Facility Overview
The LAZ Parking - Union Passenger Terminal Lot is an expansive, open-air surface parking facility situated at 1001 Loyola Avenue in the Central Business District (CBD) of New Orleans. Located immediately adjacent to the historic New Orleans Union Passenger Terminal (NOUPT), this facility offers convenient parking for rail passengers, bus travelers, daily commuters, and major event attendees alike. Because it is a level, open-air surface lot without low-hanging ceilings or overhead height barriers, it easily accommodates high-profile passenger vehicles, including standard pickup trucks, full-size SUVs, conversion vans, and roof-rack-equipped crossovers that often exceed clearance limits in typical multi-story parking garages.
Prime Location & Nearby Attractions
Positioned along the southern edge of downtown New Orleans, this lot serves as a premier parking hub for both regional transit and world-class sports and entertainment venues. Major destinations within convenient walking distance include:
- Caesars Superdome: Home of the NFL\'s New Orleans Saints and the Sugar Bowl, located just 0.4 miles away (approximately an 8-minute walk via Loyola Avenue and Sugar Bowl Drive).
- Smoothie King Center: Premier arena hosting NBA New Orleans Pelicans basketball games, blockbuster arena concerts, and family entertainment, located about 0.4 miles away (approximately a 7- to 9-minute walk).
- New Orleans Union Passenger Terminal: On-site terminal providing direct ticketing and boarding for Amtrak passenger trains (Crescent, City of New Orleans, and Sunset Limited) as well as Greyhound and regional motorcoach services.
- Champions Square: The vibrant outdoor pre-game festival and entertainment plaza adjacent to the Superdome, within an 8-minute walk.
- South Market District & Downtown CBD: Bustling dining, craft cocktail, and commercial district situated just 5 to 10 minutes away on foot.
- New Orleans City Hall & Civil District Court: Civic complex located approximately 0.4 miles north along Poydras and Loyola.
Access, Navigation & Transit Connectivity
The lot features straightforward street-level entry and exit along Loyola Avenue, with convenient secondary access points connecting toward Simon Bolivar Avenue and Earhart Boulevard. Drivers arriving from outside the city enjoy exceptionally direct access to major arterial routes, including the Pontchartrain Expressway (US-90 Business) and Interstate 10, allowing motorists to bypass heavy French Quarter or Canal Street congestion. For travelers relying on public transit, the location is unbeatable: the New Orleans Regional Transit Authority (RTA) Loyola Avenue Streetcar line (Route 49) terminates directly in front of the station, offering seamless, direct streetcar transit into the French Quarter, Canal Street corridor, and the Riverfront.
Facility Amenities & Key Features
- Open-air surface parking providing unlimited vertical overhead clearance for tall passenger vehicles.
- Accessible ADA-compliant parking stalls situated near station entrance ramps and pathways.
- Automated on-site digital pay kiosks accepting credit and debit cards.
- Mobile reservation and app-based payment integration through major parking platforms such as ParkMobile and SpotHero.
- Well-illuminated paved grounds with perimeter fencing and station security patrol presence.
- Seamless multi-modal transit interchange linking rail, intercity bus, streetcar, and vehicle parking.
Ideal For
- Sports Fans & Arena Visitors: Game-day attendees heading to Saints matchups at Caesars Superdome or Pelicans games at Smoothie King Center looking to avoid post-game gridlock closer to Poydras Street.
- Amtrak & Intercity Bus Travelers: Long-distance passengers boarding Amtrak trains or Greyhound buses who need dependable short-term or multi-day vehicle parking.
- CBD Commuters & Court Attendees: Business professionals, jurors, and government workers traveling to nearby legal, municipal, and commercial office towers.
- Concertgoers & Festival Visitors: Guests attending major live shows, Essence Festival activations, and city events without paying premium valet garage rates.
Visitor & Driver Tips
During major Superdome events, Saints home games, and headline stadium concerts, event-rate tariffs may apply and the lot fills up quickly. Event attendees are strongly encouraged to arrive 60 to 90 minutes before scheduled start times or reserve parking in advance using mobile parking applications. If you plan to park overnight or for multi-day train travel, display your digital or printed payment receipt as required, keep valuables out of plain view, and lock your vehicle securely.