Minneapolis is an awesome city to visit and live in. With a thriving artistic and musical scene combined with great dining and that signature Minnesota-nice attitude, you’d be remiss to miss out on the gem of the Land of 1,000 lakes!
That being said, like all urban areas, the city has one key issue: parking. In any heavily populated area, space is limited, translating not only into housing but also parking. Luckily, the pros at Unparalleled Parking, your preferred Twin Cities valet company, are here to help.
Let’s discuss some things you need to know before you put your car in park – and, if you already live here, some tips that will help make your driving life a thousand times easier!
1. Get Good at Parallel Parking
It’s not the most popular kind of parking, to say the least – and for good reason. It requires finesse, patience, and coolness under pressure.
Luckily, these are all things that valet parking services workers have to get good at on the job, and even more luckily, you can find an entire blog we’ve written on mastering this type of parking.
If there’s one thing you take out of that blog, it’s this: practice makes perfect, so don’t be afraid to go out and master the skill and perhaps enjoy the nostalgic flashback to driver’s ed. It might feel a bit weird at first, but you’ll be the hero of your friend group if you can parallel park their cars—and you’ll make sure you can always find a spot in even the most crowded streets.
2. Cars Can Turn Right on Red
Where not otherwise indicated, of course. This rule doesn’t apply to driving in all locales—local law can prohibit it—but it does in Minnesota, so some newcomers are shocked when they see cars sneaking into traffic when the light, for all other purposes, tells them not to. But this is a driving rule, so how does it apply to parking?
Because drivers don’t have the right of way when they make these sorts of turns, as per Auto Deal, it’s not uncommon for them to play it a little reckless, especially on busy city streets. If you’re parallel parking your car near an intersection, you’ll want to make sure you get as close to the curb as you can to avoid any fender benders when you’re not around.
3. Take Advantage of Valet Parking Services When you Can
Parking here can get hairy, even for experienced drivers. It’s a good thing that a plethora of businesses, from hospitals to restaurants and hotels, are beginning to offer the services of a valet company for their clientele. When the pros handle the parking, it’s a weight off your shoulders—so don’t hesitate to seek their help.
4. Use the App for Convenience and Ease of On-Street Parking
Even for the most veteran driver, parking downtown can be a massive headache between finding and paying for a spot. Minneapolis’s MPLS has been a dedicated option since 2016 but has now been replaced with a new app called Flowbird.
Switching over is easy, and most of your information will, but you will need to create a new password and update your payment info. The program allows you to add time to your session from your device, and you will get notifications via text or e-mail if the parking spot is running out of time.
It also comes with a web browser version that gives you a convenient list of metered parking areas, the time limits, and rates associated with the space, and if you work or frequent downtown, you can set up auto-pay for monthly parking to save yourself some time.
Unparalleled Parking: Five-Star Saint Paul Valet Services
Are you a Twin Cities business looking to jump on the valet parking services bandwagon? Let Unparalleled Parking show you what it’s all about. With over a decade of experience and undeniable five-star ratings, you know you are working with a company you can count on! Reach our Minneapolis office online or give us a call today at 651-300-1515.