Transportation and Parking

Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater Parking

The entrance to the parking garage is accessible by traveling west on Maine Avenue, across from the District Wharf. Subscribers and single-ticket purchasers may purchase parking in advance by calling the Sales Office at 202-488-3300 or clicking the button below. The subscriber rate for parking is $18 per performance. Accessibility parking may also be purchased in advance with a copy of a valid handicap parking tag. Reservations for parking end three hours before your performance.

Guests who purchase single tickets may pre-reserve parking for $30 per parking space. Patrons who do not pre-reserve parking will need to pay the day-of rate when exiting the garage.

Any parking available on the day of the performance will be sold at the garage on a first-come, first-served basis for $30 with the price subject to change pending availability.

The garage opens two hours before each performance and closes one hour after the concluision of each performance.

Patrons who have reserved parking at Arena Stage should enter the garage from the street entrance and take a ticket from the machine to enter. You will then give the parking attendants your name and the attendants will take your ticket from the machine. If your name is on the pre-reserved list, you will be free to park. If not, you may pay the day-of rate, subject to availability. Please note that you may need to leave your keys with our parking attendants.

Please note that our garage space is limited and can only accommodate 60 cars. We highly recommend that you arrive at least 45 minutes prior to the start of your performance to avoid any back-ups.

Reserve Now

As a benefit of their support, some Arena Stage members have access to discounted (and complimentary at certain levels) onsite parking.

For more information about the benefits of membership, click here

Valet Parking
Arena Stage offers valet service located in front of our building starting one hour prior to the start of your performance. Patrons who have pre-reserved and paid for an accessible parking space can utilize our valet service prior to their performance at no extra cost by giving their name to the valet attendants. Reservations for parking end three hours before your performance. Valet parking is available one hour before show time for all performances. Please note that our garage space is limited and can accommodate 60 cars, so we highly encourage those with accessibility needs to book in advance to be able to park on-site.

Fourth Street Garage | West and East Garage
1101 Fourth Street SW (the entrance is across from the CVS) is just one block away from the Mead Center for American Theater. The parking rate for the 4th Street garage is $17 after 4:00pm on weekdays and all day on weekends.

Wharf Parking
Enjoy dinner on The Wharf and take advantage of parking just steps away from your dinner reservation! Information on parking at The Wharf can be found here: Learn more

Street Parking
Street parking is very scarce around Arena Stage. Please allow yourself at least 1 hour if you plan to park on the streets. Please read signage carefully and observe parking restrictions. Arena Stage is not responsible for any tickets or towing that may occur as a result of street parking. Arena Stage is not responsible for the condition of parking meters on neighborhood streets.

Spot Hero
Find and reserve parking online through Spot Hero. Learn more

Bus Parking
Available in areas surrounding the Mead Center for American Theater. Cars may not park in Bus Parking spots. Learn more

Metro Rail
The Waterfront station, on the Green line, is located one block east of Arena Stage at 4th and M Streets SW. Plan your trip on Metrorail

Metrobuses
Bus stops are located directly in front of the theater as well as across from and slightly north of the theater entrance. Plan your trip on Metrobus

Taxis
Arena Stage can call taxis for patrons if necessary. Reservations must be made at Visitors Services upon your arrival, as taxis may take up to 2.5 hours to arrive at the theater.

: the official railway of Arena Stage.

Southwest Shuttle
The Wharf offers a SW Neighborhood Shuttle that is free and open to the public. Please see their website for their routes and hours of operation.
Learn more about the Southwest Shuttle

Water Taxi
If you’re checking out the region’s waterfront destinations, there is no better way to get there than by water taxi. Visit the Transit Pier to catch a ride for a unique experience as you explore the nation’s capital from the Potomac. See their website for their hours of operation.
Learn more about the water taxi