About this Location

Facility Overview

The Knoxville Auditorium & Coliseum Parking Garage A is a multi-level municipal parking structure located at 501 Howard Baker Jr. Ave in Knoxville, Tennessee. Positioned immediately adjacent to the Knoxville Civic Auditorium and Coliseum (KCAC) campus, this garage serves as the primary and most convenient parking hub for concerts, touring stage productions, Ice Bears professional hockey games, and civic gatherings. The structure features covered multi-tier parking decks alongside open-air rooftop parking, connected via wide ramps and well-demarcated driving lanes. Most standard passenger vehicles, compact cars, crossovers, and full-size SUVs can easily navigate the interior decks, which have an approximate clearance height of 6 feet 8 inches to 7 feet. Drivers operating high-profile conversion vans, oversized commercial utility trucks, or vehicles equipped with roof racks and luggage carriers should observe posted overhead height clearance signage at entry portals or utilize nearby surface parking lots surrounding the coliseum complex.

Prime Location & Nearby Attractions

Situated on the eastern edge of Downtown Knoxville and adjacent to Morningside Park, Garage A puts drivers within steps of key entertainment and cultural landmarks:

Knoxville Civic Auditorium and Coliseum: Directly connected or mere steps across the plaza, ideal for attending theatrical performances, major concerts, family arena shows, and Knoxville Ice Bears hockey games.
Women\'s Basketball Hall of Fame: Located approximately 0.3 miles south (about a 6-minute walk), celebrating the history and champions of women\'s basketball.
Morningside Park & Greenway: Located directly east of the coliseum campus, offering scenic walking trails, disc golf, and sprawling green space.
Historic Old City & Gay Street: Approximately a 10- to 15-minute walk (0.6 to 0.8 miles) to premier dining, brewpubs, indie shopping, the historic Tennessee Theatre, and Bijou Theatre.
Market Square & Downtown Core: Roughly a 15-minute walk or a brief ride-hail connection to Knoxville\'s signature outdoor restaurant and festival plaza.

Access, Navigation & Transit Connectivity

Ingress and egress to Garage A are primarily managed via Howard Baker Jr. Avenue and Historic Preservation Drive, offering straightforward access from James White Parkway (State Route 158). This major arterial directly links motorists to Interstate 40, Interstate 275, and Chapman Highway (US-441), making arrival and departure seamless even during heavily attended arena dates. For municipal transit connections, Knoxville Area Transit (KAT) operates nearby bus lines along Church Avenue and Main Street, while the Knoxville Station Transit Center sits less than half a mile away to the northwest. Following large-scale coliseum events, dedicated traffic management personnel often assist with directing outbound vehicles smoothly onto regional thoroughfares.

Facility Amenities & Key Features

Covered Multi-Level Parking: Protects vehicles from seasonal weather conditions, rain, and summer heat, with an expansive open-air top deck.
ADA Accessible Spaces: Dedicated accessible parking bays conveniently located close to elevators, pedestrian ramps, and venue access walkways.
Pedestrian Convenience: Equipped with functional stairwells and passenger elevators connecting upper decks directly to ground-level venue entrances.
Safety & Visibility: Bright overhead LED lighting throughout driving lanes and pedestrian areas, complemented by routine facility patrols.
Flexible Payment Methods: Accommodates drive-up cash/card event payments at ingress gates, automated pay kiosks, and event-day digital validations where applicable.

Ideal For

Auditorium & Coliseum Attendees: Visitors attending concerts, musical theatre, comedy tours, and civic ceremonies at KCAC.
Hockey Fans: Enthusiasts heading to watch the Knoxville Ice Bears defend their home ice.
Commuters & Long-Term Visitors: Downtown office workers and regional visitors seeking economical parking near municipal offices, courtrooms, and central business hubs.
Festivalgoers: Guests attending regional cultural festivals, parade events, and gatherings in downtown Knoxville.

Visitor & Driver Tips

For sold-out arena shows, Disney on Ice productions, and weekend hockey matchups, Garage A fills quickly; arriving 45 to 60 minutes prior to showtime is strongly recommended to avoid queues on Howard Baker Jr. Avenue. Event parking typically operates under a flat-rate structure payable upon entry via credit card or cash. Drivers seeking to depart quickly after a performance should consider parking on lower levels near primary exit ramps or on the open rooftop to avoid bottlenecks in mid-tier spiral ramps. Keep your entry ticket or receipt readily accessible on your dashboard if instructed by facility parking attendants.