Waterfront is located on the Green Line (Green Line), one of Washington DC's operational metro corridors. It sits between Navy Yard-Ballpark and L'Enfant Plaza, making it a convenient stop for the surrounding area.

The station layout follows the standard Washington DC Metro design – entry gates at street level, ticket counters and machines in the concourse, and platforms accessible via escalators, stairs, or lifts.

The area around Waterfront station offers good connectivity to local landmarks. The Wharf DC is about a 5-minute walk from the exit.