The government may still be shut down (as this gone-viral photo makes perfectly clear) but Washington, D.C. is open for business.




While many of the city's most famous landmarks are closed -- national parks and monuments, Smithsonian museums and the National Zoo -- there are plenty of Washington, D.C. sights open during the shutdown.


Destination D.C.'s "D.C. Is Open" marketing campaign spotlights a plethora of the city's open museums (International Spy Museum, The Phillips Collection and Newseum, just to name a few), restaurants, arts venues and sports teams.


In 2012, 18.9 million tourists visited Washington, D.C., 5.5 percent more visitors than in 2011. Tourism is the city's second largest industry, behind the federal government.


Some D.C. hotels have seen a 25 percent drop in guests, according to Washington's WJLA; one estimate claims the shutdown costs the metro area $220 million each work day.


Planning a vacation this fall? Come to Washington, D.C. We're open!



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  • Smithsonian’s National Zoo


    AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin, File




  • Smithsonian museums and galleries


    AP Photo/Chip Clark, Smithsonian Institution




  • National Gallery of Art


    JOYCE NALTCHAYAN/AFP/Getty Images




  • U.S. Capitol Visitor Center


    Brendan Hoffman/Getty Images




  • U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum


    AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster




  • Library of Congress


    AP Photo




  • National Archives


    Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images




  • National Mall and Memorial Parks


    AP Photo/Alex Brandon, File