'''Dupont Circle''' is D.C.'s trendiest neighborhood, owing to its collection of night clubs, bars, cafes, art galleries, and shops. It is widely considered the epicenter of the gay community in D.C.
The neighborhood is bounded by Rock Creek Park on the west and north, 16th St NW to the east, and M St to the south. Georgetown is located across Rock Creek Park, to the west of Dupont Circle neighborhood, while Logan Circle is to the east. Woodley Park (near the National Zoo) and Adams Morgan are to the north of Dupont Circle, and the West End and Foggy Bottom are to the south.
Understand
Pierre Charles L'Enfant's original plan for Washington, D.C. included a number of grand boulevards, radiating out and intersecting with one another in a way that would create public squares and green space. The major thoroughfares coming together at Dupont Circle include Connecticut Avenue, which emanates from the White House and runs roughly north-south, and Massachusetts Avenue which runs roughly east-west.
The Dupont Circle area remained largely undeveloped until after the Civil War. Construction of the traffic circle at Dupont Circle began in 1871, and when the circle was completed, a bronze statue of rear admiral Samuel Francis DuPont was added. But, the statue was replaced in 1921, with the large marble fountain that remains to this day. (The fountain is a popular gathering spot, with many places to sit.)
In the late 1940s, a tunnel was built beneath Dupont Circle as part of a Capital Transit streetcar project. Along with the streetcar tunnel, another tunnel was constructed to allow Connecticut Avenue vehicle traffic to pass beneath, helping to alleviate traffic congestion around the circle. Streetcar service ended in 1962, and a number of ideas have been proposed for what to do with the underground space.
The neighborhood began to change in the 1970s, turning into a center for the gay community. A number of gay bars opened up, along with the Lambda Rising bookstore, with a bohemian vibe to the neighborhood. The Dupont Circle further gentrified in the 1980s and 1990s, becoming more mainstream with numerous shops, bookstores, and coffeehouses.
Get in
By Metro
The neighborhood is serviced by the Dupont Circle Red Line Station, which is centrally located 200 ft deep beneath the circle itself. The station had to be built beneath the Connecticut Avenue underpass, which carries traffic below the circle, as well as beneath a former streetcar tunnel that is also situated beneath the circle. The station has split platforms, with the Glenmont-bound (via downtown D.C.) on one side, and the Shady Grove-bound platform on the opposite side.
There are two exits from the station—the south exit bringing you out to the sweet smell of Krispy Kreme donuts, with the donut shop located next to the exit on 19th St. Once out of the escalators, Dupont Circle is to your back, and you will need to cross several lanes of traffic to get to the circle itself. If you are heading towards Connecticut Ave (south), you can cut through by Krispy Kreme.
If you come out at the north exit, you will go up a massive set of escalators, and come out to an open area on Q St, between Connecticut Ave and 20th St. The north exit is a block from the circle. On Sunday mornings, a farmer's market is setup by the north exit, along 20th St.
By bus
The Metro station should satisfy most of your travel needs to and from Dupont Circle, but the G2 route [http://wmata.com/bus/timetables/dc/g2.pdf] along P St between Georgetown University and Howard University is a good way to travel east-west. It stops on P just off the circle on both sides.
By car
Unless you are an experienced D.C. driver, it is very easy to get turned around in Dupont Circle, or worse yet, wind up on the barbarous circle itself. And parking is scarce in the Dupont Circle area. There is a parking garage on N St (between Connecticut and 17th St), and a few others in the area, but not many parking garages. Being a residential area, most of the surrounding streets are zoned for residential parking with a 2 hour parking limit for non-residents during the daytime on weekdays. In other areas (especially to the south of Dupont Circle), and along Connecticut Avenue, there is metered street parking, but these spaces area scarce commodity. You may find yourself driving around the block for a while, possibly for an hour, finding your way among the many one-way streets (and no-left turn signs) in search of a space. If it's rush hour, you will likely get stuck in bumper-to-bumper traffic, making it a very long trip around the block. Also, be aware of rush hour parking restrictions on Connecticut Avenue, Massachusetts Avenue, and other streets, and pay attention to the street cleaning signs which indicate temporary no parking. At night, a good possibility for parking is the area south of M St off of Connecticut on K or L in the West End.
If you intend to drive in to Dupont Circle from the north, Connecticut Ave is the main thoroughfare. You will enter the neighborhood once you cross the William Howard Taft Bridge, passing over Rock Creek Park. Then, there are a couple of sharp curves (beware of cars parked, requiring traffic to merge left into a single lane). At R St, Connecticut Avenue splits, with lanes to the right taking you to the circle itself and the surrounding streets. The left lanes will take you beneath the circle, and out south of Dupont Circle at N St. If you come in on Massachusetts Avenue to Dupont Circle, you will get to the circle and see that the road splits into two sets of lanes. The inner-most set of lanes are only for vehicles continuing on Massachusetts Avenue, past the circle. The outer lanes give you the option of turning off onto one of the other streets radiating from the circle.
See
The Brewmaster's Castle. hristian Heurich House Museum. 307 New Hampshire Ave NW. 1 202 429-1894. nfo@heurichhouse.org. 1 202 463-1307. ttp://www.heurichhouse.org/. alk-in tours: Th-F 11AM, 1PM, Sa 11AM, 1PM, 2:30PM. ree, suggested donation $5. Competing with the Smithsonian for top castle status in the district is the Victorian mansion of one Christian Heurich, who immigrated to the states from Germany to become a wildly successful real estate baron and brewer. (He also holds the title of world's oldest brewer, having kept up his age until his death at a ripe age of 102.) It's a striking example of Victorian architecture and design, and even if you don't make it to a tour, there's a nice Victorian garden in the back open to the public M-F 10AM-4PM, spring-fall.
The Phillips Collection. he Phillips Collection. 600 21st St NW. upont Circle metro Q St exit. 202) 387-2151. ttp://www.phillipscollection.org. -Sa 10AM-5PM, Su 11AM-6PM. pecial Exhibit prices vary; Permanent Collection: Tu-F: donation suggested, Sa-Su: Adults $10, Seniors and Students $8. The Phillips Collection, opened in 1921, is America_fs first museum of modern art. Featuring a renowned permanent collection of nearly 2,500 works by American and European impressionist and modern artists, the Phillips is internationally recognized for both its incomparable art and its intimate atmosphere. Housed in founder Duncan Phillips' 1897 Georgian Revival home, The Phillips Collection is widely regarded as one of the world_fs finest small museums.
Spanish Steps. St & 22nd St NW. Kalorama is a quiet, stately neighborhood, and is home to more than a few hidden gems—including this, one of the districts most wonderful secret places. Based on
Kramerbooks & Afterwords Cafe. ttp://www.kramers.com/. A great independent bookstore and also a popular meeting spot for locals with a cafe/bar, with live music on the weekend
Lambda Rising. ttp://www.lambdarising.com/. A bookstore that caters to the gay community
Eat
Dupont Circle has a ''ton'' of dining options, including some of the best in the city, but keep in mind this is expensive territory with very limited budget options. For those, hop on the metro and visit Shaw or Adams Morgan-Columbia Heights.
Budget
Alberto's Pizza. 010 P St NW. 1 202 986-2121. ttp://www.albertospizzeria.com/. -Tu 11AM-11:30PM; W&Su 11AM-12:30AM; Th-Sa 11AM-2AM. Renowned in a city generally lacking good pizza for being above palatable, Alberto's is a good option for dining in Dupont Circle on the cheap.
New Dynasty. 020 P St NW. 1 202 296-6688. 1 202 572-0000. ttp://www.xingchow.com/. -F 11AM-10PM; Sa 12PM-10PM; Su 5PM-10PM. Chinese take-out in large quantities at low prices, and the food, while nothing special, is a good deal better than your average Chinese take-out joint. Seating is available if you want to eat in, or they offer delivery.
Zorba's Cafe. 612 20th St NW. t Connecticut. 1 202 387-8555. 1 202 387-7070. ttp://www.zorbascafe.com/. -Sa 11AM-11:30PM; Su 11AM-10:30PM. Greek restaurant with counter service. Excellent food, especially for the prices. The patio is a nice summer hang-out, with beer served in pitchers.
Mid-range
Afterwords Cafe. ramer Books. 517 Connecticut Avenue NW. 1 202 387-3825. ttp://www.kramers.com/. u-Th 7:30AM-1AM; Open 24 hours on Friday and Saturday. This cafe located in the rear of Kramer Books is a full service restaurant and is usually very busy and crowded. There often is a wait for a table, giving you time to browse the bookstore. This is a good place to come for brunch or late night eats. The cafe also has a full bar.
Anna Maria's. 737 Connecticut Avenue NW. etween R and S St. 1 202 667-1444. -Th 11AM-11PM; F 11AM-1AM; Sa 5PM-1AM; Su 5-11PM. Homey, hole-in-the-wall Italian restaurant with very tasty food. Ask for the spicy calamari appetizer (not on the menu!).
Bistrot du Coin. 738 Connecticut Avenue NW. 1 202 234-6969. ttp://www.bistrotducoin.com/. u-W 11:30AM-11PM; Th-Sa 11:30AM-1AM. Cute French restaurant, serving up dishes in a bistro setting, though it can be crowded and noisy.
Hank's Oyster Bar. 624 Q St NW. 1 202 462-4265. ttp://www.hanksdc.com. u-Tu 5:30-10PM; W-Sa 5:30-11PM;; Sa-Su 11AM-3PM. Small, cozy restaurant, serving oysters along with fried clams, lobster roll, and other seafood. This is also a good place to enjoy a beer and martinis.
Mark and Orlando's. 020 P St NW. 1 202 223-8463. ttp://www.markandorlandos.com/. Small restaurant with American bistro food. The downstairs (Orland's) is a fine dining restaurant, while the upstairs (Mark's) is less formal. Make sure you eat upstairs so you can take advantage of both menus.
Meiwah . 200 New Hampshire Avenue NW. blocks SW of the circle. 1 202 833-2888. ttp://www.meiwahrestaurant.com/. -Th 11:30AM-10:30PM; Fr 11:30AM-11PM; Sa Noon-11PM; Su Noon-10:30PM. A highly acclaimed, if not entirely authentic Chinese restaurant catering to lawyers, businessmen, and politicians. An excellent option for a business lunch or dinner. Meiwah also offers delivery and carry-out.
Penang. 837 M St NW. 1 202 822-8773. ttp://www.penangusa.com/. -W 11:30AM-11PM; Th 11:30AM-Midnight; Fr-Sa 11:30AM-1AM; Su 11:30AM-10PM. Good Malaysian cuisine - best bet is to order ~3 of the appetizer/tapas
Pizzeria Paradiso. 029 P St NW. 1 202 223-1245. ttp://www.eatyourpizza.com/. -Th 11:30AM-11PM; Fr-Sa 11:30AM-Midnight; Su Noon-10PM. A local gourmet pizza place with nice ambiance. They don't take reservations, so the Saturday night wait can be brutal. But never fear, they do a healthy take-out business too.
Regent Thai . 910 18th St NW. 1 202 232-1781. ttp://www.regentthai.com/. unch: M-F 11:30AM-3PM; Sa Noon-3PM; Dinner: Su-Th 5-10PM; F-Sa 5-11PM. Supposed to be one of best Thai places in the district.
Stars Bistro & Bar. ormerly Mimi's American Bistro. 120 P St NW. 1 202 464-6464. ttp://www.starsbistro.com/. The wait staff is supposed to sing to you here. The food is decent, but not stellar. American food with a Mediterranean twist.
Thaiphoon. 011 S St NW. 1 202 667-3505. ttp://www.thaiphoon.com/. -Th 11AM-10:30PM; Fr-Sa 11AM-11PM; Su 10:30AM-10:30PM. Thai cuisine, including delicious Panang curry and steamed rockfish.
Uni A Sushi Place. 122 P St NW. 1 202 833-8038. ttp://unisushi.net/. -F 11:30AM-2PM; M-Th 5-10PM; F 5-11PM; Sa 1-11PM; Su 5-9:30PM. Reasonably priced "American Sushi" place. Selections are interesting — not just standard nigiri and california roll fare, along with good vegetarian sushi.
Splurge
Al Tiramisu. 014 P St NW. 1 202 467-4466. ttp://www.altiramisu.com/. -F Noon-2:30PM; 5:30-10:30PM; Sa 5:30-10:30PM; Su 5-9:30PM. Very classy, and very tasty Italian cuisine served in this small restaurant. Reservations required for dinner.
Komi. 509 17th St NW. 1 202 332-9200. ttp://www.komirestaurant.com/. u-Th 5:30-9:30PM; Fr-Sa 5:30-10PM. This is a place for a special occasion or really nice meal, as it's super expensive, but the food and ambience is fabulous.
Obelisk. 029 P St NW. 1 202 872-1180. -10PM. Very, very classy, and very, very tasty Italian. Obelisk's menu changes daily, so everything is always fresh and seasonal. A $60 fixed price menu is reputed to be one of the district's best dining experiences.
Restaurant Nora . 132 Florida Avenue NW. lorida Ave and R St. 1 202-462-5143. ttp://www.noras.com/. -F 5:30-10PM; Sa 5:30-10:30PM. All organic, mostly locally sourced food. Excellently done, but someone limited at times by the organic requirements — best to go during the summer.
Urbana. 121 P St NW. n Hotel Palomar. 1 202 956-6650. ttp://www.urbanadc.com/. -F 7-10:30AM; 11:30AM-3PM; Su-Th 5:30-10PM; F-Sa 5:30-11PM (bar open until Midnight, Su-Th, and until 2AM Fr-Sa). New restaurant/bar attached to Hotel Palomar. Good place for a drink, pizza, and happy hour specials, or for a full meal.
Vidalia. 990 M St NW. 1 202 659-1990. ttp://www.vidaliadc.com/. -F 11:30AM-2:30PM; M-Th 5:30-10PM; Fr-Sa 5:30-10:30PM; Su 5-9:30PM. Features southern cuisine, and offers complimentary wine tastings and light hor'd'oeuvres during happy hour. The sommelier loves chatting about wine, it's a free education, which is pretty rare in D.C.
Drink
Bars/clubs
Eighteenth Street Lounge. 212 18th ST NW. 02.466.3922. ttp://www.eighteenthstreetlounge.com. One of the best low-key spots to hear awesome DJ's. This is the home of D.C.'s own Thievery Corporation, who make plenty of appearances. Despite it's attempts to remain under the radar by leaving no sign outside, it's always crowded.
Fireplace : Black men's gay bar in an alley South off P that serves decent brick-oven baked pizzas. Always jumping with activity after dark.
Jack's Restaurant and Bar - (17th an P, $) - Newest incarnation of Peppers/Le Piguelle - good happy hour specials
Omega : Gay bar.
[http://www.scienceclubdc.com/ Science Club]: (1136 19th Street NW, $$) - hip, beakers, expensive. It'd be a lot better if it were cheaper. Good, geeky decor.
Rumors: (19th and M, $, ''')(''' )Cheesy boat-themed bar, not much beer selection, but lots of seating, outside patio, and free wifi. Beer, barfood and Internet - what could be better? Oh, right, less cheesiness. There's a dancefloor that occasionally gets hoppin'.
Porter's: (19th and M, $) Cheap rail drinks, loud, tiny.
Russia House Restaurant & Lounge. 800 Connecticut Avenue NW. t Florida Avenue. 1 202 234-9433. ttp://www.russiahouselounge.com/. -th 5PM-Midnight; F 5PM-2AM; Sa 6PM-2AM; Restaurant closes at 10PM on weeknights, 11 on weekends. Part of the Russian cultural house, this restaurant and lounge serves traditional Russian fare and vodka, with more than 30 vodkas to choose from.
Cafes
'''Teaism''', 2009 R ST. NW (''Just off the corner of Connecticut and R streets, two blocks north of the Dupont Circle metro stop's Q street (north) exit. ''), (202) 667-3827 (''email: info@teaism.com,''), http://www.teaism.com/Index.htm. M-F 7:30 am - 10:00 pm, Sat. 9:30 am - 9:00 pm, Sun. 9:30 am - 9:00 pm, Brunch Sat. & Sun. 9:30 am to 2:30 pm. Tea shop with Asian inspired foods. Breakfast, lunch, and desserts offered on menu. Great selection of fine teas, although the prices exceed the (high) quality. Good place for lunch/brunch. $2-$9 (''extra price info''). Seating is limited, so if it looks busy you might want to look elsewhere (but there's also seating upstairs).
Sleep
The Churchill Hotel. 914 Connecticut Ave., NW. 02-797-2000 . ww.thechurchhillhotel.com. Originally opened as a luxury apartment building in 1906, this historic building has boasted _gevery convenience of a high-grade, full-service, modern hotel, in conjunction with the restful quietude and exclusiveness of a private residence._h Over the years, the Churchill Hotel has always preserved the ambiance of a luxury residence on one of Washington_fs most exclusive addresses.
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The Tabard Inn. 739 N St NW. 1 202`785-1277. ttp://www.tabardinn.com/index.htm. 113 - $218 US Dollars. Small hotel located on a quiet tree-lined street just five blocks from the White House. 40 sleeping rooms, each unique in character and design. Even if you are not staying at the hotel, the Tabard is a great place for a relaxed evening cocktail hour. They also have a lovely restaurant.
Taft Bridge Inn. 007 Wyoming Avenue NW. upont Circle Metro. 1 202 387-2007. ww.taftbridgeinn.com. 89-$195. 8.918337. 77.04617. 100 year old mansion located in quiet neighborhood. Rooms include breakfast each morning. Private baths and shared baths available.
Mid-range
'''The Beacon Hotel & Corporate Quarters''', 1615 Rhode Island Avenue, NW [http://www.beaconhotelwdc.com]. Contemporary design, cosmopolitan style hotel with upscale suites located near the Washington Mall and the White House. New York-inspired studio suites and upscale turret suites also available.
'''The Carlyle Suites''', 1731 New Hampshire Avenue, NW, (Short walk to DuPont Circle Red Line Metro.) ''+1 202'' 234-3200, (Toll free: ''+1 866'' 468-3532, TTY: ''+1 202'' 518-5000, Fax: ''+1 202'' 387-0085, Email: [mailto:reservations@carlylesuites.com reservations@carlylesuites.com]), [http://www.carlylesuites.com]. They call themselves "Washington's official art-deco hotel."
Courtyard Embassy Row. 600 Rhode Island Ave NW. 1 202 293-8000. ttp://www.courtyardembassyrow.com. A boutique-style hotel located in D.C.'s Inner Circle.
Hotel Madera - Washington DC. 310 New Hampshire Avenue, N.W. Washington D.C. 20036. 02-296-7600. ttp://www.hotelmadera.com. Located in Washington DC_fs trendy Dupont Circle neighborhood, Hotel Madera is an intimate, elegant boutique hotel with stylish accommodations.
Topaz Hotel. 733 N Street, NW.. 02-393-3000. ttp://www.topazhotel.com. Located on Embassy Row, one block from Dupont Circle, the Topaz Hotel is a romantic, boutique hotel featuring soothing decor, specialty rooms, stylish meeting/event space and unique Washington, DC getaway packages.
'''Marriott Residence Inn,''', 2120 P Street, near Dupont Circle, ''+1 202'' 466-6800,[http://marriott.com/hotels/travel/wasri-residence-inn-washington-dc-dupont-circle/].
'''Windsor Park Hotel''', 2116 Kalorama Rd NW, 1-800-247-3064, [http://www.windsorparkhotel.com]. A classic Washington, D.C. Victorian boutique hotel.
Splurge
'''Renaissance Mayflower Hotel,''', 1127 Connecticut Avenue NW, ''+1'' 202-347-3000, [http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/wassh-renaissance-mayflower-hotel/]. Luxury hotel in at the Renaissance's historic hotel in Washington D.C.
'''Embassy Circle Guest House,''', 2224 R Street, NW, ''+1'' 877-232-774, [http://www.embassycircleguesthouse.com/]. Luxurious, historically restored bed and breakfast along Embassy Row at the intersection of Dupont Circle, Sheridan/Kalorama, Georgetown and Downtown, 5-minute walk to the Dupont Circle Metro Station, a 10-minute walk into Georgetown, and a fifteen-minute walk to the White House.
'''Hilton Embassy Row''', 2015 Massachusetts Avenue NW, ''+1-800''-695-7460", [http://www.hiltonembassyrow.com]. Dupont Circle Hotel, two blocks from Metro, near monuments, White House
'''Jurys Washington Hotel''', 1500 New Hampshire Ave. NW,''1 202'' 483-6000, [http://www.jurysdoyle.com/washington]. Embassy Row, luxurious, convenient, restaurant views Dupont Circle, across from the Metro stop.
'''St Gregory Luxury Hotel & Suites''', 2033 M Street, NW, [http://www.stgregoryhotelwdc.com]. Luxury hotel with cosmopolitan ambience near Georgtown, Embassy Row, K Street, Connectict Avenue NW, Dupont Circle and West End neighborhoods. Host to renowned performers, artists, international delegations and heads of state.
'''The Fairfax at Embassy Row, A Luxury Collection Hotel, Washington, D.C.''', 2100 Massachusetts Ave. NW, near Dupont Circle, [http://www.starwoodhotels.com/luxury/property/overview/index.html?propertyID=245].
Contact