Top Things to do in Dupont Circle
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The 10 Best Things to do in Dupont Circle, District of Columbia (DC)
Washington DC is a hub for American politics and history. Attracting as many school field trips as it does travelers the district offers a peek into the country’s democratic origin. There are plenty of free museums to take advantage of but the real draw here is the memorials and monuments dedicated to great American leaders. Spend some contemplative time at the Reflecting Pool within the National Mall, among the most patriotic places in the country.
Restaurants in Washington DC
1. Keegan Theatre
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 17 reviews
Reviewed By GeeJAre - Westfield, United States
Outstanding professional quality theater in an intense, intimate environment. A true hidden gem close to Dupont Circle. Extremely reasonable priced tickets. We saw Keegan’s production of Boy and the set, production, and actors were better than anything we’ve seen on Broadway!!! Well done! We can’t wait for the next Keegan production.
2. Metropolitan African Methodist Episcopal Church
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 12 reviews
Reviewed By jonahNJ - Pennington, United States
During our most recent visit to Washington, D.C., my wife and I visited Metropolitan A.M.E. on a Saturday morning. My wife's cousin is a long time member and gave us a great tour of the church. The stained glass window featuring various A.M.E. Bishops is gorgeous and provides a special atmosphere to the main sanctuary. It was also touching to see the name plates attached to pews with the names of special members engraved on them. Two names that were of significance to me were Gwen Ifill and Frederick Douglass. It was also a special time to visit the church since the Christmas decorations were up and a festive spirit was in the air. We were greeted very warmly by members as my wife's cousin took us around the church. This is a church with a rich history that remains a vibrant center of the community it has served for so long.
3. The Phillips Collection
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,392 reviews
"Americas First Museum of American Art" boasts a collection of over 2,500 19th and 20th-century masters, both American and European, including Renoir, Picasso, Gauguin, Manet, OKeefe and more.
Reviewed By Nutmeg2003 - Washington DC, United States
This 2 story private home expanded its space to add a larger 3 story exhibit area for its wonderful collection and visiting exhibitions some years ago. Is the tale apocryphal of a fellow from Germany bringing his girlfriend to DC to propose to her in front of Renoir's The Boating Party? It's believable, as the painting beguiles viewers. The current exhibition of Nabi artists: From Bonnard to Vuillard, will soon end, but there's always another worth seeing. I'm most intrigued by the Impressionist art, so well curated, but go to the website to see more of the permanent collection. If you can grab a ticket for a Sunday concert in the music room, by a wonderful traveling quartet, the acoustics in the main house are amazing. Just off Dupont Circle, this museum is special even in DC, where museums abound.
4. House of the Temple
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 65 reviews
Reviewed By glennemurray
It is impossible for me to describe this magnificent experience. A most amazing place ! A "must see" for all patriotic Americans, whether they be Masons or not. Full of priceless treasures. Add this visit to your bucket list !
5. Anderson House
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 157 reviews
Explore the Society of the Cincinnati's historic headquarters, Anderson House, a National Historic Landmark that has been the Society's home since 1938. The Society and its American Revolution Institute work to honor the men and women who won American independence in the Revolutionary War by supporting advanced study, presenting exhibitions and other public programs, advocating preservation, and providing resources to teachers and students. Tours of Anderson House reveal the history of the Society of the Cincinnati, the significance of the American Revolution, and the lives and collections of the home's first owners, Larz and Isabel Anderson. The mansion was completed in 1905 for the Andersons, a wealthy couple who devoted their lives to public service, travel, entertaining, collecting, and philanthropy-interests and activities that are reflected in Anderson House, where much of the couple's art collection and furnishings are still on display. Guided tours begin at 15 minutes past each hour. Anderson House also offers a changing exhibition gallery, a research library, and an active calendar of public programs.
Reviewed By RoseBowlTraveler - Cincinnati, United States
Cincinnati natives in town for a quick meeting - had a morning to explore and walked over to the Larz Anderson House Musuem and were welcomed and invited in for a free tour (have to take tour to visit entire house). The fabulous Gilded Age "Winter Home" mansion is amazing in itself and the tour guide conveys lots of fun and interesting information along the tour. The building is also the home of the Society of Cincinnati and right now there is a really interesting exhibit on America's First Veterans (from the American Revolution) which helps set the stage for the tour. I understand there is also an Anderson's car museum in Boston - which I look forward to checking out! Great way to spend an hour or two in DC!
6. St. John's Church
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 54 reviews
Reviewed By GroverR - Pensacola, United States
I was in DC in February and had been to the Cathedral several times so I found this church next to the White House. It was a great place to visit with its cozy feel and Presidential history. Every President since it opened had attended a service here. I really enjoyed this visit and believe it is a wonderful parish.
7. Heurich House Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 95 reviews
Historic Dupont Circle home of German immigrant and brewmaster Christian Heurich (1842-1945) and family The mansion was built from 1892-94 by German immigrant, local brewer, and philanthropist Christian Heurich (1842-1945). He and his family lived in their Dupont Circle home from its completion in 1894 until his wife's death in 1956. Recognized as Washington, DC's most successful brewer, he ran the Chr. Heurich Brewing Co., the city's longest-operating brewery (1873-1956), until his death at 102. The mansion is notable for its fireproof construction, original interiors, and family collections. The museum, located at 1307 New Hampshire Avenue in Dupont Circle, is open for regular public events and guided tours Thursday through Saturday at 11:30 am, 1:00 and 2:30 pm. Private tours and event rentals are also available.
Reviewed By Motherhen03 - Fairfax, United States
The photos on this site do not do it justice! Beautiful mansion built in 1894 will all the latest technology at that time. This was an easy walk from the Dupont Circle Metro South exit. They do have an elevator if someone is in a wheel chair. It is only open for tours on Thursday, Friday and Saturdays for 3 one hour tours. It is worth the visit. One hour tour only costs $ 10. Go on a regular tour and you will get to see more of the house. The docent was very friendly and knowledgeable. Beautiful on the inside, nice garden in the back. One can pay to have a wedding or event there. It would be a beautiful place to do so.
8. National Museum of American Jewish Military History
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 17 reviews
Reviewed By RecreationV - New York City, United States
This is a small museum, an hour is enough. But take your time, read and listen to the audio/visual displays and allot two hours if you can. This is not a museum about the wars the US has been involved in. It's focus is about Jewish soldiers and veterans from the establishment of the Colonies all the way through our more recent conflicts. The focus however is on WWI and WWII veterans and service honorees.
9. Laogai Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 9 reviews
Established in 2008 and relocated in 2011, our museum’s mission is to document and expose the Laogai, China’s vast, brutal and lucrative system of forced-labor prison camps. Its Party documents, prison artifacts, and video interviews preserve the memory of the Laogai’s victims and educate about the Chinese Communist government’s ongoing abuse of its own people. Free entry, self-guided tours, and bilingual signage make it ideal for DC residents and foreign and American visitors alike.
10. Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 106 reviews
Reviewed By totalastronomy - Cambridge, United Kingdom
Sunday high mass here is at 10:00 am (Latin) and 11:30 am (English). The Schola puts on a great show here, with motets, anthems, hymns and so on, performed to the highest standard. The organ is one of the finest in the nation. The interior of this vast church is decorated in glittering mosaics that blend the English Arts and Crafts movement with the traditions fo Ravenna Italy. We recommend you arrive 15 minutes before mass in order to get yourself nicely seated to the front right, near to the organ and the Schola. If you are going at a major feast such as Easter Sunday get there 30 minutes early to join the queue. All visitors re very warmly welcomed here. A moving experience. This is the church where the funeral of JFK took place. It is on the register of National Historic Monuments. Nearest metros Farragut North and Dupont Circle. In the winter months you might like to go to a nearby restaurant for brunch; we like doing that -- but do plan ahead. If you have found this review helpful I would find a vote from you encouraging.
