Looking for free parking in DC? We’ve done the research for you. Check out these five tips below.
Washington DC is home to our nation’s capital and dozens of museums and monuments. To enjoy everything the city has to offer, the last thing you’ll want to worry about is finding parking.
To help you out, we rounded up five free parking tips, plus a bonus tip on how to reserve a parking spot in DC.
1) Free Street Parking on Sundays in DC
DC allows free parking on Sundays on any streets with parking meters. Whether you’re visiting from out of town or a resident driving within the city, this is something you can definitely take advantage of on the weekends. It might not be easy to find, but it’s good to keep in mind on Sundays if you’re looking for free parking in DC.
2) Free Parking on Major Holidays in DC
On major holidays, DC does not require you to feed the meters. Major holidays include New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas. But be aware, these spots will be hard to find during busy holidays in the nation’s capital.
If you want to guarantee your spot ahead of time, you can use an app like SpotHero to reserve a parking spot in advance.
3) Free Nightly Metered Parking in DC
For those wanting to spend their evenings in DC touring monuments or walking the National Mall, we recommend taking advantage of the free metered parking in town. Most meters are enforced between 7 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday, so anything outside the time is fair game to park at for free.
Some meter hours vary so please check before you park there for free and not all areas of DC are eligible for this perk. Check out more specific rules on metered parking here.
4) Free Hotel Parking in DC
A couple of hotels offer free parking in DC. If you are staying at Motel 6 Washington DC or Howard Johnson Inn Washington DC for a few nights, take advantage of the free parking. Then use public transportation to get around the city to see the sights.
For more information on those hotels with free parking, click here.
BONUS TIP: Use Parking App SpotHero to Find and Reserve Parking in DC
If you’re going to park for more than two hours in the city or having trouble finding free parking around DC, SpotHero the best way to park. The SpotHero app helps you find and book parking in hundreds of garages, lots and valets around DC.
Visit the SpotHero website, or download the app (iOS | Android) to book your parking reservation. Explore more affordable DC parking by checking out the map below.
