Downtown Indianapolis hosts a wealth of attractions. Sporting events, concerts, museums, parks and special events bring thousands of people to downtown Indianapolis every day. Almost all those people have one thing in common. They’ve got to park somewhere. Parking in Indianapolis is not as bad as other big cities; it can actually be quite easy if you know where to look. Here’s a guide to where to park in downtown Indianapolis easily and relatively cheaply.
Street Parking
In Indianapolis, parking on the street is free on weekdays after 6pm and all day Saturday and Sunday. That also means that street parking is difficult to find, but not impossible. Sometimes large sections of meters are marked off for some event or other, especially in front of the Indiana Repertory Theater, but there are a few reliable streets to find parking on. Most of the time when I’m parking in downtown Indianapolis, I’m going to one of the West Street/ Washington Street attractions – Victory Field, the Eiteljorg, the Indiana State Museum, or the canal. So, I start with going west on Washington Street from Circle Centre Mall. Between Senate Blvd. and West Street, there are a number of slanted parking spots, and about half the time I will get lucky and score one of those. If that doesn’t work, I turn right on West Street, drive north two blocks and turn right again on Ohio Street. Often, there is available street parking here across from the Indiana Historical Society. If not, then I drive over the bridge of the canal, turn left on Senate Blvd. and park on the street there. Unless there is some major event in downtown Indianapolis, I have always been able to find parking by the time I get to this part of Senate Blvd.
You can also reliably find parking on East Washington Street near the City-County Building. This is particularly convenient if you are going to an event at Conseco Fieldhouse, the Hilbert Theater (home of the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra) or any other Monument Circle events. East Washington Street near the City-County Building is lined with slanted parking spots that are great for those of us that can’t parallel park. Market Street also often has open spots; I parked here last time I went to an Indianapolis Fever game. Keep in mind that I’m the kind of person that would rather walk 5 blocks than pay $5 to park. If you are not of that parking mentality, the next section is for you.
Garage Parking
There are many parking garages around downtown Indianapolis. One kind soul has listed them all here. This MapQuest map also has many of them marked. I will not be able to tell you about each and every parking garage in Indianapolis, but I can share a few of my favorites.
If you are in downtown Indianapolis for a short time, perhaps you are shopping, having lunch with some friends during the week, or going to a meeting in one of the hotels that ring downtown Indy, you cannot beat the Circle Centre parking garages for short term parking. Underneath the giant Indianapolis mall, you can park for 3 hours for $1.50. Circle Centre Mall has three parking garages. The “World of Wonders” garage offers 24-hour access with entrances on Illinois and Maryland Streets. Enter the Sun garage on Washington or Maryland; it is available Monday – Saturday from 8am – 2am, and Sunday from 10am – midnight. The Moon garage has the most restricted hours, open Monday – Saturday from 8am – midnight and Sunday from 10am – 9pm. Enter the Moon garage from Georgia Street. All three Circle Centre garages have the same rates. The first three hours are $1.50. After that, rates increase approximately $1/hr for evening and weekends, and about $2/hr for weekdays, maxing out at $20 for 12-24 hours of parking. If there is a major event in town, all garages will be $20; however, if you actually spend at least $20 at the Circle Centre Mall and show your receipt upon leaving the garage, normal rates will apply. For full parking rate details for the Circle Centre Mall, please visit their website.
The White River State Park parking garage is underneath the Indiana State Museum and the Eiteljorg Museum. If you park here, eat lunch at the Sky City Café. You’ll get a delicious and unique meal, and your parking will be validated. This is a very convenient parking location for events at Victory Field or Military Park across the canal, but, as with all events in Indianapolis, parking will be more expensive.
Open Lots
Indianapolis also has several open lots tucked away here and there. The prices on open lots vary a lot depending on the events going on downtown. Please keep in mind that the prices listed here are not guarantees. If there’s a Colt’s game in Indianapolis the night you’re in town, expect a lot that was previously $5 to suddenly be $15. There are two open lots across the street from the City-County Building that usually have prices of $4 or $5 after 4pm. Also, if you go to South Street between Meridian and Madison, there are two open lots there. The north lot is well paved and usually costs about $5. The south lot is gravelly and almost always costs $2. I parked here for $2 on the 4th of July! Some might give warning about the safety of the area, but this south lot is my very favorite place to park in Indy, and I have never had anything happen to me or my vehicle when parking there. It also has the advantage of being right by my favorite bar/hangout in all of Indianapolis, the Slippery Noodle Inn.
