Downtown Tucson is a vibrant place - with farm-to-table restaurants, craft breweries, lively marketplaces, a burgeoning music scene, historic architecture, public art, and interesting museums. Need to know where to park in Downtown?
If you want to head that way to check out the food and fun, don't be intimidated by parking. Tucson's downtown is relatively easy to navigate - with plenty of parking.
There are more than 3,000 covered spaces in parking garages and almost 1,000 spaces in surface lots - plus more than 1,000 on-street metered spaces in Downtown, more than 375 in the 4th Avenue Business District and Warehouse Arts District, and more than 200 in the University/Main Gate Square areas..
Parking meters are located throughout downtown and range from 1/2 hour to 6-hour limits, at a rate of $1.00 per hour. Most meters are "smart" meters that accept payments by mobile app, coins, credit, debit, or Park Smart card. The Park Smart card is your own parking value card, loaded with a balance that is drawn down with each parking meter visit. All Park Tucson parking meters can be paid with the GoTucson Parking mobile app.
There is no charge for metered parking after 5:00pm on weekdays and all day on weekends/holidays.
Beginning June 2, 2025, extended parking meter hours will take effect in the Downtown, Mercado, and Main Gate Square/University districts. The new hours will be from 8:00am to 7:00pm, Monday through Saturday. The new parking meter hours will not apply to the Fourth Avenue district due to impacts from the Downtown Links project. The new hours are expected to increase the availability of on-street parking for visitors and help support reinvestment in Park Tucson services to enhance safety, security, and facilities.
There are five Park Tucson garages in downtown Tucson:
Parking garage rates are as follows:
When you enter a garage, you will have the choice of pressing a button to receive a ticket that you will use later to pay or you may insert a credit or debit card directly. Your card will serve as your ticket, and in order to complete payment and exit the garage, you will need to insert the same card at the exit. If you lose the ticket that you receive at the entrance, you will need to pay a $10 Lost Ticket Fee.
Arriving and Departing during Different Pricing Periods? Parkers who arrive during one pricing period and depart during another pricing period, will be charged the sum of the applicable rates for each period.
Each garage is different in terms of overhead restrictions - but for the most part, standard pick-up trucks will fit in the public parking garages.
See below for parking tips for specific venues in the downtown area.
If you're going to 4th Avenue
There are more than 375 on-street metered spaces in the 4th Avenue Business District. Some 4th Avenue businesses also have parking lots available for customer use.
Parking along 4th is most readily available in the mornings since the crowds tend to pick up on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays between 5:00pm and 2:00am.
Remember also that Park Tucson garages offer more than 3,000 covered spaces in parking garages and almost 1,000 spaces in surface lots. University of Arizona garages and lots offer public parking and all City of Tucson and UA garages and lots are within walking distance of the Sun Link Streetcar.
If you're going to Fox Tucson Theatre
There is an abundance of parking in the downtown area. Street parking (in front of meters) is free after 7:00pm on Monday through Saturday and all day on Sundays. There are also a number of garages and parking lots within easy walking distance of the theatre.
If you're going to the Joel D. Valdez Main Library
The Library Garage is conveniently located right underneath Joel D. Valdez Main Library. From Stone Avenue, head west on Alameda Street. The parking garage will be on your left before Church Avenue. The first hour of parking is free!
If you're going to Cup Cafe, Hotel Congress, or Maynards
The lot at Hotel Congress is free for patrons and guests. If that lot is full, you can park on Fifth, Congress, and Toole. Most meters cost $1.00 per hour. The meters are free after 5:00pm on weekdays and free all-day on Saturdays & Sundays.
The most crowded days/times for Hotel Congress start on Friday night through late Sunday afternoon. Brunch crowds on Saturday and Sunday tend to be substantial; and night life is alive and well on Saturday nights. If you want more solitude and more parking spaces, try Monday-Thursday, holidays excluded.
Michelle Armstrong, Marketing Manager at Hotel Congress and Maynards, gives this piece of advice, "Have patience and expect to make some rounds. Downtown Tucson parking is cheaper than most cities and the City of Tucson does provide ample times for free parking, which is always great for businesses."
If you're going to CORBETT'S
CORBETT'S is Downtown Tucson's favorite place to play pickleball, watch the game, listen to live music, and eat delicious cuisine. CORBETT’S best parking advice is to use their parking lot in the back of the restaurant. Parking is validated when you dine in or play pickleball. Simply bring the ticket in with you, hand it to your server to validate, and you’re good to go!
If you're going to HUB
There is a private parking lot behind the HUB that is free for guests of HUB.
If you're going to Main Gate Square
Park in the Tyndall Parking Garage. Enter from Euclid & Fourth Street for easiest access. All Main Gate Square merchants validate (with a purchase) for the Tyndall garage after 5:00pm, M-F. Saturdays & Sundays (except football Saturdays) are free.
Parking is also available in the Main Gate Garage.
Since Main Gate Square is adjacent to the University, parking is most crowded M-F from 10:00am to 3:00pm. Parking is more readily available after lunch and in the evenings.
If you're going to the Tucson Convention Center (TCC)
The TCC has three main lots surrounding the venues - Lot A off Church Street, Lot B off Cushing Street and Granada, and Lot C off Granada. Park in the lot that is closest to the venue that you are visiting for an event. Example: Lot A would be your first choice for a hockey event in the arena. The cost can range from $6-$10 per day, depending on the nature of the event. Daily rate when there are no events is $8. Expect to pay $8.00 on most event days. Special event days are $10+. Oversized vehicle parking is generally prohibited. Call ahead with any questions or concerns: 520-491-4101.
If you're going to the Tucson Museum of Art and/or Cafe a la C'Art
The Museum has a free lot for visitors on the north end of the historic block off Washington Street. Metered street parking is also available (free after 5pm and on the weekends!), as well as a number of pay parking garages/lots around the Museum. Accommodations for tour buses and vans are available upon request. Note that the museum is most crowded on the weekends with less foot traffic on the weekdays.
Don't forget that taking the Sun Link Streetcar (aka Tucson Streetcar) is also an excellent option!
The Sun Link streetcar is a convenient, eco-friendly, fare-free, and fun way to explore Downtown Tucson and beyond. The 3.9-mile route has 23 stops, each adorned with public art. The streetcar connects you to major destinations, including:
With more than 13,000 parking spaces along or near the streetcar route, you can park your car and explore the city without driving. Each streetcar stop is within walking distance of Tucson’s most iconic restaurants, museums, shops, and entertainment venues.
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We'll be adding more venues in the coming months! Let us know where you want to go in Downtown Tucson and we'll include the best parking tips here.
