Okay so last Tuesday got tickets for Eminem at Austin’s big arena downtown. Problem is parking in that area always feels like trying to solve a Rubik’s Cube blindfolded. Started panicking like two days before. Here’s how I figured it out.
The “Google Dive” Disaster
First thing I did was sit at my kitchen table googling “Eminem parking Austin tips” on my phone. Big mistake. Half the results pointed to parking sites wanting $50+ for garage spots 30 blocks away. One forum post suggested parking under I-35 bridges which… yeah no. Realized most tips were from like 2019 or pre-pandemic. City changed so much since then.
Driving Into Battle Early
Day of concert? Drove downtown FOUR HOURS before showtime. Saw parking signs everywhere saying “RESERVED EVENT PARKING $60” – nah. Circled around Rainey Street saw open meters but time limits. Cop yelled at me through his speaker “KEEP MOVING!” when I slowed down near Brazos Garage. Felt like playing musical chairs with cars.
The Hail Mary Spot Hunt
Finally took a gamble driving east past the stadium into residential areas. Turned down Trinity Street near some sketchy warehouses. Boom! Found a gravel lot behind this little coffee shop with a handwritten sign: “EVENT PARKING $25 CASH”. Dude in a lawn chair took my money no receipt. Place looked like it might double as a chop shop but hey it worked.
Walk & War Stories
Walked fifteen minutes sweating through my shirt carrying lawn chairs (for tailgating – we tried) past the madness. Saw so many people getting towed near the venue entrances. One couple paid $80 for a “premium” spot then got booted because they parked in a hotel guest zone.
Why I know this worked? Cause last Travis Scott concert I didn’t prep. Paid $75 for garage parking then sat in exit traffic for TWO HOURS after the show. This time? Got to my sketchy lot walked right to my car drove off in ten minutes. Moral of story? Sometimes the ugliest gravel pit saves your sanity.
