Named for a prominent Delaware family, Dupont Circle evolved from a hardscrabble "wilderness" to Washington's most fashionable address by the close of the 19th century. Today it's one of the D.C. area's most vibrant neighborhoods for visitors and locals alike. The mansions and elegant rowhouses remain, many as single-family residences. Others house museums, bed and breakfasts, embassies or nonprofit organizations. The neighborhood has evolved as the heart of the local LGBT community. Get a comprehensive overview on this guided two-hour walking tour from Washington Walks. You'll start with a look at a "brewmaster's castle," then it's on to Dupont Circle itself, where people-watching and chess matches are favorite pasttimes. The National Trust for Historic Preservation is headquartered nearby in a former luxury apartment building. A church that rose from the ashes to become a beacon of social activism is next, followed by a block of stunning rowhouses designed by one of D.C.'s most prolific architects. The walk concludes at its original starting point, the Dupont Circle Metro station.