Smithsonian museums and facilities are closed for the foreseeable future as the federal government shutdown continues.

The Smithsonian Institution announced on social media the closure of all its museums and the National Zoo, effective Sunday, October 12, 2025. The halt marks an escalation in the impact of the ongoing ...

For the Smithsonian National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute (NZCBI), Christmas came early in 2025. Zookeepers were ...

For the first time since 2014, keepers at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute (NZCBI) have welcomed two sloth bear cubs. The cubs were born Dec. 7 at approximately 2:30 ...

The cluster of 21 museums will begin opening on Friday, Nov. 14 after closing in mid-October. See exact dates.

(CNN) — Smithsonian museums and the National Zoo are welcoming members of the public back after weeks of closures because of the government shutdown. The Smithsonian Institution, which receives ...

This article was updated on November 14, 2025. Now that the government shutdown has ended after a record-breaking 43 days, DC can finally get back to one of its favorite pastimes–going to the free ...

The zoo's partnership with Saudi Arabia's Royal Commission aims to create a conservation program similar to the zoo's renowned panda program.

The Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute is home to more than 2,200 animals across its campuses in D.C. and Virginia. The zoo was the first in the United States to hire a ...

The tiny cubs, currently off-exhibit, are expected to debut in Spring 2026. Mike Bock Nearly one month old, the two sloth bear cubs are shown resting in their den on Jan. 5, 2026. Zoo staff are ...