Getting To Benaroya - And Dining Nearby
If you're arriving from the north: Go south on Interstate 5 to the Union Street exit, and continue to Third or Second Avenue to parking. From Aurora Avenue (Highway 99): Take the West Denny Way exit, keeping to the right, which turns into Wall Street; continue on Wall to Second Avenue and turn left on Second, and the hall is on your left at University Street.
From the south: Take I-5 to the Seneca Street exit, continuing on Seneca to Third Avenue and turn right on Third; the hall is on your left, at University Street. From Aurora: Take the Seneca Street exit, turn left onto First Avenue for one block, then right onto University Street to Third Avenue (the hall will be on your left).
From I-90 westbound: Merge onto I-5 going north, taking the Madison Street exit and continuing on Madison to Third Avenue. Turn right on Third Avenue and continue to University Street (the hall will be on your left).
From the Seattle Ferry Terminal: Go east up Marion Street to Third Avenue, and turn left on Third, continuing to University Street (the hall will be on your left).
Arriving by Metro Transit (call 206-553-3000 for 24-hour rider assistance): The Metro bus tunnel beneath Benaroya Hall is open until 11 p.m. on weekdays (most concerts will end around 9:30-10 p.m., depending on the start time), and from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturdays. It's closed on Sundays. If arriving via the bus tunnel, get off the bus at the University Street station, take the elevator or stairs (or escalator) to the mezzanine level, and look for signs showing the passageway into Benaroya Hall at the southwest corner of the mezzanine.
Parking
About 4,000 parking spaces lie within a one-block radius of Benaroya Hall, with many more within an easy walk. Three of the closest garages have prepayment packages available to symphony subscribers, who can buy parking vouchers in advance.
The Benaroya Hall parking garage, a two-level garage beneath the hall itself, has an entrance on Second Avenue between Union and University streets, with elevator access to the hall. The cost is $8 per concert. (206-215-4714)
Just to the east of the hall, the Cobb/Puget Sound Plaza Garage has its entrance on University Street, between Third and Fourth avenues. There is stair and elevator access from the above-ground parking to Third Avenue; the cost is $5 per concert. (206-623-8572)
On the south side, the underground Washington Mutual Tower Garage has its entrance on Seneca Street, between Second and Third; there is elevator access to Third Avenue. The cost is $6 per concert. (206-340-6080)
One word of warning: The Friday "Afternoons with the Symphony" concert series, the symphony's only weekday daytime series, will have different parking rates and may have more limited spaces; early arrival is recommended.
Other garages
Public Market Parking: 1530 Western Ave. Evening rate: $1, or $8 during events. Closing time: variable, 206-621-0469.
Marsh & McLennan: 319 University St. Evening rate: $5. Closing time: 9 p.m. weeknights. Closed Saturday and Sunday. 206-623-1142. Ampco System Parking: 315 Union St. Evening rate: $5. Closing time: 12 a.m. Closed Sunday. 206-623-8572. Rainier Square Garage: 409 Union St. Evening rate: $5. Closing time: Monday through Saturday, 2 a.m.; Sunday 12 a.m. 206-624-9096. IBM Building Garage: 1200 Fifth Ave. Evening rate: $5. Closing time: 12 a.m. Closed Sunday. 206-623-2675. Standard Parking: 415 Seneca St. 206-624-5767.