SXSW - Parking (Austin, Center, West: neighborhood, live in, garage)

[questunknown]

I'm new in town and need to be at The Belmont on 305 W. 6th St at noon on Tuesday. Where should I park? I'll be driving from 360 & 2222.

[Austin97]

Originally Posted by questunknown

I'm new in town and need to be at The Belmont on 305 W. 6th St at noon on Tuesday. Where should I park? I'll be driving from 360 & 2222.

Parking is going to be nasty downtown. Every lot will be hit or miss. Ive managed to park at the hilton during SXSW, there are also lots and a garage at 7th and san jacinto that you may be able to get away parking at (by the omni) but I doubt it. Last year I drove to the plaza saltillo metro rail stop and rode the train in one stop to the convention center.

[owlman]

There are two small surface lots on that block, and another at 4th and Guadalupe. You can probably find a space on the street that early in the day.

[OpenD]

Street parking around The Belmont will be metered, so it depends on how long you need to be there. If longer than a couple of hours grab one of the small surface lots nearby, or one of the parking garages.

Get there early, and allow lots of time. It's usually a zoo downtown during SXSW, even at noon, although that far away from the Convention Center is not as bad.

[passionatearts]

Not to get too off subject here, but I thought the Belmont closed last year?

[OpenD]

Originally Posted by passionatearts

Not to get too off subject here, but I thought the Belmont closed last year?

Yep. And it's a venue for SXSW.

[verybadgnome]

Originally Posted by OpenD

Street parking around The Belmont will be metered, so it depends on how long you need to be there. If longer than a couple of hours grab one of the small surface lots nearby, or one of the parking garages.

Get there early, and allow lots of time. It's usually a zoo downtown during SXSW, even at noon, although that far away from the Convention Center is not as bad.

I was DT yesterday around the Convention Center and noticed a lot of the metered parking spaces are now reserved with the kiosks wrapped up. Not sure the extent of this though.

[supernaut112]

I live in West Austin, and even I don't know what to tell you! My housemate and I took Cap Metro into downtown, didn't even bother with parking. Unfortunately, there's no Cap Metro lines out where you are.

I've only managed to find a parking place once during SXSW in the past three years, and I ended up parking somewhere in East Austin, in a neighborhood. (Which made me feel kinda crappy, because I knew I was in front of someone's house.)

You might look at parking somewhere near a Metro Rail stop and riding into Austin. There seem to be a lot of these stops where you're staying. Just make sure you know when the last train runs, so you won't get stranded! :O

[musikguy]

Originally Posted by supernaut112

You might look at parking somewhere near a Metro Rail stop and riding into Austin. There seem to be a lot of these stops where you're staying. Just make sure you know when the last train runs, so you won't get stranded! :O

This is exactly what my wife and I did last year. We parked (for free) in a well lit neighborhood near the MLK train stop. Then we took the train into downtown.
Only problem was the train didn't run after midnight but if this doesn't interfere with your plans, I would park near a train stop and ride that into the madness that will be the downtown area.

[passionatearts]

Originally Posted by OpenD

Yep. And it's a venue for SXSW.

I did more research on the venue, and it turns out that The Belmont is now re-opened under new management. Here's a blurb I found about the venue on SXSW 2012 Parties, Panels, Showcases, Free Stuff, RSVP's & More on Do512 on Do512

"After significant renovations, the Belmont re-opens under new
ownership during SXSW 2012 as a 1000 person capacity state-of-the-art
music venue and bar. The new Belmont boasts a utting edge sound and
light system and will host music ranging from the hottest hip hop and
electronic dance music to what’s next in rock’n’roll. The new facelift
includes covered patio space, a back bar and lots of room to get your
groove on. Stay tuned as more improvements and big shows are announced this year!"

On the original topic at hand - I recommend taking public transportation into downtown if at all possible. Parking is going to be a nightmare this week.