The main Chinatown parking lot is now a pay-by-phone operation. It might be intimidating and confusing the first time you approach if you don't have a heads-up on this change, but I will tell you here what you need to do to make it a smooth and convenient operation for yourself. The main tip is to download the Metropolis phone app, enter your credit card info, phone number, and also the license plates of your cars. If you don't do it beforehand, you will be fumbling around doing it in the parking lot should you still choose to use the lot. As you drive in, your car plate will be scanned. You still have to scan a QR code either upon entering or before leaving the lot so it knows it was you in that car. You will then get an acknowledging text message from Metropolis. Enter and park. When you go to a restaurant that validates, scan the QR code in the restaurant, and the app will apply the discount to get you a parking rate of $3 for up to 3 hours instead of the lot's regular high rates of $10.99 to $18.99. When you depart, at the gate, your car plate will be scanned again, you will be recognized, and the gate will open, and you drive off and are done. Your credit card will be charged the $3 or whatever. Assuming everything works as I described, lol, and it did for me on my first use of the app today, it's all quite nice and seamless and no human interaction needed, nor any physical use of a credit card or paper receipts. I guess if you don't have a mobile phone, and/or don't want to use the Metropolis app, you can't park here any more! Anyway, I say thumbs up! read more

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Super busy. I'm not sure if it's normally like this or if it was because it was Chinese New Year weekend, but the paid parking lot was nearly full. We found one of the four remaining spots in the back of the lot. read more

Close to China Town but marquee says 3 hours for $2.00. It says nothing about getting it validated by a business in China Town. I was there for 2 hours and paid $8.00. Needless to say this deceive practice will make me go down the street to the other parking lot. That parking lot is only a block away. Bad practice Chinatown Parking. read more

Chinatown Parking - Marquee says parking 3 hours for $2.00. Nothing about getting your ticket validated by a China town business. - Parking Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

If you're trying to avoid the crazy expensive parking fees in Downtown Chicago, this Chinatown parking lot is a great alternative. I used this spot to save money, and it was totally worth it. If you're on a budget and not trying to get robbed by downtown parking rates, park here instead. It's super affordable, we paid a very cheap rate for 12 hours of parking, which is hard to beat in Chicago. The lot was easy to get in and out of, and we felt safe during our visit. There's also a guard booth on-site, which adds extra peace of mind. Best part? It's literally right next to the train station that takes you straight into downtown Chicago. Convenient, budget-friendly, and stress-free. Definitely recommend! read more

On February 28, 2026, I parked my car with License Plate 34655EL at Metropolis Parking on 2155 S WentWorth Parking lot. I made sure to scan the code to park and pay. I was parked from 1pm to 3:30PM. After I scanned the code, I was charged $10.99 on my credit card. The charge on my credit card appeared on March 7, 2026. However, 2 months later I received a fraudulent bill for $72 with my license plate number, claiming that I did not pay for parking. When I went to google maps, I saw reviews with similar incidents with this organization. read more

Parking in Chinatown is not easy and you have to find meters and pay through the app. So if you are going to drive to Chinatown, you should definitely park here as long as you're gonna eat at one of the participating restaurants that will validate your parking for $2 for three hours. Just make sure that you are eating at one of the restaurants listed on the list (see picture). There are two of these parking lots kind of adjacent to each other across the street from each other. He is right next to the Chicago Public library in Chinatown. Once you park here, you are able to walk to the new old Chinatown restaurant and store so it is convenient. It is also right next to the CTA station for Chinatown. It's just 1 block away. read more

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Chinatown bites when it comes to parking. That's not unusual from a lot of neighborhoods--Hyde Park is terrible, Lake View can be a disaster, even my own neighborhood at the right time--but Chinatown is dense and the neighborhood itself a destination both for tourists and folks from the city and suburbs so it can get especially bad, particularly when there's a celebration. All that is to say that public transit would 100% be the best way to get here, but unfortunately for me I don't like public transport. Lucky for me, this lot was there and I was able to find a space. It's located directly east of the CPL Chinatown Branch. The way others park in the lot can leave something to be desired... but it was easy in and out, and when I was there the parking attended was on duty helping people get out efficiently. read more

If you're wondering about the parking situation when coming to Chinatown (Southside), just know there are two big parking lots (North and South) located by the Redline tracks. It's Convenient, it's a good deal, it's generally safe during the day, but note the following: - there's a 3 hour limit for discounted parking, which you get when you have your ticket validated at your restaurant (must be on the participant list) - parking under the tracks or near bushes or trees may ruin your car wash due to the birds. So just be mindful of where you park and your time and it'll just cost $2.00 for 3 hours of parking. Xie, Xie - that makes it really easy to drive down here. Just a few thoughts, they need to repaint the lines, have more visible staff - roving both lots for safety. Note: I had one bad experience when someone was bumping my car and then came out and threatened me. So I called CPD, they're just on 18th street. Long story short - I got a check in the mail for the damage a few months later. I say all this to emphasize how a visible employee can make people behave. Other than that, I really love these parking lots. Park in the North lot if you want to primarily go into the little mall. I like the South lot because I like walking down Wentworth first, and then covering the little mall area - before coming back within the 3 hour time limit. read more

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obviously the parking lots are packed. you'll be lucky if you get a spot. usually people park for 2-3hrs. it wasn't confusing on how to pay for your parking spot and it wasn't expensive (from what i remember). if parking is hard to find in the lots, you can try the streets or nearby private parking lots. it was hectic around the time i went, so i had to come around a few times for a spot in the parking lot i wanted to stay at. read more

Sign is deceiving; it should just say 16 dollar parking. You can reduce the parking if you spend money at one of the restaurants that is listed when you enter. I tried spending money at the bakery and of course the lady didn't tell me until after I gave her cash and parking ticket for the the pastry. read more

Best parking for Chinatown Chicago. Check to see if your Restaurant validates. There is a list in both parking lots. One by the pedestrian exit on the south lot and one by the entrance on the north lot. Up to 3 hours for $2.00 with the validation! read more

Chinatown Parking - Chinatown Chicago Arch - Parking Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I decided to adventure out and search for dim sum for a weekend. After deciding where to go, I knew finding parking would be the next task. Putting Chinatown parking into my GPS was a smarter option than to put the name of the restaurant for sure! Searching for parking can be a drag. Parking at this lot saved me so much time and less worry. There was plenty of space to park our mid-sized SUV. It is conveniently located next to Chinatown. It will require you to cross a street or two but no biggie. There are plenty of pedestrian crosswalks. Remember to get your ticket validated by the business. Be sure to check the list of participating businesses. If this is your first time or 10th time parking here, be careful of the lanes to turn into in order to enter. It almost looks like all of the lanes are for entering the lot but they aren't. Be sure to turn into the lane farthest right otherwise you might find yourself turning into the exit lanes. I watched this happen twice on my first visit to this lot. I was almost guilty of this! Happy parking adventures to you! read more

I had to pay $11 for 65' . No clear signs for entrance. And if you need smth there is no one to help you. High priced for location. Basically you could park around neighborhood without charge and same conditions. No safety at all. read more

Chinatown Parking - Parking Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

What more could you ask for. Plenty of spaces in a semi enclosed lot with plenty of light during the nighttime. Only downside is that it gets super busy on the weekends. read more

Chinatown Parking - Participating stores and restaurants - Parking Near Me - Chicago, Illinois