Government decides to close museums and some parks

5years ago

If the partial closure of the federal government continues, museums and galleries popular with visitors and residents of the nation's capital will be closed from midweek. the same case for the national zoo and a lively ice rink near the National Mall.

The National Gallery of Art will close on Jan. 3, a spokeswoman said. This includes the iconic West and East buildings as well as an ice rink in the Sculpture Garden of the National Gallery's Gallery of Fine Arts, a favorite spot for families.

The closure also affects national parks. Some remain accessible with a reduced level of staff, others work with money from the states or charitable groups and others are blocked.