News Summary
The ongoing government shutdown has entered its second week, severely impacting Washington D.C.’s tourism sector. Iconic attractions like the National Gallery of Art and the Smithsonian museums are facing closures, leading to potential losses of millions in revenue. Experts warn that this could affect not only local businesses but also visitor confidence in planning trips to the city. The situation remains uncertain as negotiations in Congress stall, raising concerns over the future of federal workers and the tourism economy.
Washington, D.C. – The government shutdown has officially entered its second week, posing a potential crisis for the local tourism industry as affected attractions begin to shut down. Some government-funded museums, including the National Gallery of Art, have already closed, while other popular sites like the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and the National Air and Space Museum are currently using reserve funds, but may close soon if the situation does not improve.
Starting October 12, significant adverse effects on tourism are expected if the shutdown continues, according to industry leaders. In the previous year, D.C. welcomed a record 27.2 million visitors and generated $11.4 billion in revenue. However, closed museums are likely to lead to canceled trips and a decrease in tourism-related income, significantly impacting the city’s tax base and the livelihoods of over 100,000 workers dependent on this sector.
The duration of the shutdown remains uncertain, with no resolution apparent as of Thursday. An extended shutdown could have an even more severe impact on tourism than the last record-long shutdown of 35 days that took place from December 2018 to January 2019. The period from September to November is recognized as a peak tourist season for both business and leisure travel in Washington, D.C.
Upcoming Events and Impact
Important events, such as the Association of the United States Army’s annual meeting and the Army 10-Miler, are scheduled for this peak season. While neither of these events has been canceled yet, attendance is expected to decline due to concerns regarding government employee participation amidst the shutdown.
In response to the closures, Destination DC is promoting available tourist activities while acknowledging the affected attractions. The prior government shutdown cost the D.C. area an estimated $47 million in lost revenue, additionally impacting discretionary spending across various sectors, including hotels and transportation. The national travel industry, as a whole, has already seen over $1 billion in losses attributed to the ongoing shutdown.
Iconic Landmarks Closed
Visitors to D.C. have expressed disappointment over the closure of several iconic landmarks and museums. Specific closures include the National Gallery of Art, National Archives Museum, and the National Museum of the United States Army. The Washington Monument, U.S. Capitol Visitors Center, and U.S. National Arboretum are also closed to the public.
Visitor frustration highlights the impact of these closures on planned visits, particularly for individuals traveling from out of state or international locations. While Smithsonian museums currently remain open, they face potential closure if the shutdown continues past October 11. Additionally, the National Zoo will close under an extended shutdown, although it assures that animal care will remain uninterrupted.
Federal Workforce and Economic Effects
Hundreds of thousands of federal workers have been furloughed since the shutdown began on October 1. This furlough has resulted in delayed small-business loans and halted essential economic data releases. Ongoing negotiations in Congress regarding funding are stalled, particularly around discussions concerning health care subsidies.
There are also concerns regarding the future of furloughed federal workers, as the President has threatened layoffs and the denial of back pay once the government reopens. Understanding the potential long-term impact, visitors are starting to question if future trips to D.C. are worth the risk associated with attraction closures.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
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Federal Government Shutdown Enters Second Week, Affecting Workers
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Washington D.C. Faces Cultural Closures Amid Government Shutdown
Washington D.C. Prepares for Moderate Recession
Washington D.C. Faces Economic Downturn Amid Job Losses
Federal Government Shutdown Leaves Thousands Furloughed
Washington, D.C. Faces First Government Shutdown in Seven Years
Congress Faces Midnight Deadline to Avoid Government Shutdown
Mayor Bowser Addresses D.C. Economic Challenges at Conference
Additional Resources
- Fortune: Government Shutdown and Tourism
- Axios: What’s Open in D.C. During Shutdown
- Newsweek: D.C. Tourists Frustrated by Shutdown
- WJLA: Impact of Shutdown on Smithsonian Museums
- Time: Smithsonian National Zoo and Shutdown
- Wikipedia: Government Shutdown
- Google Search: DC tourism government shutdown
- Google Scholar: Impact of Government Shutdown on Tourism
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Government Shutdown
- Google News: Government Shutdown 2025
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.
