Heres How The U.S. Government Shutdown Affects You

If you’ve been following the news for the past few weeks, you know all about the shutdown of the U.S. Government, and the political drama behind it. But what does a shutdown government really mean for average citizens? Here’s a breakdown of some of the ways the shutdown might affect you.

If you’ve been planning a trip to any of America’s national parks, you’re in luck. Although national parks have been closed in past shutdowns, during this one, most national parks are staying open. The only caveat is that many park rangers and law enforcement officers will not be on duty, which means that people will have to use the parks at their own risk.

Many major cultural institutions are also shuttered when the government shuts down. That includes all of the Smithsonian Museums in Washington, D.C., which receive more than 30 million visitors per year. (The Smithsonian, however, said on Saturday that they have funds left over from last year and will use them to stay open as long as possible during the shutdown.) Similarly, New York state officials are taking a proactive approach to keeping the Statue of Liberty open, drawing on state finances to keep this federal site open.

The Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery plans to remain open through January 22, 2018

But some major attractions will be closed. The National Zoo in Washington, D.C. and the Panda Cam that broadcasts live footage of the adorable pandas to fans around the world will go dark until the government opens again.

Moving on to more practical matters—if you were planning to get a passport, you won’t be able to do that while the government is shut down since the State Department issues passports and is not currently funded to function. The same goes for a gun permit, which is issued by the similarly frozen Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. It may also be difficult to be approved for a mortgage during the shutdown.

The Senate is set to vote to re-open the government mid-day Monday, January 22, 2018. Whether this will result in a fully functioning government is, at this point, anyone’s guess.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.