Facility Overview

Colonial Parking Lot 172 at Canal Square is a premier multi-level covered parking facility nestled in the heart of historic Georgetown at 1054 31st St NW, Washington, DC. Situated directly adjacent to the historic Chesapeake and Ohio (C&O) Canal, this garage provides convenient, secure subterranean parking beneath the Canal Square retail and commercial complex. The facility is fully paved, well-lit, and sheltered from seasonal weather extremes. Due to the historic architecture and subterranean ceiling structures of Georgetown garages, vertical clearance is restricted to approximately 6 feet 2 inches (1.88 m). While standard passenger sedans, compact crossovers, and mid-size SUVs can park comfortably, high-roof conversion vans, lifted trucks, and commercial cargo vehicles exceed clearance thresholds and should seek open-air surface alternatives in the district.

Prime Location & Nearby Attractions

Positioned half a block south of M Street NW, Lot 172 places drivers directly within steps of Georgetown’s most celebrated shopping, dining, and scenic waterfront attractions. Key destinations within easy walking distance include:

• C&O Canal National Historical Park & Towpath: Located immediately beside the facility, offering peaceful canal walks and historical lock views.
• M Street NW Shopping Corridor: Just a 2-minute walk (under 500 feet) to high-end boutiques, flagship apparel stores, and renowned designer shops.
• Georgetown Waterfront Park & Washington Harbour: A scenic 4-minute walk south (0.2 miles) leading to riverside boardwalk dining at Fiola Mare, Nick\'s Riverside Grill, and Tony and Joe\'s Seafood Place.
• Blues Alley Jazz Club: Located just a 3-minute stroll through nearby cobblestone alleys, ideal for evening concertgoers.
• Georgetown University Campus: Approximately a 12 to 15-minute walk west or a quick campus shuttle ride away.

Access, Navigation & Transit Connectivity

Vehicle ingress and egress are located along 31st Street NW between M Street NW and K Street NW (Water Street). Drivers arriving from Virginia can take the Key Bridge or Roosevelt Bridge onto K Street NW, turning north onto 31st Street NW to bypass dense M Street congestion. While Georgetown is not directly serviced by a Metrorail station, Lot 172 has superb connection to public transit: the DC Circulator (Georgetown-Union Station and Dupont Circle routes) stops along M Street NW, while Metrobus routes 31, 33, and 38B run frequently. Foggy Bottom-GWU Metro Station (Blue, Orange, and Silver lines) is approximately a 15-minute walk or a brief bus connection eastward.

Facility Amenities & Key Features

• Covered underground parking protecting vehicles from rain, snow, and sun exposure.
• Clear lane markings, convex safety mirrors, and directional signage throughout all levels.
• Automated self-service payment kiosks supporting major credit and debit cards.
• Mobile reservation integration through parking platforms such as SpotHero and ParkMobile.
• Designated ADA accessible parking stalls conveniently located near pedestrian elevator cores.
• Monitored security lighting and regular facility maintenance.

Ideal For

• Shoppers and weekend visitors exploring the historic M Street and Wisconsin Avenue retail districts.
• Foodies and dinner guests enjoying evening reservations along the Washington Harbour waterfront.
• Professionals and office commuters conducting business within Canal Square and central Georgetown commercial suites.
• Patrons attending live jazz performances at Blues Alley or seasonal festivals along the canal.

Visitor & Driver Tips

Navigating Georgetown’s narrow historic grid requires patience, especially during peak weekend evenings and holiday shopping seasons. Approach the garage via K Street NW / Water Street whenever possible to avoid congested traffic backups along M Street. Pre-booking a parking reservation online through SpotHero or Colonial Parking’s portal can secure discounted early-bird or evening rates and guarantee an entry stall. Always double-check vehicle height before descending down the ramp, especially if you have aftermarket roof racks, ski boxes, or tall antennas attached.