WASHINGTON – For 43 days, many government-funded services and programs were interrupted and suspended by the shutdown.
That included such popular tourist sites in the nation’s capital as the Smithsonian Institution museums, the United States Capitol, memorials and monuments run by the National Park Service and the Library of Congress.
Some sites reopened Thursday, but others will not be welcoming visitors until the weekend or early next week. Here’s a rundown of places that have opened and those that are delaying opening for a few days.
Smithsonian Institution
The Smithsonian Institution’s museums and research centers are staggering openings.
The National Museum of American History, National Air and Space Museum and that museum’s Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Fairfax County, Virginia, will reopen Friday.
On Saturday, the National Zoo, the National Museum of African American History and Culture, the National Museum of African Art, and the National Museum of Asian Art will open at their regular times. The National Museum of Natural History also will open Saturday, but not until noon. The Smithsonian said the zoo and the museums may have limited food service offerings.
The rest of the Smithsonian’s research centers and museums will open on a rolling basis by Monday. Updates on specific openings will be listed on the Smithsonian’s website.
The National Gallery of Art
The National Gallery of Art, a public-private partnership, will open some of its facilities on Friday.
The West Building and Sculpture Garden will reopen Friday under its regular 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. hours. The full campus, including the East Building, will open for regular hours on Saturday.
National monuments
The monuments on and near the National Mall opened to the public Thursday. The Washington Monument will remain closed for maintenance until Sunday.
Arlington National Cemetery
Arlington National Cemetery remained open during the government shutdown. The cemetery is open daily 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
National Park Service
Most national parks have remained open to the public with limited amenities and services during the shutdown.
Specific sites may be slow to reopen based on staffing challenges, according to a National Park Service ranger who spoke to Capital News Service.
Information on specific sites can be found on the National Park Service’s website.
United States Capitol Visitor Center
The United States Capitol discontinued its usual public tours during the shutdown. It reopened Thursday at 8:30 a.m.
Capitol Visitor Center communications specialist Laura Trivers said the center is “open and looking for welcoming visitors back to the Capitol.”
Library of Congress
The Library of Congress reopened Thursday at noon. Visitors must reserve free, timed-entry tickets on the library’s website.
United States Botanic Garden
The Botanic Garden reopened Thursday under its regular 10 a.m.- 5 p.m. hours.
United States National Arboretum
The arboretum announced on its website that its grounds will open Saturday and the administration building will open Sunday.