Summary & Quick Facts
- Coney Island: drivers can find free parking on a number of streets between West 5th Street and Ocean Parkway.
- Rockaway Beach: Free street parking is available in Holland, Ocean Breeze, Hammels, and other nearby neighborhoods.
- Central Park: Drivers can find free street parking between 62nd and 110th Streets on Central Park West.
- Drivers should, however, be aware that finding parking may be a little harder in Manhattan.
- Prospect Park: Free street parking is available in Park Slope, Kensington, Flatbush, Windsor Terrace, and Prospect Heights neighborhoods surrounding the park.
- The area surrounding the Bronx Zoo has ample free street parking.
See NYC And Take Advantage Free Street Parking While You’re At It
From its scenic skyscrapers, legendary museums to beautiful parks and thrilling nightlife, there is no other place quite like New York City. Whether you’re visiting the city for the first time or simply a native taking advantage of what home has to offer, it helps to know what parking is available before you hit the streets as well as the parking regulations around these areas. As you embark on your next NYC adventure, here are some free street parking and other affordable parking options near the city’s most popular attractions to hit up as the summer comes to an end. Maps can be found here.
Free Street Parking Around Coney Island
Coney Island has a lot to offer in its summer months. Spend a day on the sand soaking in the rays on the free public beach or enjoy a stroll the iconic boardwalk. Home to an aquarium, an amphitheater, a minor league baseball team, and tons of great eats, this scenic stretch of Brooklyn should be on every Brooklyn car trip.
Nevertheless, if you want to bring your car to coney island, you’re in luck. You don’t have to break the bank because thankfully free parking is available. Drivers can find free parking on a number of streets between West 5th Street and Ocean Parkway.
If that doesn’t work, there is also metered spots along Brighton Avenue (9:00 am to 7:00 pm, two-hour max at $1.00 an hour) and a parking garage along Brightwater Court between 2nd and 4th Streets The garages are open from 8:00 am to 12:00 am, $1.50 for the first hour and $7.50 for five hours.
Free Street Parking Near Rockaway Beach
Let’s be real, no summer in NYC is complete without hitching a ride to Rockaway Beach, NY! Out of all the things to do in the summer, taking advantage of one of New York’s best beaches is a must. Moreover, if you have a car, the great parking around is more the reason too. Free street parking is available around Rockaway Beach in Holland, Ocean Breeze, Hammels, and other nearby neighborhoods. There is also a parking garage on Beach 108th Street and Beach Channel Drive which are open 5:00 am to 10:00 pm and charge $8.00 per day.
Free Street Parking Near Central Park
Arguably one of the most famous parks in the world, Central Park is without a doubt a man-made urban wonder. With its stunning views and greenery, what more do we need to say about the world famous Central Park? Drivers heading to the park can find free street parking between 62nd and 110th Streets on Central Park West. Drivers should, however, be aware that the areas around Central Park can be quite busy and parking may be a little harder to find. Nonetheless, drivers will be able to find a spot if they come at the right times or look hard enough.
If you can’t find parking, luckily there are a number of nearby parking garages including those at 61st and Central Park West and 5th Ave and East 81st Street. Although parking garages tend to be quite pricey in NYC, you are always guaranteed a parking spot.
Freet Street Parking Near Prospect Park Parking
Prospect Park is the beautiful flagship park of Brooklyn. With its wide green spaces, and rolling hills and meadows, Prospect Park is truly a NYC gem that must be seen. Nevertheless, drivers who want to visit Prospect Park are in luck. There is ample free street parking on the interior streets near the Brooklyn Bridge Park as well
Free street parking is available in Park Slope, Kensington, Flatbush, Windsor Terrace, and Prospect Heights neighborhoods surrounding the park as well as garages at Union Street between Prospect Park West and 8th Avenue and Parkside Avenue between Parade Place and St. Paul Place.
Free Street Parking Around The Bronx Zoo Parking
This one is definitely a family favorite and popular with the kids. Before the summer’s over, why not take a quick family road trip to the Bronx Zoo. The Bronx Zoo is the Largest urban zoo in the U.S., with over 6,000 animals within its 265 acres of parks, woods, and streams. Driving to the Bronx isn’t that bad. Moreover, its easier to get free street parking in the Bronx than in Downtown Manhattan.
Consequently, drivers can find free parking near the Bronx Zoo on most of the streets in the surrounding area. There is also two-hour limit meter parking on East 187th Street if you think you will be in the area for a shorter amount of time. Additionally, there are parking lots at 181st and Mohegan Streets open 24 hours a day if you want to park there instead.