Dupont Circle Fountain Park

Address: Dupont Circle, NW Washington, DC 20036, United States

The Dupont Circle Fountain is the central feature of Dupont Circle, a traffic circle and park in northwest Washington, D.C.’s Dupont Circle neighbourhood. It serves as both a memorial and an urban fountain and is a well known local landmark.

A single circular basin and sculptural memorial occupy the centre of the park; the fountain is surrounded by paths, benches and a planted traffic island. The area around the circle includes embassies, shops and restaurants and is a busy pedestrian space.

The memorial fountain was installed in the early 20th century to honour Rear Admiral Samuel Francis Du Pont and has been an established element of the circle since its dedication. The circle sits at the junction of Connecticut Avenue NW with surrounding radial streets and is maintained as a public space by the District of Columbia.

The fountain and park are in central Washington, D.C., at the intersection of Connecticut Avenue NW and surrounding streets, within the Dupont Circle neighbourhood a short distance northwest of the downtown business district.

• Setting: Located at the geometric centre of Dupont Circle, surrounded by the park and the neighbourhood’s embassies, shops and cafes.
• Purpose: Designed as a memorial and fountain and dedicated in the early 20th century, it functions as a focal point and common meeting place in the Dupont Circle neighbourhood.

Dupont Circle is on Massachusetts Avenue NW where it meets Connecticut Avenue NW. Metro: Dupont Circle station on the Red Line (exit to Q Street) is the most convenient; numerous DC Circulator and Metrobus routes serve the area.

• For the best photos of the Dupont Circle fountain, arrive early before the crowd; late afternoons show the fountain in golden light.
• Use the south-side bench near Massachusetts Ave when attending the Sunday farmers' market for prime people-watching.