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With so many restrictions, limitations, parking meters, etc. it can be difficult to know where to park in the city. Albany.com offers a little inside knowledge to help you find a parking spot in downtown Albany! |
Are you a local living near a popular restaurant or business that doesn't have enough, or even offer, parking? Can't find a spot within a few miles to park your own car when you get home from work?
Visiting Albany and can't find a parking lot?
Like people that live in or visit many cities, the folks that come to Albany NY to live, work or play tend to bring their ever expanding cars with them. So when driving into and around Albany, it helps to know where to park and the rules of parking.
Parking Lots in Albany NY
There are plenty of parking lots within the city of Albany. Over 20 in fact. This helps to raise the total number of parking spots within the city to over 22,000. This includes a number of garages that offer spots by the month and by the hour. Parking garages are spread out throughout the city, with two of the more popular being right next to the Times Union Center and under the Empire State Plaza.
If you are visiting a college or university in Albany, there typically is parking on each of the campuses. However, just like the city, there are rules for the different parking lots and you should be sure to follow them in order to keep order and safety in tact on the campuses. And to stay away from a parking ticket or tow.
And to make sure that any hassles that you run into when you are parking your car, always remember where you parked!
Of course, if looking around for a spot is too much, you can always ditch the car and rely on public transportation (which Albany has plenty of), a bicycle or your feet.
Find Albany Parking Lots & Garages
Street Parking
Some of the streets offer free parking, and if you find some near where you are going, take it. In downtown Albany, you'll find that most of the streets offer metered parking. A good note here is that the meters only need to be fed Monday through Friday, 8am - 6pm. If you are parking on the streets of Albany often, check out CashKey. This little device is like a speed pass at a gas station or EZ Pass on the Interstate highways. You pre-pay money on an account, and then instead of putting coins in a meter you insert the CashKey and the meter deducts the money from your account.
As in most cities, Albany NY does not allow double parking, and this law is strictly enforced. Most parking and street rules (like street cleaning) are clearly posted on the side of the roads. If you follow these signs you should be in good shape.
Albany has been known to declare a snow emergency during bigger snow storms. It is important to be aware that this could happen and be on the lookout for a declaration if snow is in the forecast. During snow emergency situations, the parking is allowed on an even / odd basis; the appropriate side of the street to park should be announced.
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