Mystery surrounds Barbie pond that has become unlikely tourist attraction
Mystery surrounds Barbie pond that has become unlikely tourist attraction
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A Barbie-themed pond has become an unlikely tourist attraction in America. Located on Avenue Q in Washington, DC, the small pool features multiple Barbies that change stances and outfits depending on the time of year, as well as cultural or political events. Recent sets have included 'pilgrim Barbies' for Thanksgiving, and Glinda and Elphaba Barbies in a Wicked-themed scene that popped up in December 2024.
For the 2024 Presidential election campaign, the installation featured a Trump doll being flushed down the toilet, with a Kamala Harris figure standing on a stage. Another had the newly elected president emerging from a Russian doll, while an earlier set-up saw disco Barbie spinning around and around on a vinyl player.
Elaina Plot wrote about the pond in 2016, noting her adoration for the pond and the artist's desire to remain anonymous: "The Barbie Pond may be a model for a life well-lived, but it is also an oasis of mysteries.". With 76 out of 81 reviews on Tripadvisor being five-stars, the attraction seems to have become loved by locals and travellers alike.
One person commented: "A legend in the neighbourhood for many years. Every month people from all over the world visit the pond! Neighbours stop by regularly to see what the latest and greatest neighbourhood pond has to offer! It is often on citywide, scavenger hunts, and exciting to find to check off your list with an intriguing visit to see what its creators have done! My favourite happens to be one of the more recent ones based upon somebody’s lawsuit verdict!".
