D.C. shows up for federal workers with shutdown discounts and perks
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D.C. is banding together to support federal workers during the government shutdown.
Why it matters: It's been a tough year for feds — and our city is again showing up.
State of play: Alongside food and drink deals, local businesses, museums, and even our sports teams are opening their doors for free to federal workers — or offering discounted services.
What they're saying: "Our DMV region never gives up on its own," Spirit CEO Kim Stone said in a letter to federal workers, shared with Axios on behalf of the star women's soccer team.
- "Your hard work has kept our nation moving. Through long nights, early mornings, and every unseen moment in between. You've built more than institutions. You've built a community that cares, protects, and believes."
Offers for feds:
🎭 Many professional theaters around D.C. are offering free and discounted tickets for federal workers, including the Folger, Studio Theatre, and Washington Improv.
🎻George Mason University's College of Visual and Performing Arts is offering free tickets to select performances across Mason Arts venues for federal employees and contractors impacted by the shutdown.
🪓 Kraken (Bryant Street and Penn Quarter): Relieve rage with a "quick toss" axe-throwing and beer ($10) in PQ, plus freebies with pickleball and rollerskating in Edgewood.
🖼️ Admission is free for furloughed feds at the National Museum of Women in the Arts, which will remain open during the shutdown.
🖌️ The Phillips Collection: Tickets are half off ($10) with a government ID, plus get 10% in the gift shop and Bread Furst Cafe.
🏛️ National Building Museum: Free tickets with government ID — plus there's a cool new exhibition on cities, "Coming Together."
🕵️ International Spy Museum: Tickets to the newly revamped espionage escape are 50% with a federal ID.
🧵 Shepherd Park craft spot Merry Pin is offering free crafting supplies for federal workers while supplies last — plus free pickle pots, and $1 pickle shots.
✝️ Museum of the Bible will remain open during the shutdown, and feds will get half-off general admission, the museum tells Axios.
🤣 Feds get $5 tickets to Washington Improv Theater's fall shows with the promo code IMAFED, as well as access to free improv workshops, the group tells Axios.
🗣️ Planet Word will remain open during the shutdown, and all furloughed feds will get free walk-up museum admission and half-off visits to its puzzle-solving game, the group tells Axios.
🧘 Hot Yoga Capitol Hill is running a furlough special — $45 for a week of unlimited classes.
🛋️ Weekly therapy for six months at $100/session is being offered by Sara Dickson at Oaklight Counseling in Bethesda for federal workers and other adults who are facing financial difficulties.
Meanwhile, some local businesses are extending help in other forms.
- Friendship Hospital for Animals, in partnership with their network of hospitals, is waiving all emergency room exam fees for furloughed government employees and military members through the shutdown.
- Colby's Dogcare in NoMa is deferring membership dues for feds and their pets until after the shutdown ends.
Editor's note: This list has been updated to add new discounts.