WaffleWarrior
Well-known member
Washington D.C. Defies Shutdown Chaos, Welcomes Tourists Back with 'DC is Open' Campaign
In the midst of the ongoing federal government shutdown, Washington D.C.'s tourism board is taking bold steps to attract visitors back to the city. With most attractions and experiences remaining open, Destination D.C. (DDC) has launched a new campaign dubbed "DC is Open," aiming to promote the nation's capital as a top destination for leisure travelers.
Despite the federal government shutdown, which began on October 1, Washington D.C.'s official tourism bureau is reminding Americans that the city remains open and ready to welcome visitors. The campaign, first introduced during the 2013 government shutdown, highlights the many attractions, restaurants, hotels, and cultural events available in the city.
"We understand that when the federal government shuts down, some visitors may assume D.C. does too," said Elliott L. Ferguson II, president and CEO of Destination D.C. "But that's far from the truth." Ferguson emphasized that most of the city's attractions and experiences remain open, including all open-air parks and memorials on the National Mall, although some visitor centers and ranger-led services are limited.
The campaign also promotes private museums, which are unaffected by the shutdown. Visitors can enjoy iconic attractions such as the Washington Monument and the Lincoln Memorial without interruption. In fact, last year's 27.2 million visitors spent $11.4 billion in the city, with many opting to enjoy the National Mall during this time.
To entice tourists, Destination D.C. is suggesting ways to experience the city during the shutdown. For instance, a visit to the Tidal Basin can be enjoyed when the MLK and FDR Memorials reflect on still water at sunrise or under the stars. Private guides are also available for a night tour of the monuments when they light up.
Washington D.C.'s restaurant scene remains open, with popular eateries such as POV, L'Ardente, Hank's, and Old Ebbitt Grill offering delicious meals while supporting local businesses. The city's nightlife, theater performances, sports events, and cultural attractions also continue to thrive during the shutdown.
As the government shutdown enters its fourth week, Destination D.C.'s "DC is Open" campaign aims to reiterate that Washington D.C. remains a vibrant destination worth visiting.
In the midst of the ongoing federal government shutdown, Washington D.C.'s tourism board is taking bold steps to attract visitors back to the city. With most attractions and experiences remaining open, Destination D.C. (DDC) has launched a new campaign dubbed "DC is Open," aiming to promote the nation's capital as a top destination for leisure travelers.
Despite the federal government shutdown, which began on October 1, Washington D.C.'s official tourism bureau is reminding Americans that the city remains open and ready to welcome visitors. The campaign, first introduced during the 2013 government shutdown, highlights the many attractions, restaurants, hotels, and cultural events available in the city.
"We understand that when the federal government shuts down, some visitors may assume D.C. does too," said Elliott L. Ferguson II, president and CEO of Destination D.C. "But that's far from the truth." Ferguson emphasized that most of the city's attractions and experiences remain open, including all open-air parks and memorials on the National Mall, although some visitor centers and ranger-led services are limited.
The campaign also promotes private museums, which are unaffected by the shutdown. Visitors can enjoy iconic attractions such as the Washington Monument and the Lincoln Memorial without interruption. In fact, last year's 27.2 million visitors spent $11.4 billion in the city, with many opting to enjoy the National Mall during this time.
To entice tourists, Destination D.C. is suggesting ways to experience the city during the shutdown. For instance, a visit to the Tidal Basin can be enjoyed when the MLK and FDR Memorials reflect on still water at sunrise or under the stars. Private guides are also available for a night tour of the monuments when they light up.
Washington D.C.'s restaurant scene remains open, with popular eateries such as POV, L'Ardente, Hank's, and Old Ebbitt Grill offering delicious meals while supporting local businesses. The city's nightlife, theater performances, sports events, and cultural attractions also continue to thrive during the shutdown.
As the government shutdown enters its fourth week, Destination D.C.'s "DC is Open" campaign aims to reiterate that Washington D.C. remains a vibrant destination worth visiting.
. yeah some visitor centers are limited and ranger-led services are out but honestly most ppl come here for the sights and sounds of the mall anyway...and private museums aren't affected so that's a win 
. i mean 27.2 million visitors last year spent $11.4 billion in the city which is still pretty wild 
. it's just weird they keep emphasizing this though when like, most ppl think dc shuts down during gov shutdown 
.
lol did you know i just saw the most gorgeous sunset at the beach last weekend? it was like the whole sky turned pink and orange 
anyway, back to dc - so cool they're trying to attract tourists despite the gov shutdown 
what's your fave attraction in dc? personally, i'm more of a national mall kinda girl, all those monuments are just so iconic 
I mean, who wouldn't want to visit the nation's capital when it's basically open for business? 
It's like they're saying, "Hey, don't let the government shutdown bring you down! Come on down and enjoy all we have to offer." And honestly, there's so much to see and do in D.C. - from iconic landmarks like the Washington Monument and Lincoln Memorial to awesome museums and restaurants.
. Like, who needs government-run stuff when you can just visit a private one instead? Plus, it's always cool to explore places that are off the beaten path. And have you seen those sunset or starry night pics of the Tidal Basin? 
. Plus, supporting local businesses by eating out is always a win in my book 
. I'm def gonna be checking out POV and L'Ardente on my next visit... anyone else with me? 
Anyway, I think it's kinda cool that DC is still open and welcoming visitors despite the shutdown. I mean, who doesn't love exploring the National Mall at sunrise or under the stars? It's like a whole different vibe, you know? Plus, the food scene in DC isn't going to be affected by this nonsense - I'm all about trying new restaurants and bars! 
And have you seen those Instagram-worthy spots on the Tidal Basin? So beautiful! 
and honestly, i'm a bit jealous that my city isn't doing something similar... maybe we can learn from dc's example?
It's like having a little piece of American history all to yourself.
. I mean, come on, we know there's a problem, but do we really need to be reminded of it? 
I'm actually kinda stoked about this "DC is Open" campaign 
. Plus, private guides for a nighttime tour of the monuments sound like an amazing idea 
... I mean, it's not like the government shutdown is just a minor inconvenience or anything 
