Looking for Free Parking in Downtown Indianapolis?

Parking for the most part is affordable and abundant in downtown Indianapolis when no major event is underway. However, you can do better than affordable if you play your cards right. Here are a few tips to snag free parking downtown:

• Street spaces in areas with new digital meters are free after 9 p.m. and on Sundays and holidays. Spaces with old meters are free after 6 p.m. on weekdays and on weekends. Make sure to look for signs and read instructions on your meter for exceptions. *
• Parking at Circle Centre Mall? Catch a flick at the United Artists Theater or buy a gift card there, and you can get up to four hours of free parking. Remember to bring your parking ticket to the box office for validation.
• Some downtown retailers and banks offer parking validation for customers. Check in advance to see if such an offer applies to your visit.
• A limited number of free street parking spaces are available if you're willing to park on the edges of downtown and walk. Make sure to check for no-parking signs.
* Updated May 2011 for installation of new parking meters.

Parking for the Final Four at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis

Indianapolis is set to welcome an influx of college basketball fans this weekend. There's ample parking for all those going to the games, those who want to come downtown to take in the events or watch the games at a restaurant or nightclub. There are more than 50 garages and lots within just a six-block walk of Lucas Oil Stadium. A few tips from Indianapolis Downtown Inc.:

• Plan your driving and walking route into and through Downtown ahead of time.
• Use interstates to travel to and leave Downtown.
• Enter Downtown from the side on which you plan to park.
• Allow plenty of extra travel time to Downtown.
• Be aware that travel through Downtown will be limited to streets away from the core area due to large crowds and street closures near Lucas Oil Stadium
• Relax during peak exit times.
• Wear comfortable shoes, park once and enjoy the walk.
• Carpool or use IndyGo if possible.
• Downtown parking is abundant. There are more than 72,000 parking spaces Downtown.
• Plan to use a garage or lot. Most meters near the event sites are restricted during this time.
• Some parking facilities and lots may not be open to the public.
  

A list of downtown parking options is here, and more parking tips are here.

Circle Centre Mall Parking Garage Now Accepts Credit Cards

Circle Centre mall in downtown Indianapolis is now accepting credit-card payments at its three parking garages. You can access them on Washington Street, Maryland Street, Georgia Street, and Illinois Street.

Here are the garage rates for regular days when there is no major event downtown:

Enter before 5:00 p.m., Monday - Friday:
0 - 3 hours $1.50
3 - 4 hours $4.00
4 - 5 hours $8.00
5 - 6 hours $12.00
6 -12 hours $15.00
12 - 24 hours $20.00

Enter after 5:00 p.m., Monday - Friday, and all day Saturday and Sunday:
0 - 3 hours $1.50
3 - 5 hours $3.00
5 - 6 hours $6.00
6 - 8 hours $8.00
8 - 12 hours $14.00
12-24 hours $20.00

During Colts game days or big downtown events, the garage may charge a $20 event rate. Drivers will be notified by signage at the garage entry and can get normal parking rates by showing a $20 receipt from any Circle Centre merchant.

The only Circle Centre merchant that provides parking validation is the United Artists Theater on the fourth floor, which offers four hours of complimentary parking to moviegoers.

(Rate information is from mall manager Simon Property Group)

For more information, check here.