Where to eat at MSP Concourse A

                                                                                                   Photo Credit: Itasca Grille

Imagine the following scenario: You ride the tram, get through Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport security, and arrive at Concourse A hungry. Now that you are on the airside of MSP there is no sense in going back through security just to get a bite to eat. Check out some of the delicious offerings MSP Concourse A has to offer:

Concourse A

·         Quizno’s Subs. ($). Since Quizno’s is “build your own sub,” it is perfect for vegetarian and vegan travelers.

·         Godfather’s Pizza. ($). Build your own pizza’s suit everyone’s taste! Godfather’s offers a variety of beverages and to go selections.

·         Caribou Coffee. ($). If you want a break from traditional Starbucks coffee, try the Guittard Chocolate Mocha. Forgetting a gift for someone? Pick up a pound of fresh coffee beans.

·         Skol Café and Bar. ($$). Relax in a Scandinavian inspired environment and sip on a glass of wine or beer accompanied by a yummy cold sandwich.

·         Itasca Grille. ($$). Looking for something a little more substantial? Try some chicken quesadillas, Portobello mushroom sandwiches, or fresh burgers with crispy fries!

Don’t forget to make your free online reservation with Team Parking! We will get you to your terminal with enough time to grab a bit to eat before your MSP flight. Stay tuned for our next post on where to eat at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport Concourse C.  

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Where to Eat at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport

 

Once you are dropped off at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport by Team Parking’s complementary shuttle, you may want to get a quick bite to eat before proceeding to your terminal. Whether you prefer to sit down at a nice restaurant, pick up a light lunch, or grab a quick bit to eat on the go, there is something for everyone at MSP!

Location: The Mall at MSP

1.      Starbucks. ($) (4:30am-9:00pm). It’s Starbucks, need we say more?

 

2.      French Meadow Bakery. ($). (5:00am-9:00pm). French Meadow offers a large selection of delicious vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free dining options. They also serve breakfast daily.

 

3.      Surdyk’s Flights. ($$) (8:00am-9:00pm). Surdyks offers fancy sandwiches for on the go travelers and small plates and wine for those of you who have a bit more time to kill. If you need to pick up a last minute present for someone, Surdyk’s sells bottles of wine.

 

4.      Ike’s. ($$) (6:00am-9:00pm). Ike’s boasts fine dining with a retro elegant atmosphere. They have a large wine and liquor selection, chef’s carving station, and a unique array of hearty dishes. Bonus: they offer complimentary warm chocolate chip cookies!

 

5.      Wok & Roll. ($) (8:00am-9:00pm). Wok & Roll has been serving authentic Chinese cuisine since 1985 offers grab and go foods to take and eat on your flight. Trained chefs prepare fresh sushi daily.

Make your free online reservation with Team Parking and stay tuned for Team Parking’s next article on where to eat once you arrive at your airside terminal!

In-Flight Entertainment 101

Unless you are one of the lucky few who can sleep on a plane, you are going to have to get creative in order to pass the time between take-off and touch down. Banish the boredom of flying for hours on end by planning ahead for your next flight with these creative ideas:

·         Download movies to your smartphone before leaving home. You won’t need internet connection to watch them.

·         If you are traveling around the holidays, take this uninterrupted time to write out your Christmas cards. If you are flying to or from your honeymoon, use the flight to get a jump start on your thank you notes.

·         Organize your digital photos on your computer. This way, you will know just what folder to go to the next time Great Aunt Iris wants to see “that photo of you with the monkey.”

·         If your travels are taking you to a foreign land, check out some language books from the library and learn the native tongue on the flight over.

·         Bring a notebook and make up short stories about the people sitting around you. Describe the person, where you think they are going and what you think they are doing.

·         Want to feel productive? Use this opportunity to polish your proposal or work on next week’s homework.

Plan ahead with Team Parking! Make your free online parking reservation with us the next time you fly out of Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport.

 

Seven Simple Tips for Winter Packing

The holidays are stressful enough without having to shove every coat and scarf you own into a suitcase for winter travel. Stop shoving, pushing and pulling your luggage for hours, waiting for your clothes to magically compact themselves! Instead, make things easier on yourself by taking a look at the list below:

Ø  Choose synthetic fabrics. They will keep you warm and snuggly and are less likely to be fluffy and take up precious space.

Ø  Hats are the secret to staying warm! Make sure you pack a hat that covers your ears and the back of your neck for maximum warmth. Additional flaps or needless furry decorations just waste space.

Ø  Mix and mach. Have three to four pairs of warm pants that you can wear with three to four different sweaters in a variety of exciting combinations.

Ø  Don’t forget to layer. Bring t-shirts, thin long sleeve shirts and fleece tops. Layer them under your outfits accordingly.

Ø  Take care of your toes. A solid pair of boots is a must for winter travel. Wear them on the airplane to save space. Make sure that your winter travel shoes are weatherproof and dark colored so they won’t show stains from mud or slush.

Ø  Gloves=TLBT. Your gloves should be thin, light, breathable and waterproof. Pack gloves with some kind of grip and make sure they are of the quick drying kind.

Ø  Sunscreen: Not just for the beach. A windburn, or sunburn from reflection off of snow or ice is every bit as painful as summer sunburn. Take precautions.

Don’t get stuck in the cold! Make your free parking reservation with Team Parking and we will keep your car warm during your trip.

 

Ten Tips for Flying with Children

Flying with children can be a daunting task, whether you are an experienced flyer or first time traveler. Fortunately, some strategic planning can help make flying with children a fun and relaxed experience for you and your kids. Here are 10 tips to make your life a little easier:

1.      Let your child have her own carry on. She will feel like a “big girl” and you can fill it with little distractions and snacks to keep her busy during the flight.

2.      Plan around your usual routine. If you can, plan your flight when your child is most calm and pleasant. Only you know when your child takes naps, eats meals or becomes fussy.

3.      Know your TSA rules. Kids under the age of 12 do not have to take their shoes off for TSA security. In addition, baby formula, breast milk and medications are allowed in excess of 3.4 ounces in reasonable quantities for the flight and do not have to be placed in a clear zip-top baggie. You must tell the TSA officer you are carrying these liquids at the beginning of screening.

4.      Spring for a seat. While airlines allow you to hold your child on your lap until they're 2 years old, this is hard on a long flight. If you can afford it, buy an extra seat for the baby.

5.      Don’t take out the toys too soon. If you buy your child new books or toys for the flight, wait until the meltdown begins and then bring out your secret weapon.

6.      Suck it up. If you don’t usually let your kids watch TV or play games for extended periods, now is the time to suck it up and realize it won’t do permanent damage. Knowing they are being allowed to do something that is usually off-limits is a huge draw.

7.      Bring a spare shirt for yourself. Spills and spit up are inevitable. You will appreciate the clean smell around your upper body.

8.      Snacks and sippy cups. Pack durable snacks that are familiar to your child. Don’t forget to pack an empty sippy cup so you can fill it with juice or water mid-flight.

9.      Magazine scavenger hunts. Make a list of 10 things such a woman or a hotel, and have your kids find them using the magazines in the seat pockets.

10.   Who cares what other people think. Say hi to everyone and be cordial, but remember there is a good chance that you won’t see these people again. You are doing your best to make the experience pleasant for everyone and that is all that matters.

Stress less! Reserve your parking today with Team Parking.  

Just a Reminder!

 

        It is mid-September, and it is no secret that summer is coming to a close this weekend! Winter will soon descend upon us with freezing weather and tons of snow. Team Parking is proud to offer secure covered and uncovered ramp and garage parking to help protect your car from the elements. Avoid the harsh winter weather and park with Team Parking on your next trip out of Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP).

In case you forgot, here are several features you will enjoy at Team Parking:

·         Self Ramp Parking

·         Well Lit, Secure Garage

·         24/7 Complimentary Shuttle

·         Corporate Discounts Available

·         All Major Credit Cards Accepted

·         Free Online Reservations to Save You Time

 

 

Traveling During Inclement Weather

        It is now September, and before you know it, the autumn season will be upon us. For those who live up north, this means saying goodbye to sunny warm weather and hello to severe weather and snow. Traveling out of the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport [MSP] during the colder months of the year can be challenging. Read on for tips on how to navigate travel during inclement weather.

v  When you arrive at the airport, park your car offsite with Team Parking and rest assured that we will take care of it during the cold months.

v  Get forecasts before you leave the house. Check your destination and departure cities. If something looks amiss or if there is already flight delays for impending foul weather, call the airline to check the status of your flight.

v  The weather at your departure and destination cities looks perfect but it is the connecting city that is experiencing unpleasant conditions? See if you can reroute the connection to an airport with no delays.

v  Do not stray too far from your gate if you are already at the airport. Gate attendants often make important announcements in the event of a flight delay or cancellation including, but not limited to, information on flight status, alternative flight options, hotel offers etc. These are announcements you will want to hear.

v  If you end up needing to make alternate arrangements, use your airline’s 1-800 numbers. This will be much quicker and less stressful than standing in line at the kiosk at the airport with the 85 other people who need to reroute as well.