Heading downtown for Thunder Over Louisville? Here's what to know in advance about parking

Gege Reed, Louisville Courier Journal
Updated ·3 min read

Crowds of more than 600,000 people have been known to attend Thunder Over Louisville, and there are only 52,000 parking spots in downtown Louisville that fall within a 10-block walk of the Ohio River in Kentucky.

So, you should probably plan ahead when and carpool for one of those spots. Or get a little more creative.

Here's what to know about parking for Thunder Over Louisville, held this year on April 23.

Can I reserve a parking spot in downtown Louisville?

If driving and parking in downtown Louisville is your only option, find a spot farther away from the chaos that is Waterfront Park. Walking a few blocks early in the day can save you from having to sit in a (huge!) traffic jam at the end of the event.

You can pre-book a spot online at louisville.pmreserve.com where spaces are available from 6 a.m. to midnight starting at $11.25 to  $22.40.

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What parking garages in downtown Louisville sell reserved spots?

  • One Arena Plaza at Arena Garage for $22.40

  • 141 N. Sixth St. at Riverfront Garage for $22.40

  • 658 S. Third St. at Brown Hotel Garage for $11.25

  • 630 S. Fourth St. at Fifth Street Garage for $11.25

  • 120 S. Sixth St. at Sixth and Main Garage for $22.40

  • 120 S. Eighth St. at Eighth and Main Garage for $22.40

  • 838 W. Market St. at Glassworks Garage for $22.40

  • 550 W. Muhammad Ali Blvd. at Louisville Gardens Garage for $16.80

  • 536 W. Market St. at Market Street Garage for $22.40

  • 140 N. Sixth St. at Muhammad Ali Center for $22.40

  • 523 S. Fifth St. at Seelbach Garage for $11.25

Many downtown businesses will also be offering parking in their private lots for varying fees.

For more information on garage and lot locations in downtown Louisville visit louisvilleky.gov/PARC or contact the Parking Authority of River City at 502-587-PARK.

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Where can I park in Southern Indiana for Thunder Over Louisville?

Crowds gather at Waterfront Park to watch planes fly during the 2015 Thunder Over Louisville Air Show in Louisville, Ky. April 18, 2015.
Crowds gather at Waterfront Park to watch planes fly during the 2015 Thunder Over Louisville Air Show in Louisville, Ky. April 18, 2015.

Public and private parking is available in Southern Indiana. For more information contact the Clark/Floyd County Convention and Tourism Bureau at 812-282-6654 or Water Tower Square in Jeffersonville at 812-288-9057.

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Can I park a bike downtown for Thunder Over Louisville?

If walking or biking to Thunder is an option for you, do it. That way, after the firework show, you can go around the traffic jam of cars and crowds of people. They’re all going to try to rush out of downtown after the last boom.

Bikes are not allowed in the event venue itself, but there is bicycle parking. Bring a lock and use the Free Valet Bicycle Parking located on the northeast corner of Witherspoon Street and Preston Street, north of Slugger Field. The facility is open from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.

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Reach Features News Clerk Gege Reed at greed@courier-journal.com

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Where you can park downtown for Thunder Over Louisville 2022