Barbie Pond on Avenue Q
The Barbie Pond on Avenue Q is a collection of Barbie dolls posed in a pond outside a private residence
I’ll say it up front – the Barbie Pond is one of my favorite adventures in DC. I adore the Barbie Pond. I visited it for the first time in January and haven’t stopped telling people how great it is.
The Barbie Pond is a collection of Barbie dolls set up around a pond in the front yard of a private residence. It is easily visible from the sidewalk, and neighbors are probably used to people stopping to take photos. The owner changes the display each month. Some months the theme is tied to an upcoming holiday, like Valentine’s Day.
Other months, the theme is tied to a local event. In January, the Barbies celebrated the Obamas’ move to the Kalorama neighborhood, which is near the Barbie Pond.
Regardless of the theme, the running water of the pond is oddly relaxing. This month, the Barbie Pond has an interactive display where visitors can write about things they love on foam hearts and hang them on a nearby “love tree.” The responses are both funny and heartwarming.
The Barbie Pond epitomizes exactly why I love my city so much. It’s fun. It’s unexpected. It has cultivated a community of people who delight in not taking life too seriously and sharing that joy with others. My only regret is that I waited so long to check it out. Is my love for the Barbie Pond making me see it through rose-colored glasses? Stop by for a visit and see if you fall in love too.
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Address
South side of the 1400 block of Q Street NW
Metro Station
- Dupont Circle (RD)
- U Street/African-American Civil War Memorial/Cardozo (GR, YL)
Cost
Free
Hours
Open 24 hours but best in the daylight
Length of Adventure
10 minutes
