The Long Center for the Performing Arts

Whether arriving from north, south, east, or west, driving routes to the Long Center for the Performing Arts are often impacted by local traffic and multiple events around town. Don’t miss a single musical moment! Please build extra time into your transportation and/or parking plans  — or arrive early and enjoy special dining and drinks events created just for you.

VALET PARKING: $18

Valet is accessible from the Long Center Circular Drive from the Riverside Drive entrance. When making your final approach to the Long Center on Riverside Drive, please use the right lane. If you plan to valet, please allow extra time in your arrival plan for the inevitable traffic delays.

PALMER EVENTS CENTER GARAGE: $8

Parking is available at the Palmer Events Center Parking Garage, located next to the Long Center and accessible from Riverside Drive and the Long Center Circular Drive. When making your final approach to the Long Center on Riverside Drive, please use the left lane. If you plan to park here, please allow extra time in your arrival plan for the inevitable traffic delays. Be aware the garage often fills and is shared with the Palmer Events Center, which sometimes hosts concurrent events. Note: Palmer Events Center Garage is a public parking facility managed and operated by the City of Austin. 

ONE TEXAS CENTER GARAGE PARKING: $5

Avoid the crush at the Long Center by parking at the nearby One Texas Center Garage for only $5. The One Texas Center Garage is located at 505 Barton Springs Road; enter the Garage directly from Haywood Avenue. Allow 10 minutes to walk from One Texas Center to the Long Center. Arrive early and relax! Note: One Texas Center Garage is a public parking facility managed and operated by the City of Austin. 

MOBILITY IMPAIRED/ACCESSIBLE PARKING: $8

Marked parking is available in the Palmer Events Center Parking Garage on all levels located near elevators.

RIDESHARE

Using a rideshare service to get to the Long Center?  Here are instructions for your driver: use the same lane/entrance as the valets. The valets should have a lane clear in the Long Center drive for rideshares and other drop-offs to pull past the valet stand. Once you are past the valets, they can drop off in the second half of our drive and then easily exit. If they use the garage entrance, they will have difficulty exiting without paying to enter the garage. Please do not unload on Riverside.

PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION

The Long Center is located in the heart of Austin’s entertainment corridor. CapMetro offers affordable options to get you to the opera on time. Use your smart phone’s mapping feature to find your bus route, or see more information here (scroll down to “alternatives to driving”).

Come early and ease into your memorable experience at the Long Center! Austin Opera has your dinner plans covered. Check out your many options for pre and post-show dining and refreshments.

H-E-B Terrace

Begin your Austin Opera experience al fresco! On the expansive H-E-B Terrace, you’ll find Spectrum’s outdoor bar, tables and chairs, and gorgeous views of Downtown Austin. The H-E-B Terrace opens two hours prior to curtain.

Austin Opera Lounge

Arrive early, grab a drink, and relax in style! Starting two hours before curtain, join friends and fellow Austinites in the Austin Opera Lounge (also known as the West Pincer Gallery Bar), on the far side of the Long Center’s Mezzanine Level. Hot and cold menu items by Spectrum will be available, as well as beer, wine, cocktails, and non-alcoholic options. There will be tables and chairs for your comfort. Don’t miss the spectacular views from the adjoining West Pincer Terrace, and capture the moment with a snapshot on our HALO by Simple Booth!

The Jeanette Nassour Pre-Opera Dinner Series

Level up! Dine in style on Saturday nights with fellow opera lovers to celebrate each production’s Opening Night! Expand your evening to include an exclusive dinner in the Long Center’s Kodosky Lounge, complete with an elegant three-course meal and drinks — hosted by the Austin Opera Guild — beginning at 5:30 prior to the 7:30 Saturday night performances. Black-tie attire welcome! PURCHASE PRE-OPERA DINNER TICKETS HERE.

UrbanNites At The Opera

Attention young professionals: treat yourself to a pre-show party before the Thursday shows! We’ll open the swanky Kodosky Lounge just for you at 6:15 — enjoy an open wine bar sponsored by Twin Liquors, heavy hors d’oeuvres, a red-carpet style photo op, and fun with fellow young professionals. Grab a signature show-inspired cocktail, play a live trivia round with a huge prize basket, mingle, dance, and more! At intermission(s), the party continues. Join your UrbanNites crew on the H-E-B Terrace for more conversation and stunning views. PURCHASE URBANNITES TICKETS HERE.

Sunday Lunch + Insights

Before each Sunday matinee, join us for brunch and fascinating conversation on elements of the production — designed to enhance your overall experience — all while surveying the downtown skyline. Tickets for the pre-show presentation and beautiful lunch buffet (plus coffee and wine!) are available for $40 each. The event starts at 1:00 p.m. in the Long Center Kodosky Lounge. PURCHASE SUNDAY LUNCH + INSIGHTS TICKETS HERE.

Nearby Attractions

The Long Center for the Performing Arts is nestled in the heart of Austin’s entertainment corridor. Make a day of it! Explore surrounding attractions, restaurants, and parks. See options and a map of the area here.

The Austin Opera strives to provide the best services and accessibility for all guests. Tickets for accessible seating for physically disabled guests are available at The Long Center. Please call the box office at 512-472-5992 for further information. Guests requiring wheelchair accessibility or other special seating should notify the Box Office at the time of their ticket purchase.

• During your phone call, please help us by being as specific as possible about your individual needs. Questions to consider: If you use a wheelchair, will you remain in the wheelchair for the duration of the performance? Perhaps you do not use a wheelchair, but have trouble with stairs, and want to sit in a theater seat. Do you have low vision and need to sit particularly close to the stage?
• The drop-off area for mobility-impaired guests is from the Long Center Circular Drive directly in front of the Long Center. Mobility Impaired Parking is available on all levels of the PEC Garage near elevators or Valet Parking is available for $18.00.
• The accessible entrance to the Long Center is on the ground floor to the left of the Grand Staircase. Elevators are located just inside through the Rollins Studio Theater Lobby.
• To request Sign Interpretation, Audio Description, Braille or Large Print Programs, call our Box Office at (512) 472-5992 no less than two weeks before the event date. Services are not guaranteed for all events, but we will make every effort to accommodate each request.
• Courtesy wheelchairs and Infrared Assistive Listening Devices are available free of charge at Guest Services coat check or by asking any House Manager.
• For other accessibility questions, please call the Long Center Guest Services office at (512) 457-5171