So I'm traveling from northeast florida, and plan on getting to registration right at 12 or so, but don't know where to park. My hotel will be off archer and I wouldn't be able to check in until later. So guys, where are the best places to park when commuting from a hotel elsewhere? Last year I wasn't driving and we parked in some random parking lot, but this year I am and not sure where a good place to park is. I don't exactly want to park on the side of university, considering what happened last year when the car was slamming into all the cars that were parked and on the road (and almost running me over, haha).
Do like some shopping centers tow cars that are parked, if I parked in some parking lot?

This brings up a huge issue that out-of-towners with cars need to know. Gainesville is a college town, meaning parking is limited and YOU WILL BE TOWED/BOOTED. Last year, I saw a Fest guy get booted for parking off to the edge of the vacant-looking lot near the Holiday Inn. Unless you're going to be inside for less than 20 min and do not see a meter person, don't risk it. And all kinds of places require special permits, so beware of that also.

For registration, If I were you, I'd park at your hotel and see if you can get a ride. You might even be able to arrange something on the board. And as for cars slamming into lots of other cars, that's pretty rare, so I don't know that you need to worry about it

Best best for going-to-shows parking is the parking deck downtown. It's before you get to the Florida Theater (there's a sign hanging from the stoplight with a big P to tell you to turn right) it's definitely $5 Fri, but sometimes you don't get charged Saturday, and I'm almost positive it's free Sunday.

its not that difficult to find a spot. annoying. but not difficult.

theres no need to park far away. you dont need to pay for meters from 5pm-7am or on weekends. theres a parking garage behind the common grounds thats free on the weekends...and if you happen to want to park down town on friday before 5pm...and dont mind walking 15 minutes.. message me on facebook and Ill tell you where my driveway is.

I almost always use the deck near the Hippodrome, its like 9 bucks per day with surveillance and they dont seem to mind me sleeping off whiskey binges EVERY night of Fest. Plus, its in my favorite part of town and you can stand on the top level during the day and listen to all the great music coming from the north and west.

i Just avoid the one near CGs (doubledown blegh) because 1. It looks dirty 2. anyplace that a guy got his brains blown out over monkey ass ignorance i dont want to park/sleep at.

1. Its Gainesville, shits dirty. 2. Gainesville has crime ALL over. It could happen in a place that you spend $9 a night to sleep, as well. 3. Don't spend money on parking if its not necessary, I'd rather you give me the money. 4. It's the weekend, most all street parking is free. Including parking lots (like the one across the street from Reggae Shack).






I'm glad we were able to number our concerns.

True, I guess that parking deck is good during Fest-time, im just a creature of habit, so I've never parked there during Fest, so I wouldn't know.

Not trying to scare anybody, because theres nothing to be afraid of at Fest... Except those renegade cars, with the smashing and whatnot...when did that shit happen?

Also, theres a two or three deck one somewhere behind Flacos and the Loft, but I dont know any more than that about it.

I camped Fest 7 weekend on the road behind the holiday inn and mcdonalds and it was fine. Just don't make the mistake that I did Fest 8 and try and park in that big gravel lot directly between that street and mcdonalds. That was a 120 dollar mistake.

haha. ya I figured I could park in that lot based on the fact I WAS AT MCDONALDS. but I came out to a boot. Decided to piss on it, and the boot guy was in the lot....he didnt like it.

the parking lot across from reggae shack is always free and open.. and yeah, bad shit can happen anywhere at any time in gainesville. lock your doors, common sense stuff and youll be fine. dont pay to park anywhere, take the money saved and buy me and anthony a beer each.

ya.

Know what Gainesville could really use during Fest? More bike parking.

not sure what night but it was pretty late, most or all of the Fest bands were done and lots of people were walking back to their hotels.. this car went FLYING by at least 80MPH, no exaggeration.. it was the only time in my life i knew 100% there was going to be an accident right in front of me.. few seconds later he met traffic, slammed into the back of some random car, lost his entire front bumper and i think the other dudes entire back bumper.. thing is both cars fled the scene because they were probably both drunk. amazing how he was able to simply drive off after crashing HEAD ON like that.

the cops didnt even pursue them.. its likely they knew it would have been a disaster to even try in that kind of 2a.m. traffic... its just LUCK this asshole crashed in the street and not on the fest-crowded sidewalk.. whole lot of people could have easily died.

oh, and i'd discourage anyone from riding a bike in the street coming back from Fest. just not smart - i dont care if you are super bike guy/gal.

Like more light posts and trash can stands?

this is really helpful, last year i just parked in the residential area far away and walked, or at the hotel and took the bus. It was a pain.

This year I was thinking of bringing up my bike, whats up with this no-biking-in-the-streets thing? i noticed last year everyone was biking (even couriers!?) on the sidewalk. In Canada that is illegal - and extremely frustrating & rude. How is it different biking in the streets in Gainesville? Besides that crazy crash night (which i saw too, by the way, that was fucked!), drivers didn't seem particularly ridiculous and people were on scooters with no helmets or even pants on! That seems way more dangerous than riding your bike on a paved road with no wonky pedestrians in the way.

In most parts of gainesville there are bike lanes on both sides of the road, however, i assume you are talking about university, where the bike lane areas are roadside parking, most people choose to use the sidewalk instead of swerving into traffic to avoid parked cars, unless of course they are those super bike guys/gals with roadbikes that are easily pedaled along at the speed of traffic. just keep your eyes and ears open and dont do the awkward pedestrian thing where you arent sure which way to move out of the way.. gainesville bikers know what they are doing... ive only been clipped oh...maybe once by a drunk cyclist