How to enjoy Washington D.C. during a Government Shutdown
Hello friends!
Some weekends ago I visited my nation’s capital, Washington D.C. to attend the Women’s March. This was during the largest government shutdown in history, a total of 35 days. I bought my tickets and planned the trip well before the shutdown, but it still affected my trip. Many museums and other attractions that I wanted to see were closed during the shutdown, so I had to improvise. I am now here to tell you that one could still enjoy their time in D.C. during a shutdown. Here is what I did (besides trying to stay warm, brrrr):
The Capitol Building
A must-see if you are visiting D.C. Even though the government was closed, the building was open to tours. They are about 45 minutes long, and we also included a visit to the House Chambers. Don’t worry, the gift stores inside do have copies of the Declaration of Independence, so you can pretend to be Nicholas Cage in National Treasure without visiting the National Archives. (I did, I promise there is no shame.)
Newseum
As a journalism major, I felt this museum was necessary during my visit. The Newseum is privately owned, so it was not affected by the government shutdown. From the FBI exhibit to the Berlin Wall gallery to the First Dogs showcase that features the first families and their pets, the Newseum shows visitors the most important points in history for journalism and why journalism matters. The only complaint I have about this wonderful place is that I did not manage my time well enough to see everything. I got there an hour before closing, which was not enough time. Best advice I can give you, plan to spend a few extra hours there.
Holocaust Museum
Like the Newseum, the Holocaust Museum is privately owned and was open during the long shutdown. This was probably my favorite thing that I did while visiting D.C., but I’m not going to lie, it was tough. This museum will haunt you and if you have a weak stomach, try to schedule a visit around your other plans. It will wipe you out for the rest of that day. Plan to spend a lot of time here. There are multiple exhibits and you don’t want to miss anything.
This quote from Elie Wiesel, a holocaust survivor and author of the popular book “Night,” greets the visitors before the exhibits.
Lincoln Memorial
My main man Abe. Abe the babe. The Lincoln Memorial sits on the top of the Washington Mall. The statue of Lincoln stares down the entire mall right down to the Washington Memorial. This was probably the place that made me think, “I did it, I am finally here.” It is one of the best symbols of Washington D.C. The government shutdown did not stop us from going to see him.
Hopefully one day I will return to D.C. and see the sites that were closed. Until next time!
