Dupont Circle - Downtown

DuPont Circle lies at the intersection of Connecticut Avenue, Massachusetts Avenue, New Hampshire Avenue, P Street and 19th Street. DuPont Circle was located in the “Old City” portion of Pierre Charles L’Enfant’s plan, but most of the physical development did not occur until after the Civil War. Improvements of the area started in the 1870s with the intentions of creating a posh region and residential neighborhood.

The circle, originally called Pacific Circle, was renamed in 1882 after a statue of Samuel Francis DuPont was placed in the middle of the traffic circle. The DuPont statue remained in the circle until it was moved to Wilmington, DE in 1920 and was replaced by a double-tiered fountain created by the architects of the Lincoln Memorial.

Behind the main traffic circle you will find row houses built in the Queen Anne and Richardsonian Romanesque revival style on beautiful tree-lined streets. There are countless restaurants, shops, art galleries and museums that are nestled between the headquarters of non-profit and other advocacy groups.

DuPont Circle is perhaps most famously known for “Embassy Row,” where you will find the most embassies in one area along Massachusetts Avenue. The embassies open up their doors every Halloween for children for the annual embassy trick-or-treating event.

Warm weather brings people from all over the city to DuPont Circle. People picnic in the circle or wander the streets to window shop and admire the architecture. One of the more unique restaurants in DuPont Circle is Kramerbooks & Afterwords, which is D.C.’s first combination bookstore and café.

DuPont Circle is one of the most sought after places to live in the city. It is a center for weekend nightlife and is one metro stop from Woodley Park/Adams Morgan and Farragut North.

DuPont Circle is the home to its own Metro station with Red line service. Metro buses frequent this corridor. Driving isn’t difficult however parking may be a little sparse.