Hartford is the capital of Connecticut and home to the oldest art museum in all of the U.S. The Wadsworth Atheneum art museum makes Hartford a popular travel destination, making free parking challenging to find. Of all the travel expenses, parking can be the most frustrating one to swallow.
That’s why we created this article to help prepare you for your next trip. You’ll be feeling confident and prepared more than ever that you will find a free parking spot, even if others find it impossible!
Only Free Parking Options in Hartford, CT
Hartford, CT, has very little free street parking, so finding it is challenging. And since you want to see the capital city mentioned in the famous Gilmore Girls TV show, it’s important to know where this free parking exists.
All downtown parking is metered and free on weekdays after 6 pm and all day on weekends and certain holidays. Handicapped parking used to be free and is now also paid – even if very little.
All locations are measured in walking distance from a central location, which in this case is Capital Community College.
Is there free street parking in Hartford, CT? On weekends and after 6 pm, you can park for free at the following locations:
- 173 Market St.
- 81 Temple St.
- 1 Kinsley St.
- 99 Bob Steele St.
- 57 Prospect St.
- 34 Antheneum St.
- 200 Church St.
| Street Name/Address | Walking distance in mins from Capital Community College |
| 173 Market St. | 4 mins |
| 81 Temple St. | 3 mins |
| 1 Kinsley St. | 5 mins |
| 99 Bob Steele St. | 9 mins |
| 57 Prospect St. | N/A |
| 34 Antheneum St. | N/A |
| 200 Church St. | N/A |
What to Know about Parking Free in Hartford, CT
When you park for free in Hartford, CT, you’ll want to keep these things since some of the free and cheap parking is in residential areas:
- Respect residents and their space – you are, after all, parking in their community and neighbourhood.
- Don’t park in front of someone’s driveway – it isn’t polite if you do
- Don’t park in front of entrances or doorways
- Park close to the curb so other cars can pass.
- Don’t double park
- Lock your car before leaving it – you’ll spend less time worrying about whether or not your vehicle will still be where you left it.
- Look for parking signs to check the restrictions around the parking.
Hotels with Free Parking in Hartford, CT
Free street parking can sometimes fill up quickly, so having another plan can be extremely helpful. Many hotels in Hartford, CT, offer free parking to their customers, and if you’re not a customer, it’s unlikely that they’ll notice that you’re not. The benefit of parking at a hotel is that it’s much more likely to be safe, and if you genuinely are staying at the hotel, it’s convenient.
Some of the hotels listed aren’t within walking distance but require some driving. That’s why we recommend getting an Uber or Lyft to your destination. The chances are that it’ll still be cheaper than parking at a paid parking garage – those can get ridiculously expensive!
Is there free hotel parking in Hartford, CT? You can park for free at the following locations:
- The Goodwin Hotel
- Hampton Inn & Suites Hartford/East Hartford
- Oakwood Hartford 21
- Delamar West Hartford
- Best Western Hartford Hotel & Suites
- Hartford Marriott Farmington
- Courtyard by Marriott Hartford Farmington
- West Hartford Inn
- The Capitol Hotel Ascend Hotel Collection
- Marriott Hartford/Windsor
| Hotel Name | Walking distance in mins from Capital Community College |
| The Goodwin Hotel | 7 min. |
| Hampton Inn & Suites Hartford/East Hartford | 20 min. |
| Oakton Hartford 21 | N/A |
| Delamar West Hartford | 7 min. drive |
| Best Western Hartford Hotel & Suites | 7 min. drive |
| Hartford Marriott Farmington | 11 min. |
| Courtyard by Marriott Hartford Farmington | 10 min. drive |
| West Hartford Inn | 8 min. drive |
| The Capitol Hotel Ascend Hotel Collection | 12 mins. |
| Marriott Hartford/Windsor | 11 min. drive |
Cheap Street Parking in Hartford, CT
Sometimes free parking is difficult to find – both street parking and hotel parking. This is where cheap street parking comes in handy. It’s cheaper than paying for parking at a garage but more expensive than free. Plus, most street parking is conveniently located in front of or close by popular restaurants, etc.
The price for cheap street parking varies. Some are $1 an hour, and others are $4 an hour – either way, it’s likely going to be cheaper than some pricy garage parking. However, most street parking is $2 per hour with a max of 2-hour parking total.
Is there cheap street parking in Hartford, CT? You can find cheap street parking at the following locations:
- 315 Jewell St.
- 320 Asylum St.
- 30 Ann Uccello St.
- 18 Haynes St.
- 25 Trumbull St.
- 121 Allyn St.
- 106 High St.
- 228 Church St.
- 185 Pearl St.
- 21 Lewis St.
| Street Name/Address | Walking distance in mins from Capital Community College |
| 315 Jewell St. | 12 min. |
| 320 Asylum St. | 10 min. |
| 30 Ann Uccello St. | 10 min. |
| 18 Haynes St. | 8 min. |
| 25 Trumbull St. | 9 min. |
| 121 Allyn St. | 8 min. |
| 106 High St. | 10 min. |
| 228 Church St. | 5 min. |
| 185 Pearl St. | 7 min. |
| 21 Lewis St. | 8 min. |
Hopefully, this article has provided you with the knowledge necessary to be confident and at peace when it comes to planning your next trip to Hartford, CT.
Related Questions:
Is parking downtown in Hartford, CT, free? Parking in downtown Hartford, CT, is not free unless it’s after 6 pm, a holiday, or the weekend. Those are the only available times that parking is free.
How much is street parking in Hartford, CT? In Hartford, CT, most street parking is metered parking and costs $2 per hour.
Where can I park overnight in Hartford, CT? Several parking garages located in Hartford, CT, offer overnight parking at more expensive rates than daily parking.
