Smithsonian Alternatives near the Metro (subway)

With the Smithsonian set to close until the government reopens what is a tourist in DC (or perhaps a bored furloughed local to do).   Here are a few public transit friendly alternatives. 

If you are looking for an art museum, try the National Museum of Woman in the Arts

Located near so many metro lines, it's a breeze to get here. https://nmwa.org/visit/visitor-information

If you are looking for a kid friendly museum try the National Building Museum.   

Located across the street from the Judiciary Square Metro stop they have large blocks, small blocks, and a playroom.   Do be aware the playroom is limited to a 45 minute time block and sometimes the passes to it sell out (more likely with Smithsonian not open).   The other area with blocks does not have a limit (at least as far as I'm aware).   They also have some exhibits for adults.   https://www.nbm.org/  Another good option that is free is the play area in Tyson's Corner Mall.  It is a good ways out of the center of the city in Virginia, but has completely car free access.   I would mainly recommend it Monday-Friday, due to the potential for track work and crowding.   http://www.tysonscornercenter.com/

If you are looking for history try the Spy Museum.   

I was actually going to recommend, National Geographic, but unfortunately upon researching found out National Geographic will be closed to set up for its next exhibit until well into February.     So I'm going to go with the Spy Museum.  You can use either Gallery Place or Archives metro stops.   These stops are close together and it's in between the two of them.   While there you may also want to check out the US Navy Memorial near the Archives Station.   https://www.spymuseum.org/

If you are looking for something on the military or Judaism try the National Museum of American Jewish Military History.    

Located near Dupont Circle, this is a unique and interesting museum.   They also sometimes have special events.    https://nmajmh.org/

If you are looking to ice skate, try Kettler Iceplex.    

Personally, I like this much better than the Smithsonian Ice Rink anyways and it's about the same price.   It's located in Virginia, but the Ballston Metro stop it's located at isn't very far outside of DC, only about 10 minutes.    Kettler has two rinks.   Definitely check in advance for public skates times before coming as the rink is only sometimes open for public use (but usually at least once daily and usually more than that)   In addition to the standard circle skate there are also options for pick-up games for other ice sports.   The also have a kids skate called "Recess at the Rink" which doesn't require kids to skate in circles and with toys on the rink.    The rinks are big, well maintained and indoors.     Do bring two quarters for the lockers if you need one-that is one of two flaws with this rink.   The second which isn't the rinks fault is that Arlington country with it's useless project of the month (in this case changing a mall into a yuppie mall) has made the rink harder to find and has temporarily destroyed the car-free access that used to be enjoyed from the metro station.   There should be a new pedestrian bridge though soon to replace the perfectly good one that was there before (after finally listening to residents and realizing without the bridge the mall was going to be a total fail).    https://www.medstarcapitalsiceplex.com/

Rachelle Kaufman is the author of the Kaufman Green Guides Series, plus several other books including Now I Know My European Language Colors and An American Jew in Budapest.