Free & Cheap Parking Near the Indiana Convention Center
Updated March 11, 2026
You don't have to pay $50 to park during a convention. Here's every free and budget-friendly parking option near the ICC — from free street meters to garages under $10.
The biggest money saver: Pre-book your parking on SpotHero before event days. Walk-up rates at nearby garages can hit $50+ during Gen Con, FFA, and NFL Combine weeks. Booking ahead often saves 30-50%.
Free Parking Options
Yes, free parking exists downtown — you just need to know when and where.
Sunday street parking — All day, free
Every metered street spot downtown is completely free on Sundays and city holidays. This is the best-kept secret for Sunday convention days. Arrive early for spots on Capitol, Illinois, and Maryland streets within 5 minutes of the Convention Center.
Every metered street spot downtown is completely free on Sundays and city holidays. This is the best-kept secret for Sunday convention days. Arrive early for spots on Capitol, Illinois, and Maryland streets within 5 minutes of the Convention Center.
After 9 PM street parking — Free overnight
Street meters are not enforced after 9 PM. If you're attending an evening event, park on the street after 9 PM and you won't pay a cent. Check for event-specific no-parking signs, which occasionally override this.
Street meters are not enforced after 9 PM. If you're attending an evening event, park on the street after 9 PM and you won't pay a cent. Check for event-specific no-parking signs, which occasionally override this.
White River State Park lot — Free (limited)
The lot near the Eiteljorg Museum is free but has limited spaces and fills up early. About an 8-minute walk to the Convention Center along the Canal Walk. Best for weekday mornings outside of major event weeks.
The lot near the Eiteljorg Museum is free but has limited spaces and fills up early. About an 8-minute walk to the Convention Center along the Canal Walk. Best for weekday mornings outside of major event weeks.
Budget Garages (Under $20/Day)
If free isn't available, these garages offer the best value within walking distance of the Convention Center.
| Garage | Walk to ICC | Daily Max | Why It's Great |
|---|---|---|---|
| Market District | 8 min | $8 | Cheapest garage downtown. Closed Sundays. |
| Circle Centre | 5 min (skywalk) | $2 for 3 hrs | Best short-visit deal. Skywalk to ICC. |
| Regions Tower | 10 min | $4 evenings/weekends | $4 flat after 4 PM and all weekend. |
| Express Park | 7 min | $15 early bird | $15 if you're in by 9 AM. $20 max otherwise. |
| Union Station | 5 min | $18 | Best value within 5 min of ICC. |
Street Meter Zones
Street parking is the cheapest option during enforcement hours if you're only staying 2-3 hours.
Meter Rules
- Rate: $2-3/hour depending on zone
- Enforced: Monday-Saturday, 7 AM to 9 PM
- Free: Sundays and city holidays
- Time limits: Most meters allow 2-3 hours max during enforcement
- Payment: ParkIndy app or credit card at the meter
Best street parking zones near the ICC:
- Capitol Avenue (south of Washington) — 3-5 min walk, usually has availability on non-event days
- Illinois Street (between Georgia and Maryland) — 4 min walk, closest meters to the south entrance
- Maryland Street (between Capitol and Meridian) — 3 min walk, fills fast on event days
- South Meridian Street — 6-7 min walk, more availability but longer walk
Local tip: Use the ParkIndy app to extend your meter time remotely. If your session is running out and you're mid-panel, you can add time from your phone without walking back to the car.
Pre-Book on SpotHero
During major conventions, pre-booking a garage spot is the single best thing you can do to save money and stress.
How it works: Search your dates on SpotHero, compare garage prices, and reserve your spot. You'll get a barcode or QR code to scan when you arrive. No hunting, no walk-up surge pricing.
When to book: For Gen Con (August), book 3-4 weeks before. For FFA National Convention (October), 2 weeks is usually fine. For smaller events, a few days ahead is enough. The earlier you book, the more options you'll have near the ICC.
Best garages to pre-book:
- Pan Am Plaza Garage — 3 min walk, between ICC and Lucas Oil. Best location.
- Circle Centre Garage — 5 min via skywalk. Indoor walk to ICC in any weather.
- Union Station Garage — 5 min walk. Usually the best pre-book rate near ICC.
Rideshare Tips
Sometimes the cheapest parking is no parking at all.
Uber/Lyft pickup & dropoff: The designated rideshare zone for the Convention Center is along Capitol Avenue on the west side of the building. During major events, a secondary zone opens on Maryland Street. Avoid requesting rides on Georgia Street during peak times — it's a traffic nightmare.
Surge pricing warning: Rideshare prices spike 2-4x immediately after major convention sessions end. Wait 15-20 minutes after closing ceremonies or walk one block away from the main entrance to get a better rate.
From hotels within a mile: If you're staying at a downtown hotel, seriously consider walking. Downtown Indy is flat and walkable, and the skywalk system connects many hotels directly to the Convention Center.
Convention-Specific Strategies
Gen Con (August, 70,000+ attendees)
The hardest parking weekend of the year. Pre-book on SpotHero at least a month ahead — close garages sell out. If you're driving in daily, Market District Garage ($8/day, 8 min walk) rarely fills completely. Arrive before 9 AM for the best selection. Consider parking once and walking or ridesharing for the rest of the weekend.
FFA National Convention (October, 65,000+ attendees)
Spreads across both the ICC and Lucas Oil Stadium. Pan Am Plaza Garage is ideally located between both venues. Student groups often use school buses, which frees up some garage capacity — but don't count on it for Thursday and Friday sessions.
NFL Combine & Colts Events
When events hit Lucas Oil Stadium, the garages south of the ICC get hammered. Park north or east instead — Market Tower ($24 max, 8 min) or City Park ($20, 10 min) stay more available. Sunday street parking is free, which helps for Sunday Colts games.
More parking info
For a complete overview of all downtown garages, rates, and parking apps, see our Indianapolis Downtown Parking Guide.