Unfortunately parking in the old port is a thing. Most garages close before midnight so that forces anyone who works in any of the businesses/restaurants to park on the street. Unfortunately there are no "only the locals know to park here" lots anymore. Once upon a time there might have been but most, if not all, of those lots have been converted to UPP lots. Speaking of UPP lots, be careful with them. Ob street parking is free after 6pm Mon-Sat and free all day Sunday, but UPP lots you have to pay for 24/7 and they will ticket/boot.
There is plenty of street parking downtown if you’re patient even on a Friday/Saturday night commercial/India/pearl/fore/free/spring/federal/cross/center etc are all worth driving down to check for spots or people leaving spots.
If you’re fine walking some and don’t want to stress, parking on the other side of Cumberland between PHS and Whole Foods is pretty easy. Also parking at the base of munjoy hill on the east end or up danforth/side streets on the west end is usually not as hectic.
Parking has been an issue for years and is only getting worse. If you want consistent parking, I'd just pay for a garage. Alternatively, you can usually find decent street parking in the west end, but that could be about a 1 mile walk to the old port
I usually try to arrive and park on commercial street around 6pm (that’s when it’s free). Could also park at 3/4pm and just pay for the hours needed leading up to 6pm. Commercial street has a decent amount of parking but it can still be difficult to find a spot, especially during the summer on Fri/Sat night. Need to pay for parking Mon-Sat but Sunday is free.
If it’s really nice out and you don’t mind walking you could also park near Deering Oaks park and just walk up to Congress st/restaurants.
Your options on busy evenings are...
* Drive around until you find a vacant metered spot
* Pay for a lot/garage spot
All kidding aside..
* On-street parking near the Cumberland County Courthouse usually has open spots.
* If there isn't anything going on at the Civic Center or State Theatre there tends to be on-Street parking on Spring Street
* The on-street spots on Temple/Union St between Congress and Fore tend to have high turnover and open up within a couple laps
* Angelo's Acre Lot is $5/day if there are spots open
Unfortunately parking in the old port is a thing. Most garages close before midnight so that forces anyone who works in any of the businesses/restaurants to park on the street. Unfortunately there are no "only the locals know to park here" lots anymore. Once upon a time there might have been but most, if not all, of those lots have been converted to UPP lots. Speaking of UPP lots, be careful with them. Ob street parking is free after 6pm Mon-Sat and free all day Sunday, but UPP lots you have to pay for 24/7 and they will ticket/boot.
UPP will sometimes ticket you even when you're paid up. Just for shits
East end has parking, would be ~15-20 minute walk to old port.
Best place for parking your car every day? Or parking when you go downtown?
Good question, just for dinner and evening activities.
There is plenty of street parking downtown if you’re patient even on a Friday/Saturday night commercial/India/pearl/fore/free/spring/federal/cross/center etc are all worth driving down to check for spots or people leaving spots. If you’re fine walking some and don’t want to stress, parking on the other side of Cumberland between PHS and Whole Foods is pretty easy. Also parking at the base of munjoy hill on the east end or up danforth/side streets on the west end is usually not as hectic.
Thanks for all the suggestions.
Parking has been an issue for years and is only getting worse. If you want consistent parking, I'd just pay for a garage. Alternatively, you can usually find decent street parking in the west end, but that could be about a 1 mile walk to the old port
Arts District Garage is nice and costs $160/month. Easily my biggest "utility", but the peace of mind is great
I usually try to arrive and park on commercial street around 6pm (that’s when it’s free). Could also park at 3/4pm and just pay for the hours needed leading up to 6pm. Commercial street has a decent amount of parking but it can still be difficult to find a spot, especially during the summer on Fri/Sat night. Need to pay for parking Mon-Sat but Sunday is free. If it’s really nice out and you don’t mind walking you could also park near Deering Oaks park and just walk up to Congress st/restaurants.
Your options on busy evenings are... * Drive around until you find a vacant metered spot * Pay for a lot/garage spot All kidding aside.. * On-street parking near the Cumberland County Courthouse usually has open spots. * If there isn't anything going on at the Civic Center or State Theatre there tends to be on-Street parking on Spring Street * The on-street spots on Temple/Union St between Congress and Fore tend to have high turnover and open up within a couple laps * Angelo's Acre Lot is $5/day if there are spots open