Pre-paid parking at Mercer Street Garage is available for the 2024/25 season. With ongoing events at Climate Pledge Arena, parking may be at a premium or even completely sold out at Seattle Center for many performances. Buy your parking in advance to save time and money on the day of your performance.
Please note: Parking pass sales for mainstage performances at McCaw Hall end three (3) days in advance of a performance (ex. parking passes must be purchased by Wednesday for a Saturday performance).
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Please plan to arrive early enough to find parking. Latecomers will not be seated once the music has begun and must wait to be seated until an appropriate interval.
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Mercer Street Garage
650 3rd Ave N, Seattle, WA 98109
Located on Mercer Street directly across from McCaw Hall and the Opera Center, Mercer Street Garage is your closest option and is attached to McCaw Hall by a skybridge. It fills quickly.
Entrances are on 3rd Ave N or 4th Ave N between Mercer Street and Roy Street. All garage entrances open at 5:00 PM for evening performances.
The Mercer Street Garage is operated by Seattle Center Transportation Services. For questions about this garage, please call 206.255.8157 or email richard.pedowitz@seattle.gov.
Please note that due to high traffic volume, exiting Mercer Garage after your performance and getting to I-5 can take up to 45 minutes. There are several smaller garages and surface lots in the area which require more walking but allow quicker egress, including:
Fifth Avenue Garage
516 Harrison Street, Seattle, WA 98109
The Fifth Avenue Garage is located at the corner of 5th Ave N and Harrison Street, across the street from MoPOP. This garage is not as busy as Mercer Street Garage, especially after performances. It is a three block walk from McCaw Hall and the Opera Center.
Entrances are on Harrison Street and Republican Street just east of 5th Ave N. This garage provides quicker egress to Aurora Ave N/SR 99 and the SR 99 Tunnel via the Harrison Street exit.
The Fifth Avenue Garage is operated by Seattle Center Transportation Services. For questions about this garage, please call 206.684.0776 or email richard.pedowitz@seattle.gov.
Surface Lots Along Mercer Street
There are several surface lots on either side of Mercer Street between Third and First Avenues. These are relatively close to McCaw Hall and the Opera Center and allow quicker and easier in and out access than the Mercer Garage. Spaces are limited and fill up early, however, so early arrival is encouraged. Some lots are cash only so please be prepared.
Southwest Seattle Center Garages
For those willing and able to make the short walk across the Seattle Center campus, there are garages located on 1st Ave N between Thomas Street and John Street (south of Climate Pledge Arena), at the corner of Warren Ave N and Denny Way (adjacent to the church), and on 2nd Ave N and Denny Way (adjacent to Pacific Science Center).
We strongly recommend you do not leave any valuables in your car in any lot near Seattle Center.
Monorail & Light Rail
For the 2024/25 season, Seattle Center Monorail is operating with extended hours of service for Seattle Opera performances at McCaw Hall. The Monorail provides a fast, 90-second connection between Westlake Center and Seattle Center. Trains depart approximately every 10 minutes.
The Monorail connects directly to the Sound Transit 1 Line at Westlake Center. From the transit tunnel at Westlake, look for Exit A2 for the Monorail and 5th Ave & Pine Street. Take the elevator or stairs to the 3rd Floor to access the Monorail’s Westlake Station. The Seattle Center station is just a short walk to McCaw Hall.
Buy Monorail Tickets
Seattle Monorail FAQ
Buses
Bus routes which run through Downtown, Seattle Center, and/or the Queen Anne/Uptown neighborhood may also serve your area. For bus routes, schedules, and trip planning, visit King County Metro Online or call 206.553.3000 or 800.542.7876.
During evening and weekend hours, Aurora Ave/SR 99 often provides quicker access than I-5. It can take up to 60 minutes to get from I-5 to Seattle Center if there are multiple activities scheduled at Seattle Center.
Download parking map
From Aurora Ave/SR 99 North:
Exit right on Roy Street.
Turn left on 3rd Ave N.
Turn left on Mercer Street.
From Aurora Ave/SR 99 South:
Take the Roy Street exit.
Turn right on Dexter Ave N.
Turn right on Mercer Street.
From I-5:
Take the Mercer Street/Seattle Center exit (exit 167).
Continue straight on Mercer Street.
McCaw Hall and the Opera Center will be on your left.
To reach the Mercer Street Garage, turn right on 4th Ave N.
From Downtown Seattle Ferry Terminal:
Get off the ferry and take the first left onto Alaskan Way.
Continue down Alaskan Way to the end and go right onto Broad Street.
Continue up Broad Street to 5th Ave N.
Turn left onto 5th Ave N.
Turn left onto Mercer Street.
McCaw Hall and the Opera Center will be on your left.
To reach the Mercer Street Garage, turn right on 4th Ave N.