HOUSTON – Believe it or not, there are plenty of places to park in downtown Houston, but finding an empty spot is like looking for a needle in a haystack.
“It's crazy, it's hectic. It's confusing with all the different parking spots and different prices,” Tasha Howard said.
She’s not kidding. It does get expensive. On days when the Astros, Rockets and Dynamo are in town or during big events, the demand is so high that rates often skyrocket.
“It would be $50 one day then come back to $30,” said one driver.
Navigating the maze doesn’t have to be so stressful. You just have to know how to work the system.
“We want to help with that,” said Angie Bertinot, with the Downtown Management District.
She says the farther away you park from your destination, the cheaper the rates.
“I promise if you literally just go four blocks away, you can probably find a parking lot for under $10 and you might even be able to find an on-street space which is free after 6 o'clock and all day Sunday,” Bertinot said.
Here’s the secret to parking on the cheap. Check out the Market Square garage at 300 Milam. $5 evenings and weekend flat rate. The Theater District Garages are $10. If you go to the Sundance Theater, they will reimburse you for parking. 1111 San Jacinto parking garage has a $5 rate, It’s ideal if you’re going to the House of Blues and it’s just a couple of blocks from Discovery Green and Toyota Center. The Green Street garage at 1301 Main St. is also $5.
If you don’t want to walk, then take advantage of downtown’s Green Link free bus service. The buses are air-conditioned and carry up to 30 passengers and will take you all over downtown.
