Whether you’re new to DC, thinking about relocating, or seeking inspiration for your next move, you’ve come to the right place. This week, we’re turning the spotlight onto Dupont Circle: a buzzing neighborhood located in the heart of our nation’s capital. Known for its beautiful parks, historic architecture, and diverse community, this bustling enclave has earned its reputation as a popular destination for locals and visitors alike.

Curious for a glimpse into how the locals live? Keep reading to learn what it’s really like to call Dupont Circle home!

The Lifestyle

Dupont Circle offers its residents a unique experience that’s nearly impossible to replicate. The area is infinitely well-connected, providing easy access to public transportation — including the Metro, bus lines, and bike-share programs — that allow commuters and adventurers to reach other DC destinations within minutes.

Simply stroll the streets to discover dozens of restaurants, bars, boutiques and museums, as well as the bustling stretch along 17th Street famed for its gay-owned businesses. Some other overarching highlights? Every day of the year, laid-back locals and savvy visitors flock to the Dupont Circle fountain to read, people-watch, and meet up with friends. At the same time, an array of unique shops and exciting restaurants along Connecticut Avenue, one of the busiest streets in the neighborhood, is exciting enough to keep you going all day.

➤ Get to know some of our other favorite DC neighborhoods right here:

• What’s it Really Like Living in Georgetown
• How to Spend a Day in Friendship Heights
• Your Guide to Shaw, DC

The Restaurants

In Dupont, restaurants and bars radiate outward from the central circle and include a diverse mix of marquee restaurants, casual bistros, brunch hot spots, and late-night dining options. Here are some favorites:

Plume at The Jefferson Hotel: This Michelin star restaurant near the circle serves up a menu inspired by Thomas Jefferson’s kitchen gardens at Monticello in a dining room that can only be described as sumptuous, along with a wine list of more than 1,300 labels.

Komi: This hotspot provides diners with a dazzling Mediterranean tasting menu night after night. Fittingly, it’s curated by Chef Johnny Monis, who is also responsible for Little Serow downstairs, another rave-worthy restaurant dishing out spicy Thai cuisine.

The Riggsby: Guided by acclaimed Chef Michael Schlow, The Riggsby is a classic American restaurant for the modern day. The speakeasy-style abode features a menu of simple comfort foods — from homemade French fries to a timeless New York strip steak.

The Bars

Whether you’re craving an espresso martini or in the mood for brunch, Dupont’s eclectic collection of watering holes is sure to please.

Bar Charley: This vintagey spot has a mellow vibe but an exciting drink list. Options include on-tap tiki cocktails; a Sazerac variation with duck-fat-washed St. Germain, rye and bourbon whiskeys, aged rum, and Bittermens Burlesque bitters; and an eclectic 60-plus-bottle wine list. The menu ranges from snacks to heartier options such as a burger topped with avocado, mozzarella, and enchilada sauce.

Jack Rose: You don’t have to know the difference between whiskey and whisky to enjoy this three-story watering hole at the base of Adams Morgan — though the global collection of 1,500-plus bottles is the main attraction. The elegant first-floor saloon, complete with high shelves and rolling ladders, is the best place to expand your brown-liquor knowledge thanks to helpful bartenders and an extensive cocktail list. It’s also a go-to spot on weekend nights, when a hard-partying crowd claims the terrace and outdoor tiki bar.

Tabard Inn: The lounge here feels like the wood-paneled library of a well-worn private club, complete with a crackling fire and antique sofas. It’s the kind of place that makes you want to sip a glass of sherry, but the craft -cocktails, such as the Tabard, with orange and thyme accents, are worth a try, too.

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The Shopping

Though neighboring Georgetown may get most of the hype when it comes to the shopping scene in Washington, DC, the pretty run of Connecticut Avenue that comprises Dupont Circle has its fair share of cute boutiques and stylish shops, too. Here are some of our favorite places to browse.

Kramers: An indie book shop that has remained one of the city’s most beloved even in the age of Amazon, Kramers (formerly known as Kramerbooks & Afterwords Cafe) has been holding court in Dupont since the mid-1970s. And this is why: stellar book curation fused with a community-driven approach and a knowledgeable staff, plus a cute late-night cafe perfect for snagging a bite with your nose in a new book.

Secondi: It’s easy to miss this second-hand consignment shop — the second-floor space sits above a Starbucks and its entrance is slightly north of the corner — but it’s worth finding. Secondi utilizes a well-organized and boutique-style approach to consignment that gets you designer clothes in immaculate condition (and sometimes even with original tags still attached) for way, way less than retail.

Second Story Books: Nestled in the heart of the Dupont Circle neighborhood, Second Story Books is renowned for its immense collection of used and rare books, so your chances of uncovering a treasure are high. Its vast library contains voluminous collections and valuable books from authors both famous and under the literary radar, and don’t miss out on the Rare Book Room and regular sidewalk sales. A special twist: Allan Stypeck, Second Story’s owner, is an accredited appraiser of personal property, fine art, and antiquities.

The Activities

In the mood to explore? Dupont Circle offers a little something for everyone.

Embassy Row: The Embassy of Australia serves as the beginning point of a 2-mile-stretch along Massachusetts Avenue known as Embassy Row. As you continue northwest, you’ll pass dozens of diplomatic missions and sights, from the Mahatma Gandhi Memorial to the Nelson Mandela statue outside of the Embassy of South Africa.

The Phillips Museum: This ticketed museum offers new perspectives on the works of modern artists, from Renoir to Rothko. Come to the The Phillips Collection for its special exhibitions and its unique programming, which includes Sunday concerts at 4 PM and the after-hours hit on first Thursdays of the month, Phillips After 5.

The Fountain: The Dupont Circle fountain is one of the DC’s most iconic landmarks outside of the National Mall, and was built by sculptor Daniel Chester French and architect Henry Bacon (of Lincoln Memorial fame). It serves as a gathering place where all are welcome, from artists and musicians to lovebirds, friends, and travelers.

O Street Mansion:  With over 100 rooms and 80 secret doors, O Museum in The Mansion is one of the most unique experiences in the world. Their immersive environment has even been featured in numerous shows, books, and magazines, including The Travel Channel’s Mega Mansions! The only museum of its kind, you’ll search for secret doors (they have over 80 of them!) and find your way through themed rooms & covert passages to enter into a world experienced by few. You’ll be walking in the footsteps of presidents and freedom fighters, historians, authors, artists and musicians, athletes, scholars, and many more.

Sold on Dupont Circle? Get in touch with our team to find your place. Call us today at 202.280.2060 or email us directly at jsmira@jennsmira.com.