Dupont Circle

Washington

Dupont Circle featuring a statue or sculpture and a monument
Dupont Circle featuring a monument, a fountain and a park
Dupont Circle
Dupont Circle which includes a city, heritage architecture and street scenes
Dupont Circle featuring heritage architecture and interior views

Funky shops, historic houses and fascinating museums have turned this once-exclusive neighbourhood into a fun-loving bohemian district.

Dupont Circle is one of the hippest neighbourhoods in Washington D.C. Explore this eclectic jumble of bistros, bars, embassies, galleries, museums and early 20th-century architecture. The cosmopolitan district is home to young professionals and artists and has a large lesbian and gay community.

The circle started taking shape in the last quarter of the 19th century when members of Washington’s elite built their mansions here. Following a period of decline in the early 20th century, Dupont Circle re-emerged as a bohemian neighbourhood in the 1970s, attracting musicians, artists, students and intellectuals.

Take a slow ramble through the streets to appreciate the architecture. In Embassy Row you’ll find many country embassies in mansions and former residences. Visit the Heurich House, also known as the Brewmaster’s Castle, a Victorian mansion with a fortress-like appearance.

At the heart of the neighbourhood is the small park where locals hang out and chess players compete at stone tables. Stroll through the leafy open space and rest near the white marble fountain. The area honours Samuel Francis Du Pont, a Civil War naval hero.

On a cultural tour of Dupont Circle’s museums and galleries, visit the Phillips Collection to view works by Cezanne, Van Gogh, Picasso and other towering figures of modern art. Explore the revival-style house where President Woodrow Wilson spent his last few years. The National Geographic Museum offers insights into the diversity of our planet and its cultures.

The area has many other attractions that make a visit worthwhile. Pick up vintage clothing in secondhand stores, find good deals on rare vinyl records and try a bowl of mussels in a casual restaurant. Come back in the evening for the lively nightlife.

To find many of the area’s gay-friendly bars, restaurants and cafes, walk down P Street Northwest toward Rock Creek Parkway along the Potomac River. This park is a great place for walking, biking or simply enjoying green space in the nation’s capital.

Dupont Circle is located just north of downtown Washington D.C. It conveniently has its own metro station. Street parking is limited but you’ll find paid parking garages nearby.


Popular places to visit

Things to do


Dupont Circle Hotel Deals

Holiday Inn Washington-Central/White House by IHG

Holiday Inn Washington-Central/White House by IHG

3 out of 5
1501 Rhode Island Ave Nw, Washington, DC
The price is CA $152 per night from Aug 27 to Aug 28
CA $152
CA $176 total
Aug 27 - Aug 28
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly hotel in Washington. Enjoy free WiFi, an outdoor pool, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and the ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,298 reviews)
Great hotel experience
"Excellent hotel."

Reviewed on Aug. 22, 2025

Holiday Inn Washington-Central/White House by IHG
Courtyard by Marriott Washington, DC Dupont Circle

Courtyard by Marriott Washington, DC Dupont Circle

3.5 out of 5
1733 N St NW, Washington, DC
The price is CA $163 per night from Sep 1 to Sep 2
CA $163
CA $189 total
Sep 1 - Sep 2
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3.5-star boutique hotel in Washington. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a 24-hour fitness center. Our guests praise the helpful staff ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,002 reviews)
"Location was convenient to walk from Metro center, dining, bars, to museums etc."

Reviewed on Aug. 23, 2025

Courtyard by Marriott Washington, DC Dupont Circle
The Dupont Circle Hotel

The Dupont Circle Hotel

4.5 out of 5
1500 New Hampshire Ave Nw, Washington, DC
The price is CA $303 per night from Aug 27 to Aug 28
CA $303
CA $351 total
Aug 27 - Aug 28
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury aparthotel in Washington. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and 24-hour room service. Our guests praise the restaurant and ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (1,710 reviews)
"Small bathrooms"

Reviewed on Aug. 22, 2025

The Dupont Circle Hotel
Lyle Washington D.C.

Lyle Washington D.C.

4.5 out of 5
1731 New Hampshire Ave Nw, Washington, DC
The price is CA $189 per night from Aug 26 to Aug 27
CA $189
CA $268 total
Aug 26 - Aug 27
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury hotel in Washington. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and room service. Our guests praise the restaurant and the bar in our ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,514 reviews)
"Staff were very friendly and accommodating. Room fine. Hotel very clean. Reasonable prices."

Reviewed on Aug. 18, 2025

Lyle Washington D.C.
Kimpton Banneker Hotel by IHG

Kimpton Banneker Hotel by IHG

4.5 out of 5
1315 16th St NW, Washington, DC
The price is CA $189 per night from Sep 1 to Sep 2
CA $189
CA $262 total
Sep 1 - Sep 2
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury hotel in Washington. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (511 reviews)
"The staff was very helpful. The location was clean for a small hotel. It is very good for a small hotel."

Reviewed on Aug. 22, 2025

Kimpton Banneker Hotel by IHG
Washington Plaza Hotel

Washington Plaza Hotel

4 out of 5
10 Thomas Circle NW, Washington, DC
The price is CA $137 per night from Aug 27 to Aug 28
CA $137
CA $159 total
Aug 27 - Aug 28
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Washington. Enjoy free WiFi, an outdoor pool, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and the ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (4,562 reviews)
"Easy access to all the museums and sites walkable in most cases."

Reviewed on Aug. 23, 2025

Washington Plaza Hotel
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Other neighbourhoods around Dupont Circle

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Connecticut Ave - K Street

While you're in Connecticut Ave - K Street, take in top sights like National Geographic Museum or K Street, and hop on the metro to see more the city at Farragut North Station or Farragut West Station.

Connecticut Ave - K Street
Georgetown - Foggy Bottom featuring a memorial, a city and a statue or sculpture

Foggy Bottom

4.5/5(64 area reviews)

The important monuments and popular shops are just a few highlights of Foggy Bottom. Make a stop by Potomac River or Chesapeake and Ohio Canal while you're exploring the area.

Foggy Bottom
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Logan Circle

Logan Circle is known for its popular shops, and with sights like Studio Theatre and National City Christian Church, you won't get bored spending a day wandering around this part of Washington.

Logan Circle
Georgetown featuring street scenes, a house and a city

Georgetown

4.5/5(17 area reviews)

Historic landmarks and a bustling commercial district await, with high-end shops, bars, and restaurants at Wisconsin Avenue and M Street. Enjoy waterfront dining at Washington Harbour or explore the scenic Chesapeake and Ohio Canal.

Georgetown
Downtown Washington D.C. featuring night scenes, street scenes and a city

Downtown Washington D.C.

4.5/5(269 area reviews)

Central business district boasting Penn Quarter, Chinatown, and CityCenterDC, with a variety of bars, restaurants, and theaters. Explore historic sites like Lafayette Square and enjoy diverse dining options such as Fogo de Chão and Old Ebbitt Grill.

Downtown Washington D.C.
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Shaw

Visitors often come to Shaw for its abundant dining options, but many stay to explore sights like Howard Theatre and Shiloh Baptist Church of Washington. Getting around the area on the metro is easy if you catch a ride at Shaw Station.

Shaw


Dupont Circle

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