Visiting DC During the Shutdown? Here's What to Do in Washington Right Now.

"The government shutdown has temporarily closed many of Washington's go-to spots for tourists, including the free Smithsonian museums. But if you're coming to town during the shutdown, your itinerary can still be salvaged. Consider these alternative destinations with exhibits dedicated to history and culture. While some of the locations are free, most require a paid ticket or timed-entry pass to visit, so check the websites before heading over."

"For aviation enthusiasts While the Air and Space museum's collection is currently inaccessible, the flight continues at College Park Aviation Museum, which can be reached via Metro's Green Line. Located on the property of the oldest continuously operating airport in the world, the museum is an opportunity to see a variety of aircraft, from a 1924 Berliner Helicopter to models of pre-World War I planes. Current exhibits cover the history of animals in flight, airmail, and Latina pilots."

"The National Inventors Hall of Fame is located within the United States Patent and Trademark Office in Alexandria, and the free museum offers insights into American innovation. Sit inside a Mustang that is half of a 1965 model and half of a 2015 model for a sense of how cars have changed, and see other artifacts related to various patents, from basketball to shampoo."

The government shutdown has closed many Smithsonian museums, but multiple alternative cultural destinations across the DC area remain available. Some attractions are free while many require paid tickets or timed-entry passes; visitors should check websites before going. College Park Aviation Museum, reachable via the Green Line, displays historic aircraft including a 1924 Berliner Helicopter and pre-World War I models, with exhibits on animals in flight, airmail, and Latina pilots. The National Inventors Hall of Fame at the USPTO in Alexandria offers invention-focused artifacts. President Lincoln's Cottage provides hourly one-hour tours, and the National Building Museum presents architecture-centered exhibits.

Read at Washingtonian