Dupont Circle

Combining leafy streets, historic rowhouses and a cosmopolitan vibe, D.C.’s Dupont Circle neighborhood draws visitors from across the globe looking to share in the area’s singular blend of old meets new. Whether you’re people watching in the park, window shopping the quirky storefronts or tasting your way through the bustling farmers market, there’s plenty to keep you busy in this epicenter of casual culture. The best part? The central location means easy access to the best our nation’s capital has to offer.

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Fountain of Plenty

Do as the locals do and get your bearings with a stroll around the famed Dupont Circle Fountain, a plaza and meeting place at the heart of the neighborhood. Between the chess matches with locals, rallies, parades and vendors offering up handmade foods and goods, you could easily spend an afternoon enjoying the sights, but don’t skip on a visit to the nearby Phillips Collection, America’s first museum of modern art. Opened in 1921, the museum features some 3,000 works from painters like Renoir, van Gogh and O’Keefe.

Sail on the Potomac

Though most visitors to the nation’s capital are interested in exploring the outstanding history, culture and arts, there are plenty of ways to enjoy the great outdoors during your stay. The Washington Sailing Marina and Belle Haven Marina, both on the western shores of the Potomac River, offer kayaking and sailing opportunities that give you the chance to experience the skyline from a truly unique perspective. Fletchers Boat House, about a four-mile drive west of Dupont Circle, is another historic outpost for those looking to spend time on the river. With kayaking, canoe and rowboat rentals, as well as top-notch fishing, it’s a hidden gem for outdoors adventurers in the big city.

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Island Time

Hikers will relish in a visit to Theodore Roosevelt Island, an 88-acre memorial in honor of the 26^th president’s love of the great outdoors. Within walking distance of D.C.’s top attractions, the island park is accessed by a footbridge on the western side of the Potomac and has both swampland and wooded trails that recreate the area’s environment in its natural state. With no bikes or cars are allowed on the grounds, it’s a one-of-a-kind chance to get away from it all, without having to go very far. Back in the city proper, bike tours are a popular and fun-filled away to see many of the sights, learn in-depth history and get a workout all at the same time. There are numerous operators in and around Dupont Circle and the National Mall, or you can simply sign up for the city’s bike share program and enjoy a self-guided route at your own pace.

Embassy Row Awaits

Home to numerous embassies, the area around the Dupont fountain is naturally multicultural and diverse. Join an architecture or food tour to experience the best of “Embassy Row” before taking a quick walk south to the unassuming, but outstanding National Geographic Museum. With photography displays and hands-on exhibits for the kids, it’s a unique chance to go inside one of the world’s great magazines. Both the nearby Anderson House and Woodrow Wilson House are also worth visits for history buffs with an eye for classic architecture and historic archives. From there, the possibilities are endless as the White House, National Mall, Smithsonian Museums and Lincoln Memorial are all quick walks away.

For More Information

Destination D.C.

202-789-7000

www.washington.org