Top 10-Holiday Travel Destinations

 

It’s that time of year again; the holidays are here in full force! Mariah Carey’s voice echoes through every speaker, and people post their travel photos with witty captions inspired by “All I Want For Christmas Is You” lyrics! So have you found yourself suddenly wishing you had made some holiday travel plans? Well, at ParqEx, we believe it’s never too late to get started on a good idea.

Based on BestPlaces Most Popular Cities For The Holidays, a compiled list of 300+ destinations in order of most significant increase in air travel over the past few years, here are your top 10-holiday travel destinations in the United States.

 

 

No surprise, the sunshine state is represented well for holiday travel destinations. But a huge shoutout to smaller U.S. cities like Milwaukee, Wisconsin, for making the top 10! Maybe the reigning NBA champions, The Milwaukee Bucks, have something to do with it.

 

1. Fort Myers, FL

 

Fort Myers is not only at the top of the list because grandma and grandpa live in the sunshine state. This hot travel destination also makes the top of this list because of its gorgeous holiday festivities. If you’re in Fort Myers, you shouldn’t miss the Fort Myers Beach Christmas Boat Parade. Be a part of the Christmas cheer, all while avoiding the bitter cold up north! And not to worry, you can find parking in Fort Myers, FL on the ParqEx app.

 

2. Cincinnati, OH

 

Who doesn’t love the zoo? On top of that, who doesn’t love Christmas lights? The city of Cincinnati combines the two of them and creates the spectacular annual PNC Festival of Lights. Every year The Cincinnati Zoo dresses for the part and puts on a gorgeous holiday display. Want the best seat in the house? Take a ride on the zoo’s North Polar Express train! And not to worry, you can find parking in Cincinnati, OH on the ParqEx app.

 

3. Miami, FL

 

Miami during the holidays has way more than just Santa hats mismatched with bathing suits on South Beach. So if you’re looking to add some variation to your beach holiday, visit Santa’s Enchanted Forest. Now, this isn’t your typical Christmas light show. Instead, Santa’s Enchanted Forest is a Christmas-Themed Amusement Park. So yes, do come and enjoy the light show, but stay for a while and enjoy the rides, live performances, games, and all the holiday carnival food! And not to worry, you can find parking in Miami, FL on the ParqEx app.

 

4. Hartford, CT

 

Are you celebrating your holidays in Hartford, Connecticut? Then it would certainly be a shame if you were to miss The Holiday Light Fantasia show! A stretch of 2-miles is converted into a winter wonderland with over a million Christmas lights every year. This light show is open from Thanksgiving into the New Year. So you certainly have time to fit this into your busy holiday schedule. And not to worry, you can find parking in Hartford, CT on the ParqEx app.

 

5. Fort Lauderdale, FL

 

Are you trying to stay on the water for the holidays? Want to keep on those flip-flops and be a part of a winter wonderland? If you are in Fort Lauderdale, The Seminole Hard Rock Winterfest Boat Parade will be the best option for you. Enjoy the lights, the fantastic decorations, the people watching, and some holiday spirit! This two-hour show will undoubtedly get you excited for the holidays to come. And not to worry, you can find parking in Fort Lauderdale, FL on the ParqEx app.

 

6. Palm Beach, FL

 

Are you vacationing in Palm Beach and suddenly feel the need to see snow versus sand? Don’t shorten your vacation and go back up north. Instead, enjoy the warm weather and see some fake snow at CityPlace! CityPlace puts on its own little Christmas celebration in West Palm Beach with Tree Lighting and Nightly Snowfalls! Please don’t be hasty and cut your trip short. We promise you many of us up north are jealous of your toes in the sand. And not to worry, you can find parking in Palm Beach, FL on the ParqEx app.

 

7. Jacksonville, FL

 

The holiday season is also about giving back! So this season, if you are in Jacksonville, Florida, be sure to check out Deck The Chairs! This free six-week holiday event strives to promote art to the Jacksonville community while encouraging children’s education in arts. See how Deck The Chairs gives back to their community by decorating lifeguard chairs for the world to see. And not to worry, you can find parking in Jacksonville, FL on the ParqEx app.

 

8. Milwaukee, WI

 

If you’re celebrating the holidays in Milwaukee, not only do you get the authentic white Christmas in Wisconsin, but you also have holiday events that cater to your needs of staying warm. So get out of the cold this holiday season and enjoy Noel Light Park & Christmas Market. This event will transform an indoor 90,000 square feet event space into a gorgeous display of holiday lights. So go to enjoy the lights, but don’t forget to take time to appreciate the live entertainment, locally-made Christmas gifts, and say ho ho ho to Santa & Mrs. Claus! And not to worry, you can find parking in Milwaukee, WI on the ParqEx app.

 

9. Greensboro, NC

 

Greensboro, North Carolina, understands the appeal of Christmas but enjoys putting its own twist on the holidays. The Christmas Festival at McLaurin Farms is not your typical drive-through light show. Instead, enjoy a hayride through the light show. But, the Christmas cheer doesn’t stop there. At McLaurin Farms, you can visit Santa, ride the 40-foot slide, make an ornament, take a train ride, see the farm animals, and get a sugar rush off of candy! And not to worry, you can find parking in Greensboro, NC on the ParqEx app.

 

10. Palm Springs, CA

 

We haven’t featured any float holiday events yet. In that case, if you are in Palm Springs, California, for your holidays this year, please do enjoy the Festival of Lights Parade. This parade is built around varying floats and tractors decked out for Christmas. Enjoy the Christmas lights, the marching bands, and even the celebrity appearances of Santa & Mrs. Claus. And not to worry, you can find parking in Palm Springs, CA on the ParqEx app.

 

 

ParqEx wishes you the most joyful holiday season! In addition, we hope you enjoyed our top 10-holiday travel destinations!

 

Remember, if you’re traveling this holiday and are leaving a parking spot unused, list that parking spot on ParqEx’s platform. Not only are you making the holidays a little bit easier for someone looking for parking, but you could make some serious money off of that parking spot while you’re away.

 

If you’re looking for parking this holiday season, remember to book parking ahead with ParqEx!

 

New to ParqEx? Download our app and get to parking with us!

7-Holiday Road Trip Tips

 

Another holiday season has officially arrived! Kids are sending their wishlists to Santa, parents tell themselves they won’t last-minute shop like they did last year, and people are planning their holiday menus and guestlists (Check out GuestParq by ParqEx for all things guest parking). With that in mind, people are most certainly doing a lot of travel during their holiday season. Besides air travel, the following favorite holiday travel style is the good old-fashioned holiday road trip. Anyone signing up for a road trip this holiday season? Parents, are you stuffing your SUV filled with all the kiddos and even bringing Spot the dalmatian? If so, here are a quick 7-holiday road trip tips for you and your family:

 

 

1. Keep all passengers entertained.

No matter the age of the passenger, it’s essential to keep everyone entertained. Road trips tend to get a little longer when the car is loaded up with as many people and as much baggage as possible. So, nothing is better than a good distraction. Whether that be books on tape, podcasts, classic holiday movies, or even some old-school games, these are all options to keep everyone’s mind off the length of the road trip. In my experience, nothing passes the time better than the U.S. license plate game. Try and see how many U.S. state license plates you can cross off your list by the end of the trip! Plus, at ParqEx, we’re big fans of all things license plate — especially our License Plate Recognition technology. Take a look if you are curious!

 

2. Map out your trip before even leaving.

It’s always wise to be proactive when it comes to traveling. For instance, take air travel; you wouldn’t show up at the airport 20 minutes before take-off during a holiday travel day, would you? But, of course, planning is essential for road trips as well. Sure, you may be avoiding the crowds of travelers at the airport by road tripping instead, but don’t forget about the thousands of drivers you’ll encounter on the road that are doing the same thing as you. In addition, with the holidays, you are bound to find yourself in traffic in any major city you pass through. So with that in mind, plan for delays, choose a different route or even leave earlier.

 

3. Pack snacks.

Sure, grabbing junk food at the gas station or going through the McDonald’s drive-thru is tempting on road trips, but by packing snacks, you can eat healthily and save money! But, if you find yourself having forgotten to pack the snack essentials, stop at a grocery store instead of a gas station to find better options. In my experience, healthy snacks will make the drive a little bit easier. Your energy will last longer, and you will be more alert on the road.

 

4. Play holiday music – duh!

No holiday road trip is complete without some good holiday jams! No matter what music streaming platform you subscribe to, I guarantee you you’ll find a plethora of varying playlists with all genres of Christmas music. And yes, it would be blasphemous if you skipped Mariah Carey’s “All I Want For Christmas Is You,” even if you’ve heard it too often already this holiday season.

 

5. Stay safe on the road.

This tip in our 7-holiday road trip tips is something you need to take care of before leaving and while on the road! Before leaving, check your tire pressures, make sure you have a spare tire, booster cables, and bring extra phone chargers just in case. While on the road, make sure that everyone is wearing their seatbelt. And an excellent last-minute piece of advice for the driver: drive for others; assume they don’t know how to drive and anticipate their next move. It’ll save you from a lot of possible accidents!

 

6. Get your car road-trip-ready.

First things first, are there any check engine lights on in your car? Second, when was the last time you got an oil change? Third, are you still riding around on that spare? Set yourself up for success this holiday road trip and get your car checked out before you and your family pile in for the drive! Next, pack for the “worst-case scenario.” Put blankets, winter jackets, gloves, hats, window scrapers, hand warmers & foot warmers, and boots in your trunk. You’ll most likely never need anything from this pile of stuff, but it’s always better to plan for the worst-case.

 

7. Book parking before even getting to the destination.

If your road trip is anything like what mine usually are, you’re in for a 2-day trek! So our last tip on our 7-holiday road trip tips is to book your parking before even getting to your destination. With ParqEx, you can plan and book your parking way before even getting to the finish line. By doing this, you’re not only ensuring you’ll have parking at your destination, but you are also eliminating added stress. For example, on my 2-day road trips from Chicago to Naples, Florida, I often stop in Atlanta for the night. When I stop, I book my parking ahead of time with ParqEx, and all I have to worry about is safely getting to the hotel for the night. So book your holiday road trip parking with ParqEx today and focus on enjoying your road trip!

12 Best Places To Take Family Christmas Photos

 

Featured locations: Chicago, IL   |   Milwaukee, WI   |   Madison, WI   |   Miami, FL

 

Are you also one of those families that waits until the last minute to take family Christmas pictures? I get that taking Christmas photos mid-summer is efficient and probably makes for better photos, but I cannot be bothered to think of cold months during the glorious summer heat. And on top of that, nothing beats the authentic “I’m freezing! I can’t wait until this photoshoot is done” face that annually makes it onto my Christmas card.

 

Anyways, back to our jolly point! We’ve compiled a list of the 12 best places to take family Christmas photos in our ParqEx community. So to all last-minute families, put on your matching Christmas sweaters and get on your merry way to your photoshoot!

 

 

Best Places to take family Christmas Photos in Chicago

 

1) Art Institute of Chicago

 

Talk about an iconic family Christmas photo! If you live in Chicago, there are hundreds of gorgeous corners to take family photos in front of. Yet, in my opinion, nothing tops the Art Institute of Chicago. You can’t go wrong; take a picture inside or take one outside in front of the lions. Either way, you will create a picture-perfect backdrop to your family photo. Plus, any last-minute Christmas shoppers reading this? Take your pictures and then immediately go shopping! The Art Institute of Chicago is in the heart of the city, with shopping all around. So book your art institute parking ahead of time and don’t have to worry about it the day of!

 

2) Lincoln Park Zoo

 

Taking family photos at the zoo never gets old! I promise you, even as an adult, my favorite photo outings are to the zoo! If you live in Chicago, you are very spoiled with the Lincoln Park Zoo. So gather the family, take them on a fun zoo excursion and squeeze in a few family photos while you are there. Not a fan of having penguins in your photos? Visit Lincoln Parks Nature Boardwalk and take a picture in front of Chicago’s skyline. So book your Lincoln Park Zoo parking today with ParqEx!

 

3) Skydeck Chicago

 

Before committing to this Christmas photo backdrop, make sure that nobody in your family has a fear of heights. If they all give the thumbs up, an enjoyable location for a family photo would be Willis Tower’s Skydeck Chicago. So take a trip up to the 103rd floor and enjoy perhaps one of the best views of Chicago! And don’t forget to commemorate the trip by snapping a quick family photo! Book your Skydeck parking before even leaving your house!

 

Best Places to take family Christmas Photos in  Milwaukee

 

4) View MKE 

 

Are you still putting off taking those Christmas photos? If you need further encouragement, even if the rapidly approaching deadline is just around the corner, how about you check out View MKE with the family this season? Go there for the food & beverages but stay for the atmosphere and stunning views of downtown Milwaukee. And while you are there, why not snag a quick fam-photo! Book your View MKE parking today!

 

5) Black Cat Alley

 

Do you want this year’s family photo to be trendy and perfect for a witty or whimsical Instagram caption? Then there’s no better spot than Black Cat Alley! Quickly snag a coffee from Colectivo and then stroll up and down the outdoor art gallery. Check out the 21 murals that beautifully decorate this alley in Milwaukee. Found a favorite mural? Take your family Christmas picture there. I’m sure Black Cat Alley would love to be featured in your Christmas photos. So book your Black Cat Alley parking ahead of time.

 

6) The Pfister Hotel

 

Now, if you live in Milwaukee and are scrambling to find a more classic Christmas photo, don’t worry! The Pfister Hotel is the ideal photo spot for you. This historic hotel screams elegance and knows how to dress up around the holiday season. So visit the Pfister Hotel to get into that Christmas spirit and take some beautiful family photos. Book your Pfister Hotel parking downtown Milwaukee today!

 

Best Places to take family Christmas Photos in  Madison

 

7) AC Hotel & Eno Vino

 

If you are lucky enough to live in Madison, Wisconsin, then you know just how gorgeous your State Capitol Building is. Every corner of the square has lovely views of this magnificent building. However, one of the most fun and unique views of the capitol building is at the AC Hotel inside the Eno Vino restaurant. Take in the rooftop view of the capitol building with the family, and ask the waiter for a quick family photo with this classic backdrop. Book your Madison square parking today!

 

8) Capitol Building

 

As previously mentioned, this building doesn’t have an unappealing angle. Are you and the family looking for a quick in & out for this year’s family photo but still want a good picture? The State Capitol Building never disappoints. So put on that Badger red and take a cute family pic. Book your Capitol parking now with ParqEx, so you don’t have to worry about finding parking on the square.

 

9) State Street

 

Any UW Badger Alumni in your family? Any of your kids enrolled at UW currently? A great homage to the university you are so proud of is a Christmas photo on State Street. So go and quickly take a nice family photo and then enjoy a lovely Saturday afternoon stroll up and down State Street. Don’t forget to book your State Street parking with ParqEx.

 

Best Places to take family Christmas Photos in  Miami

 

10) Freedom Tower

 

Do you love the history of your tropical paradise of a city in Miami, Florida? Then, take the family on a visit to Miami’s Freedom Tower, learn a little about the history of the building, and learn a bit about the cultural history of Miami and the part the Freedom Tower played. On top of it all, the Freedom Tower is a beautiful backdrop to any photo, indeed a family photo. So book your Freedom Tower parking today!

 

11) Miami Beach

 

Miami Beach is an absolute no-brainer. There’s no stretch of Miami Beach that isn’t perfect for a family photo! Want to have the sand between your toes and have the ocean as a picturesque background? Want to take a goofy family photo in front of one of the many lifeguard towers? How about a picture in front of Ocean Drive? Awesome! This one spot has it all. So avoid the headache of looking for Miami Beach parking and book your Miami Beach parking with ParqEx. 

 

12) Bayside Marketplace

 

Want a fun day filled with shopping, dining options, and family photos? Visit Bayside Marketplace. Want a little different picture but still want Bayside Marketplace vibes? Take a boat tour and get this angle of Bayside in your photo. So, book your Bayside Marketplace parking with ParqEx.

 

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