The government shutdown may have shuttered the Smithsonian museums, the National Zoo, parks, historic sites, and other tourist attractions, but that doesn’t mean D.C. is boring now. There are plenty of places to find some nature, science, history, and art around town—some of it is even free. Here are a few alternatives to the currently shut-down spots.

Instead of the Air and Space Museum …

For the space half of the Air and Space Museum experience, area planetariums will allow you to gaze at the stars at a few public events. The University of Maryland’s astronomy department offers open houses on the 5th and 20th of each month, including tours of the observatory. In Virginia, the David M. Brown Planetarium reopens for the year with a public event on Jan. 7. For the air half, there’s the College Park Aviation Museum, which explores the history and science of flight and airports.

Instead of the African American History Museum …

Tucked away on U Street, the African American Civil War Memorial Museum explores the history of the United States Colored Troops, a group of more than 200,000 men who fought during the Civil War. Admission is free.

Instead of the American Art Museum …

The Art Museum of the Americas specializes in modern and contemporary art from North and South America. Current exhibits include a selection of works from Peruvian photographer Roberto Huarcaya and a new acquisition of modern art from Canadian artists. Admission is free.

Instead of the American History Museum …

Wander presidential homes at the Woodrow Wilson House and Lincoln’s Cottage—both offering free admission to those with federal IDs. The normally-pricey Newseum is also offering free admission to federal workers, and a 15 percent discount to anyone who orders tickets online. And the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum remains open.

Instead of the National Arboretum …

Commune with nature at Dumbarton Oaks, a once-private residence that now houses 53 acres of gardens—plus it’s free to visit during the winter season. Hillwood Estate near Rock Creek Park offers similarly idyllic strolling with a $15 entrance fee, and the U.S. Botanic Garden will allow you to enjoy all manner of plants while temporarily escaping to warmer climates.

Instead of the Anacostia Community Museum …

The National Building Museum has a small but phenomenal exhibit that does a deep dive into the Pilot District Project—a pioneering experiment in community policing in the 1970s. Community Policing in the Nation’s Capital closes on January 15, so get there while you can. Federal employees receive free admission during the shutdown.

Instead of the Freer/Sackler Galleries …

Like the Freer/Sackler’s healthy collection of Asian art, Baltimore’s Walters Art Museum is home to more than 36,000 pieces from around the world. Current exhibitions at the free museum include a selection of Japanese woodblock prints and a display of Chinese snuff bottles.

Instead of the Hirshhorn Museum …

Find plenty of modern art in modern settings in Baltimore, including at the Baltimore Museum of Art (where a retrospective on John Waters’ work closes on Sunday) and the American Visionary Art Museum, whose current long-term exhibit focuses on parenting. Tickets for adults are are $15 and $15.95, respectively—plus the AVAM is offering free admission to feds and three guests.

Instead of the National Archives …

In addition to cataloging very important tweets, the Library of Congress is also home to a bunch of other historical ephemera, including free exhibits on baseball, World War I, and the relationship between politics and pop culture.

Instead of the National Gallery of Art …

Find collections of art that explores the world through sculptures, prints, and paintings at the Kreeger Museum (which also boasts a pretty impressive sculpture garden) with a $10 suggested donation. In Dupont Circle, the Phillips Collection houses plenty of European works, including a current exhibit of Nordic art. Federal employees receive free admission during the shutdown.

Instead of the National Zoo …

Both in-person and virtual visitors to the Zoo are out of luck this week, but there’s still Crumbs and Whiskers, which allows you to get even more up-close and personal with furry critters. You’ll be able to book 70 minutes of cat snuggles in advance for $22, or take your chances with a walk-in. Should you find your new four-legged soulmate, all the cats in the cafe are adoptable. Up for a drive? The Baltimore Aquarium has plenty of undersea life.

Instead of the National Portrait Gallery …

Work by more than 1,000 female artists is on display at the National Museum of Women in the Arts, including an exhibit on the fashion house Rodarte. Admission is $10.

Instead of the National Postal Museum …

Love seeing how complicated systems like the U.S. Postal Service work? Take a free tour of the Bureau of Engraving and Printing, where you can see how U.S. currency is made, or learn everything you wanted to know about public transit at the National Trolley Museum in Colesville, Md. Admission is $10. There’s also the National Law Enforcement Museum, which is free to feds during the shutdown, and is offering a $5 discount to others if they show a receipt to Artechouse, Madame Tussauds, the Newseum, or the Observation Deck at CEB Tower in Rosslyn.

Instead of the Renwick Gallery …

Explore all things immersive and just plain weird on a $15 visit to Artechouse, where virtual reality shows up on the walls or in your cocktail. Or find something colorful at Blind Whino in Southwest, with a soon-to-close exhibit on D.C. artist Matt Corrado. Admission is free.

Instead of the Sculpture Garden ice skating rink …

After its presumed closure on Thursday, glide on over to the Watergate Hotel’s rooftop rink, which comes with a bar, the Canal Park ice rink, or the rink at Washington Harbour. All offer skating on a first come, first served basis.

Instead of the White House Visitors Center …

Swap the White House for the U.S. Capitol, which offers free tours and is somehow still open.

Need more ideas?
20 Of The Best Off-The-Beaten-Track Museums In And Around D.C.
25 Places To Take Out-Of-Town Visitors When They’re Done With The Mall

This post has been updated to reflect that the Heurich House is in fact closed during the month of January for repairs, and that the Baltimore Museum of Art’s John Waters exhibit closes on Sunday, not Saturday.