How a Federal Shutdown Impacts National Parks, Museums, and Travel: A Comprehensive Guide for Citizens and Travelers

Understanding the Far-Reaching Effects of Government Shutdowns

Federal government shutdowns don’t just affect Washington, D.C.—they create a domino effect that ripples through communities, businesses, and the daily lives of millions of Americans. While political debates rage in the capital, families find their vacation plans derailed, small business owners watch revenue evaporate, and cultural institutions close their doors to eager visitors. Among the most visible and frustrating impacts are those affecting national parks during government shutdown, Smithsonian museums closure, and critical travel services that citizens depend on throughout the year.

Understanding how federal shutdowns affect tourism and public services helps Americans prepare for disruptions, make informed travel decisions, and grasp the real-world consequences of political gridlock. This comprehensive guide examines what happens to America’s most treasured public spaces and essential travel systems when the government closes its doors, providing practical advice for navigating these challenging periods.

The Anatomy of a Federal Shutdown: Why Public Spaces Close

What Triggers a Shutdown

Government shutdowns occur when Congress fails to pass appropriations legislation to fund federal government operations and agencies. Without approved budgets, federal agencies must cease all non-essential discretionary functions, affecting approximately 800,000 federal workers and countless services Americans rely on daily.

The distinction between “essential” and “non-essential” services becomes crucial during these periods. While critical functions like national security and air traffic control continue, many agencies that manage national parks, museums, and travel services fall into the non-essential category, leading to widespread closures and service disruptions.

Historical Context and Frequency

Since 1976, the United States has experienced 22 federal funding gaps, with 10 resulting in federal employee furloughs. The longest shutdown in U.S. history occurred from December 2018 to January 2019, lasting 35 days and demonstrating the extensive impact these political stalemates can have on public services and the economy.

Notable government shutdowns and their impacts include:

• 1995-1996: Two shutdowns totaling 26 days, closing all national parks and museums
• 2013: A 16-day shutdown that cost the economy an estimated $24 billion
• 2018-2019: The 35-day shutdown that left national parks open but unstaffed, resulting in significant damage

National Parks and Monuments: America’s Natural Treasures in Limbo

The Immediate Impact on Park Operations

When a federal shutdown affects national parks, the consequences vary depending on the specific park, state involvement, and shutdown duration. The National Park Service manages over 420 sites across the United States, including 63 designated national parks, numerous monuments, historic sites, and recreational areas. During a shutdown, these treasured landscapes face several scenarios:

Complete closure represents the most straightforward approach, where parks lock their gates and turn away visitors. This method, while disappointing for travelers, protects park resources and ensures visitor safety. Parks like Yellowstone and Grand Canyon have historically chosen this option during extended shutdowns.

Partial operations create a more complex situation. Some parks remain physically accessible but operate without crucial services. Visitor centers close, rangers disappear, restrooms lock, and emergency services become unavailable. This approach, used during the 2018-2019 shutdown, led to significant problems including illegal camping, vandalism, and accumulation of human waste.

State-funded operations offer a temporary solution when state governments step in to fund park operations. During the 2018-2019 shutdown, states like Utah, Arizona, and New York allocated millions in state funds to keep tourist destinations open, recognizing the economic importance of park tourism to their local economies.

Real-World Consequences of Park Closures

The impact of government shutdown on national parks extends far beyond locked gates. During the 2018-2019 shutdown, Joshua Tree National Park suffered extensive damage when visitors created illegal roads, destroyed native Joshua trees, and left behind mountains of trash. The park estimated it would take years to recover from just 35 days without full staffing.

Environmental damage during shutdowns includes:

• Wildlife harassment: Without rangers present, some visitors disturb or feed wildlife
• Trail destruction: Illegal off-road driving and creation of social trails
• Vandalism: Graffiti, destruction of historic structures, and theft of artifacts
• Sanitation crises: Overflowing trash and human waste creating health hazards
• Resource exploitation: Illegal hunting, fishing, and plant collection

Economic Impact on Gateway Communities

Communities near national parks, often called “gateway communities,” depend heavily on park visitors for economic survival. When national parks close during shutdowns, these towns experience immediate financial hardship.

Consider the town of Gardiner, Montana, at Yellowstone’s north entrance. With a population of fewer than 900 people, the town’s economy revolves entirely around park tourism. During shutdowns, hotels empty, restaurants close early, and tour operators cancel bookings. The 2013 shutdown alone cost gateway communities an estimated $76 million per day in lost revenue.

Small businesses near national parks face particular challenges:

• Cannot qualify for federal disaster relief despite similar economic impacts
• Often operate on thin margins that cannot withstand extended closures
• May lose entire seasonal earning periods during peak visitation times
• Face cascading effects as employees lose income and reduce local spending

Smithsonian Museums and Cultural Institutions: When Learning Stops

The Smithsonian Complex and Its Closure

The Smithsonian Institution represents the world’s largest museum, education, and research complex, with 19 museums, 21 libraries, nine research centers, and the National Zoo. During federal shutdowns, these institutions, which normally welcome over 30 million visitors annually, must close their doors to the public.

Smithsonian museums affected by shutdown include:

• National Museum of Natural History
• National Air and Space Museum
• National Museum of American History
• National Museum of African American History and Culture
• National Gallery of Art
• National Museum of the American Indian
• Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden
• National Portrait Gallery
• And 11 other facilities across Washington, D.C., New York, and Virginia

Impact on Research and Collections

While visitors see closed doors, behind the scenes, the shutdown’s effect on museum operations creates lasting consequences. Research projects halt mid-study, destroying months or years of work. Time-sensitive conservation efforts stop, potentially allowing irreversible deterioration of priceless artifacts. International loan agreements become complicated when museums cannot guarantee facilities will remain open for exhibitions.

Scientists at the National Museum of Natural History lose access to specimens and laboratories, disrupting studies on everything from climate change to disease evolution. The Smithsonian Environmental Research Center must suspend long-term environmental monitoring projects, creating gaps in crucial climate data that cannot be recovered.

Educational Programs and Public Access

The Smithsonian’s educational mission serves millions of students annually through field trips, online resources, and traveling exhibitions. During shutdowns, these programs cease entirely:

• School field trips: Thousands of planned visits cancel, affecting curriculum plans
• Online resources: Updates stop and technical support becomes unavailable
• Research access: Scholars lose access to collections and archives
• Public programs: Lectures, workshops, and special events cancel without notice
• Traveling exhibitions: Shows at museums nationwide face complications

The National Zoo: Animal Care Continues, Public Access Ends

Behind Closed Gates

The National Zoo closure during shutdown presents unique challenges. While the zoo closes to visitors, animal care must continue. Essential staff, including veterinarians, animal keepers, and maintenance workers, continue working—often without pay—to ensure the welfare of over 2,700 animals representing more than 390 species.

The popular Giant Panda Cam, which attracts millions of viewers worldwide, goes dark during shutdowns, disappointing panda enthusiasts globally and eliminating an important tool for researchers studying panda behavior. Other research programs, from endangered species breeding efforts to wildlife disease studies, face disruptions that can set back conservation efforts by months or years.

Financial Strain on Zoo Operations

The National Zoo loses approximately $60,000-100,000 in revenue for each day closed to visitors. This lost income affects:

• Future exhibit development
• Conservation program funding
• Educational initiative support
• Facility maintenance and improvements
• Special event planning

Passport and Visa Services: International Travel in Jeopardy

Passport Processing Delays

Passport services during government shutdown continue at a limited capacity since passport fees fund most operations. However, significant delays occur:

Regular processing, typically 6-8 weeks, can extend to 10-12 weeks or longer during shutdowns. The State Department, already managing high demand, operates with reduced staff who may work without pay. Applications pile up, creating backlogs that persist weeks after shutdowns end.

Expedited services also face delays, though the State Department prioritizes “life or death” emergencies. Travelers needing passports for imminent travel may find appointments unavailable or services suspended at regional passport agencies.

Passport renewal by mail becomes particularly problematic as processing centers operate with skeleton crews. Lost or delayed mail compounds problems, and customer service lines—if operational—face overwhelming call volumes.

Visa Services and International Relations

Visa processing during shutdown creates diplomatic and economic challenges extending beyond individual travelers:

Tourist visas face significant delays, affecting America’s tourism industry. International visitors, particularly from countries requiring visas, may cancel trips rather than risk traveling without proper documentation. The U.S. Travel Association estimates that visa delays during shutdowns cost the economy millions in lost tourism revenue daily.

Business visas create complications for international commerce. Companies cannot bring in essential foreign workers, consultants, or partners. International conferences and trade shows lose participants. Technology companies particularly suffer when unable to process H-1B or other work visas for specialized employees.

Student visas affect educational institutions and international students. Universities may lose enrolled students who cannot obtain visas in time for semester starts. International education, contributing over $44 billion annually to the U.S. economy, faces disruption.

Real Stories from Affected Travelers

During the 2018-2019 shutdown, Sarah Martinez, a teacher from California, had planned a once-in-a-lifetime educational trip to Europe with her students. Despite applying for her passport renewal three months in advance, the shutdown delayed processing. “We had to cancel the entire trip,” she recalls. “Twenty students lost their opportunity, and we forfeited thousands in non-refundable deposits.”

Business owner David Chen faced visa delays for key employees during the 2013 shutdown. “We had engineers coming from India to complete a critical project. The visa delays cost us a major contract worth $2 million. The shutdown’s ‘savings’ cost real businesses real money.”

Air Travel and TSA Operations: Flying Through Uncertainty

TSA Staffing Challenges

While TSA operations during shutdown continue because airport security is deemed essential, the reality proves more complex. TSA agents must work without pay, receiving back pay only after the shutdown ends. This creates numerous problems:

Increased absenteeism occurs as financial pressure mounts on workers. During the 2019 shutdown, TSA sick-leave rates doubled as employees took second jobs to pay bills. Some airports reported absence rates exceeding 10%, compared to the normal 3%.

Security checkpoint delays increase dramatically with fewer agents available. Miami International Airport was forced to close one terminal for several days. Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson, the world’s busiest airport, experienced security lines exceeding three hours during peak times.

Morale and retention problems persist long after shutdowns end. Many TSA agents, already working in high-stress positions, seek other employment rather than face future uncertainty about paychecks.

Air Traffic Control Under Pressure

Air traffic controllers, also working without pay during shutdowns, face extraordinary pressure. These highly trained professionals manage the safety of millions of passengers daily while worrying about personal finances.

The 2019 shutdown ended partly because air traffic controllers, citing safety concerns from stress and fatigue, began calling in sick in larger numbers. The resulting flight delays at major airports like LaGuardia created a cascade effect throughout the national airspace system, demonstrating how essential workers’ financial stress can threaten critical infrastructure.

Impact on Airport Operations and Airlines

Airlines and airports during shutdown face multiple challenges:

• New route approvals halt, preventing airlines from launching planned services
• Aircraft certifications delay, grounding new planes awaiting FAA approval
• Airport construction projects stop if they require federal oversight
• International agreements cannot be negotiated or renewed
• Safety inspections may be postponed, creating potential risks

The Airlines for America trade organization estimated that the 2019 shutdown cost airlines $100 million per day in lost revenue, additional fuel costs from delays, and passenger compensation.

Local Economies and the Tourism Ripple Effect

Quantifying Economic Impact

The economic impact of shutdown on tourism extends far beyond closed attractions. The U.S. Travel Association calculated that the 2019 shutdown cost the travel economy $185 million per day, with effects including:

• Direct losses: Entrance fees, camping permits, and gift shop sales
• Indirect losses: Hotel bookings, restaurant meals, gas purchases
• Induced losses: Reduced spending by furloughed workers and affected businesses
• Long-term losses: Cancelled future bookings and damaged destination reputation

Small Business Stories

Small businesses affected by government shutdown often lack resources to weather extended closures. Consider these real examples:

River rafting companies near the Grand Canyon lose entire seasons when the park closes. With permits tied to specific dates, they cannot simply postpone trips. One outfitter reported losing $800,000 during the 2013 shutdown, forcing them to lay off 20 seasonal employees.

Hotels in gateway communities face immediate cancellations. The historic El Tovar Hotel at the Grand Canyon’s South Rim must close entirely during shutdowns, losing over $100,000 in revenue daily while still maintaining the historic building.

Tour operators specializing in national park experiences cannot simply redirect customers to alternative destinations. Many operate under special use permits that become invalid during shutdowns, preventing them from operating even if parks remain physically accessible.

Regional Economic Variations

Different regions experience varying shutdown impacts based on their reliance on federal attractions:

Washington, D.C. faces the most comprehensive impact, with museums, monuments, and federal buildings closing simultaneously. The district loses an estimated $200 million per week during shutdowns, affecting everything from food trucks to luxury hotels.

Western states with numerous national parks see widespread tourism impacts. Utah estimates losing $1.8 million daily during shutdowns, while Arizona faces similar losses from Grand Canyon closures alone.

Coastal areas with national seashores and marine sanctuaries experience seasonal variations. Summer shutdowns prove catastrophic for beach communities, while winter closures may have minimal impact.

How Citizens Can Prepare: Practical Strategies for Shutdown Periods

Pre-Travel Planning

Preparing for travel during potential shutdown requires flexibility and foresight:

1. Monitor political news: Budget deadlines are known in advance. If traveling near these dates, prepare contingencies.
2. Purchase travel insurance: Ensure your policy covers government shutdowns as a valid cancellation reason.
3. Book refundable accommodations: Pay slightly more for cancellable reservations near federal attractions.
4. Research alternatives: Identify state parks, private attractions, or municipal museums as backup options.
5. Document confirmation numbers: Keep records of all reservations in case you need to file claims or request refunds.

Passport and Visa Strategies

Avoiding passport delays during shutdown:

• Apply at least six months before international travel
• Use expedited services well before potential shutdown periods
• Consider passport renewal even with validity remaining if traveling near shutdown risks
• Keep passport photos current and documentation ready for quick submission

Supporting Affected Communities

Helping communities during shutdown demonstrates civic responsibility:

• Visit gateway communities anyway: Many attractions like scenic drives, local museums, and private tours remain available
• Support local businesses: Eat at local restaurants, shop at local stores, and tip generously
• Postpone rather than cancel: Work with local businesses to reschedule rather than cancel bookings
• Share positive experiences: Use social media to highlight open attractions and available activities
• Donate to local organizations: Consider supporting local community foundations that assist affected workers

Creating Contingency Plans

Developing shutdown contingency plans helps minimize disruption:

For vacations:

• Book trips with multiple activity options beyond federal sites
• Research state park alternatives in the same region
• Consider purchasing cancel-for-any-reason travel insurance
• Build extra days into itineraries for flexibility

For business travel:

• Maintain current passport and visa documentation
• Build relationships with expediting services for emergency needs
• Consider Global Entry or other trusted traveler programs for faster processing
• Keep digital copies of all travel documents

For education:

• Develop virtual field trip alternatives for school groups
• Create lesson plans that don’t depend on federal resources
• Build relationships with state and local cultural institutions
• Maintain lists of online educational resources

Long-Term Solutions and Civic Engagement

Understanding the Cost of Shutdowns

Government shutdown economic impact extends beyond immediate tourism losses:

• Lost productivity: Federal workers’ delayed projects and interrupted research
• Reduced tax revenue: From affected businesses and workers
• Increased costs: Reopening and recovering from closure damage
• Reputation damage: International perception of U.S. stability
• Opportunity costs: Missed chances for economic growth and development

The Congressional Budget Office estimated the 2018-2019 shutdown reduced GDP by $11 billion, with $3 billion never recovered.

Advocating for Change

Preventing future shutdowns requires citizen engagement:

1. Contact representatives: Express how shutdowns affect your community
2. Share personal stories: Humanize the impact through real experiences
3. Support automatic continuing resolutions: Advocate for mechanisms preventing shutdowns
4. Engage locally: Attend town halls and community meetings
5. Vote: Consider shutdown impacts when evaluating candidates

Building Resilience

Communities can prepare for future shutdowns by:

• Diversifying tourism economies: Reducing dependence on federal attractions
• Creating emergency funds: Building reserves for affected workers and businesses
• Developing partnerships: Establishing state and private support agreements
• Improving communication: Creating networks to share information quickly
• Planning alternatives: Developing contingency attractions and activities

Special Considerations for Different Traveler Types

International Visitors

International tourists during U.S. shutdown face unique challenges:

• Language barriers complicate getting updated information
• Time zone differences make contacting services difficult
• Non-refundable international airfare increases financial losses
• Visa restrictions prevent easy rescheduling
• Travel insurance may not cover shutdown-related cancellations

International visitors should:

• Book through reputable tour operators with shutdown policies
• Purchase comprehensive travel insurance from their home country
• Build flexibility into itineraries
• Consider visiting during non-peak government funding periods
• Monitor U.S. news sources before departure

School Groups and Educational Travel

School trips during shutdown require special consideration:

• Educational objectives may be impossible to meet without federal sites
• Chaperone ratios and safety protocols complicate last-minute changes
• Fundraised money may be difficult to return or redirect
• Permission slips and insurance may not cover alternative activities
• Students’ once-in-a-lifetime opportunities may be lost

Educators should:

• Schedule trips avoiding fiscal year transitions
• Develop educational alternatives aligned with curriculum
• Maintain transparent communication with parents about risks
• Consider virtual field trips as backup options
• Build relationships with state and private educational venues

Researchers and Academics

Academic research during shutdown faces serious disruption:

• Loss of access to federal archives and collections
• Interruption of longitudinal studies
• Cancelled conferences and symposiums
• Delayed grant processing and funding
• Missed publication deadlines

Researchers can prepare by:

• Digitizing materials when possible before shutdowns
• Building collaborative networks with non-federal institutions
• Maintaining off-site data backups
• Developing contingency research plans
• Scheduling federal archive visits strategically

Technology and Digital Services During Shutdowns

Online Resources and Databases

Federal websites during shutdown often display limited functionality:

• Database updates cease
• Technical support becomes unavailable
• Security certificates may expire
• Online transactions may be suspended
• Educational resources become outdated

Critical services affected include:

• National Archives catalog access
• Library of Congress digital collections
• NASA image galleries and educational materials
• USGS mapping and geological data
• Census data updates and tools

Mobile Apps and Digital Tours

Many federal attractions offer mobile apps that may malfunction during shutdowns:

• GPS-triggered content may not update
• Augmented reality features may fail
• Download servers may become inaccessible
• Bug fixes and security updates halt
• User support disappears

Travelers should:

• Download apps and offline content before trips
• Save PDF guides and maps locally
• Screenshot important information
• Identify alternative navigation tools
• Maintain paper backups for critical information

Environmental and Conservation Impacts

Wildlife and Ecosystem Effects

Environmental damage during shutdown extends beyond visible vandalism:

Wildlife disruption occurs when normal management ceases:

• Feeding schedules for managed populations interrupt
• Migration monitoring stops
• Injured animal rescue services suspend
• Invasive species control halts
• Breeding program management delays

Ecosystem impacts accumulate quickly:

• Water quality monitoring stops
• Fire prevention measures pause
• Erosion control projects abandon
• Restoration efforts reverse
• Climate data collection gaps form

Long-Term Conservation Consequences

The shutdown impact on conservation creates lasting problems:

• Lost data: Gaps in long-term studies cannot be recovered
• Delayed protection: Endangered species listings postpone
• Habitat degradation: Unmanaged areas deteriorate rapidly
• Reduced funding: Future conservation budgets may decrease
• Public disconnect: Closed parks reduce conservation support

Conservation organizations estimate that each shutdown day requires weeks of recovery work, with some impacts irreversible.

International Comparisons and Lessons Learned

How Other Countries Handle Funding Crises

Most democratic nations have mechanisms preventing shutdown-style closures:

Parliamentary systems often include automatic dissolution triggers, forcing new elections rather than service shutdowns. Countries like the United Kingdom and Canada maintain government services even during political crises.

Automatic appropriations in countries like Australia ensure essential services continue regardless of political disagreements. Their 1975 constitutional crisis led to reforms preventing American-style shutdowns.

Constitutional requirements in Germany and other nations mandate timely budget passage, with provisional spending authority preventing service interruptions.

Best Practices from State Governments

Several U.S. states have developed shutdown prevention mechanisms:

• Automatic continuing resolutions: Some states automatically extend previous budgets
• Essential services definitions: Broader definitions keep more services operational
• Rainy day funds: Reserves specifically for government operations
• Constitutional amendments: Requirements for timely budget passage
• Penalty provisions: Personal consequences for legislators who fail to pass budgets

Moving Forward: Building a Shutdown-Resistant Future

Policy Proposals and Solutions

Various shutdown prevention proposals have been suggested:

Automatic continuing resolutions would maintain previous funding levels until new budgets pass. This removes shutdowns as political leverage while maintaining congressional budget authority.

Essential services expansion would classify more services as essential, keeping parks, museums, and passport services operational during funding gaps.

Shutdown penalty laws would suspend congressional pay or prevent recess until budgets pass, creating personal incentives for timely resolution.

Two-year budgeting would reduce shutdown frequency by halving budget negotiations, though it might reduce congressional flexibility.

Community-Level Preparation

Local communities can build shutdown resilience through:

• Economic diversification: Reducing dependence on federal tourism
• Emergency funds: Creating reserves for affected workers
• Public-private partnerships: Developing alternative funding sources
• Interstate compacts: Regional agreements for mutual support
• Citizen engagement: Building awareness and advocacy networks

Individual Action Steps

Citizens can take concrete steps to prepare for and respond to shutdowns:

1. Stay informed: Monitor federal budget status through reliable news sources
2. Plan ahead: Build flexibility into travel and business plans
3. Support affected communities: Visit and spend money in gateway communities
4. Advocate for change: Contact representatives about shutdown impacts
5. Share experiences: Help others understand real-world consequences

Conclusion: The Real Cost of Political Gridlock

Federal shutdowns represent more than political theater—they’re real events with real consequences for millions of Americans and international visitors. From the family whose long-planned Yellowstone vacation gets derailed to the small business owner who loses a season’s income, from the researcher whose decades-long study faces interruption to the federal worker who struggles to pay bills while working without pay, shutdowns touch lives in profound and lasting ways.

Understanding how shutdowns affect national parks, museums, and travel empowers citizens to prepare for these disruptions while advocating for permanent solutions. The impact extends far beyond locked gates and closed doors—it ripples through local economies, disrupts scientific research, damages international reputation, and erodes public trust in government institutions.

As Americans, we must recognize that the true cost of shutdowns cannot be measured solely in dollars lost or days closed. The damage to our national heritage, scientific progress, and civic faith carries consequences that last long after the government reopens. Every Joshua tree destroyed, every research project abandoned, and every small business shuttered represents a failure of our political system to serve the people it represents.

The path forward requires both individual preparation and collective action. By understanding shutdown impacts, preparing for potential disruptions, supporting affected communities, and demanding better from our elected officials, we can work toward a future where political disagreements don’t result in padlocked parks and shuttered museums.

Until systematic changes prevent future shutdowns, Americans must remain vigilant, prepared, and engaged. Your next vacation, your community’s economy, and our nation’s treasured places depend not on political gamesmanship but on citizens who understand the stakes and demand better. The question isn’t whether another shutdown will occur, but whether we’ll be ready when it does—and whether we’ll finally say “enough” to a system that treats our national heritage as a bargaining chip.

Frequently Asked Questions About Shutdowns and Travel

General Shutdown Questions

Q: Do national parks always close during a federal shutdown? A: Not always. The response varies by park and shutdown. Some parks close completely, others remain partially open but without services like visitor centers, restrooms, or emergency services. Some states have funded their parks temporarily to maintain tourism revenue. Always check specific park websites or call ahead during shutdown periods.

Q: How long do government shutdowns typically last? A: Shutdown duration varies widely. Since 1976, shutdowns have ranged from one day to 35 days. The average duration is about 8 days, but recent shutdowns have tended to be longer as political polarization has increased.

Q: Can I still visit Washington, D.C. monuments during a shutdown? A: Open-air monuments like the Lincoln Memorial, Jefferson Memorial, and Washington Monument grounds typically remain physically accessible, but without ranger programs, restrooms, or maintenance. However, you cannot enter enclosed spaces like the Washington Monument elevator or memorial museums.

Travel and Tourism Questions

Q: Can I still fly during a government shutdown? A: Yes, commercial flights continue because TSA agents and air traffic controllers are considered essential employees. However, they work without pay during shutdowns, which can lead to increased absences and longer security lines. Plan for extra time at airports and potential delays.

Q: Are passports still issued during a shutdown? A: Passport services continue at reduced capacity since they’re largely fee-funded, but expect significant delays. Regular processing can extend from 6-8 weeks to 10-12 weeks or longer. Emergency services for life-or-death situations receive priority, but routine expedited services also face delays.

Q: Will my Global Entry or TSA PreCheck interview be cancelled? A: Yes, these interviews are typically cancelled during shutdowns as they’re not considered essential services. If you have an upcoming interview scheduled during a potential shutdown period, try to reschedule in advance.

Museum and Zoo Questions

Q: Do Smithsonian museums always close during shutdowns? A: Yes, all Smithsonian museums and the National Zoo close to the public during federal shutdowns, though animal care continues at the zoo. The museums typically use any available prior-year funds to stay open briefly but must close once those funds are exhausted.

Q: What happens to zoo animals during a shutdown? A: Animal care continues as essential work. Veterinarians, keepers, and maintenance staff continue working (often without pay) to ensure animal welfare. However, research programs, conservation efforts, and public programs halt.

Q: Can I access Smithsonian online resources during a shutdown? A: Websites typically remain accessible but aren’t updated. Online databases may not function properly, technical support becomes unavailable, and educational programs cease. Download any needed resources before potential shutdown periods.

Economic and Business Questions

Q: How much do shutdowns cost the economy? A: Economic impacts vary by shutdown length and scope. The 2018-2019 shutdown cost an estimated $11 billion in GDP, with $3 billion permanently lost. Tourism alone loses approximately $185 million per day during shutdowns.

Q: Can businesses near national parks get disaster relief during shutdowns? A: No, shutdowns don’t qualify as disasters for federal relief programs. Some states have created emergency funds for affected businesses, but most must rely on their own resources or local community support.

Q: Do federal contractors get back pay after shutdowns? A: Unlike federal employees who receive back pay, contractors typically don’t get compensated for lost work during shutdowns. This affects thousands of workers from janitors to IT specialists who support federal operations.

Planning and Preparation Questions

Q: Should I cancel my vacation if it’s during a potential shutdown? A: Don’t automatically cancel, but build flexibility into your plans. Consider purchasing travel insurance, booking refundable accommodations, and identifying alternative activities. Many gateway communities offer attractions beyond federal sites.

Q: How far in advance should I apply for a passport to avoid shutdown delays? A: Apply at least six months before international travel, especially if traveling near the federal fiscal year end (September 30) or other potential shutdown periods. Consider expedited processing even if you normally wouldn’t need it.

Q: Where can I find current information during a shutdown? A: Check official .gov websites (though they may not update), local tourism boards, state park services, and local news outlets. Social media can provide real-time updates, but verify information through official sources when possible.