Smithsonian Museums, National Zoo and National Art Gallery to close

With COVID-19 cases increasing around the DMV, these local museums are closing once again.

By Michele Kettner • Posted November 20, 2020 at 8:53 a.m.

Photo by Jeff Tinsley, Smithsonian

As COVID-19 cases continue to rise across the region, many restrictions and closures are increasing once again. On Thursday (Nov. 20), The National Art Gallery, Smithsonian Museums and National Zoo announced it would be closing its doors once again.

The National Gallery will close to the public starting Saturday, Nov. 21, while all of the open Smithsonian museums and the National Zoo will be closed starting Monday, Nov. 23. None of these establishments have set a date to reopen yet.

The reopened Smithsonian Museums this affects include the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, National Museum of African American History and Culture, National Museum of American History, National Museum of the American Indian, National Portrait Gallery, Renwick Gallery and Smithsonian American Art Museum.

Those that wish to visit these locations before they close on their respective dates will need to request a free, timed pass for entry. If you wish to visit one of these places after the shutdown, you can do so virtually. The Smithsonian museums and National Art Gallery will continue to offer virtual exhibitions and activities, while the National Zoo will run its animal webcams in a number of enclosures.

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Michele Kettner

Audience Engagement Editor

Michele Kettner joined Northern Virginia Magazine in 2020 after spending two semesters as an editorial intern at the magazine. The University of Maryland graduate is currently the audience engagement editor and covers everything from can’t-miss things to do and holiday events to new restaurant and store openings throughout Northern Virginia.