About this Location

Facility Overview

The Nancy Neafie Lot is a centrally located municipal surface parking lot situated along Valley Street between South 5th and South 6th Streets in the heart of Downtown Burlington, Iowa. Named in tribute to Nancy Neafie—Burlington’s trailblazing first female mayor and a prominent community educator—the facility provides clean, orderly, and convenient off-street parking for downtown workers, residents, and visitors. Because this is an open-air surface lot with no overhead barriers or deck structures, it offers unlimited vertical clearance, making it fully suitable for standard passenger vehicles, light trucks, full-size SUVs, tall commercial vans, and roof-rack-equipped utility vehicles. The lot is paved and well-striped, featuring color-coded stall signage that clearly designates municipal lease spaces from open public spots.

Prime Location & Nearby Attractions

The lot boasts exceptional proximity to downtown Burlington's premier cultural landmarks, retail corridors, and civic institutions. Located just one block south of Jefferson Street, visitors are within short walking distance of diverse attractions:

Nancy Neafie Park: Situated just around the block at 6th and Jefferson Streets, this landscaped pocket park features commemorative stonework, native boulders, and serene seating.
Snake Alley: Often cited as "The Crookedest Street in the World," this historic 1894 brick thoroughfare is located just two blocks north (approximately a 3-minute walk), drawing thousands of sightseers and architecture enthusiasts annually.
Jefferson Street Commercial & Dining District: One block away, guests will find a lively collection of local coffee roasters, independent boutiques, antique stores, bakeries, and brewpubs.
The Capitol Theater: An Art Deco entertainment centerpiece on North 3rd Street hosting film screenings, live concerts, and performing arts, reachable in roughly 5 minutes on foot (0.3 miles).
Burlington Memorial Auditorium & Riverfront: Situated along the Mississippi River bank approximately 0.4 miles east, this historic arena and the adjacent Port of Burlington host major community concerts, trade shows, and seasonal river festivals.
Civic & Government Center: The Des Moines County Courthouse, Burlington City Hall, and Burlington Public Library are all situated within an easy 5- to 8-minute radius.

Access, Navigation & Transit Connectivity

Drivers can conveniently enter and exit the Nancy Neafie Lot directly from Valley Street. Valley Street is a broad, accessible downtown corridor that handles two-way traffic with ease, ensuring minimal wait times and smooth egress even at the close of evening community events. For regional connectivity, the lot is located just minutes from U.S. Route 34, which connects swiftly across the Great River Bridge to Illinois and westward toward Mount Pleasant. U.S. Highway 61 is also readily accessible via local arterials for transit north toward Muscatine and south to Fort Madison. Public transportation is provided by the Burlington Urban Service (BUS), with several fixed bus routes stopping within short walking distance along Jefferson and Main Streets. Regional passenger rail travelers are also just half a mile from the historic Burlington Depot, served daily by Amtrak's California Zephyr route.

Facility Amenities & Key Features

Open-air surface parking layout with wide drive aisles and unrestricted overhead clearance.
Clear stall striping accompanied by color-coded signage designating public parking spaces, weekday business leases, and 24/7 reserved slots.
Cost-free parking for non-leased spaces during standard weekday evenings (after 5:00 PM) and all day on Saturdays and Sundays.
Quarterly and annual dedicated space leasing programs administered through the City of Burlington Development Department.
Designated accessible (ADA-compliant) parking spaces with unobstructed curb ramps leading directly onto city sidewalks.
Overhead municipal street lighting providing nighttime visibility and security.

Ideal For

Shoppers, diners, and coffee enthusiasts exploring Jefferson Street’s independent downtown businesses.
Sightseers visiting historic landmarks such as Snake Alley and Nancy Neafie Park.
Event attendees taking in live performances at the Capitol Theater or Burlington Memorial Auditorium.
Downtown Burlington office workers, retail employees, and municipal professionals requiring affordable reserved parking.
Visitors conducting administrative legal or government business at Burlington City Hall or the Des Moines County Courthouse.

Visitor & Driver Tips

When pulling into the Nancy Neafie Lot, always observe the color-coded signs posted at the front of each parking stall. Blue markers generally signify daytime leased spaces (reserved 7:30 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday), while orange markers indicate spaces reserved 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Unreserved and daytime-leased spots convert to free, unrestricted public parking on weekday evenings after 5:00 PM and throughout the entire weekend. If you are commuting daily to downtown Burlington and require a guaranteed private spot, contact the City of Burlington Development Department to arrange a quarterly permit lease. For popular riverfront festivals or sold-out theater evenings, plan to arrive 15 minutes ahead of curtain time to secure convenient parking without hassle.