There are many ways to enjoy downtown Annapolis this holiday season, from Midnight Madness and Grand Illumination to the Parade of Lights. We want visitors to know there are a number of convenient parking options available, including several ways to park entirely free downtown this holiday season — five to be exact.
As in previous years, visitors can park free for three hours, seven days a week at downtown meters starting Nov. 29 through New Year’s Eve. The only difference for 2019 is that visitors secure those three hours via the free ParkMobile app, available on Apple and Google Play, using code ParkDTA.
Residents and visitors to Annapolis already use ParkMobile at downtown meters about 12,500 times each month. ParkMobile is used by more than 13 million people in North America, including Baltimore, Washington, Bethany Beach, Ocean City and Towson.
By shifting holiday three-hours free parking to an app-based program, Annapolis is preparing for a “mobile-first” future when parking meters won’t clutter the historic downtown landscape. It also prevents the damage that meters incurred in prior years when they were bagged, which made them inoperable and in need of repair or replacement. The app also allows Annapolis to easily offer parking promotions any time of year.
The key is to “know before you go” downtown. Download ParkMobile to your Apple or Android phone before you plan your downtown visit.
Next, set up an account by entering a username and password, vehicle information, and payment information. A credit card is required to establish an account, but no charge is incurred. Once parked at a meter, enter the parking zone code on the green sticker on your meter, or let ParkMobile enter your location automatically, then enter the code ParkDTA for three hours of free parking. Alternatively, call 877-727-5758 and provide the ParkDTA code.
Additional free parking options are available year-round. Here are a few.