Facility Overview

Situated in the heart of Portland's historic Old Town Chinatown, Parking NW - NW 3rd & Everett (272 NW 3rd Ave) provides an essential, easily accessible surface parking option in one of the city's most vibrant and culturally rich neighborhoods. Unlike the low-ceiling multi-story garages common throughout downtown Portland, this facility operates as an open-air surface parking lot framed by classic brick half-walls. Its level, uncovered configuration makes it exceptionally versatile for all classes of passenger vehicles. Drivers behind the wheel of lifted pickup trucks, full-size SUVs, vehicles equipped with oversized roof boxes or bike racks, and high-roof cargo or passenger vans can pull in and park with total confidence, unhindered by vertical overhead clearance bars or tight turning corkscrews. The lot features clearly demarcated bays, wide turning aisles, and dedicated accessible spaces designed for straightforward self-parking.

Prime Location & Nearby Attractions

This car park is ideally situated for tourists, eventgoers, and night owls alike. Located directly across Northwest Everett Street from the world-renowned Lan Su Chinese Garden, visitors can step directly from their vehicles into a tranquil Ming-era classical garden. The lot also sits at the doorstep of the Portland Chinatown Museum, the historic Society Hotel, and legendary entertainment institutions such as Darcelle XV Showplace, CC Slaughters, and Ground Kontrol Classic Arcade.

A short three-block stroll to the east brings you to Governor Tom McCall Waterfront Park and the Ankeny Plaza grounds of the Portland Saturday Market, offering riverfront walking paths and scenic views across the Willamette River. For sports fans and concert attendees heading to the Moda Center or Veterans Memorial Coliseum in the Rose Quarter, this lot serves as a savvy, congestion-avoiding alternative; visitors can either take a pleasant 15-minute walk across the Steel Bridge or board the MAX light rail just one block away. Food enthusiasts will also appreciate the easy 5-to-10-minute walk to Voodoo Doughnut, Pine Street Market, and the eclectic dining options lining the edge of the adjacent Pearl District.

Access, Navigation & Transit Connectivity

Ingress and egress are straightforward via multiple driveways along Northwest 3rd Avenue. Because the surrounding streets follow Portland's tight grid, navigating toward the lot is simple: drivers arriving from the east side or Interstate 5 can cross via the Steel Bridge or Burnside Bridge and turn directly onto Northwest 3rd Avenue. Motorists coming from Highway 26 or Interstate 405 can navigate east along Northwest Glisan or Everett Streets.

For park-and-ride commuters or multimodal travelers, transit connectivity could not be better. The Old Town/Chinatown MAX Light Rail Station (serviced by the Blue and Red Lines) is located only one block away at Northwest 1st Avenue and Davis Street. In addition, the downtown MAX transit mall along Northwest 5th and 6th Avenues (Green and Orange/Yellow Lines) is a short three-block walk to the west, as is Portland Union Station for regional Amtrak rail and intercity bus service. Exiting the lot after major evening events is markedly faster than leaving crowded parking structures, as drivers can slip directly onto the arterial avenues without enduring multi-level queue bottlenecks.

Facility Amenities & Key Features

• Open-Air Headroom: Completely unobstructed surface parking with zero height clearance limits, making it fully accessible for tall pickups, camper vans, and rooftop gear.
• 24/7 Availability: Open around the clock, accommodating early-morning deliveries, daytime business meetings, and late-night district outings.
• Seamless Digital Payments: Support for mobile drive-up payments and advance parking reservations via online platforms and mobile parking portals.
• ADA Accessible Spaces: Dedicated accessible parking bays conveniently located close to the sidewalk ramps for easy mobility.
• Perimeter Lighting: Area illumination across the lot to aid nighttime visibility and pedestrian navigation.
• Flexible Rate Tiers: Cost-effective options ranging from short-stay hourly blocks and evening flat rates to competitive daily and monthly parking passes.

Ideal For

• Cultural Visitors: Tourists exploring Lan Su Chinese Garden, the Portland Chinatown Museum, and historic Old Town architectural landmarks.
• Nightlife & Theater Patrons: Evening guests dining at neighborhood eateries or enjoying shows at Darcelle XV, CC Slaughters, and Ankeny Alley music venues.
• Rose Quarter & Arena Attendees: Fans heading to Portland Trail Blazers games or concerts at the Moda Center who want easy parking and a stress-free departure over the Steel Bridge.
• Oversized Vehicle Drivers: Contractors, trade vans, and adventure travelers with rooftop cargo that cannot squeeze into standard downtown parking garages.
• Weekend Market Shoppers: Families heading to the Portland Saturday Market and Waterfront Park festivities.

Visitor & Driver Tips

When arriving during peak weekend evenings or during major cultural festivals (such as the Lunar New Year Lantern Festival at Lan Su Garden), spaces can fill up rapidly. Booking your spot in advance through online booking portals ensures a reserved space before you head out. Pay attention to posted signs upon arrival to input your correct license plate number accurately when paying at the station or through your mobile device. As with any downtown urban surface lot, always practice common city caution: ensure windows are fully rolled up, doors are locked, and all personal belongings, charging cables, and bags are tucked safely out of sight before heading to your destination.