Your Ultimate Guide to Navigating Parking at Brown University
Hey there! So, you're heading to Brown University. Awesome choice. It's an incredible place, full of history, super smart people, & that unmistakable Ivy League vibe. But let's talk about something a little less glamorous but IMPORTANT: parking. Honestly, figuring out where to leave your car in a historic, compact city like Providence, especially around a bustling campus, can be a real headache.
I've spent a ton of time navigating the streets around College Hill, and trust me, I've learned a thing or two (sometimes the hard way). The parking situation at Brown is, in a word, tight. The university itself admits that finding a spot can be tough, especially if you're rolling in after 9 a.m. But don't you worry. This guide is your new best friend. We're going to break down everything you need to know, from the official university lots to the nitty-gritty of street parking rules & even some insider tips that will save you time & money.
Whether you’re a prospective student coming for a tour, a parent helping with move-in, a current student trying to figure out your daily commute, or just visiting for an event, this is for you.
The Official Lowdown: Brown University Visitor Parking
Let's start with the most straightforward option: the official visitor parking garage. Brown has a designated spot for visitors, which is a lifesaver if you want a relatively predictable place to park.
The Main Visitor Hub: Lot 68 Upper (The Power Street Garage)
This is your primary target. The main visitor lot is called Lot 68 Upper, but you'll probably know it better as the Power Street Parking Garage.
- Location: You can plug 111 Power Street into your GPS. The entrance is right at the corner of Power & Thayer Streets, which is pretty central to the main campus.
- How it Works: It's a gated garage, but the arms are usually left open. You drive in (use the right lane), find an empty spot, & then head to one of the pay stations. There's one at the front & one at the back of the garage. You purchase a visitor parking permit from the machine & then—this is key—place the receipt on your dashboard so it's visible.
- The Cost: This is where you need to pay attention.
- Weekdays (Mon - Fri, 8 am - 6 pm): It’s $3.00 per hour.
- All-Day Rate (Weekdays until 6 pm): If you're planning to be there for a while, the day rate is $15.00.
- Evenings & Weekends: After 6 pm on weekdays, all day on weekends, & on holidays, the rate drops to $2.00 per hour.
- Payment: The pay stations are pretty modern & accept credit cards. They also take U.S. bills, but here’s a pro tip: bring exact change if you're using cash. The machines don't give change back.
A couple of things to keep in mind about the visitor garage. It's a few blocks away from the main campus center, so give yourself a little extra time to walk. Also, it can fill up, especially during big events like move-in, graduation, or parents' weekend.
ADA Visitor Parking
Brown is committed to accessibility, which is great to see. They have designated ADA visitor spaces in Lot 65. This lot is on the south side of Benevolent Street, nestled between Thayer & Brook streets. If you have a valid state ADA placard, you can park in any of the ADA spaces in this lot for FREE. That’s a pretty significant perk.
Departmental Visitors
If you're visiting for a specific departmental reason, they might have you covered. Departments at Brown can buy special visitor parking passes for Lot 57 or Lot 76 at a rate of $15 per day. The key thing to know here is that these passes are for specific lots & CANNOT be used in the main visitor garage (Lot 68). Your department contact should give you all the details on this if it applies to you.
The Wild West: Street Parking Around Campus
Alright, let's venture off-campus & talk about street parking. This is where things get a bit more... adventurous. Can you find a spot on the street? Yes. Is it easy? Not always. The streets around Brown are a mix of metered spots, permit-only zones, & time-restricted areas.
Metered Parking: The Basics
You'll find metered parking on many of the streets surrounding the university, like Waterman, Angell, & Thayer. Here's what you need to know:
- The Cost: It's generally 25 cents for every 12 minutes.
- Time Limit: This is the big one. Most meters have a maximum stay of 2 hours. This is great for a quick visit, but if you're planning an all-day affair, you'll have to keep moving your car or find a different solution.
- Paying the Meter: Heads up! Providence has modernized its meters. You'll want to download the Passport Parking mobile app before you even get to campus. This app has replaced the use of credit cards at most meters, so having it ready will save you a lot of hassle.
- Enforcement: They ARE serious about ticketing. An overtime meter ticket can run you $25 or more, which is a painful surprise to find on your windshield.
The "Brown Employee" Parking Trap
This is an insider tip that can save you from a ticket or, even worse, a tow. You'll see signs for spaces marked for Brown-specific use. These are reserved for Brown employees with a special permit until noon on weekdays. After 12 PM, visitors are allowed to park in them. DO NOT park in these spots before noon without the right permit. Seriously. They are not shy about ticketing & towing.
The Infamous Overnight Parking Ban
This is probably the single most important rule to know about parking in Providence, especially if you're staying overnight. The City of Providence has an ordinance that prohibits parking on the street between 2 a.m. & 5 a.m. in many areas of the city. There are some exceptions in residential permit zones, but as a visitor or non-resident, you should assume this rule applies to you. This means you can't just find a good spot in the evening & leave your car there until morning. You WILL get a ticket.
Parking as a Student: The Great Challenge
If you're a student at Brown, especially an undergraduate, the university has a pretty clear message: you probably don't need a car. They strongly encourage students to use alternate forms of transportation like biking, walking, or the university's shuttle service. And honestly, they have a point. Parking is scarce. But for some students, especially graduate students or those living further off-campus, a car is a necessity. So, what are your options?
University Parking Permits
Brown's official parking lots are available to medical & graduate students, as well as faculty & staff. A valid permit is required AT ALL TIMES in any university lot. They are extremely strict about this.
The university makes it very clear that permits are for the person who buys them & their registered vehicle ONLY. You can't loan, sell, or swap your permit. If you're caught misusing a permit, you could lose your parking privileges for a whole year.
Now, for the tough news: parking for undergraduate students is extremely limited. The university's primary focus is on providing parking for its employees & graduate students who often have research or clinical obligations that require a car.
The Off-Campus Scramble
So, what do most students with cars do? They join the great off-campus scramble. This involves finding an apartment that comes with a dedicated parking spot (a HUGE plus) or renting a private space.
This is a market in itself. You'll see "For Rent" signs on garages & driveways all over College Hill. The going rate for a private parking space in the area typically ranges from $50 to $150 per month. It's not cheap, but for many, it's the only reliable option. The problem is finding these spots. It often comes down to luck, timing, or knowing someone.
This is where thinking outside the box can be a TOTAL game-changer. Services are popping up that connect people who need parking with homeowners who have extra space. Prked, for example, is a platform that does exactly this. You can find & rent a safe, convenient spot in someone's driveway or private garage right near campus. It takes the guesswork & the endless searching out of the equation. Instead of driving around looking for signs, you can just browse available spots online. It’s a pretty cool solution to a classic problem & can often be more affordable & flexible than the limited official options.
The Overnight Permit Struggle
Remember that 2 a.m. to 5 a.m. street parking ban? It's a major headache for students living off-campus. The City of Providence does offer some residential parking permits for certain neighborhoods, which exempt you from the overnight ban. You'll need to check the city's district maps to see if your address is eligible.
Brown also offers a very limited number of overnight parking permits, but these are ONLY available to graduate students who live on campus or in Brown-owned housing. So, if you're an undergrad living in an off-campus apartment, a university-issued overnight permit isn't an option. This makes finding a private, off-street spot even more critical.
Gameday & Special Event Parking
Attending a Bears game or another big event on campus? The parking rules shift a little bit.
Erickson Athletic Complex
For most sporting events (basketball, hockey, soccer, etc.), you'll be heading to the Erickson Athletic Complex at 235 Lloyd Avenue. The good news is that there's on-campus parking available in Lots 2, 1, 89, & 90. The even better news is that these lots are accessible to spectators for FREE on weekdays after 5:00 p.m., on weekends, & on holidays. You can also find street parking on surrounding streets like Hope, Lloyd, & Brook, but always, always read the signs.
Brown Stadium (Football)
Football games are a different beast. Parking at the stadium itself is very limited. You can try to purchase single-game parking passes online ahead of time. If there are any spots left on gameday, it's first-come, first-served at the entrance to Lot A. There's also handicapped parking in Lot C, but this must be purchased in advance.
Given the limited parking at the stadium, many people take advantage of the free football shuttles the university provides. This is often the least stressful option.
Think Like a Local: Alternative Solutions & Final Tips
So, we've covered the official lots, the chaos of street parking, & the student dilemma. What's the takeaway? Parking at Brown requires a plan. Here are a few final thoughts to help you master the art of parking on College Hill.
- Arrive Early: I can't stress this enough. Whether you're aiming for the visitor garage or hunting for a street spot, arriving before 9 a.m. dramatically increases your chances of finding something convenient.
- Embrace Alternatives: Brown really is a walkable campus, & the shuttle system is there for a reason. If you can, park once & then rely on your feet or the bus to get around.
- Consider Long-Term Private Rentals: If you're a student or employee who needs a car daily, seriously consider a private rental. The peace of mind of having a guaranteed spot is often worth the monthly cost. And don't forget to check out platforms like Prked. It's a fantastic way to find those hidden gem spots in people's driveways or garages that you wouldn't find otherwise. It can also be a more secure & convenient option than street parking, especially if you need overnight storage for your car.
- Storage for Your Stuff, Too? On a related note, the space crunch on campus isn't just about cars. Students are always looking for places to store their belongings, especially during the summer or while studying abroad. Turns out, that same concept of renting out unused space applies here too. If you find yourself with a bunch of stuff & nowhere to put it, you can use Prked to find affordable storage in someone's empty garage, basement, or attic. It's a super practical solution for college students.
Navigating the parking situation at Brown doesn't have to be a nightmare. It's all about knowing your options, understanding the rules, & having a backup plan. The visitor garage is your most reliable bet for short-term stays, but don't be afraid to explore other avenues, especially for longer-term needs.
Hope this was helpful! Good luck, & enjoy your time at Brown. Let me know what you think if you find any other great parking hacks
