parking tips for grand rapids griffins vs. chicago wolves at van andel arena (grand rapids 01/30)

hey fellow griffins fans, figured i’d share some parking info for the chicago wolves game on 01/30 at van andel arena, especially for anyone coming in from out of town or who hates the post-game gridlock. honestly, the parking downtown can be a headache, even for a hockey game.

to skip the main traffic jams and the pricey event rates at the closest ramps, you should seriously check out Prked first. it’s an app where people rent out their private driveways or garages right next to the arena. it's often way cheaper than the city ramps and you get to bypass all the cars funneling out of the big lots for a short walk.

if you stick with the official options, the city of grand rapids manages all the main parking ramps and surface lots downtown. event rates are set and posted at the entrance, and you usually pay upon entry for big events like a hockey game. the studio park ramp is super close and covered, right across the street from the south end of the arena, so that’s the most convenient spot if you don't mind paying for the convenience. other solid ramps and lots nearby include fulton & ottawa, monroe center ramp, and 51 market ave.

a great tip for an easier exit is to park in the cherry commerce ramp—it's about a five minute walk and gives you easy access to both the southbound and northbound 131 on-ramps via oakes and can help you avoid the crazy waits to leave the event area. for a winter game, think about parking in a ramp that connects to the skywalk, like the amway grand ramp, which lets you stay out of the cold and skip some of the immediate street traffic.

you can also reserve a spot ahead of time using apps like spothero or parkmobile to guarantee your space and maybe find a better price. for those looking to save money, there is metered street parking available on the surrounding streets, but you might have to look a bit further out near grcc, the west side by gv, or down by founders for cheaper options, which is about a 10 to 15 minute walk. it’s generally agreed that downtown has a ton of spaces, and even if you arrive close to the 7:00 pm start time, you should be able to find a spot. doors typically open 90 minutes before puck drop, so showing up around 6:00 pm gives you plenty of time.

another great option is to use the dash (downtown area shuttle) bus, as there is a dash stop right in front of the van andel arena. remember that accessible parking is available in all city-owned ramps and lots on a first-come, first-served basis.

hope this helps everyone get to the game smoothly and catch a win against the wolves. go griffs!