Destination DC Relaunches Its 'DC Is Open' Campaign

Destination DC (DDC), the official tourism organization for Washington, DC, returns to its “DC is Open” campaign to let visitors know that despite the partial federal government shutdown, Washington, DC is open for business and welcomes business and leisure travelers.

“We want visitors to know that the majority of DC’s attractions and experiences remain open during a government shutdown,” said Elliott L. Ferguson, II, president and CEO, Destination DC. “Politics are beyond our control, but tourism is crucial to DC’s local economy, which benefited from a record 22.8 million visitors who spent $7.5 billion in 2017. We’re getting the word out that visitors can still take part in special events, great restaurants, theater, arts and culture, sports and nightlife throughout DC’s neighborhoods.”

Prospective visitors can find real-time updates and shutdown deals on washington.org/dcisopen as well as DDC’s social channels (Instagram, Twitter and Facebook) with #DCisOpen, or speak with a DC travel expert (1-800-422-8644), Monday-Friday, 8:30am-5pm (EST).

During the government shutdown, open air parks and memorials on the National Mall remain accessible. All free Smithsonian museums and the Smithsonian National Zoo will be open through Jan. 1. The National Gallery Art will be open through Dec. 31 (closed Dec. 25 and Jan. 1).

Travelers can also experience new inventory like the year-old Wharf destination, Museum of the Bible and National Law Enforcement Museum, or take advantage of DC’s acclaimed restaurants. Watch a professional hockey or basketball game at Capital One Arena or check out an event at the new Entertainment and Sports Arena. See exhibits including Rodarte at the National Museum of Women in the Arts, Exquisitely Evil: 50 Years of Bond Villains at the International Spy Museum (through Jan. 1, 2019), Nordic Impressions at Phillips Collection (through Jan. 13) and 1968: Civil Rights at 50 at the Newseum (through Jan. 2, 2019). Catch a free show at the Kennedy Center’s Millennium stage daily at 6pm or see Indecent at Arena Stage (through Dec. 30). Seasonal events include ice skating at Canal Park, Georgetown GLOW (through Jan. 6, 2019) and the “Dream Closet” installation of modern holiday ornaments above CityCenterDC’s Palmer Alley. Enjoy more than 80 absorbing attractions and tours and including Bike & Roll, Anderson House and Tudor Place.

DDC debuted the “DC is Open campaign” when the U.S. government shut down for 16 days in October 2013 to explain the breadth of attractions that are not impacted during a federal government shutdown. Metro and public transportation will operate as normal and DC government services will continue including sanitation, schools, parks and ancillary services. During the shutdown, DDC unites its 1,000 members of the hospitality and tourism community in welcoming visitors to Washington, DC.

About Destination DC: Destination DC, the official destination marketing organization for the nation’s capital, is a private, non-profit membership organization of 1,000 businesses committed to marketing the area as a premier global convention, tourism and special events destination with a special emphasis on the arts, cultural and historic communities.washington.org.