With the end of the partial federal government shutdown, national landmarks like the Smithsonian museums and the National Zoo are set to reopen this week.

It is being announced with a tiny scrolling banner on the Smithsonian's main page. All of the Smithsonian museums and the National Zoo will be open to visitors on Tuesday, January 29. Tourists and locals alike will be glad to see some of the world's greatest works on display and some of the cutest animals in the district again.

When exactly will everything open?

On January 29, the Smithsonian museums and the National Zoo will open at their regular hours:

Open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily

National Zoo (3001 Connecticut Avenue NW | Washington, D.C.)
Visitor Center: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. 
Exhibit Buildings: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. 
Dining & Shopping: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. 

Open 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. daily

Smithsonian Castle: Visitor Center (1000 Jefferson Drive SW | Washington, D.C.)

Open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily

Anacostia Community Museum (1901 Fort Place SE | Washington, D.C.)

Open 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. daily

• African American History and Culture Museum (1400 Constitution Avenue NW | Washington, D.C.)
• African Art Museum (950 Independence Avenue SW | Washington, D.C.)
• Air and Space Museum and Hazy Center (600 Independence Avenue SW | Washington, D.C.)
• American History Museum (1300 Constitution Avenue NW | Washington, D.C.) 
• American Indian Museum (Independene Avenue SW | Washington, D.C.)
• Freer|Sackler Galleries (1050 Independence Avenue SW | Washington, D.C.)
• Hirshhorn Museum (Independence Avenue SW & 7th Street SW | Washington, D.C.)
• Natural History Museum (10th Street & Constitution Avenue, NW | Washington, D.C.)
• Postal Museum (2 Massachusetts Avenue NE | Washington, D.C.)
• Renwick Gallery (Closed until February 2)
• Ripley Center (1100 Jefferson Drive SW | Washington, D.C.)

Open 11:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily

• Smithsonian American Art Museum (F Street NW & 8th Street NW | Washington, D.C.)
• National Portrait Gallery (8th Street NW & F Street NW | Washington, D.C.)

What are some of the current exhibits on display right now?

The Superheroes exhibit at the American History Museum looks great -- You can see original movie costumes and props, even Captain America's shield! At the Museum of Natural History, you can see the fossils and skeletons of real sea monsters unearthed in Angola. If interactive art is more your thing, head to the Hirshhorn to see Pulse. This installation will reflect your own vital signs back to you in a dynamic light display.

**All photos in this article are courtesy of the Smithsonian Institution.

Know before you go:

• Who knows how traffic will be; taking the Metro to the Smithsonian stop is your best bet to get to the Mall.
• Make sure you take cash for the food trucks -- they need the museum traffic, too!
• In addition to the actual National Zoo, the zoo-sponsored webcams will be back up for business. Check in online to see your favorite animals!

For more information about any of the Smithsonian museums or the National Zoo, visit the Smithsonian website.

Are you excited to get back out to the Smithsonian museums? What are you looking forward to seeing? Let us know in the comments below.

Here's more free things to do in February! 

and ...

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