Getting There · Smoothie King Center · New Orleans
Getting to Smoothie King Center — Transit, Rideshare & Walking Routes
Getting to Smoothie King Center without the parking-lot headache is usually faster and cheaper than driving — especially on New Orleans Pelicans game nights and major concerts, when the roads around Central Business District, New Orleans fill long before doors. Even at a compact venue holding 16,867, the streets around Central Business District, New Orleans tighten up fast during the pre-game window. This guide covers the transit lines that drop you closest to the arena, the rideshare zones, walking routes from Central Business District, and what to know about late-night service after the final whistle.
About Smoothie King Center
Home of the new orleans pelicans. the arena has hosted events at this site since 1999. located at 1501 Dave Dixon Drive, New Orleans, LA 70113.
Transit Routes to Smoothie King Center
Served by RTA streetcar and bus stops within a short walk; the Loyola/UPT streetcar line and Union Passenger Terminal are nearby. The Central Business District, New Orleans location means multiple transit connections are available within a short walk, giving you backup options if one line is delayed. Plan to step off at the nearest stop 30-45 minutes before doors. Transit is also the quickest post-event exit from Smoothie King Center — you are moving while the parking lots around Central Business District, New Orleans are still emptying.
Rideshare Drop-Off at Smoothie King Center
Uber and Lyft both serve Smoothie King Center. On busy nights the apps route you to a designated drop-off zone near the arena rather than the front gates, keeping traffic and pedestrians separated. Surge pricing is usually shorter-lived at smaller venues. Still, walking a block or two from Smoothie King Center before requesting your ride home keeps the wait time down.
Walking to Smoothie King Center from Central Business District
Smoothie King Center is located at 1501 Dave Dixon Drive, New Orleans, LA 70113, in the Central Business District area of New Orleans. The urban location makes Smoothie King Center walkable from many New Orleans hotels, restaurants, and transit hubs. Fans staying in the Central Business District area can often walk to the arena in under 15 minutes, which is frequently faster than driving and parking on event nights. Walking in from a few blocks away also sidesteps the worst of the event-night traffic and is often the single fastest way to leave once the show ends. The walk to Smoothie King Center is mostly outdoors before you reach the arena entrance, so check the forecast for evening events.
When to Arrive at Smoothie King Center
Smoothie King Center holds 16,867 for a typical event configuration. A compact venue like Smoothie King Center means shorter entry lines, but you should still plan to arrive 30-45 minutes before doors on event nights. When the New Orleans Pelicans have a sold-out crowd, add another 15-20 minutes to your buffer. The smaller footprint means you can get from the gate to your seat quickly once you are inside.
Late-Night Exit from Smoothie King Center
If you took transit to Smoothie King Center, your post-event exit plan hinges on the last departure from the nearest stop. Before the event, look up the schedule for the specific line referenced in the transit section above — (Served by RTA streetcar and bus stops within a short walk; the Loyola/UPT streetcar line and Union Passenger Terminal are nearby) — and screenshot it. Evening events at Smoothie King Center typically let out between 10:00 and 11:00 PM, though encores and overtime can push later. Having the schedule saved means you can decide during the event whether to catch the last train or switch to a rideshare backup.