Driving to NYC this summer - question about parking?

Question

I'll be driving to NYC on June 16 (Saturday) and staying until that Tuesday. My question is: Where is it legal to park in the city? I haven't been able to find anything about parking in residential neighborhoods. My hotel is at 81st Street and Riverside Drive on the Upper Westside, which seems to be primarily residential. Can I park for free on the street during the weekend, and then pay for a garage the other two days? And I've heard something about alternate side of the street parking during street cleaning - does this mean that I can park legally on the street all week, as long as I switch when necessary? I am really confused and can't find any good websites to help, so if anyone knows that neighborhood's parking rules, I'll be really grateful.

Thanks!

And please don't tell me to leave the car at home - I'm coming from DC and don't want to take the train.

AHHHHHHH I asked not to be told "leave the car at home." I am of course considering a bus but would much, much rather drive. Telling me that isn't a helpful suggestion. Something along the lines of, "Leave the car at such and such PATH station" would be better, since I don't know much about that situation either, other than it's been suggested to me.

Plus, the hotel doesn't have parking.

Answer 1

That neighborhood does have free parking. The side streets and Riverside Avenue are free. The trick will be getting a spot. If you get in early on a Saturday after all the people have left for their day trips to the country you shouldn't have to search for more than about 20 min. Once you get a spot on Saturday you will be good til either Monday or Tuesday Morning depending on what side of the street you park on. You just have to read the sign which could be a distance from the spot. It will read "no parking Monday and Thursday 9:00-10:30" or something to that effect. As long as you aren't there during that time you are fine. Obviously there are fire hydrants, bus lanes and other spots that aren't legal but otherwise you are okay. Now most people who park on the street with alternate side parking just pull out of their space and double "stand" on the other side til the street sweeper comes through and then pull back into a legal spot on the cleaned side and wait in their cars til the designated time and then leave. If a cop comes through you just go around the block and play like musical chairs and hope you get a spot back. If you have to do this, pick up the Times and get a bagel from H&H on Broadway and 80th (they are the best) and have breakfast in your car, its a New Yorker (with auto) tradition.

Answer 2

I'm not certain about the location you'll be staying at, but to avoid problems pay for the hotel's parking. In the long run it will be cheaper than spending your time moving the car around and risking parking tickets and possible towing. Not to mention possible vandalism and theft.

Whenever I've had business in the city I've always stayed at the hotels in the NJ Meadowlands and drove in for the day. The hotels were cheaper. And my parking was free as part of the hotel stay.

Driving in the city is always a bad idea both money and time wise.

Answer 3

If you don't want to drive in the city (Manhattan) get a hotel room somewhere outside the island. It is much cheaper and easier to find parking. You can then take subways to the city. I think New York is pretty safe but try to avoid Harlem at night then (I don't think is dangerous, but since you are not from here, you won';t be comfortable walking there)... I wouldn't adivse you to stay too far from the city otherwise you will wasting a lot of time commuting. Some good areas are: towns in New Jersey near the city such as Jersey City and Hoboken. Astoria, Queens, some areas in Brooklyn, Riverdale and Washington Heights (all the way up in Manhattan Island).

Answer 4

Parking in that area is available. Alt Parking rules are sometimes hard to follow...just read the signs. Try to get in early on saturday and you may not have to wait that long to find a spot and try toget one that you're allowed to park on Monday too. Then just dont move you're car until tuesday. DONT move your car on sunday afternoon, because after 5-7 pm or so you will wait 1-2 hours for a spot to open back up.

Answer 5

Sorry but that is true...leave your car at home. You can't drive around the city because of the gridlock, you can't find parking, and what parking you can find is really expensive. You are correct in that you can park on the street, but you need to move the car at times. The trick is to find the space to begin with...that is next to impossible. Just because you can park on your street is no guarantee that you can find a spot.

Answer 6

Check out www.iconparking.com or www.parkfast.com.

There is little street parking & we have what is called Alternate Side of the Street Parking rules which is for street cleaning. Parking tickets here run $60 plus.

Answer 7

I too live in DC, take the Chinatown bus, its $36 round trip, thats MUCH less then you'll end up paying for gas. The stop is in Chinatown in DC and its right next to the Matchbox place and a Subway restaurant.

Answer 8

i always drove to atlantic city for a motel, and took the bus into nyc. nyc is horrible for parking, and the car can be vandelized. if the hotel in ny has parking you can pay and park at there garage. the street parking is not a good idea.

Answer 9

Residential areas usually have either meter parking or free parking. If it's meter parking, after about 7 it becomes free so you can leave it overnight.