Wisconsin Archives - ParqEx

8 Free Holiday Activities in ParqEx Communities

Claudia Bechthold — Mon, 08 Nov 2021 19:51:50 +0000

8 Free Holiday Activities in ParqEx Communities

In Chicago, Milwaukee, Madison & Miami

Holidays tend always to be expensive. We see and understand that! So why not enjoy your holiday and save in some areas? If you are looking to cut some holiday costs, ParqEx has three solutions for you.

1) Always book your parking in advance with ParqEx. The spots on our platform are all safe and appropriately priced. So say goodbye to paying those ridiculous parking garage prices downtown; we’ve got you covered.

2) Be sure to always be on the lookout for ParqEx coupons! On just about every holiday, we give $5 off parking for our ParqEx users. If you haven’t seen a promo code pass through your inbox, check out ParqEx’s socials! Our marketing team is sure to post them there.

3) We’ve compiled eight different free holiday activities in ParqEx’s communities!

Free Holiday Activities in Chicago

Christkindlmarket Chicago

Every year, the Daley Plaza, downtown Chicago, is completely transformed into a breathtakingly beautiful Christmas market. Every single corner of this Christmas market is blanketed in ornate decorations and lighting! So bundle up and enjoy this free Christkindlmarket. Go there for the decorations but stay for the spiced wine and freshly roasted chestnuts! The market is open starting November 19th and continues until December 24th.

City of Chicago Tree Lighting Ceremony

This tree lighting ceremony seems like an absolute winner for anybody looking to get in the Christmas spirit. This free event, on November 19th, will be filled with entertainment. So come for the lighting of the Christmas tree, but stay for the fireworks and live performances and music! This 100+ year tradition is still around for a reason. So enjoy your night in Millennium Park with the rest of Chicago!

Free Holiday Activities in Milwaukee

Phil Kline’s Unsilent Night

Are you looking for a different holiday event this year? Are you sick of the same old, same old? Well, then look no further. On December 1st at 5:30 pm, Phil Kline’s Unsilent Night begins at Saint Kate – Art Hotel downtown Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Once all guests have gathered, by 6 pm, the promenade downtown will begin. This 45-minute walk has every guest participate in the entertainment by playing a specific audio track! So put those layers on and unsilent the night of December 1st, downtown Milwaukee!

Saint Kate Holiday Marketplace

Sadly the Fiserv Forum Christkindlmarket is not returning this Christmas, but that doesn’t mean the city of Milwaukee is without a Christmas market. Saint Kate delivers yet another free holiday event for anyone who calls MKE home. On December 11th, at the Arc Theatre, enjoy the free holiday marketplace put on by Saint Kate. Take in the gorgeous and elaborate decorations, shop from local vendors, and spread the holiday cheer.

Free Holiday Activities in Madison

Fair Trade Holiday Festival

A wonderful annual holiday tradition in Madison, Wisconsin, is Madison’s 25th Fair Trade Holiday Festival. This free holiday event features over 40 varying vendors selling ethically and sustainably sourced international gifts. So come to Monona Terrace on December 4th, check out the global products, and then do your farmers market shopping the same day!

Holiday Toy Consignment Sale

Have you got a lot of kiddos to shop for this holiday season? Whether they be your kids, nieces and nephews, grandkids, or friends kids, come to the Monona Community Center on November 13th and shop gently used clothes, toys, and more! Admission is free, and there are varying times throughout the day where sales go on certain items. So save some money this holiday season and make those little ones super happy when they open their gifts!

Free Holiday Activities Miami

V’s Couture Holiday Pop-Up Market Wynwood

Want to enjoy a free holiday activity but add in some Miami flare? Then the V’s Couture Holiday Pop-Up Market in Wynwood is just the event for you. If you are looking to save money this season, admission to the public is free, but we’d suggest keeping a close eye on those price tags of the goods on sale. So on December 11th, enjoy the food, the holiday spirit, the people watching, and the shopping.

Symphony In Lights

Are you looking to ring in the holidays the good ole classic way but with warm tropical air instead of the bitter winter cold? I mean, same! If you are so lucky to be able to celebrate Christmas in Miami this holiday season, please visit the Gulfstream Park Village for its annual Symphony in Lights. This free holiday activity is jam-packed with everything your holiday-induced mind can conjure up. So come for the lights, but enjoy all the holiday shopping around you. This event kicks off on November 13th and continues until December 31st.

No matter what you get up to this holiday season, be sure to enjoy that special time with your friends and family. Share the love and the holiday spirit like we intend to do at ParqEx.

Again, for those of you driving to your free holiday activities in ParqEx communities, please book your parking in advance and save yourself some time & money. Book your parking today!

The post 8 Free Holiday Activities in ParqEx Communities appeared first on ParqEx.

Summer Getaways Around Chicago: Head North to Wisconsin

Vivek Mehra — Thu, 17 Aug 2017 18:36:54 +0000

Chicago is an amazing city, but sometimes you just want to get away for a while. Within a few hours, you can drive to two fantastic cities: Madison and Milwaukee. It’s about a two and a half hour drive to Madison, and Milwaukee is an hour closer. Whether you decide to take a day trip or stay for the weekend, both cities offer fun activities, cultural opportunities, delicious dining, and unique shopping.

Madison

Find out why USA Today ranked Madison as one of the “Best Travel-worthy State Capitals.” Spend a few hours browsing shops such as A New Hope Collectible Toys and Comics, Ear Wax Records, and Paul’s Book Store. Satisfy your sweet tooth at Candinas Chocolatier, or do a taste comparison at Capitol Corn Popper and Clary’s Gourmet Popcorn. There are several free museums to explore, including the Chazen Museum of Art, the Madison Museum of Contemporary Art, and the Wisconsin Science Museum. Catch a live performance at Majestic Theater, Orpheum Theater, or The Bartell Theatre. If you happen to visit on a Saturday, check out the Dane County Farmers’ Market on the Square for fresh local food.

A great way to explore the area is by renting a bicycle from one of the many Bcycle stations. The views around Lake Mendota and Lake Monona are incredible. Pick up a farm fresh salad from Forage Kitchen on State Street and head out to Picnic Point for lunch. Then pedal over to the Olbrich Botanical Gardens; wandering through the outdoor gardens is free.

Aside from the many chain hotels, there are several amazing and unique places to stay in the city. For relaxation and a lake view, try The Edgewater. Graduate Wisconsin is trendy and has a rooftop bar. The Madison Concourse Hotel and Governor’s Club feels glamorous without a huge price tag, or you can splurge on luxury at the Mansion Hill Inn.

There are lots of exciting events going on throughout the year in Madison, including free concerts and movies in the park during the summer, so make sure you check out their events website.

Milwaukee

Since it’s an hour closer to Chicago than Madison, Milwaukee is definitely close enough be a day trip. However, there are plenty of things to do keep you busy for much longer.

The Milwaukee Public Museum has 150,000 square feet of exhibits from around the world. If you plan your visit for the first Thursday of the month, admission is free. Discovery World is another interactive museum which focuses on science and technology. If you have kids, they will love the Betty Brinn Children’s Museum. Of course, no trip to Milwaukee is complete without a tour of the Harley-Davidson Museum.

Of course, many people say that beer is what made Milwaukee famous, so be sure to take the free tour of MillerCoors where you can explore the underground caves. Lakefront Brewery and Sprecher Brewing Company are also worth stopping by.

Pabst Theater and Turner Hall are local historical landmarks known for their shows, but there are many smaller venues around the city where you can enjoy live music. Check out Northern Lights Theater at the Potawatomi Hotel and Casino, Caroline’s Jazz Club, or Miramar Theatre.

There’s plenty to keep the outdoor enthusiast busy too. Bradford Beach on Lake Michigan is the place to be; you can play beach volleyball, jet ski, or surf here. You can also hike the 6-mile Lakefront Trail, rent a kayak, canoe, or paddleboard, or rent a bike to trek over 100 miles on the Oak Leaf Trail.

There are three ways to get great views of the area. You can climb the North Point Lighthouse in Lake Park, the observation tower at Schlitz Audobon Nature Center, or the lookout tower at the Urban Ecology Center.

If you decide you want to stay the night, the magnificent Pfister Hotel is a Victorian landmark that has been around for over a century. For half the price you can stay at the equally gorgeous Astor Hotel, which is still within walking distance of many attractions. Another option is the magnificent Schuster Mansion Bed and Breakfast.

So go ahead and take a break from the Windy City and plan a trip to Madison or Milwaukee. Contact us for more information about sharing parking, long-term parking, on-demand parking, and more.

SaveSaveSaveSave

The post Summer Getaways Around Chicago: Head North to Wisconsin appeared first on ParqEx.