"Second Wednesdays" on the National Mall ... ?

Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, First Fridays flyer.

For many years I have suggested that the Smithsonian Museums should be open later, year round, as a tourism measure that should generate economic activity for DC. Sure the museums stay open later in the summer, see by way of example, this piece from the Washington Business Journal, "Smithsonian extends hours." But all of the papers have the same basic article.

But do they stay open late enough, and what about the fall and winter?

I have suggested part of the tourism tax revenue (hotel, parking, amusement, and a portion of the sales taxes on restaurant meals) stream could pay for this. Yes, people always complain whenever DC Government monies "subsidize" the federal government, but this is an instance, provided the extra business generated is properly leveraged, where it is more an investment in DC's economy than it is a contribution to the federal government per se.

But I have dialed back my thinking on this somewhat. The problem with being open later every night is that most night's, there won't be that much additional activity.

So, I have a two part suggestion:

1. During non-summer months, the Smithsonian Museums should stay open later one night/week (while not museums, stores in London, UK stay open later on Thursday nights, as a kind of related example);

2. But to test out the viability of the concept, start with this once/month, and see how it goes.

Other cultural institututions downtown could stay open later, offer special allied activities, as well, as part of this cultural event of the month/week.

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In other cities, where most museums aren't free, usually they are open later one night each month, and for free. In DC, the Smithsonian's Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden has a late night activity once/quarter called "After Hours."