[amluto]

This problem was quite well solved by a kids learning their way around using their eyes and good paper map.

(I miss paper maps. They were actually designed to confer understanding — in particular, every street showed a name! Smartphone navigation apps and navigation websites often don’t show names any more.)

[maxbond]

I agree that spending time with a really good map is like reading a book and confers more understanding than a map app. Map apps are pretty crumby, presumably because they're crammed into a screen. Paper maps are still a thing, I was at a book store the other day with a really big paper map section. In particular I enjoy geologic maps; they add depth and history to the landscape around you.

Map apps are much faster for navigation though. At least on the scale of walking a few blocks.