Unscripted New York · Parking

Street Parking Near Central Park NYC

Street parking near Central Park exists — but signs, schedules, and timing matter more than luck.

Street parking near Central Park NYC is possible on the right blocks at the right times — here’s what you need to know before you circle.

The Basics

Central Park spans from 59th Street to 110th Street, with 5th Avenue to the east and Central Park West (8th Avenue) to the west. Street parking options vary significantly depending on which side of the park you’re approaching from and what time you arrive. Pre-book parking near Central Park through SpotHero if you want to skip the circling entirely — rates often start under $20 for a few hours.

Where Street Parking Actually Exists Near Central Park

Upper West Side (Above 86th St.)

The side streets between Central Park West and Riverside Drive on the Upper West Side have historically been the best bet for street parking near the park. Most are residential and unmetered — but alternate side parking rules apply, so you need to check the signs.

Note: NYC’s DOT converted formerly free blocks between West 73rd–86th Street (Columbus Ave to Central Park West) to app-based metered parking as part of the Smart Curbs pilot. Spots that used to be free in the 70s and 80s now require the ParkNYC app from 8am–10pm Monday–Saturday.

Upper East Side (Above 96th St.)

The Upper East Side above 96th Street has more available street parking than the blocks further south. It’s competitive on weekends but more realistic on weekday mornings. Expect to walk 5–10 minutes to the park entrance.

Central Park West and 5th Avenue (The Avenues)

Metered parking runs along both avenues flanking the park. Rates: below 96th Street $5.00/hour, 96th to 110th Street $3.00/hour. Meters are enforced Monday–Saturday, typically 9am–7pm. Always read the posted sign — enforcement hours vary by block.

Side Streets Between 59th–96th St.

These blocks are heavily metered and highly competitive. If you’re visiting the southern end of the park, street parking is a long shot on most days. Pre-booking a garage is worth it here.

Alternate Side Parking: Don’t Get Burned

Alternate side parking (ASP) requires you to move your car during street cleaning — usually a 1–3 hour window, once or twice a week per block. Street cleaning tickets in Manhattan below 96th St.: $65. All other areas: $45. Cars can be towed — and NYC tows quickly. Check the 2026 suspension calendar before any overnight park near a holiday.

How to check before you park: Look at every sign on the block. Use the NYC311 app or SpotAngels for real-time status. See our full guide to the best parking apps for NYC.

Best Times to Find Street Parking Near Central Park

• Sunday mornings before 10am — meters are free, competition is lower. See our free parking near Central Park guide for the full Sunday strategy.

• Weekday mornings before 9am — before meters kick in

• Evenings after 7pm — meters stop enforcing on most blocks

• Holidays — both meters and ASP suspended

Worst times: Saturday afternoons, Sunday midday, any major park event.

Quick Reference

Area	Parking Type	Cost	Notes
UWS side streets above 86th	Unmetered residential	Free*	ASP rules apply
UWS 73rd–86th (CPW to Columbus)	App-metered (ParkNYC)	Paid	New Smart Curbs pilot
UES above 96th	Mix of metered/unmetered	$0–$3/hr	More available than south
Avenues below 96th	Metered	$5/hr	9am–7pm Mon–Sat
Avenues 96th–110th	Metered	$3/hr	9am–7pm Mon–Sat
Pre-booked garage	Reserved	$15–$30	Guaranteed spot

*Free outside of alternate side parking hours

Street parking near Central Park can save you $15–$30 — but it can also cost you 30–60 minutes of circling, a $65 ticket if you misread a sign, or a tow if you lose track of time. For a day trip with a clear schedule, pre-booking on SpotHero makes more sense than it might seem.

NYC parking regulations are subject to change. Always read the physical sign on the specific block on the specific day you are parking.

More Central Park Parking Guides

Street Parking Near Central Park NYC: What to Know Before You Circle