Parking for FFA National Convention

By popular demand and courtesy of the FFA organization, here are some details on parking for the FFA Convention this week in Indianapolis:

• Prepaid parking passes for regular-sized vehicles will be available for purchase when you register for convention online . A parking pass will allow you in-and-out privileges in the same parking lot or garage, Tuesday through Saturday during the convention.
• The passes will be priced to reflect negotiated group rates, which are expected to range from $27-$77. If you chose not to purchase a pass through convention registration, daily parking passes can be purchased at each parking facility. Daily parking passes do not include in-and-out privileges, and prices are at the discretion of the parking facility.
• Prepaid parking passes for school and charter buses can be purchased when you register for convention online. Note: If your chapter is staying in one of the hotels in downtown Indianapolis during the convention, you must purchase a prepaid bus parking pass. Most downtown hotels do not provide parking for buses.
• If your chapter is staying at a hotel in downtown Indianapolis during the convention, you will have the option to use the hotel's parking lots for your vehicles. Parking arrangements must be made through the hotel. At this time, parking rates for downtown hotels are between $12 and $30 dollars per day.
• Open parking in the downtown area is available on a first come first served basis. Costs range from $5-25 per entry with no in and out privileges. Please note that access to these spaces is not guaranteed. You will find abundant and affordable parking options in downtown Indianapolis. 

Source: National FFA
Updated: Oct. 23, 2012

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.

Parking for the Big Ten Tournament

PLEASE NOTE: This is an archive post. For tips on parking at this year's Big Ten basketball tournaments, visit our Big Ten Tournament Parking page.

Heading to the Big Ten Tournament? Both tournaments will be played (in 2010) at Conseco Fieldhouse in downtown Indianapolis. At right is a map showing parking options around the Fieldhouse. Please note prices shown here may not be in effect during game days.

A few tips:

• A great bet for parking is south of the Fieldhouse, at surface lots along Delaware and Pennsylvania Streets. Rates are reasonable and the location provides quick and easy interstate access.
• Metered street parking also is available and is particularly attractive for evening games, since meters are free after 9 p.m. and on Sundays.
  
• Another good option is to park at Circle Centre mall. The mall has three giant parking garages with plenty of spaces. The mall often charges a $20 event rate, but if you make a mall purchase before or after the game, show your receipt for the standard, bargain rate that starts at $1.50 for the first three hours.
• For visitors unfamiliar with Indianapolis, the Fieldhouse, hotels and the rest of downtown's attractions are within easy walking distance. So if you're staying in a hotel downtown, no need to get in the car and find a new parking space. Enjoy your visit!
  

Parking Tips for the Colts-Jets AFC Championship Matchup

Indianapolis is set to welcome an influx of football fans this weekend. There's ample parking for all those going to the game, those who want to come downtown to take in the events or watch the game 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.

Parking downtown for the Circle of Lights

The annual Circle of Lights is expected to draw a crowd of 100,000 people to Monument Circle in downtown Indianapolis on Friday, Nov. 27. The event begins at 6 p.m., and the tree lighting is scheduled for about 7:45 p.m. Downtown will be packed for the event since the Pacers also are playing at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Where will everyone park? Here are a few tips:

• The Circle will be closed to vehicular traffic, so parking on the Circle or within a block in every direction will not be an option unless you arrive early and are willing to wait to get out. Avoid it.
• Your best bet may be to reserve a guaranteed space (starting at about $6) at one of several parking lots and garages offering reserved spaces for the evening's Pacers game. To reserve, click here. (Directs to an IndyParking.com partner)
• Your cheapest bet is to find a metered spot a block or so away from the Circle, along one of the major arteries in and out of the city, including Pennsylvania or Delaware streets. The spots probably will be scarce. More on metered parking is available here.
• Other options include nearby surface lots and garages. More than 66,000 total spaces are available. Aim for a few blocks away. The garages can get extremely congested during events when everyone is leaving at the same time. You can find more information about downtown parking here and here.
  
• If you park in a garage, don't go directly to your car. Why not spend a few more hours downtown to grab dinner or a drink?

Post updated Nov. 27, 2015.