Dupont Circle

This traffic circle and surrounding neighborhood form one of the most vibrant districts in the capital, known for its embassies, bookstores, and cafes. At the center sits a marble fountain honoring Rear Admiral Samuel Francis Du Pont, with allegorical figures representing the sea, the stars, and the wind. The park draws chess players, buskers, and crowds on its steps in warm weather. Grand Gilded Age mansions along the radiating avenues, many now embassies, define the area.