Smoothie King Center Parking Tips in New Orleans

The New Orleans Pelicans of the NBA play their home games at Smoothie King Center. If you will attend an upcoming game, use this guide to figure out your parking strategy. 

This detailed Smoothie King Center parking tips guide offers detailed parking information, including:

• The best official Smoothie King Center parking lots
• Third-party parking lots near Smoothie King Center you can book in advance
• Areas to look for free parking in New Orleans
• Handicap parking solutions
• Public transit options for New Orleans Pelicans events
• Other valuable Smoothie King Center parking tips to save time and money

Don’t let parking troubles get in the way of having a great time at Smoothie King Center. This guide has the answers you need!

Official Smoothie King Center Parking Lots

There are abundant official parking options in the area around Smoothie King Center. These parking facilities serve both Smoothie King Center and the adjacent Superdome.

To reserve a spot in one of the various official lots for an event, you’ll be attending, use the ParkWhiz app. 

Main Parking Lots 

The collection of official parking options at Smoothie King Center includes seven garages and two surface lots. The map below shows the layout of these parking choices. 

If you want to be close to Smoothie King Center when parking your vehicle, the best options are Lot 3, Lot 4, and the Champions Garage. Even the parking garages on the other side of Dave Dixon Drive remain very close to the arena, so you can’t go wrong with any of these options. 

EV Parking at Smoothie King Center

A few scattered EV chargers are found on the east of the arena in downtown New Orleans. Of course, you probably don’t want to be fighting traffic and looking for a place to plug in your car while you are preparing to attend an event.

So, instead of planning on charging up while you are inside the arena, get a full charge in advance and then use any of the standard parking options to serve your needs. 

Accessible Parking Spaces

Perhaps the best parking option for those with accessibility needs is Lot 3, adjacent to Smoothie King Center. This lot offers ADA spaces and easy access to the gates of the arena. You will need to have a valid ADA license plate or placard in order to utilize any of the accessible parking spaces. 

Third-Party Parking Options at Smoothie King Center

For a wide assortment of third-party parking options, use the SpotHero widget below to check availability for any upcoming event. Many lots and garages in New Orleans can be booked with SpotHero, and you’ll find them in the section of the city east of the Smoothie King Center.

Look at the garage at 1301 Girod Street to get close to the arena. It’s around a five-minute walk to the gates from here, yet the price is often around $20. Even if you look at garages and lots further from the arena, you will find the prices are roughly the same, so you might as well get as close as possible. 

Free Parking at Smoothie King Center

The parking options are plentiful near Smoothie King Center, but you probably shouldn’t plan on parking for free. This is a big city, and parking typically comes at a premium, especially when events occur.

If you are determined to avoid paying for parking, try other transportation options like riding a bike, using public transportation, or taking a rideshare service. 

Public Transportation to Smoothie King Center

RTA Buses

New Orleans Regional Transit Authority (RTA) operates a robust network of bus routes that could help you conveniently get to the Smoothie King Center. Depending on your starting location, multiple lines have stops within close proximity of the arena.

Among them are lines #10 (Tchoupitoulas), #11 (Magazine), and #16 (S. Claiborne).

Additionally, the RTA provides real-time tracking and trip planning tools on its website and mobile app, so you can plan your journey efficiently and ensure you arrive in time for the game.

Streetcar

A unique and iconic way to travel around New Orleans is by the RTA Streetcar service. For a unique New Orleans experience, you can use the Canal Street Line, which will get you quite close to the Smoothie King Center. The Canal Streetcar Line has a stop at Canal at Carondelet, which is approximately a 10-minute walk to the arena.

Streetcar service runs 24 hours a day, seven days a week, with most cars coming every 20 minutes during the day and every 30 minutes in the evenings and early mornings. A Jazzy Pass, which allows unlimited rides on the streetcars and buses for a day, is just $3.

Other Public Transportation Options

If you’re staying farther away from the arena or outside the city, consider using the Amtrak train or Greyhound intercity bus service. Both have stations in New Orleans, and from there, you can use local RTA transportation to get to the Smoothie King Center.

Remember, the specifics of your journey will depend on your starting point and the event timing, so always check the most recent schedules on the RTA website or app before planning your route. Public transportation is an economical and environmentally friendly way to attend events at the Smoothie King Center, helping you avoid the hassle of traffic and parking.

Ridesharing to Smoothie King Center

Smoothie King Center doesn’t directly provide rideshare services to a specific area, but this is still a viable way to get to and from an event. It’s probably best to plan your pick-up and drop-off for an area at least a couple of blocks away from the venue, so that you can avoid the worst of the traffic and make the experience smoother for yourself.

Smoothie King Center Events

Smoothie King Center holds more than 40 Pelicans games per year, but that’s the start of what happens in this popular venue. Other events, including many concerts, take place here throughout the year. We’ve created the table below for you to quickly and easily pick out tickets to an upcoming event.

Bars and Restaurants near Smoothie King Center 

If you want to stop in for a bite or a drink before an event at Smoothie King Center, check out Champions Square just across Girod Street. You’ll find a few good options here and even more if you keep walking a few more blocks to the east. 

One of the many appealing options in this part of New Orleans is Walk-On’s Sports Bistreaux. With a sports theme and plenty of typical gameday fare, you’ll feel like you are appropriately getting ready for the upcoming event.

While this dining and drinking option is not right beside the arena, it’s only a short walk on Poydras Street. 

Smoothie King Center Parking Tips for a Great Outing

Attending an event at an NBA arena should be a relaxing, enjoyable experience. However, traffic and transportation issues sometimes get in the way and turn the outing into a nightmare.  

Let’s review some basic parking and travel tips to ensure that doesn’t happen to you at Smoothie King Center.

Arrive Early and Beat Traffic

Don’t make the mistake of allowing New Orleans traffic to ruin your outing. Plan your day to get to the arena early and secure parking before it gets crazy. 

Check to see when the gates will open, and you can arrive early to enjoy as much time inside the facility as possible. 

Know What You Can Bring

Smoothie King Center has specific policies regarding what can and can’t come into the building, like all other stadiums. Check these rules in advance so you don’t have to leave things in the car. 

Remember Where You Parked!

There are plenty of parking spaces available in the area around Smoothie King Center. With such a massive parking area to cover, you don’t want to be searching for your vehicle at the end of the day. Consider snapping a quick picture of your car’s location on your phone so you can get back to it easily. 

Take Security Measures

You should always consider safety when parking for an event at a popular arena. Be sure to lock your vehicle as a starting point and remove anything valuable from the car or truck before leaving home. You might want to park in a well-lit area for more security.

Have a Backup Plan

Unless you have purchased a parking pass in advance, it’s a good idea to have at least a few parking options in mind when you head out. That way, if your first option is full or otherwise unavailable, you won’t have to scramble to figure out where to go next.

Conclusion

In conclusion, attending an event at Smoothie King Center can be a fantastic experience, but ensuring a smooth and stress-free outing requires some parking and travel tips. This comprehensive guide offers valuable information on parking options, including official lots, third-party options, and handicap solutions.

While official lots like Lot 3, Lot 4, and the Champions Garage offer close proximity to the arena, third-party lots can be cost-effective choices. Although free parking is scarce in the city, public transportation, like the streetcar system, provides convenient alternatives.

Planning pick-up and drop-off points away from the venue can enhance the overall experience for those using rideshare services. It is essential to arrive early to beat traffic, know the venue’s policies on allowed items, and take security measures by parking in well-lit areas.

Lastly, having a backup parking plan can save time and avoid last-minute stress. By following these tips, visitors to Smoothie King Center can focus on enjoying the event without any parking troubles.

Frequently Asked Questions for Parking at Smoothie King Center (FAQs)