Art Car Parade (Houston, Dallas, Allen: insurance, how much, to live)

[tmvijai]

This coming weekend is the Art car Parade and I checked all around to find no answer for my question. I was there once few years ago and able to watch it but after lot of trouble find the parking and entrance.

My question, can somebody tell the correct direction to get to a good spot where I can park and watch the parade peacefully. I know I can park near bagby street and watch it but I like to watch it in the allen parkway instead of down town.

Any tips and suggestions would be much appreciated.

[Oildog]

If you get there EARLY you can park on Taft or Stanford streets. I used to live off Montrose & Dallas and people would be parked south of that street.

One of my favorite events of the year.

[crone]

We go really early to find parking. Several times we have parked at the Insurance building on Allen Parkway. It more fin to watch there than downtown.

[chicagomama]

What's the Art Car Parade?

[catfancier]

Originally Posted by chicagomama

What's the Art Car Parade?

Houston Art Car Parade - Orange Show, Houston, TX

Haven't made it yet myself but have seen the pix...looks like a lot of fun!

[astrohip]

I'm in the Art Car Parade every year--it is an absolute ball. If you've never been, try to make it. It's just a lot of fun. No way to describe it, you need to experience it.

My advice is to get there early. Before 11am. Park anywhere in the Montrose area, as close to Dallas/Taft as you can. The earlier you get there, the easier the parking. The later you show up, the farther away one has to park. Regardless, you can still find street parking.

Walk to Allen Parkway, and just stroll up & down the street, looking at all the art cars. What many people don't realize is that before it starts, all the cars line up along AP, from downtown out to around Waugh. And you can freely walk around them, right up to them, meet the owners & artist. Plus the number of people who come out to just soak in the scene is huge. And many of them are on "the wild side". Dressed up, skating around, having fun. I just show up in shorts & a tee, but there are people wearing grass skirts, body paint, costumes, whatever.

The parade starts at 1pm, I think. You can stand anywhere along AP and watch it. It's totally open, and totally free. But again, show up early and you can walk among the cars.

Just a lot of fun. Look for me in the hippo car. White male, 50 yrs old, goatee. Come up and tell me you're from the Houston forum online and say hi.

[tstone]

I went a few years ago and parked in the Allen Center Parking Garage. Don't remember how much it cost, but I know we didn't show up all that early. IIRC it was easy to get to and from I-45 before & after.

We're thinking about going again tomorrow....

[astrohip]

Parade Day bump! See y'all there . . .

[Oildog]

mixing the pre parade margaritas

[Oildog]

Art Car Parade 2010 | Photos | Chron.com - Houston Chronicle

Here's some photos for those that missed it

By the way, I liked the cars with stripper poles. I think that is a trend that should be enhanced in future parades.