Anyone who is planning to visit D.C. will want a little technology to help them plan their trip and wander the city. From parking apps to dining reservations, we are breaking down the best Washington DC apps that help locals and tourists navigate the area. We have every one of these mobile apps on our phones and are always finding new ones that make life just a little bit easier when exploring the nation’s capital.
Visit Washington DC
When you are headed to D.C. and want easy access to all of the theaters, museums, events, and hotels, you can check out the Visit Washington D.C. app. The map function isn’t the best, but you can get addresses, links to the website, and general information you might want to know.
Price: Free
Please note that the app was last updated in January 2018, and the developer has not provided details about its privacy practices. Therefore, it’s advisable to review the app’s privacy policy and ensure it meets your needs before downloading.
NPS National Mall App
The National Mall is huge! It’s also part of the National Park Service. My kids complain every time I make them walk it, which is why the Capital Bikeshare app is essential. Before you visit the Mall, download the NPS National Mall app to help you navigate everything on the National Mall that you’ll want to see. Check out the in-app map, browse the seasonal programming at museums and spaces along the mall, and take advantage of the free self-guided walking tour.
Price: Free
Google Maps
If you plan to drive in Washington, D.C., a handy travel guide you need is Google Maps. Thankfully, with the new WAZE integration, Google can help you avoid traffic cameras, accidents, and backups, too. Even if you are walking, Google Maps can help save the day.
The city has multiple quadrants with NW, SW, NE, SE, and more in the street addresses, which even confuses the locals. New transplants have enough trouble navigating the Metro, let alone driving around the city without hitting one-way streets and roadblocks.
The most important feature to look at on Google Maps is the travel times. Depending on the time of day, it may be faster to walk than to drive or take the Metro. Yes, traffic can be that bad, especially around rush hour.
Price: Free
DC Metro and Bus App
While we love to walk, sometimes it is more practical to hop on the Metro or a bus to get from point A to point B in Washington, D.C. The MetroBus Washington DC app is great when you want to grab bus times and stops, plus metro locations and times. There is even a map that can help you plan your route.
Price: Free
Transit App
Enable location tracking so you get real-time subway, commuter rail, light rail, CityLink (MTA Maryland), bus, Lyft, Uber, bike, scooter, and even walking distances. Create an account to save your favorite routes. You can also connect your Uber, Lyft, and Capital Bikeshare accounts in the app.
Price: Free
SpotHero
Get connected with available parking spots, garages, and valet parking wherever you are in the D.C. area. Search by address, venue, airport, or event to find the cheapest parking right around where you want to be. I love the map function that lets me narrow down exactly where I want to be and how far I’ll have to walk from a garage.
Price: FREE (But you have to pay to park)
ParkMobile
Washington, D.C. is all about digital metered parking. They love their parking apps (I have five different ones on my phone). You can also pay for parking by credit card or park by phone. Personally, I always go digital. I mean, who has loose change these days?
It’s easy to store phone information in the Parkmobile app and search the parking area (you’ll find it on the side of the meter or on posted street signs). The app gives me a heads-up when I only have 15 minutes left in my parking. It also emails me a receipt, which is handy when dealing with business expenses.
My favorite feature? The app will tell you when you don’t have to pay for parking. I hate having to guess if Sundays are free in a specific part of the city. I simply pop in the location number, and it will tell me how much I owe. If it says $0.00, I’m good to go!
Anyone in the D.C. suburbs may also need to use Pango and MobileNOW! depending on what city or suburb you are visiting.
Price: FREE (But you still have to pay to park)
Capital Bikeshare
Washington, D.C. is perfect for biking, especially when you want to wander around downtown and do a little museum hopping. Capital Bikeshare is available in Washington, D.C., Arlington County, Virginia, the cities of Alexandria, Virginia and Falls Church, Virginia; Montgomery County, Maryland and Fairfax County, Virginia.
Grab the app My City Bike for detailed info on biking in the D.C. metro area. It includes bike riding laws (helmets!) and several trails across the region.
Price: FREE (For the app, but you will need to connect a credit card to your account to pay for your rental)
Uber and Lyft in D.C.
Like most major cities, in Washington D.C. we have rideshare apps, including Uber and Lyft. Download both apps so you can compare rates depending on the time of day. Price surging is a real thing, so avoid rush hour whenever possible.
Price: FREE (for the app)
- Uber
- Lyft
OpenTable & Resy
OpenTable and Resy are your two best options when you want to secure a table at a hot new restaurant, or even old favorites that book up quickly on the weekends. Grab your reservation as soon as possible via the app for the time you want and the number of guests who will be joining you. You can always cancel, but it’s better to have a restaurant in D.C. booked than be left with only fast food as your option.
Price: FREE
- OpenTable
- Resy
Yelp D.C.
We love Yelp here in D.C., but read those reviews with caution. Some people get very cranky over very small things. Search for brunch, dinner, cupcakes, sushi or ramen. Wander the map and reset the search parameters to narrow where you want to eat. This is especially great when you are touring the museums and need to find food close by.
Price: Free
Other Useful Washington DC Apps
SmarTrip App
- Why? Essential for Metro riders—store and reload your SmarTrip card, check balances, and track Metro and bus fares.
Citymapper
- Why? It offers more detailed and optimized transit routes than Google Maps, including bus, Metro, bike share, and walking options.
Too Good To Go
- Why? Find discounted meals from restaurants and bakeries with surplus food, helping reduce waste and save money.
Turo
- Why? If you need a rental car but don’t want to go through traditional rental agencies, this peer-to-peer car-sharing service can be a great alternative.
Weather Underground
- Why? More accurate than default weather apps, giving you hyper-local forecasts and real-time radar—useful for planning outdoor activities.
Curb
- Why? If you prefer traditional taxis over Uber/Lyft, this app lets you hail and pay for taxis digitally.
- Apple Store
- Google Play
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This post was published by Keryn Means, a Washington DC travel expert, and the editor and publisher of DC Travel Magazine. Our articles may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase after clicking one of those links we will receive a small commission.
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