: Government Shutdown Impact on Workers
- Google Scholar: Government Shutdowns in the US
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Government Shutdown
- Google News: Government Shutdown
Author: STAFF HERE WASHINGTON DC
WASHINGTON DC STAFF WRITER The WASHINGTON DC STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREWashingtonDC.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Washington, DC, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and regional news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the National Cherry Blossom Festival, Kennedy Center Honors, and the Washington Auto Show. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Washington Board of Trade and Destination DC, plus leading businesses in government contracting and technology that power the local economy such as Lockheed Martin and Amazon. As part of the broader HERE network, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into the dynamic landscape of the Washington metropolitan area.
