{"id":7537,"date":"2011-03-17T17:47:29","date_gmt":"2011-03-17T22:47:29","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.howderfamily.com\/blog\/?p=7537"},"modified":"2022-04-06T07:01:30","modified_gmt":"2022-04-06T12:01:30","slug":"government-shutdown","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.howderfamily.com\/blog\/government-shutdown\/","title":{"rendered":"Tourist Options During a Government Shutdown"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The benefit or the curse of living in the Washington, DC area — and the jury is still out on that call — is that national and international news for everyone else is our local news. Currently we can\u2019t escape the theatrics of yet another impending government shutdown. Here\u2019s to hoping that the immature politicians on both sides of the aisle quit with the posturing already and come together for the good of the nation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Who knows when the government will approve a budget? It looks like we have at least one more reprieve through yet another in a long string of Continuing Resolutions. Let\u2019s hope for the best. However, if the musical chairs ends with a shutdown, I can at least offer a few suggestions to visitors who find themselves inconvenienced.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"United<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

First, dear tourists please understand that you will be used as pawns. Elected officials of both stripes will want to see your disappointed faces on camera so they can score cheap political points at your expense. All of your beloved monuments and Smithsonian museums supported by your taxpayer dollars will be closed, without a doubt. You\u2019ve invested a lot of your personal time and money to get here. Don\u2019t let a shutdown spoil your fun. The ultimate revenge is having a better time than you originally anticipated even before this silliness began.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

Go to a Museum<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Spinosaurus<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Wait, didn’t I just mention that they\u2019ll shut the Smithsonian for the duration? True enough I suppose, but the Smithsonian isn’t the only game in town anymore. The International Spy Museum<\/a> and the National Geographic Museum<\/a> come to mind. I’m sure there must be several others. Some of these museums charge admission fees but that’s also true for just about any other city too. You might learn something interesting even if you don\u2019t get to see the Hope Diamond or the visit the pandas (they’re usually asleep anyway<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

Take a Cruise<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Boat<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

My wife won a Potomac River cruise in a charity auction last year. I’ve lived in the immediate area for decades but I’d never taken one of these excursions before. I was amazed at the chance to see familiar landmarks from a new perspective as the boat completed its two-hour circuit. There are several companies that provide these cruises so check out Google<\/a> and select the one that meets your needs. Options range all the way from utilitarian water taxi services to fancy dinner\/dancing packages.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You probably won’t have a car because you’ve heard it’s a hassle to drive in DC, right? Well, consider taking a boat from Georgetown to Old Town Alexandria, a place not generally considered easily-accessible by public transportation, and spend a couple of hours strolling or shopping before returning on a later boat. That could easily fill a good chunk of the day with something pleasant and enjoyable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

Ride a Bike<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"C&O<\/a>
C&O Canal Towpath and Capital Crescent Trails at Fletcher’s Cove (map<\/a>)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The area is filled with recreational bicycling opportunities<\/a> but where can you find a bike? Capital Bikeshare<\/a> offers more than a thousand bicycles spread over a hundred locations in the District and across the river in Arlington, VA. They allow 24-hour rentals and all you need to do is swipe a credit card at any one of their kiosks. The opportunities are endless: along the National Mall and down to Hains Point at the tip of East Potomac Park; or over to Rock Creek Park; or across the river to the Mount Vernon Trail<\/a>. Maybe even the C&O Canal towpath<\/a> or the Capital Crescent? You could ride for days and still not explore the entire area.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

Go See the Nationals<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Ryan<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Assuming this thing drags-out until baseball season, and that seems likely, go see the Nationals play live. Good seats are easy to find, and if it\u2019s a lackluster game then views from Nationals Park will still be worth the price of admission. You might be lucky enough to witness a statistical anomaly<\/a>. You can even console yourself at the bar at the Red Porch if things get truly ugly. Honestly, after so many years without a team, I\u2019m thrilled to see them regardless of their record.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

Witness Some Oddities<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This blog is usually about geographic oddities. If you share an interest in such things then go ahead and read my guest article on DC oddities<\/a> at Google Sightseeing, or the companion article here on Twelve Mile Circle<\/a>. I won\u2019t feel bad if they don\u2019t appeal to you. I know it\u2019s a niche interest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Have a wonderful visit and thank you for coming in spite of the foolishness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Do any of the regular readers from the DC area have other suggestions to add?<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The benefit or the curse of living in the Washington, DC area — and the jury is still out on that call — is that national and international news for everyone else is our local news. Currently we can\u2019t escape the theatrics of yet another impending government shutdown. 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