Dupont Circle, Washington - Washington, D.C. - Historic D.C. Neighborhood is Modern Hub of Nightlife and Dining

At the heart of Dupont Circle, Washington neighborhood, is a park with the same name and the Dupont Circle Metro Station. The neighborhood is just north of the downtown area and just south of Kalorama and Adams Morgan. It is part of the old city that was planned in the late 18th Century by Pierre L'Enfant although many of the planned buildings were was not constructed until post Civil War years.

Many College students and recent graduates inhabit the neighborhood. In the neighborhood and nearby areas a number of the diplomatic representations in Washington based out of their respective Embassies.

The Dupont Circle Park is frequently the site of music festivals and youth events. A fountain is located in the center and a paved walkway runs through the park with benches while most of the area is covered with grass.

To the East is the southernmost part of Rock Creek Park and to the west Logan Circle.

Restaurants, bars and nightclubs abound in the neighborhood and the adjoining areas. Moving north toward Kalorama on Connecticut Avenue are several bookstores. Just south of the circle is Mister Eagan's, a bar that specializes in serving an ample variety of micro brews from throughout the nearby states.

If African food and African music is the preference nearby Kalorama and Adam's Morgan are just bocks from the northern edge of this neighborhood. Various theme bars and other international foods can be found there as well.

Tourist attractions in the Dupont Circle area include the Textile Museum and the Woodrow Wilson House on S Street NW. The latter, a museum dedicated to the 28th President, is located in the house where Wilson resided after leaving the White House.

Other museums in this neighborhood include the National Museum of American Jewish Military History, the Charles Sumner Museum and Archives, the National Geographic Museum and the Women's National Democratic Club Museum.

A little known National Historic Landmark in this neighborhood is the Heurich House Museum, at 1307 New Hampshire Avenue, NW, the most preserved Victorian building in the city. This site, is basically a castle that was built from 1892-1894 by a local brewer who had emigrated from Germany. Christian Heurich ran his brewery until he passed away at the age of 102.

For people who appreciate church icons the Cathedral of Saint Matthew the Apostle is an attraction in this area. This landmark, at 1725 Rhode Island Avenue at M Street, in the southern part of the neighborhood near the White House, was under construction in 1893. The first mass held here was in 1895. The Archbishop of the city of Washington D.C. is based here. The building itself is an undisputable work of art. Some have described it as having one of the most beautiful modern church interiors to be seen.

The neighborhood is considered to be popular amongst gays and lesbians that feel comfortable enough to be relatively open about their sexuality. Some have compared the neighborhood to the Castro in San Francisco.

Seventy-five percent of area residents are of strictly Anglo origin.

Just more than 30% of residents are homeowners here. The cost of living is slightly below the national average while the median household income is above the average for Washington D.C.