Columbus Circle (Washington, D.C.) Square
Traffic circle featuring Columbus memorial near D.C. landmarks
Traffic circle near Union Station in Washington, D.C., featuring a Columbus statue and direct access to Capitol Hill, local museums and commuter rail and metro connections.
Columbus Circle (Washington, D.C.) at a Glance#
Address: Intersection of Massachusetts Ave NW, Connecticut Ave NW & 17th St NW, Washington, DC
Hours: Open public space - always accessible
Admission: Free
About Columbus Circle (Washington, D.C.)#
Columbus Circle in Washington, D.C. is a traffic circle and plaza located immediately in front of Union Station in the Northeast quadrant of the city. The circle includes the Columbus Fountain and a statue of Christopher Columbus.
The circle serves as the principal forecourt to Union Station, offering close views of the station’s main facade and the fountain sculpture at the center of the plaza. It is frequently used as a meeting point and appears on approaches to the Capitol complex.
The plaza and fountain were installed in the early 20th century as part of the urban redevelopment around Union Station; the circle has since functioned as a major traffic and pedestrian node for rail passengers and visitors to the city.
Situated on the forecourt of Union Station near the intersection of Massachusetts Avenue and the station approaches, the circle sits within walking distance of the U.S. Capitol and the National Mall.
- Viewing point: Located at the front plaza of Union Station, making it a clear viewing spot for the station facade and arriving trains.
How to Get to Columbus Circle (Washington, D.C.)#
A short walk from the Foggy Bottom-GWU Metro station (Blue/Orange/Silver lines) or from the Farragut West/Metro Center areas (10-20 minute walk depending on origin). Several Metrobus routes run along Massachusetts and Connecticut Avenues; pedestrian access from adjacent neighborhoods is straightforward.
Tips for Visiting Columbus Circle (Washington, D.C.)#
- Stand on the 17th Street sidewalk at dusk to watch the long shadows of the circle and the glow on the Columbus statue - good for photos without crowds.
- Combine a visit with a walk through the nearby Eisenhower Executive Office Building and President's Park.
- If arriving by metro, use Foggy Bottom-GWU (Blue/Orange/Silver) and walk ~10 minutes; Metro Center (Red/Blue/Orange/Silver) is also nearby.
Best Time to Visit Columbus Circle (Washington, D.C.)#
An urban plaza best experienced on foot; spring and fall offer the most pleasant weather for exploring surrounding embassies and parks.
Weather & Climate near Columbus Circle (Washington, D.C.)#
Columbus Circle (Washington, D.C.)'s climate is classified as Humid Subtropical - Humid Subtropical climate with hot summers (peaking in July) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -4°C to 32°C. Abundant rainfall (1056 mm/year), wettest in May, distributed fairly evenly throughout the year.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | - | -4° - 6° | -3° | 80 mm | - | - | 3.5 m/s | - | - |
| February | - | -2° - 8° | 0° | 70 mm | - | - | 3.7 m/s | - | - |
| March | - | 2° - 13° | 5° | 92 mm | - | - | 4.0 m/s | - | - |
| April | - | 7° - 19° | 13° | 79 mm | - | - | 3.9 m/s | - | - |
| May | - | 12° - 25° | 18° | 105 mm | - | - | 3.2 m/s | - | - |
| June | - | 17° - 29° | 23° | 88 mm | - | - | 3.1 m/s | - | - |
| July | - | 20° - 32° | 26° | 103 mm | - | - | 2.8 m/s | - | - |
| August | - | 19° - 31° | 25° | 96 mm | - | - | 2.6 m/s | - | - |
| September | - | 15° - 27° | 21° | 95 mm | - | - | 2.8 m/s | - | - |
| October | - | 9° - 21° | 15° | 83 mm | - | - | 2.9 m/s | - | - |
| November | - | 3° - 15° | 7° | 84 mm | - | - | 3.3 m/s | - | - |
| December | - | -1° - 9° | 1° | 81 mm | - | - | 3.4 m/s | - | - |
