Finding an affordable place to park in New York CIty can be a tricky business, and the neighbourhood of Washington Heights is no exception – unless you know where to look.
A water hydrant sprays parked cars in Washington Heights (Photo: Phil Roeder via Flickr / CC BY 2.0 DEED)
Far to the north of Manhattan, anchored by the George Washington Bridge, the densely-populated district is a perpetual hive of activity, with a buzzing cultural scene and lively street life. But as with pretty much all of NYC, both driving and parking here can be a challenge – though not an impossible one. The good news is that you can find a wide range of parking options readily available across the sprawling neighbourhood. The bad news is that the cost of parking can be very steep – unless you know where to look. And that’s where we step in with our useful guide to finding parking in Washington Heights.
The options for parking in Washington Heights mainly come down to metred street parking or off-street lots and parking garages. There are a large number of metered street spaces available, with prices starting at around $2 per hour, although finding an empty spot can be tricky. Alternatively, if you prefer the security of off-street covered parking, there are several lots and garages to pick from. Our number one choice is Centerpark Broadway Garage at 4172 Broadway, where you’ll pay $14 per hour, with a daily maximum charge of $35. Another option we’d recommend is Icon Parking on Amsterdam Avenue, close to the Harlem River and Washington Bridge, which charges $15 per hour and a daily maximum of $35, with valet services included.
You can book both of the above parking garages on Spothero.com, as well as at several other parking lots in Washington Heights.
Free parking in Washington Heights
In contrast to most of Manhattan, it’s also possible – albeit difficult – to find free-of-charge street parking along certain stretches of Washington Height. However, these spots are often subject to time limits and other parking regulations like alternate side parking – so watch where you leave your car very carefully, as you don’t want to come back and discover you’ve got a ticket, or even worse it has been towed away. The exception to this is on Sundays, when metered parking is free across the city.
Long-stay parking in Washington Heights
If you’re staying in Manhattan for a longer period and plan to spend a fair of bit of time in or around Washington Heights, you may want to think about finding a long-term parking spot to save you searching for metred street parking each day or paying hefty day rates at a garage. So, for example, at PV Parking on West 174th Street, day rates for valet parking start at $30, but monthly parking rates begin at $450– representing a saving of around $315per day compared with paying for individual days for an entire month.
For the best parking rates in Washington Heights, go to Spothero.com.