Holiday Travel Tips

Even though you may live in chilly Detroit, you are still going to have to deal with weather and crowds when traveling home for the holidays. Whether you are traveling for a holiday cruise, exotic vacation, or flying home from Detroit Metro Airport for family festivities, it is important to remember that millions of other Americans are going to be doing the same exact thing this winter! In addition, it always seems that poor weather conditions show up around holiday travel time! What luck.

Don't let long car rides, cramped airplanes, invasive security, or bad weather get you down; You are going on a relaxing cruise or traveling to visit your beloved family back home! Regardless of your plans, you will be thankful for our winter holiday travel tips:

1. Plan ahead and do your research. Driving to your destination? Research alternate travel routes ahead of time in case major traffic blocks the interstate. Depending on where you are driving from, you may be able to find some fun mini-destinations such as National Parks to visit on your way! Flying? Make sure you check your airlines baggage restrictions ahead of time to avoid stress on the day of your flight.
2. Pack accordingly. Packing light during winter travel is always suggested. If you can get away with just a carry on, that would be even better! This way, you won't have to worry about your luggage getting lost in transit. If you do check your bags, make sure that you pack at least two pairs of extra clothes, your phone charger, and whatever necessities you may need in your carry on just in case. 
3. Pack earplugs. Sure popping in headphones and listening to music is often a great way to zone out at a busy airport or loud car ride, but sometimes a person just needs silence! These little lifesavers can also ensure you get a few hours of shuteye before arriving at your destination.
4. Reserve your parking in advance. Since you and millions of people will be traveling this winter season, it is important to reserve your Qwik Park Detroit Airport Parking in advance! Reserving ahead will often save you money, and certainly saves you the stress of searching for a spot last minute.
5. Travel early or late in the day. Do you really want to beat the rush? Traveling during hours when most people want to be asleep can save you a whole lot of hassle since the roads will be less busy and the airports less crowded. 
6. Eat well and stay hydrated. This may seem like a simple tip, but it is often overlooked, as travelers rush to pack the car, struggle to read the GPS or fight with TSA about their luggage. Drinking water and eating regularly timed meals and snacks will make you feel oh so much better when you arrive at your final destination. 

Thanksgiving Travel 2014

When you stay with Qwik Park, we will handle your luggage!

According to the AAA, 2014 is going to be the busiest travel year since 2007, with over 46.3 million American's taking a trip for the Thanksgiving Holiday. WHAT?! In addition, air travel is also going to be up by at least 3.6 million people since 2007 as well, meaning more people are going to be looking for Detroit Airport Parking. People are expected to spend an average of $575 on their travels this holiday season.

By parking your car with Qwik Park, you will save money on your Detroit Airport Parking, so more of your $575 can be used doing the things that you want to do! In addition to offering cheap airport parking at DTW, Qwik Park is proud to offer:

• Free online reservations [save even more money and time by booking online]
• Complementary shuttle service 
• Short 5 minute ride to the airport [let us deal with DTW traffic while you relax]
• Self and valet park options
• Auto detailing upgrade options
• Complementary luggage handling
• Discounted prices!

Why Choose an Off-Airport Parking Company?

Doesn't it always seem like Detroit Metro Airport never seem to have enough parking spaces? The lots are always full, and the traffic is always heavy! Did you know that although off-airport parking is usually a brief drive from the airport, the lots are more manageable and you can reserve your parking online in advance to ensure that you have a spot! Want to reserve parking? Check out Qwik Park's website! 

These off-site airport parking companies are usually private family owned businesses. All things considered, they can usually offer you a better deal all around than on-site airport parking. By parking a few blocks away from the DTW airport, you can save tons of money!

Unfortunately, drivers tend to avoid off-site parking companies such as Qwik Park, falsely assuming that it will take extra time to catch a shuttle to the airport. But have you ever been stuck in airport traffic for what seems like forever? Why not just pay a little less and get to the airport faster?! Yes, that is right: you will save money AND arrive at Detroit Metro Airport with less stress! 

You want to know what else? When parking with off-site parking companies, you almost never pay more than the airport! Indeed, off-site parking companies generally charge at least 25%-50% less than the local airport!

Unlike the airport where you are left to your own devices, off-airport parking services such as Qwik Park will help you with your luggage and give you a complementary shuttle ride where you can just sit back and relax. Some off-site parking companies even do minimal car maintenance while you are away!

These are just a few reasons why Qwik Park's off-airport parking is beneficial! 

Pizza at Detroit Airport

Pretzel crust from Hungry Howies! 

Who doesn't love pizza? We sure do! Here are some of our favorite places to grab a quick slice of that delicious pie at Detroit Metro Airport:

• Villa Pizza: Fresh Italian Kitchen. What could be better than a place with the world "pizza" in the name?! It is never too late to grab a slice of pizza on your way to your flight out of a Detroit terminal.
• Hungry Howie's Pizza. We know how everyone in Michigan likes their Hungry Howie's Pizza so we had to include this popular chain on our list! Want to try something new? Grab a hot and ready pizza with pretzel crust for just $6! Hungry Howies in Detroit can't be beat.
• TGI Friday's. Although not technically a Pizza, TGI Fridays at Detroit Metro Airport serves up some delicious flat breads. We have our eyes set on the spinach Florentine one!
•  Hockeytown Cafe. Hockeytown at Detroit Airport offers small pizzas for roughly $10, and large pizzas for only $4 more! We love their deep dish pizza options and their calzones! 

Before your grab your pizza, don't forget to make your online parking reservation with Qwik Park! 

Detroit Metro Parking Coupons

Here at Qwik Park, we like to present special deals and Detroit Airport parking coupons to our online mailing list and social media followers first before posting to our website. Become a part of the Qwik Park crowd or else you will miss out on these great DTW airport parking deals! Printing our DTW Airport parking coupons is the best way to save money and get cheap Detroit Airport Parking! 

Check out a sneak peak at our most recent coupon:

Even though you have a coupon for discounted Detroit Airport parking, we still recommend that you reserve your parking ahead of time! This way, your parking spot will be guaranteed and you will be whisked away to DTW in no time! 

Parking at Detroit Metro Airport

Leaving your car at Qwik Park is speedy, simple, and safe! With over 5000 safe and secure parking spaces, Qwik Park prides itself on being one of the major parking companies serving the Detroit Metro Airport around the clock.

No more worrying if you will get to your flight on time, break the bank on Detroit Airport parking, of if your car will be safe during your travels. You get all of this and more when you leave your car in the seasoned care of the Qwik Park staff!

Take a look:

Indeed, Airport parking CAN be a hassle-free experience when you park with Qwik Park! Reserve online today and save.

Detroit Metro Airport Customer Parking Experience

Think Detroit Metro Airport parking takes forever and is a hassle? Crowds and traffic are usually always problems at airports, but not when you park with Qwik Park! Here at Qwik Park, we take pride in being one of the major parking companies to serve Detroit Metro Airport around the clock. 

Metro Detroit Airport Parking is simple and easy with Qwik Park. But just to prove it, we followed one of our customers during the experience for DTW airport parking:

Now that you know what a Qwik Park customer experiences, we highly recommend that you reserve your DTW Airport parking in advance! This way a spot will be ready and waiting for you upon your arrival! 

What to do During a Layover in Detroit

Reading is the perfect way to pass time during a layover!

For some, layovers are a wonderful time to get out of the plane that has held them hostage for hours and walk around on some steady land. For others, layovers are a drag and can’t end soon enough. Check out some of these tips on how to make the most of your layover at Detroit Metro Airport:

1.     Explore Detroit! Depending on how long your layover at DTW airport is, get out and explore this great city! Some layovers can be as long as 5-6 hours, just enough time to hit most of the popular Detroit sites.  
2.     Work out. If you don’t want to leave the airport, make the most of your stay by burning a few calories. If you are shy, or really don’t want other travelers to watch you do jumping jacks in the terminal, download a distance app [Strava, Nike Plus etc] on your smart device and take a brisk walk around the airport. You can clock in a few miles before your next flight arrives. 
3.   Eat, drink, and be merry! Nothing makes a layover pass faster than a trip to one of the many Detroit Airport bars for a quick drink. Most restaurants have a happy hour special, perfect if your layover is during the afternoon.
4. Get a room. If your layover is going to be very long, and/or during the wee hours of the morning, consider getting a cheap hotel room so that you will feel refreshed for the next leg of your journey. Can’t spend that much money? Purchase some ear plugs and a sleep mask before your trip, and get a little shut eye right at your terminal
5. Read. Just about every airport has a multitude of magazine carts and bookstores. Browse every magazine on the rack or purchase a book you have been dying to read. Better still, take this opportunity to download a book onto your smart device and enjoy some quiet time.

 Here at Qwik Park, we hope to make your Detroit Airport Parking experience much more enjoyable than a long layover. With a variety of DTW parking options, including speedy shuttle service, free online reservations, and kind staff, we aim to please!

Vegetarian Restaurants in Detroit

Sometimes, being a vegetarian or vegan can be tough because there are hardly any options for you to choose from when dining out. This is not the case in Detroit! The Detroit area offers plenty of vegan and vegetarian options for those of you who choose a plant-based diet. Vegan friendly food doesn’t have to be hard to locate! Read on to see some of our favorite vegan/vegetarian restaurants in Detroit:

Detroit Vegan Soul

Vegans rejoice! This 100% vegan restaurant specializes in, yep, you guessed it, vegan soul food! Their “soul platter” offers vegan mac-n-cheese, tenderly smoked collards, maple glazed yams, black-eyed-peas and cornbread muffins in the perfect marriage of comfort food and healthy eating! Vegan Soul offers a variety of brunch items and smoothies as well. 

Golden Gate Cafe

Located in the Innate Healing Arts Center, Golden Gate Café offers a large vegetarian menu to diners. Golden Gate offers traditional lunch fair such as wraps, salads, and smoothies. They also serve delicious entrée items such as a veggie taco platter and a Caribbean inspired stir fry.

Seva Detroit

A vegetarian restaurant that has a daily happy hour? We’re interested! Seva not only offers happy hour from 4-6pm, but also serves up favorites such as a Reuben sandwich with a vegetarian twist. Seva even has vegan mac and cheese and a grilled pesto pizza sandwich.

PJ’s Lager House

Although not strictly vegan/vegetarian, PJ’s offers enough entrée options to satisfy both! Vegans, order their veggarito, which is basically a delicious warm vegan burrito or a cheese-free version of the veggie burger. Vegetarians, dine on anything from the vegetarian Reuben to the BBQ tempeh sandwich. Enjoy live music on the weekends and cold drinks.

Avalon Breads

Avalon is much more of a sweets and breads shop rather than a sit down restaurant. They offer a gigantic selection of fresh breads and delicious desserts, and even have a vegan dessert menu so that everyone gets a sweet! The “I can’t believe it’s vegan” chocolate brownie will please even the pickiest of chocolate lovers and the date nut bars are perfect energizers during a long day at work.

Please keep Qwik Park in mind next time you fly out of Detroit Airport! Park with us, save big on Detroit Airport Parking, and spend that money on all the vegan goodies listed above! 

Just a Detroit Airport Parking Reminder

Enjoy fast and friendly
service at Qwik Park

 It is the beginning of August, and it is no secret that summer is soon coming to a close! We just wanted to remind you that Qwik Park is proud to offer secure parking to keep your car safe during your travels.  Avoid security breaches and park with Qwik Park on your next trip out of Detroit Metro Airport DTW. 

In case you forgot, here are several features you will enjoy at Qwik Park:

• Self Park Services
• Money off coupon for Daily and Weekly Rates
• Beautiful new shuttles with spacious luggage racks
• Complementary battery and air pump are available
• Corporate Rate Program
• Door-to-door pick-up and drop-off to all terminals
• Free transportation 24/7/365
• Online Reservations and Best Rate Guarantee
• Fenced lot with ample lighting and security guard

Ice Cream in Detroit

Summer is the perfect excuse to eat ice cream, especially if you live up north! Soon, the warm, longer days of summer will have turned into chilly winter days. Celebrate long nights and sunny days by eating everyone’s favorite summer treat! Sure, you could hit up the local grocery store for a pint, but this year, we are challenging you to think local! Here are some of our local Detroit ice cream suggestions:

ü  Treat Dreams. Ice cream pretty much is a dreamy treat, especially when it is churned on premises! Treat Dreams prides itself in concocting dairy creations that are new to everyone. Invented ice cream flavors include “maple bacon” and “mac and cheese.”

ü  Calder Dairy. Tired of eating all of the unhealthy pesticides and preservatives in “grocery store” ice cream? Calder Dairy ice cream is made with milk from its own heard of cows! If that isn't cool enough, you can have the ice cream delivered straight to your door from an old fashioned milk truck! How much “cooler” does it get?!

ü  Crooked Creek Farm Dairy. Another local staple that doesn’t include steroids, people travel from miles around to come to Crooked Creek! With over 16 flavors in-store at any time, Crooked Creek is totally worth the extra drive from Detroit.

ü  Mootown Ice Cream and Dessert Shoppe. Situated right in Detroit, Mootown is a deliciously cute ice cream parlor. Not only can you purchase huge ice cream cones, you can catch a bite to eat as well!

Whether you are flying in or out of Detroit Metro Airport, there is always enough time to catch a sweet bite to eat before leaving your car with Qwik Park!

Summer Concerts in Detroit

Going to be flying into Detroit Metro Airport sometime this summer? Live in the Detroit area and wondering what there is to do? Summer is the perfect time to attend concerts and shows and Detroit is no stranger to these events since the Metro area boasts many appropriate venues. Qwik Park has compiled a list of shows and concerts going on around the Detroit area this summer.

Check out some of our favorites:

Ø  Jimmy Buffet and the Coral Reefer Band. Jimmy Buffet’s island sounds are perfect for summer. Transport your senses to the tropics this July 26^th at Comerica Park in downtown Detroit as you move and groove with your fellow parrotheads.

Ø  2014 Rockstar Energy Drink Mayhem Festival. Metal rock music more your thing? Check out this event at the DTE Energy Music Theatre on July 17^th and rock out to Avenge Sevenfold, Korn, Askign Alexandria, Trivium, and a variety of other popular metal bands.

Ø  Chicago and REO Speedwagon. Country music lovers will flock to the DTE Energy Music Theatre on August 12^th to hear music legends croon their favorite anthems.

Ø  One Direction. Maybe you have tween-aged girls or maybe you just love English boy bands. Whatever your reason, err, excuse is, head to Ford Filed on either August 16^th or 17^th and sing along with Niall, Zayn, Liam, Harry, and Louis.

Ø  Wiz Khalifa. Rap lovers, we haven’t forgotten you! There is something for every kind of music lover in Detroit. Catch Wiz at the DTE Energy Music Theatre on August 10^th.

Ø  Tony Bennett. Like more traditional sounds of a bygone era? On August 15^th, head out to the Freedom Hill Amphitheatre to hear Tony Bennett sing 1950’s era favorites.

Don’t forget to make your free online parking reservation with Qwik Park the next time you fly out of Detroit Metro Airport. Airport parking has never been easier!

Documenting Your Trip out of DTW

Your far flung travels mean nothing if no one else ever knows about them! Whether you are travelling to a beautiful Caribbean island for a family vacation, or you are taking a business trip to Italy and venturing abroad for the first time ever, you will want to document your experience. Here are a variety of ways you can show the people back home that you are having a fantastic trip while they are stuck at work:

·         Start a blog. If you are going to be travelling for a long period of time, at least a month or longer, consider starting a blog using a platform such as Tumblr, Wordpress or Blogger. This method is useful for travellers who enjoy writing and is a good way of documenting your trip and communicating with friends and family back home.

·         Journal. Write interesting things down as they happen; kind of like blogging the old fashioned way! Keeping a journal is a quick, low tech way to document your vacation and will give you something useful to do in what would otherwise be wasted time.

·         Create photo albums online. Use a dedicated photo site such as Flickr, Picasa, Photobucket or even Facebook to upload your digital photos. These days, you can even upload directly from your Smartphone! Share these albums with family and friends over the internet and never worry about losing undeveloped film again.

·         Create a scrapbook. A scrapbook is a combination of blogging, journaling and photo album creation. Save newspapers, bus tickets, restaurant menus, anything and everything, and combine it all in a beautiful scrapbook that you will cherish for years to come.

Most importantly, don’t forget to leave your car in the care of Qwik Park during your trip out of Detroit Metro Airport.

Tips for Traveling with Teens

 Vacationing with teens…..is that an oxymoron? If you take the right approach, it doesn’t have to be! Sure, they can be moody, but more often than not teenagers are up for having a good time with their families. Here are some cool strategies to take your family vacation from “aaaggghhh” to ‘ahhhhh!” 

·         Ask for your teen’s input. If your teen is involved in the planning stages, he/she will feel more invested and the vacation will start off on the right foot.

 

·         Let everyone pick. Each family member gets to choose one thing for the entire family to do and everyone has to get on board. If you don’t complain during the kids’ pick, chances are they will be less apt to complain during yours.

 

·         Bend the rules. Letting your teen eat more junk food than dinner, and sleep in while you visit that ninth museum, will do wonders for your sanity. Keeping the peace will make your vacation that much more enjoyable.

 

·         Get their attention. Telling them you’re going to the biggest fort in the Caribbean? Boring. Telling them you’re going to see the place where Johnny Depp shot “that one scene” in Pirates of the Caribbean? Priceless! Once they are there, they will probably find more than a couple things that amuse them.

 

·         Set a budget. It’s easy to blow more money on vacation than you anticipated. Give your teens a budget for spending and let them keep the rest. They will be more likely to spend wisely if the money is theirs. 

 

·         Allow technology. As long as the data roaming bills aren’t exorbitant, and they aren’t doing it during dinner, a little texting never hurt anyone. Set a few [minimal] ground rules, and go ahead and let them brag about their trip on Facebook.

 

·         Let them sleep. Most teens love to sleep in, and vacation is the perfect time to rest.  You can take advantage of the quiet, plus get some “Me” time in!

 

Making your free online parking reservation with Qwik Park is just one more way to make your vacation ‘way cool!”