This post was updated on October 27, 2025.
Washington may be in the middle of a government shutdown, but some of the area’s beloved attractions—including museums and sporting events—are still open to visitors. The Smithsonian museums and the National Zoo will be open through at least Monday, October 6, while the National Arboretum is closed. If you need some distraction from the shutdown, below are museums and other things to do in the DC area offering free or discounted admission. (Just want to eat and drink away the stress? We’ve got a guide to food and drink specials for federal workers too.)
Atlas Performing Arts Center
1333 H St., NE
Federal employees affected by the shutdown can use the code FEDERAL at checkout to get two tickets for $20 each (fees included) to Atlas Presents: A Bohemian Christmas with the Bohemian Caverns Jazz Orchestra. Tickets are valid only for the November 30, December 1, and December 5 dates.
Capital Jewish Museum
575 3rd St., NW
Federal employees get free admission during the shutdown to this two-year-old museum, where the current exhibit “LGBT Jews in the Federal City” brings together 200 photographs, 120 artifacts, and oral histories.
George Mason University
Multiple locations
Government contractors and federal workers can get free tickets to select professional and student performances at George Mason University’s College of Visual and Performing Arts; the free tickets can be reserved over the phone or in person at the venue. The deal is limited to two tickets per person, per event, and you must confirm your federal agency at the time of purchase.
International Spy Museum
700 L’Enfant Plaza, SW
Federal employees who show government ID at the Spy Museum can get 50 percent off admission throughout the shutdown. Blackout dates and holiday weekends will not apply, but we hope the shutdown doesn’t last that long.
Lincoln’s Cottage
140 Rock Creek Church Rd., NW
This independent, historic site and museum is offering a discount on tours through the end of October for federal workers. If you can’t make it in that timeframe, consider participating in their Museum Impact in Practice Study, open to all, which gives free admission to ticketed programs in exchange for completing a survey.
Museum of the Bible
400 4th St., SW
Federal employees with an ID get 50 percent off general admission during the shutdown.
National Building Museum
401 F St., NW
Get free admission to this museum—which has one of the city’s grandest spaces and coolest gift shops—with a federal employee ID.
National Museum of Women in the Arts
1250 New York Ave., NW
As a private nonprofit, this museum remains open during the federal government shutdown. They are offering free admission to furloughed federal employees.
Old Town Alexandria and Mount Vernon
221 King St., Alexandria
Federal employees can get two free Alexandria Key to the City Attractions Passes when they show government ID in person at the Alexandria Visitor’s Center. This deal is also extended to guests staying at DC area hotels—just present your room key or digital reservation confirmation. Each pass comes with admission to nine historic sites, and 40 percent off coupons to other attractions such as George Washington’s Mount Vernon, which is open during the government shutdown.
Phillips Collection
1600 21st St., NW
Federal employees who show their ID can pay just $10 (full-priced admission is usually $20) to see this gem of a museum—don’t miss Renoir’s masterpiece, Luncheon of the Boating Party—plus get 10 percent off in the museum shop.
Planet Word
925 13th St., NW
Throughout the shutdown, this word-lover’s museum has a special for furloughed federal employees, extending free walk-up admission and 50 percent off Lexicon Lane, Planet Word’s interactive team word puzzle. Government workers can also get a $5 cocktail at the Immigrant Food at this location.
Shakespeare Theatre Company
450 7th St., NW
Government workers can get two tickets for $45 each to see The Wild Duck through October 31. Present your federal ID and use the code 45TIX at the time of purchase. The offer is valid for this show only, does not apply to previous purchases, and can be used for seats in zones B, C, or D.
Theater J
1529 16th St., NW
Use the discount code CARE25 at checkout to get $25 tickets (limited to two per person) to select plays at the Edlavitch DC Jewish Community Center’s theater.
Washington Spirit
100 Potomac Ave., SW
For their October 5 game at Audi Field, the professional women’s soccer team is offering vouchers for a free ticket to the first 200 federal employees from the DC area who claim one. Federal workers who miss out on the free tickets can still get into the game with a limited number of $10 tickets.
Dara T. Mathis is a journalist and nonfiction writer who joined Washingtonian in Fall 2025 as an Editorial Fellow. A 2024 recipient of the American Mosaic Journalism Prize, she resides in Prince George’s County, Maryland.
