It’s been a minute. Time to update our parking guide.
If you are visiting Hartford or are otherwise not sure how to park when you get here, keep reading. If you’ve ever uttered the phrase “there’s nowhere to park in Hartford and nothing to do when you get there,” read our calendar after you read this.
Free-Range
There is nothing quite like answering “in the driveway at home” when someone asks where you parked your car.
Taking the bus, carpooling, or walking means never having to worry about the meter. There are sidewalks more often than not within city limits. Consider it part of your workout routine.
If you have never taken the bus, go to the CTtransit or CTfastrak sites. In under five minutes you should be able to figure out which route to take, where to get on the bus, and how to pay. All of that information can be found on the websites — all you need to do is take a couple minutes to read.
Bicycle Parking
In recent years bike racks have been installed throughout Hartford. They’re in the parks. In front of the library. Most of the major attractions have bike parking somewhere.
It’s not perfect, but these additions mean you are no longer obligated to be that person who locks up to a tree or against a railing along a ramp.
Besides the visible racks along sidewalks, there are a few bike lockers located at Union Station. These can be found in the surface lot across from the station.
When we can’t find bicycle parking at institutions so large there is no excuse for this oversight, we try to bring the bicycles inside with us. What we’ve found is that security will usually inform us of some hidden rack in a garage or lock the bike in an office for us. If you are not comfortable with awkward situations, perhaps look for another place nearby to lock up.
Motor Vehicle Parking
If you are able and willing to walk a few blocks, parking is not an issue in Hartford.
Seriously.
It’s virtually painless.
It’s also a great lesson in patience and interacting with one’s environment.
There is no charge to park on Downtown streets on the weekend or after 6 p.m.
As great as that is, you still absolutely have to read the signs when parking. Some roads, like Pratt Street, are more for de
liveries or dropping someone off. Others allow parking on one side but not the other. Be aware that some spaces may be designated for handicapped parking, just like you would find in a lot. Occasionally, bright plastic signs (usually yellow or orange) are installed temporarily before construction, major events (parades, rallies, etc.), or impending storms.Watch for those. That’s more of a towing situation than a ticketing one.
The signs may not indicate it, but do not park on top of a crosswalk, on a sidewalk, or in front of a curb cut. This interferes with the passage of others. Maybe it’s inconvenient, but you try hopping the curb in a wheelchair or with a stroller.
Don’t block hydrants. That may sound obvious, yet if you are from a place where there are few-if-any fire hydrants in town, you may not even think about it. What happens if you block a hydrant? Bad karma.
This may seem obvious to you, but if you glance at the pics in this post, you will see that plenty of people have made poor choices while behind the wheel.
Stay out of the bicycle lanes. If you are uncertain about the status of the space, look for the bicycle stencil on the pavement and signs. Another clue is the width of the lane. If the space is narrower than the average car, it’s not a place for cars.
Look carefully to make sure you are not parking in a bus lane. Bus drivers will shame you with their horns and you will probably get towed.
If parking spaces have been established on the street with paint, stay within the lines! One poorly parked vehicle throws off the rhythm for others.
Our other piece of advice for on-street parking is this: opt for a side street a block or three away from a major destination. Example: if you don’t mind a 3-5 minute walk, it’s no problem to get free, on-street parking near Bear’s/The Blind Pig and the Connecticut Convention Center. We’re not going to give away our secret street because then everyone will park there, but we’ve never not been able to find a spot, even during exceptionally well-attended events, like ConnectiCon.
If you are parking on a weekday after 8 a.m. and before 6 p.m., look for the meters. Hartford has stopped using the old school meters. Instead, keep your eyes open for what looks like a stretched out ATM with a blue and white “P” sign on its side. These machines take coins and cards. This is for short-term parking, or for those who don’t mind running out to feed the meter every two hours. Simple instructions are written on the machines. Follow them. Take the printed sticker and affix it to the inside of your vehicle’s curbside windshield. Think about it — if you are the person in charge of enforcing parking, you are probably walking on the sidewalk and not in the street. So, put that sticker where she or he can easily see it. It’s amazing how often we see these stickers displayed on the outside of the windshield. Sure, the Hartford Parking Authority enforcers can read it there, but that’s only if someone else doesn’t come along and swipe it for use in her or his own car. When you have this sticker, you can park anywhere that parking is permitted. It does not tie you to a single space. If the meter (“Pay-and-Display Station”) does not work, call (860) 757-0730 to report the issue. We have personally run into situations where the nearest three stations do not work. It’s rare, but it does happen. In that case, we’d report it, put a note on the windshield, and document the heck out of the situation with our phone cameras. We’d show that an honest attempt was made, but we are also not going to walk a quarter mile to find a functioning meter. [Note: this is not legal advice. We’re just sharing what we think is a reasonable course of action. If you have a better solution for that scenario, share it.]
Parking outside of Downtown is free. There may be an exception somewhere, so look for meters. This does not mean it’s a free-for-all. Read those signs because some areas allow parking only for neighborhood residents. Just make sure you read all the signs.
When it comes to lots and garages, only you can decide what price tag to attach to convenience. We’ve had good luck getting cheap parking in the Morgan Street Garage over the years. The MAT Garage has affordable evening rates. In any case, we will beg, plead, and grovel for you to not use the surface lots. Here’s why: these are areas that could be put into better use. They suck out the potential for other growth, like housing, shops, schools, or restaurants. The garages — of which there are approximately 20 in Downtown — at least prevent parking sprawl by taking the issue vertical. With that in mind, there are surface lots in all of Hartford’s major parks except Bushnell Park and it does not cost money to park in them; pay attention to the time these parks close.
Our best advice: make friends with someone who lives in or just outside of Downtown, park in her driveway, and walk to where you need to go.
Commercial Parking
Y’all got this.
OMG IT’S SNOWING!
Welcome to New England, where snow is not a rare event in the winter.
When the suburbs are shutting everything down and going on milk-and-bread rampages, Hartford typically keeps on going. This is made possible by having a densely populated area, combined with public transportation and enough people who are moving around on foot or by bike anyway. Being literally “snowed in” is unusual. Plenty of restaurants and groceries keep their doors open. And if their employees happen to live right around the corner, why not? Long story short, don’t assume that snow means events are canceled. Check with the venue to see what they plan to do.
Weather events do not automatically translate into on-street parking bans. Expect that anything in the realm of a blizzard will require you to find off-street parking, but pay attention to announcements whenever anything heavier than flurries is predicted. Where to look for those? Here, is one place. You can also check Deputy Chief Foley’s Twitter account, which is reliable and accurate. There is also the City of Hartford website. If you look for this information on a television station that names snow storms, you’re tuning in for more hype than substance and just confusing your brain.
During parking bans, residents who don’t have off-street parking should move their cars to any of the public school or park lots, or these locations:
- 2621 Main St.
One of the ways Hartford marks its tow zones - 2404 Main St.
- 135 Main St.
- 2 Holcomb St.
- 80 Coventry St.
- 20 Francis Ct.
- 60 Chadwick St.
- 130 Sisson Ave.
- 11 Flower St.
- 50 Curcombe St.
- 680 Franklin Ave.
Vehicles will need to be promptly removed from lots when the ban ends for snow removal to occur in them and not further delay school.
Thinking about blowing off the parking ban? As of 2017, the ticket and tow will cost you around $200. Do you have an extra $200 bucks just kicking around? We don’t.
If you do get towed, call the Hartford Police Department: (860) 757-4000.
Richard
Kerri
I enjoyed every word of this essay even if I can not drive a car, have never driven a car and do not plan on driving a car. Snow, no worries I just walk (like I do anyway). Funny I am the only one at work without a car and I am the only one who comes in when the weather is bad. Must be some type of fool in me. I noticed yesterday that the city (?) has just made a free snow parking lot on the corner of Francis and New Park. What an ugly lot. Startling to say the least. Check out the big tree trunks and parts being used as a fence. Who in this city is in charge of ugly they get and this gets a top prize of the week.
Kerri Provost
Just saw the lot this morning. I thought the logs were a better alternative to the concrete barriers.
Kerri Provost
Thanks for your comment, Richard.
Even people who don’t (or rarely) drive end up getting asked about parking, so I think it’s useful to know a few things.
I’m not familiar with that lot, but will try to check it out.
Richard
I guess I am a bad boy I just tell folks I don’t drive a car and know nothing about parking a car except don’t park on the sidewalk, across the crossing walk, or where it says no parking. Not a very good will ambassador for the city but I have a deep seated dislike for cars. All in all I don’t pay much attention to parking car lots as I am so busy watching out for stupid drivers.
Richard
I don’t know those tree parts laying there are sure sad and freaky looking. Says to me, man has been here, did a job and left. We are in control. Like some sad prophetic art work. The placement is not done like a nice log fence but lay there like big dead logs. At least they will make a nice home for bugs and worms as they rot there surrounding the lot. Another part of my problem with the lot is it is so stark with the black crushed rock. I thought it better when it was full of red clover, grass and other living things. But yes no room for such things as we have to park the cars when Mother Nature gets in our way. I hope this lot is only temporary as it is ugly as ugly can be.