Nation's capital defies shutdown chaos with bold 'DC is open' push to lure tourists back to city

Nation's capital defies shutdown chaos with bold 'DC is open' push to lure tourists back to city

With the federal government still shut down since Oct. 1, 2025, Washington’s official tourism bureau is reminding Americans to visit the city through its "DC is Open" campaign. The nation’s capital "remains open and ready to welcome visitors, with so much to see, do, eat and experience," the campaign says."The purpose is to amplify the message that despite the federal government shutdown, the city is open and continues to welcome business and le…

What to Do in D.C. During the Shutdown

(Anna Lowe via Pexels) The U.S. may have entered its second week of a government shutdown, but that doesn’t mean that there’s nothing going on in the nation’s capital. Many local businesses are continuing their operations as usual, and while the Smithsonian museums will remain closed for the remainder of the shutdown, there are still plenty of independently-operated museums and attractions that remain open to the public. Destination DC has start…