Washington, D.C. is feeling the sting of the federal government shutdown as all Smithsonian museums and the National Zoo prepare to close their doors this Sunday.
Officials confirmed that unless lawmakers in Congress can pass a spending bill soon, every Smithsonian location, from the Air & Space Museum to the National Museum of African American History and Culture, will be off-limits to the public. The National Zoo will also close, and yes, even the popular Giant Panda Cam will go dark until further notice.
The Smithsonian said it has been operating on leftover funds since the shutdown began but will officially run out this weekend. Once that happens, public access stops, and most staff will be furloughed. The good news? The animals at the zoo will still be cared for daily by essential staff; they just won’t have an audience.
This closure marks one of the most visible signs of how the political gridlock in Washington is starting to hit everyday life. Tourists, families, and locals will feel the loss as some of the city’s most iconic institutions are forced to pause operations.
If the shutdown continues, the impact could spread to other federally funded sites around the nation’s capital, including memorials, galleries, and cultural centers.
