If you are traveling to Central Park by car, here you will find information about street, metered, and garage parking options around the area.
Street Parking
Many of the side streets that border Central Park allow for free and legal parking, as long as you read the posted street signs carefully before parking your car. Parking on city streets can be a challenge, though, even for local New Yorkers. Be prepared to allow for extra time in the case that you have to wait for a space to become available.
Metered Parking
Metered parking can be found on the avenues that run north and south on either side of Central Park. Metered parking duration times vary from 1 hour to 12 hours. Always check signs before parking.
Hourly rates for metered parking vary. From 96th to 110th Street, the metered rate is $1.50 per hour. Below 96th Street, the rate is $3.50 per hour. All meters accept coins, some accept credit cards, and many allow you to pre-pay for parking using the NYC Parking Card, which you can purchase online. More info can be found on this New York Department of Transportation page.
Parking Garages
Parking garages can be found on nearly every other street around Central Park. Companies charge by the hour, and rates increase or decrease depending on the location.
Below are a few parking garage options near Central Park:
East Side:
SP PLUS Parking Corp (115 E 87th St)
SP PLUS Parking Corp (1000 5th Ave, at 82nd St)
M P G Garage Equities (5 E. 73rd St)
ICON Distinctive Parking (35-39 E. 61st St)
West Side:
NYC Parking 88th Garage Corp (101 West 88th Street)
SP PLUS Parking Corp (20 W. 81st St)
GGMC (10 W. 66th Street and 5 W. 65th St)
Time Warner Center (10 Columbus Circle)
GLENWOOD The Regent Garage (40-50 W 61st St)
South Side:
SP PLUS Parking Corp (58 W 58th St)
SP PLUS Parking Corp (201 W 56th St)
Met Tower (146 W 56th St)
Carnegie House (101 W 56th St)
Check the New York Department of Transportation website for further information when planning your trip.