The Best Fall Festivals to Enjoy this Year

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The fall is a great time to attend some festivals and special events in New York City. You can find parking nearby for these events. In New York City, drivers, on average, spend 107 hours a year looking for parking spots. These festivals and events offer entertainment and parking nearby, a winning combination. We will discuss the New York Film Festival at Lincoln Center, Feast of San Gennaro, and the Governors Ball Music Festival. If you have a parking app, you can reserve parking ahead of time or search for parking in the area.

Events to Attend

The New York Film Festival will be from September 24 to October 10. Films are shown at several local theaters in the area. Tickets can be purchased online. They show a variety of films, documentaries, and short videos on a variety of topics and themes. Tickets are available for all shows and dates at this time. Some features have limited tickets available. Use your parking app to find parking at the Lincoln 63 located at 30 W 63rd St. and 64th Parking at 20 W 64th St or 21 W 64th St.

The 95th Feast of San Gennaro will be held in Little Italy on Mulberry Street from September 16-26. The festival will have food, eating competitions, music, religious processions, masses, bands, concerts, and opera. Each day has special events planned on the website to attend. It honors the first responders for 9/11 and their families. Plan ahead by looking for and reserving parking on your parking app.

The Governors Ball and Music Festival runs September 24-26 in Citifield NYC. It has four stages and entertainment for those that attend. It has food, alcohol, beverages, and shopping. Tickets are available online. There is a listing of entertainment and food and beverage vendors on the website. Look for parking for this event at Queens LIC on 31st Street and Quik Park Crescent on 24th St.

Using Parking Apps

A parking app can help you reserve a parking spot ahead of time. It can help you find a spot among hundreds of spaces with other vehicles. Some apps have the ability for you to pay for your spot and input the time that you stay. You can often pay using the app or by phone.

Plan ahead to attend these fall festivals and use your parking app to book parking ahead when you plan to drive. These are some of the most entertaining festivities that you don’t want to miss, and you especially don’t want hassles with parking to eat up the time you could be spending enjoying yourself.

Happy Hispanic Heritage Month! 5 Ways to Celebrate

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Hispanic Heritage month kicks off on September 15 and runs through October 15. There are a lot of ways you can celebrate the great Hispanic culture in the tri-state area. If you are not ready to take the plunge and join festivities in person or are not ready to deal with NYC traffic or worry about NYC safe parking, don’t worry because there are also ways you can celebrate virtually.

There is something for everyone when it comes to ways to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month. Try these five ways to celebrate.

Virtual Options

Don’t let NYC parking problems like finding NYC safe parking among the hustle and bustle keep you from celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month. Parking can be tough in NYC. It is estimated that drivers spend about 107 hours a year looking for parking in NYC. Here are two virtual options for celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month.

  1. A La Calle Block Party: Attend the Ballet Hispanico’s annual block party online. You can catch the block party on YouTube. It is a great event that will immerse you in Hispanic dance culture.
  2. Hispanic Heritage Virtual Run: Latinos Run is hosting a virtual 5k run that you can do at your own pace between Sept. 15 and Oct. 17.

These two virtual celebrations are a great way to get involved and support the Hispanic community.

In-Person Options

Please note that if you are going to celebrate in person in NYC, NYC safe parking is not the only thing you will need to worry about before you head out. You will need to provide proof of vaccination to attend most events.

  1. El Museo del Barrio, 1230 Fifth Ave: Until September 26, the work of 42 Latinx artists will be featured at the El Museo del Barrio.
  2. Camera Club of New York, 126 Baxter St: Queer Colombian-American Antonio Pulgarin merges both queer culture and Colombian culture through lens art.
  3. In Crown Heights, Brooklyn: On October 9, the largest Panamanian parade outside of Panama will take place. The parade starts on Bergen Street and Franklin Ave and ends on Classon Ave at a street fair.

Other Ways to Celebrate

Hispanic Heritage Month is a great time to take that deep dive into Hispanic culture. Educate yourself on the Hispanic cultures around the globe. There are plenty of virtual and in-person events for everyone. So start planning now and have a wonderful time!

Make Your Staycation Worth It: 3 Amazing Hotels in NYC and Boston

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When you’re traveling, you don’t want to stay in just any hotel. You want to make sure that you’re getting your money’s worth while also ensuring you and your family are comfortable and able to relax. This is especially true when you’re traveling in New York City and Boston. These major cities have a lot to do and a lot to see, which makes it even more important for your hotel stay to be as relaxing and luxurious as possible.

The good news is that, if you’re looking for a place to stay in the Big Apple or Boston, there are three hotels that will set the stage.

M Social Hotel Times Square

M Social Hotel Times Square New York is a contemporary and stylish hotel located in Times Square at 226 W 52nd St. The rooms are modern and charming with beautiful views and a maximum capacity of four. Amenities include free Wi-Fi, a restaurant and bar, and a gym. The hotel also offers special offers including New Year’s Eve Exclusives, Girlfriend Getaways, and a Homecoming Concert Experience Package.

While you’re staying at the M Social Hotel in Times Square, you can secure your parking at one of the two nearby Icon Parking garages with our contactless parking app. You can rent a parking spot either at HJ Parking on 851 8th Ave or 301-309 W 51st St or you can rent a part spot at our Circle Parking garage on 209 W 51st or 200-206 W 52nd St.

The Knickerbocker

The Knickerbocker hotel is another amazing hotel located right in the heart of Manhattan in Times Square. This luxury hotel once played host to a wide range of famous historical and political figures and consists of 330 rooms along with four tribute suites and 27 junior suites. The hotel has a contemporary, luxe style and customized floorplans with 6-foot windows, 8-foot doors, and 12-foot ceilings.

If you’re looking for safe and secure guaranteed parking during your stay at The Knickerbocker hotel, you can use Icon Parking’s contactless NYC parking app to access one of our city parking garages at the Regal Parking garage on 11 E 38th St.

InterContinental Boston

If you’re taking a trip down to Boston, MA, whether it’s to do some whale watching with the family or to catch a Red Sox game, you can relax and unwind in the InterContinental Boston hotel. This hotel, located at 510 Atlantic Ave, is centrally located and just a six-minute walk from the Boston Children’s Museum. The hotel has 424 rooms with iPod docking stations, flat-screen TVs, and wireless Internet access with a surcharge.

If you’re looking for quality parking while you’re in Boston without having to waste time and money looking for a parking spot, be sure to open the Icon Parking parking app to find a spot at our Boston Atlantic Parking garage at 500 Atlantic Ave. The average car in the U.S. is parked 95% of the time, and many of the attractions you’ll see while you’re in Boston you can access on foot. With Icon Parking, you can feel confident knowing your vehicle is safe and secure during your stay. We even offer EV charging stations to power your vehicle while you’re parked.

Ready to book your parking spot with Icon Parking? Contact us today or use our contact-less parking app to rent a spot near your hotel.

5 Fun Museums for the Whole Family to Visit in NYC

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The Metropolitan Museum of Art isn’t the only amazing museum in New York City. Families coming to visit the Big Apple this year can find their own fair share of kid-friendly and super-fun museums to visit that will keep everyone entertained. Here are five incredible museums to visit on your next trip.

The Sloomoo Institute

The Sloomoo Institute is an absolute blast and is open for six months in Soho before moving to another city. Dubbed a sensory haven, the Sloomoo Institute is an art institute dedicated to slime, giving kids and grown-ups alike the chance to touch, smell, and hear a wide variety of different slimes. Visit for a guided tour or book a virtual class. You can find parking at Icon Parking’s monthly parking garages at 11 E 1st Street or 156 Crosby Street.

Museum of Ice Cream

The NYC Museum of Ice Cream is a sweet experience the whole family will love. The museum isn’t just a retail store but an interactive experience allowing families to play, dance, taste, and connect with different and colorful installations in a multi-sensory space with over three flours of activities. Some of the key exhibitions you can expect include the Sprinkle Pool, Rainbow Tunnel, and an indoor Ice Cream Portal. You can find parking at one of Icon Parking’s NYC safe parking garages at 11 E 1st Street or 22 E 1st Street.

Bryant Park Picnic Performances

Picnic Performances at Bryant Park have returned now through September 1. You can enjoy 25 different in-person and live performances of dance and theatre. Nearly all of the events are available at no cost to eventgoers due to the support of Bank of America. To find parking for these performances, book a parking space at Icon Parking’s garage at 20 E 39th Street.

Color Factory

The Color Factory in NYC is a collaboratively-produced art experience. Like the Museum of Ice Cream and the Sloomoo Institute, the Color Factory is a sensory experience that urges visitors to embrace their inner child and play. You can find parking for the Color Factory at Icon Parking’s garages at 375 Hudson St and 118 Varick St.

Shakespeare in the Park

From now through September 18, eventgoers in Central Park can enjoy free performances of Merry Wives, an adaptation of Shakespeare’s The Merry Wives of Windsor, by Jocelyn Bioh, directed by Saheem Ali. You can book parking for the event at Icon Parking’s city parking garages at 68 East 80th Street and 4 E 87th Street.

Guarantee Your Parking With Icon Parking

It’s no secret that finding a parking spot in New York City can be downright impossible. In fact, the average U.S. driver will spend up to 17 hours a year looking for a parking spot while the average New Yorker will spend 107 hours looking for a spot. With Icon Parking’s contactless parking apps, you don’t need to worry about finding a parking spot. In fact, you can book a spot in one of our city parking garages right nearby the museums you’re going to visit.

Simply download our contactless parking apps, find a parking garage near the location you’re visiting, and book a spot. Your parking spot will be waiting for you when you arrive. For more information about our contactless parking apps, parking plans, EV parking stations, or how to book with us, contact Icon Parking today. We’ll be more than happy to answer any questions you may have.

4 Awesome Upcoming Events to Do in NYC This August and September

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New York City is known for its incredible nightlife, amazing events, spectacular Broadway shows, and more. Whether you’re a local or you’re traveling to the city, here are some awesome things you can do this August and September in the Big Apple.

1. Homecoming Week: Mega Concert at the Great Lawn

Homecoming Week is a citywide celebration in New York City. After a rough 2020, Homecoming Week this year certainly hits different. While Homecoming Week has already begun, starting on August 14, it’s still running through August 22. One of the biggest celebrations you don’t want to miss during this amazing week is the Mega Concert at the Great Lawn in Central Park on August 21. Featured musicians you can expect at the concert include Jon Batiste; Andrea Bocelli; Kane Brown; LL Cool J; Elvis Costello; Lucky Daye; Journey; Earth, Wind, and Fire; Bruce Springsteen; and many more.

Of course, NYC comprises over two-fifths of NYS’s entire population, so parking can be a major hassle. The good news is that Icon Parking has you covered. Rent a space at our city parking garages over at 1056 5th Ave or at our parking garage on Claridge 87 on E 87th Street.

2. Springsteen on Broadway

If you love Springsteen so much you not only want to see him at the Mega Concert on the 21st but also want to see him on Broadway, check out Springsteen on Broadway at the St. James Theatre now through September 4. You can find safe, secure, and sanitary parking for the show at Icon Parking’s city parking garages at Westside 42 Parking garage.

3. U.S. Tennis Open 2021

If you’re a big fan of tennis, be sure to check out the 2021 U.S. Tennis Open, the 141st edition of the final Grand Slam event for the year. The 2021 U.S. Tennis Open will take place at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in NYC between August 30 and September 12. Naomi Osaka and Dominic Thiem are the women’s and men’s singles defending champions. You can book parking for the event at Icon Parking’s city parking garages at Queens LIC on 30-02 39th Ave and Quik Park Crescent at 43-08 Crescent Street.

4. Five Boro Bike Tour by TD Bank

The Five Boro Bike Tour by TD Bank is a fundraising event by nonprofit organization Bike New York, which promotes cycling as a healthy and sustainable means of transportation in the city. Funds from the event will go to support the return of in-person cycling classes. If you’re looking to park your vehicle to take part in the event, you can access Icon Parking’s NYC parking app and book a spot at our city parking garages at 8th St Parking or University 10 Parking.

Guarantee Your Spot With Icon Parking

When you’re looking for guaranteed parking for a show or event, you can find NYC safe parking with Icon Parking. Our contact-less app makes for a safe and sanitary way to park your vehicle at our parking garage and you can feel confident knowing your vehicle is safe with us. To learn more about our city parking garages or to book a space, contact us today.

Be An Icon

Icon Parking Employee New YorkAre you looking for a rewarding career! Icon Parking is a successful company that puts its employees first with annual increases and same day instant pay. Demand for parking in NYC is continuing to grow, and Icon is ready to recruit and hire parking attendants to work in its garage facilities across New York City.

Garage Attendants get Union Benefits

When you work for Icon, you are part of a workforce that has access to a wide range of benefits. Every team member receives paid time off, union benefits, annual increases, and same day instant pay. We also have a policy of promoting from within, and the majority of our senior staff started with the company as garage attendants, then worked their way up.

City-wide Coverage

Icon owns over 125 parking facilities across the city. This means that there’s usually one near you! Where possible, we try to match our valet attendants with a location that’s convenient to them. No matter where you live in NY, there will be an Icon parking lot near you.

Come and Join the fun

Icon Parking recognizes that the company is only as good as its employees. Our valet attendants are the customer-facing aspect of our organization – the people who can make a real difference to the experience our customers have. We value our parking attendants – not only do they enjoy an excellent package of benefits, recognizing the unique and special contribution that each team member makes to the success of our venture. Our growth over the past sixty years is, in a large part, down to the dedication and commitment of our valet attendants and other team members. If you or someone else you know is interested in joining the Icon team, please apply online and enjoy all the benefits that working for Icon brings!

Incorporate Apply Now

https://iconparkingsystems.com/careers

How to Find a Parking Space in NYC More Efficiently

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Every year, drivers spend at least 17 hours searching for the best place to park. And this problem is particularly prominent in New York City. With so many people in a relatively small geographical area, it is crucial to know how to minimize your parking search and make it more effective.

Understand Alternate Side Parking

NYC often has areas that use alternate side parking through different times of the day, week, month, and year. When seeking out a place to park in your neighborhood or anywhere, you have to go during the day and research what side you need to park on for that day. Approach the street from the direction of the side you must park on to ensure that you increase your chance of finding a parking spot.

Know When Parking Is Suspended

Parking rules such as alternate side parking and parking meters are often suspended on significant holidays in NYC. As a result, you’ll find yourself with more open opportunities for a parking spot during these days. Try to locate spots where you usually cannot park and head to them early in the morning before other people are up to get a spot that works for your needs.

Consider Renting a Parking Area

While it is not cheap, many people rent parking spots for their vehicles to cut back on wasted time sitting around looking for a parking spot. You’ll have to find an available area near you or your workplace that offers this option. Make sure to integrate this into your budget to ensure that you don’t end up paying too much and struggling to stay focused on your parking needs.

Use Parking Apps

Lastly, it is good to download parking apps that show you different spots where you can park in town. These apps automatically update you on parking availability throughout NYC and even let you pay your meter right from your phone. Instead of carrying around useless pocket change, you can use your phone and track how long you have left before you run out of time.

Whether you use parking apps or other help for this situation, it is essential to make sure that you minimize your wasted time by following these steps. Doing so will make it easier to get to and from work and reduce the constant struggle to find the best spot for your parking situation.

Simple Ways to Make Sure You Get to Work On Time

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Getting to work on time can be difficult, especially if you live in the city. Between traffic and parking, you could end up cutting it close every day unless you know some tips and tricks to make the process easier.

1. Time Yourself and Get Prepared the Night Before

Set a timer to help you get out of the house faster and to help ensure that you get out the door when you need to. Think about the things you need to do in the morning to get ready for work and allocate the time you need to complete everything. This can take a few days to get right, but it can be well worth it.

Similarly, you should think of the things that you can pre-prepare the night before to cut down on what you need to do in the morning. For instance, you can prepare your breakfast or lunch the night before and have it ready to go when you wake up. You can also lay out the clothes you want to wear and not have to worry about going through your closet in the morning.

2. Don’t Hit That Snooze Button

We’ve all been there when the alarm seems to go off way too soon and you’ll do anything to milk every second of extra sleep that you can get. However, this can set you back in the morning and leave you scrambling to get to work on time.

If you’re waking up feeling too tired in the morning, consider trying to set an early bedtime if possible. Limit screentime before bed and give yourself a chance to relax and fall asleep so that you can feel well-rested in the morning.

3. Rent a Parking Spot

If you work in the city and are tired of wasting time in the morning searching for parking, you can consider booking a parking spot in advance. In New York City alone, drivers waste an average of 107 hours every year looking for parking, and this definitely can have an impact on your workweek.

Services like Icon Parking Systems enable you to book a spot in many city parking garages, ensuring that you can drive in and park without any hassle.

Saving Time so That You Can Be on Time

These three tips may seem like small changes, but they can have huge effects when it comes to getting to work on time. Consider making these changes to your schedule so that you can stop wasting time and start being on time every day.

What Are the Benefits of an Electric Vehicle?

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If you are thinking about getting a new vehicle, you may be considering an electric one. However, electric vehicles aren’t as well understood by most consumers as standard cars are. To help you understand why an electric vehicle can be a good choice, here is what you need to know about the benefits.

1. They Are Better for the Environment

This may seem obvious, but it cannot be overstated. Electric vehicles are much better for the environment than other varieties. Fully electric vehicles are even better than hybrids. This is because they lack an exhaust system and thus have no emissions. Because of this, they don’t release fumes into the air like gas-powered cars. As more people switch to electric vehicles, fewer greenhouse gases are emitted through driving.

2. They Require Less Maintenance

Electric vehicles also require much less maintenance than other vehicles. This is because they don’t require the same maintenance that gas engines do. For instance, they don’t need oil, and they often require fewer brake replacements throughout their lives.

The only real difficulty that they will face is in regards to finding an EV charging station. While most cities and suburbs have installed charging stations at selected places for drivers of electric vehicles, more rural drivers may have difficulty finding them. However, installing a charging port at your home negates this difficulty.

3. Electric Car Lanes

In some places, HOV — high occupancy vehicle — lanes are used by carpooling drivers, but they are often also available for use by electric vehicles, even if you’re not carpooling. This can help you get around quicker and beat the rush when you’re going to a destination.

For instance, nearly 63% of over 6,000 drivers who were surveyed said that they avoided driving to places like airports, shopping sites, sports centers, and other destinations due to difficulty parking. However, when you can take advantage of the carpool lanes on highways, you can leave everyone else in the dust and get to a destination before everyone else. It’s a win-win!

The Vehicles of the Future

As more and more people opt to invest in electric cars, they are quickly becoming the cars of the future. If you are looking for a new vehicle, consider how an electric car can benefit you (and the environment). You can even install a charging port at your home to ensure that your car is always juiced up and ready to go.

How Employee Parking Plans Can Benefit You

employee parking plans Parking problems, like congestion or a lack of accessible parking, have the potential to stir up a great deal of tension. Tenants, employees, customers, and tourists vie for available parking in New York City on a day-to-day basis.

Do your employees a great kindness by saving them the hassle of finding reliable parking in Manhattan. Here are just a few perks of providing corporate parking for employees.

Promote Good Habits

The average U.S. driver will spend as many as 17 hours annually looking for a parking spot. Those 17 hours amount to $345 in lost time, emissions, and fuel costs. If you task employees with finding a spot day-in and day-out, you will likely feel the brunt of that cost — with multiple employees — over time.

That is where employee parking plans come in. One of the very best perks of employee parking plans is availability. Employees will always have a place to park. That means that you and your staff members will receive fewer calls from employees on their way into work about driving around trying to find a spot. Available parking — or lack thereof — will not affect employees’ ability to come into work on time and it certainly won’t be a regular excuse day after day.

Plus, if an employee is going to be very late, take a half-day, or call in sick, you will have plenty of parking available for the person covering for them as well.

Keep Employees Happy

While it’s true that employee parking plans benefit you by encouraging employees to find parking quickly and be on time, corporate parking also keeps your workers happy.

No one likes circling around, again and again, to see if a parking spot has opened up, nor do they like parking long distances away from where they need to be because that was the only available spot. Both scenarios can put your employees in a bad mood before they even walk through the door. Corporate parking solves this problem and increases job satisfaction.

Use Parking as an Extra Incentive

Many employees feel extra motivated by winning awards like ‘Employee of the Month’ and getting little perks from that title, like a parking spot especially close to the building. Designate a coveted spot, and let employees know that it is up for grabs based on their work performance.

Keep employees happy, on time, and extra motivated by investing in corporate parking or employee parking plans.