parking in chicago

The Ultimate Guide to Parking in Chicago

Searching for parking in Chicago? This ultimate parking guide will tell you everything you need to know. 

 

The Windy City has no shortage of things to do around town. But in a busy city like Chicago, the last thing you want to worry about is parking. The good news is that SpotHero is here to help! We’ve compiled our top tips, tricks and recommendations for parking in Chicago.

 

Already know where you’re headed? Search the interactive map below or download the SpotHero app on iOS or Android for easy parking reservations. If you want to learn more about how SpotHero works, check out this guide.

 

 

Looking for recommendations? Here is everything you need to know about parking in Chicago:

 

Tables of Contents

Parking in Chicago Near Top Attractions

Chicago Stadium Parking

Chicago Metered Parking

Parking Near Chicago Public Transit

Chicago Residential Parking Rules

Chicago Winter Parking Rules

How To Avoid Parking Tickets in Chicago

Chicago Airport Parking

 

Parking in Chicago Near Top Attractions

From Navy Pier to Wrigley Field, Chicago has tons of popular destinations. Here are some affordable parking spots near Chicago’s best attractions.

 

Navy Pier

 

navy pier parking

 

Navy Pier is one of the most popular tourist destinations as it has a world-class ferris wheel, mini-golf and much more. It’s in a busy part of Chicago, so do yourself a favor and reserve parking in advance.

 

One top parking location near Navy Pier is:

414 E Grand Ave. (545 N McClurg Ct.) – Garage

5-minute walk to Navy Pier

Parking rates starting at $12

 

Want to explore more parking options? Check out this post on affordable parking near Navy Pier.

 

Magnificent Mile on Michigan Avenue

For those looking to shop in Chicago, Michigan Avenue is the perfect place. Find a parking space close by for easy access. There are plenty of affordable parking spots like this one below:

 

630 N Rush St. – Garage

2-minute walk to Michigan Ave.

Parking rate: starting at $14

 

Check out other parking options near the Magnificent Mile and Michigan Ave here.

 

Willis Tower

Explore one of the tallest buildings in the world and head up onto the Skydeck, which will give you a beautiful view of the entire city of Chicago.

 

A top location for parking near Willis Tower is:

241 S. Franklin St. – Willis Tower Garage

1-minute walk to Willis Tower

Parking rates: starting at $18

 

Want to explore other spots? Take a look at other parking spots near Willis Tower here.

 

Millennium Park

Located in the heart of the city, Millennium Park is home to beautiful art displays, an ice rink and great walking paths. There are also many opportunities to see free concerts and movies outside at the Pritzker Pavilion in the park.

 

One of the most popular parking locations near Millennium Park is:

Grant Park North Garage

2-minute walk to Millennium Park

Parking rates: starting at $13

 

Check out other Millennium Park spots here.

 

Lincoln Park Neighborhood

 

lincoln park parking

 

One of Chicago’s most popular neighborhoods, Lincoln Park is home to dozens of boutiques, countless restaurants, and the Lincoln Park Zoo, which is free to enter! Lincoln Park has a lot of residential parking, but during busy times, it can be a challenge to find street parking.

 

To make life a little easier, you can reserve parking in advance. Here is one great option for parking in Lincoln Park:

 

2316 N Lincoln Ave.

3-minute walk to Lincoln Park

Parking rates: starting at $9

 

To explore and reserve other Lincoln Park parking options, click here.

 

Chinatown Neighborhood

Explore Chicago’s Chinatown neighborhood for authentic Chinese culture and cuisine. Street parking is in high demand, so be sure to reserve parking ahead of time.

 

A top location for parking in Chinatown is:

20 E 21st. – Under El

4-minute walk to Chinatown

Parking rates: starting at $7

 

For more affordable Chinatown parking, click here.

 

River North Neighborhood

The River North neighborhood is one of the busiest neighborhoods in the city, home to world-class dining, luxury apartments, and Chicago’s thriving tech scene. They have plenty of affordable parking spots, and if you’re a Trader Joe’s shopper, free parking.

 

One of the most popular parking spots in River North is at North Bridge:

 

North Bridge (538 N Wabash Ave.) – Garage

1-minute walk to River North

Parking rates: starting at $14

 

Looking for other River North parking spots? Click here to explore SpotHero’s other options.

 

Stadium Parking in Chicago

Chicago is lucky to have several world-class stadiums where you can view amazing concerts and competitive sports teams. Here are some affordable parking spots for each of Chicago’s stadiums.

 

Wrigley Field

 

wrigley field parking

 

If you’re heading to Wrigley Field, you’ll want to get right to the game and have a stress-free parking experience around the busy ballpark.

Plan ahead and reserve a parking spot within a few blocks of Wrigley Field:

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Lot/Garage Name Price Range Reserve Online Distance to Stadium Walking Time
Outfield Gallery – Lot $60 Book Now! 0.0 mi
1 min
808 W. Addison St – Garage $40 Book Now! 0.2 mi
4 mins
835 W. Addison St – Lot $35 Book Now! 0.2 mi
5 mins
Halstead Flats Garage $30 Book Now! 0.4 mi
9 mins
3440 N. Broadway St – Garage $20 Book Now! 0.8 mi
17 mins
3130 N. Sheffield St – Garage $33 Book Now! 0.6 mi
12 mins
951 W. Cornelia Ave – Lot $35 Book Now! 0.2 mi
4 mins
3338 N. Seminary Ave – Lot $35 Book Now! 0.4 mi
9 mins
3224 N. Halstead – Garage $30 Book Now! 0.6 mi
13 mins

[/su_table]

 

Check out a bunch of other affordable parking options near Wrigley Field here.

 

Soldier Field

Whether you’re catching a Chicago Bears game or your favorite artist in concert, there is plenty of affordable parking for all Soldier Field events.

 

One great location to park by Soldier field is:

1316 S Michigan Ave. – starting at $40

16-minute walk to Soldier Field

 

United Center

When gameday comes around for the Chicago Bulls and Blackhawks, street parking is in high demand. The good news is you can reserve your spot in advance with SpotHero.

 

One popular spot close by is at 124 N Damen Ave:

124 N Damen Ave – Lot

5-minute walk to United Center

Parking rate: $20 for all United Center events – specify your date and time

Note: Event rates may vary

 

For more United Center parking info, click here.

 

Chicago Metered Parking

Chicago has plenty of street and metered parking that costs $2-6.50 per hour. It’s important to know the rules of that specific meter if you don’t want to get a parking ticket. Some helpful tips can be found here.

 

Parking Near Chicago Public Transit

The city has many public transportation options for those looking to get around easily such as the L train or CTA bus. Below are a few great spots you can reserve in West Loop’s neighborhood, which are just a quick CTA ride from downtown.

 

737 W Washington Blvd. – Skybridge Garage

Parking rates: starting at $5

 

331 N Green St. – Lot

Parking rate:

$4 for 9 hours

$9 for 12 hours

$12 for 24 hours

 

For more information on parking near Chicago Public transit, click here.

 

Chicago Residential Parking

There is plenty of residential parking available throughout Chicago’s neighborhoods. Click here to see Chicago’s residential parking map.

 

To park in a residential parking zone, you need either a Chicago City Vehicle Sticker with Residential Zone Parking or a Daily Residential Parking Permit if you have guests.

 

Some parking zones require a residential permit at all times, while others only require permit at certain times of day or night. Find more information about city vehicle stickers here.

 

Chicago Winter Parking

 

chicago winter parking

 

Chicago winters can be brutal, and finding parking in Chicago can be even more of a challenge. When it snows, plows clear snow almost daily to maintain Chicago’s streets in the winter. That being said, street parking is prohibited when there’s over 2 inches of snow.

 

The city also puts overnight parking bans in place during the winter so that the streets can be plowed at night. Check the City of Chicago website in the winter for more information about when exactly those bans are in place.

 

Your best bet is to avoid street parking altogether when it’s snowing or when snow is on the ground. Park in a parking garage or lot instead by reserving your parking in advance with SpotHero.

 

Tips for Avoiding Chicago Parking Tickets

 

  • Always look out for signage about parking restrictions when parking on the street. Restrictions typically have to do with weather, time limits, and street cleaning.
  • In the winter, look out for signs indicating whether or not it’s legal to park on a street depending how much snow is on the ground. If a couple inches of snow have fallen, your best bet is to opt for a parking garage.
  • In the summer, the two main reasons street parking may not be permitted are street cleanings and construction. Many blocks have specific days and hours that parking is not permitted, based on when street cleanings are scheduled. Keep an eye out for signage indicating these restricted signs.
  • Know when to not park on the street. Sometimes, knowing when to opt for off-street parking can save you a lot of pain and frustration. During major events or when traveling to a dense area, for example, off-street parking is not only the easier but the more affordable choice. Consider finding and reserving off-street parking in advance for optimal convenience.

For more tips to avoid parking tickets, click here.

 

Chicago Airport Parking

Looking for airport parking in Chicago? O’Hare International Airport and Midway International Airport have tons of parking options within close proximity, ranging from short-term and long-term parking to off-airport lots and hotel parking. Parking with SpotHero is an affordable and convenient option compared to the official airport parking rates.

[su_table]

Lot/Garage Address Parking Rate Reserve Online
Routes Airport Parking $9/day Book Now!
9500 River St. – Uncovered valet $9.50/day Book Now!
9500 River St. – Indoor valet $11.50/day Book Now!
Cumberland Blue Line Park & Ride $12/day Book Now!
WallyPark ORD – Uncovered valet $12.05/day Book Now!
Holiday Inn & Suites O’Hare Parking $10/day Book Now!
Hyatt Place O’Hare Parking $10/day Book Now!
Crowne Plaza O’Hare Parking $10/day (3 day min) Book Now!
Chicago Marriott O’Hare Parking $12/day Book Now!
Loews Chicago O’Hare Parking $12/day Book Now!

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For more O’Hare International Airport parking, click here.

 

For Midway International Airport parking, click here.

 

Still looking for parking in Chicago?

Search and find more options for parking in Chicago here.