By Eileen Ogintz
Much of the federal government has been shut down for the past week due to a Congressional funding impasse. It is already resulting in some flight delays that experts say will grow worse the longer the shutdown.
It also means those in the military and those who work for the federal government are not getting paid. Their first missed paychecks would occur in the middle of the month.
Already this year, tourism into the US was down. And now this.
If you are flying: Expect longer security lines and delays and ultimately, flight cancellations not counting frayed tempers. Airport security and air traffic controllers are working without pay, which besides being very stressful. The longer the shutdown continues, aviation experts suggest, workers may start calling in sick. At the same time, both the FAA and the TSA are already facing staffing shortages and if there aren’t enough air traffic controllers, the FAA can slow down landings and take-offs, resulting in more delays and cancellations.
If you are planning to visit National Parks this fall: They are open. But already the National Park Service has lost more than 25 per cent of its staff, according to the National Parks Conservation Association. As a result, parks are cutting ranger programs, closing visitor centers, and falling behind of maintenance “because there just aren’t enough people left to do the job,” the Association reports. Now, thousands of park staff have been furloughed without pay. National Historic sites, including the Liberty Bell in Philadelphia and the Washington Monument in Washington DC are closed, the Washington Post reports.
It’s key before you visit to check what’s open and what’s not. You likely can get in but will find many facilities closed. You may not be able to make future reservations at Recreation.gov
For example, at the Grand Canyon, visitor centers are closed and ranger programs cancelled. However, commercial river trips and services not run by the government like hotels, restaurants and tours are still ongoing.
Utah’s five national parks are open with limited services, but the Utah Office of Tourism has announced the state will cover the costs to keep the visitor centers open. Gates will stay open at Colorado’s eight national park sites, but visitor centers and historic buildings are closed. Lodges, restaurants, and bathrooms remain open at Yellowstone while gates at Yosemite are open but unstaffed. Roads, trails, and campgrounds are open as is lodging, stores and restaurants.
Be forewarned it is very difficult to find information online. Your best bet will be to call or check the websites for the companies operating the lodging in the parks like Xanterra Travel Collection and Aramark. You can also check the official tourism websites and visitor centers that are gateways to the parks, like Jackson Hole, Wyoming for Grand Teton and Yellowstone.
If you are planning to visit Washington, DC, Destination DC, the official destination marketing organization for the nation’s capital, notes that the city is open. released in May 2026. Prospective visitors can find the latest information and timely deals at washington.org/dcisopen, as well as a list of more than 100 unaffected places to go and things to see and do. The Smithsonian museums, research centers and the National Zoo are expected to close starting Oct. 12, if the shutdown continues. The U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum is expected to be open through Oct. 17. The U.S. Capitol Visitor Center is closed as is the U.S. Botanic Garden, the National Gallery of Art, and the National Archives Museum.
George Washington’s Mountain Vernon is open as is Arlington National Cemetery, The International Spy Museum, the National Children’s Museum, and the National Aquarium, among many other sites, tours, theaters, restaurants, and hotels. Expect the national monuments and memorial sites to offer limited access with shops shuttered and ranger-led tours cancelled.
In New York City, the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island are closed; some NYC attractions and parks may have modified hours or be closed. Please call ahead before your visit. For more information visit the websites of the National Park Service and Smithsonian. Of course there are many world-class museums, Central Park, Broadway, the NYC Columbus Day Parade on Oct.13 and much, much more.
While you can’t visit the Liberty Bell Center and Independence Hall in Philadelphia, other attractions in Philadelphia’s Historic District remain open including the Betsy Ross House, Christ Church, Franklin Square park, the Independence Visitor Center and the Museum of the American Revolution. Philly also has wonderful museums including the new Calder Gardens, the Barnes collection art museum, and the Franklin Institute science museum.
Remember, your visit, whether to a major city or national park, can help support the local economy at a time when they really need help. And you have the chance to discover some places you might not have had time for otherwise.