The good news is that the Nation’s Capital is ready to welcome you back. Many of the attractions, restaurants and hotels will be open at limited capacity with some restrictions remaining in place. But every week there are new things available. But hey, we are excited! Here’s what to know, courtesy of Destination DC.

What Museums are Open Right Now

• The National Air and Space Museum’s Steven F. Udvar Hazy Center has reopened. For more information regarding hours, timed entry and safety protocols, visit the museum’s website.
• The Hirshhorn’s Sculpture Garden is open daily from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., while the plaza and building remain closed. For more information, visit the Hirshhorn’s website.
• The National Museum of Women in the Arts is now open. Visit the museum’s website for more information.
• Glenstone is open for visits to the Gallery building, grounds, and outdoor dining at the Patio in a limited capacity on visitor days (Thursday-Sunday 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.). Scheduled visits are required, and admission is free. Visit the museum’s website for more information.
• George Washington’s Mount Vernon is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., non-members should buy tickets online, guests and staff are required to wear face coverings and must social distance. 
• ARTECHOUSE is open daily from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Make sure to read its safety protocols before planning a trip.

• Lincoln’s Cottage has reopened for self-guided tours from Wednesday through Monday. Advance tickets are required.
• International Spy Museum is now open daily. You must get advance tickets and abide by social distancing guidelines and mask requirements. Read more safety info.
• Kreeger Museum is open. You must get advance reservation tickets. 
• Museum of the Bible is open Thursday through Monday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tickets, face masks and social distancing required. Use complimentary styluses on touchscreens. Read more “Thou Shalts”.
• Big Bus Tours is offering tours every day of the week. For more information, visit its website.
• The Phillips Collection has reopened with its new centennial exhibition, ‘Seeing Differently: The Phillips Collects for a New Century‘.
• Dumbarton House has reopened. Hours are Friday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit Dumbarton House’s website.
• Planet Word has reopened. Hours are Thursday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information about the museum’s COVID-19 guidelines and to reserve passes, visit Planet Word’s website.
• The National Building Museum is now open Friday through Sunday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information, visit the museum’s website.
• Tudor Place has reopened, with hours of Friday and Saturday, 12 to 4 p.m. For more information, visit the estate’s website.
• Dream Aero is open from 12-7 p.m., Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Sunday. Visit its website for more information.
• Hillwood Estate, Museum & Gardens is now open Tuesday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, visit the museum’s website.
• Old Town Trolley Tours is now open, with tours departing hourly from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day. You can also read about the company’s safety policies.

What’s Reopening Soon

• Ford’s Theatre will reopen the museum and theatre beginning May 12. The Petersen House and Aftermath Exhibits will remain closed. For more information regarding tickets and safety protocols, visit the Ford’s Theatre website.
• The National Gallery of Art will reopen its West Building on May 14. For more information regarding hours, timed entry and safety protocols, visit the museum’s website. The Sculpture Garden is open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily with limited capacity, while the East Building remains closed.
• The National Museum of African American History and Culture will reopen on May 14. For more information regarding hours, timed entry and safety protocols, visit the museum’s website.
• The National Portrait Gallery will reopen on May 14. For more information regarding hours, timed entry and safety protocols, visit the museum’s website.
• The Smithsonian American Art Museum and its Renwick Gallery will reopen on May 14. For more information regarding hours, timed entry and safety protocols, visit the museum’s website.
• The National Archives will reopen on May 15. For more information regarding hours, timed entry and safety protocols, visit the museum’s website.
• The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum will reopen on May 17. For more information regarding hours, timed entry and safety protocols, visit the museum’s website.
• The National Museum of American History will reopen on May 21. For more information regarding hours, timed entry and safety protocols, visit the museum’s website.
• The National Museum of the American Indian will reopen on May 21. For more information regarding hours, timed entry and safety protocols, visit the museum’s website.
• The Smithsonian’s National Zoo will reopen on May 21. For more information regarding hours, timed entry and safety protocols, visit the Smithsonian unit’s website.

Restaurants

Service is open for indoor dining at 25 percent capacity, outdoor dining and carryout and delivery at restaurants through June 10. Check the status on outdoor dining options including beer gardens, patios and rooftop restaurants, as well as popular takeout and delivery options.

Sports

Currently professional sports may operate pursuant to a waiver. Anticipated capacity is for 10,000 fans at Nationals Park and 5,000 at Audi Field.

• Washington Nationals (Tickets) at Nationals Park. Regular season ends Sept. 29.
• D.C. United (Tickets) at Audi Field. Regular season ends Nov. 7.

Parks/Gardens/Recreation

Dog parks, golf courses, parks, tennis courts, tracks and fields are open. Recreation centers, bowling alleys, climbing gyms, squash or racquetball clubs, skating rinks and skateboard parks may open with a 50-person capacity or at 50 percent capacity through May 21. Note that outdoor attractions like the National Park Service Sites, Monuments and Memorials at the National Mall and around the city remain open. You can also learn more about DC’s parks and gardens and read details of currently reopened sites below.

• The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts‘ outdoor campus at THE REACH is accessible, including pop-up wine garden and cafe Victura Park.
• Kenilworth Park & Aquatic Gardens is open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., with limited number of visitors, required social distancing and face coverings suggested. Onsite buildings and bathroom are closed. Learn more.
• National Museum of the Marine Corps remains closed, but its museum grounds, including Semper Fidelis Memorial Park and the playground, are open with safety measures. Learn more.
• The Smithsonian’s Enid A. Haupt Garden is open with safety protocols in place. Learn more.
• U.S. National Arboretum is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Learn more. 
• George Washington’s Mount Vernon is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., non-members should buy tickets online, guests and staff are required to wear face coverings and must social distance.
• The Fields & Festival Grounds at RFK Campus are open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on weekdays and 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on weekends. The weekly farmers’ market is open. Learn more.

Theaters/Cinemas/Concert Venues/Entertainment Centers

From May 21-June 11, waivers are necessary for nightclubs and entertainment venues. Starting June 11, capacity restrictions will be listed at entertainment venues. Note that many area theaters are offering virtual programming – make sure to check our things to do for the week and weekend to review options.

• The Howard Theatre – Next scheduled show on June 5 with Pianist Tigran Hamasyan
• Union Stage – Next scheduled show on June 24 with DC based indie soul band Oh He Dead
• Black Cat – Next scheduled show on Aug 6 with Between the Buried and Me
• The Anthem – Next scheduled show on Aug. 29 with the Deftones Summer Tour 2021
• 9:30 Club – Next scheduled show on Aug. 28 with Luttrell
• The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts – 2021-2022 Ballet & Dance Season debuts Oct. 7 | Theater Season debuts Oct. 13

Hotels

If you find yourself in Washington, DC during this time and in need of a hotel, many DC-area hotels are open and ready to welcome guests. 

Transportation

WMATA’s enhanced cleaning measures include daily disinfecting of trains, buses and stations with mopping, wiping down high-touch surfaces or using electrostatic foggers. Metro has upped its deep cleaning of stations to four times that of the pre-Covid era. In addition, Metro launched new touch-free SmarTrip service for iPhone and Apple Watch devices, becoming the first rail system in the U.S. to offer a full service, touch-free payment option at every single stop.

Metro has restored most rail and bus service to pre-covid levels across the region in the largest – and likely most complex – service change in the system’s 44-year history. Metro is expanding late-night service and restoring more routes to support the DC region’s reopening and recovery. Face masks are required. For more information, visit wmata.com. 

 

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