Alright, so you wanna know about parking for Reds games? Lemme tell ya, it’s been a bit of a journey for me, a real trial-and-error kinda thing over the years.
My First Few Tries Were a Mess
When I first started going to games, I was clueless. Absolutely clueless. I’d just drive downtown, kinda hoping a magical spot would appear right in front of the stadium. Yeah, right. I’d circle around, gettin’ frustrated, watchin’ all the lots fill up or seein’ prices that made my eyes water. I remember one time I ended up parking so far away, I think I walked a solid 25 minutes just to get to the gate. My legs were barkin’ before the first pitch even happened!
Figuring Out the Lay of the Land
So, I knew I had to get smarter about it. I started payin’ more attention. I noticed there are basically a few types of spots you can go for.
- The Super Close (and Super Expensive) Spots: These are the garages right next to Great American Ball Park. Convenient? Heck yeah. But man, they know they got you, and they charge like it. If you’re feelin’ flush or someone else is payin’, go for it.
- The Mid-Range Garages: These are a few blocks out. You gotta walk a bit, maybe 10-15 minutes, but the price usually comes down a notch. This started to feel more like my speed.
- The Surface Lots Further Out: You see these scattered around, sometimes run by smaller companies or whoever owns the patch of land. Prices can be better here, but quality and security? Sometimes a bit of a gamble.
- Street Parking: Ha! Good luck. If you find a meter on a game day that isn’t already taken or has a two-hour limit, go buy a lottery ticket.
My “System” Started to Take Shape
I started experimenting. One game, I’d try a garage on, say, Third Street. Next game, I’d venture a bit further, maybe over towards Central Parkway. I learned pretty quick that gettin’ out after the game was a whole other beast. Some garages are a nightmare – you’re just sittin’ there, inchin’ along. Others, if you pick the right one and know which way to head, you can be on the highway pretty quick.
I even tried parking over in Kentucky once and walking across the bridge. That wasn’t too bad, actually, especially on a nice day. The view is pretty cool. But if it’s rainin’ or super hot, that walk can feel long.
The Infamous “Save a Buck” Incident
I gotta tell you about this one time, I really thought I was being clever. This was years ago. I found this spot, like, way over, almost by the casino, maybe even further. It was cheaper, significantly cheaper. I was all proud of myself, thinkin’, “Look at me, savin’ all this cash!”
Big mistake.
The game went into extra innings. It was a late night. Then, outta nowhere, a massive thunderstorm hits right as we’re leavin’ the stadium. I mean, pourin’ rain, wind blowin’. My cheap umbrella was useless. That walk back to the car felt like an eternity. I was soaked through, shivering, and just plain miserable. By the time I got to my car, I swore, “Never again.” That “saved” ten or fifteen bucks cost me a whole lot in comfort and sanity. It just wasn’t worth it.
What I Do Now
So, after that delightful experience, I got a bit more practical. Now, my go-to strategy is usually to aim for one of the garages that are maybe a 5-10 minute walk away. I try to get downtown a little earlier than I used to, especially for weekend games. I’ve found a couple of garages that I kinda like, the ones that seem to have decent in-and-out flow.
I also started using one of those parking apps on my phone sometimes. Not always, ’cause sometimes the prices are weird, but it can help you see what’s available before you even leave the house. It’s not a perfect system, mind you. Sometimes my preferred spots are full, or there’s some big event downtown and all the prices are jacked up. But it’s a heck of a lot better than just driving around hoping for the best like I used to.
It’s still a bit of a game day ritual, figuring out the parking. But at least now, I feel like I’ve got a bit of a plan. And I definitely don’t park miles away if there’s even a cloud in the sky!
