10 Must-Have Travel Apps for Exploring New York

Photo by rakkhi

A city as big as New York has something for everyone, but you’re going to need to be clued up to get the most out of it. Luckily, this no longer means lugging around a bunch of heavy guidebooks in your backpack. Now all you need is a few wisely chosen apps on your iPhone or Android device. We do the hard work for you by selecting our top 10 NYC travel apps of the year.    

1. 9/11 Memorial

iPhone, iPad, Android, Windows (free)

Visiting the National September 11 Memorial & Museum? 9/11 Memorial serves as a poignant reminder of this tragic event. The app includes a walking tour of the area around the World Trade Centre with photos and audio narration. It also lets you listen to first-hand accounts of 9/11 from volunteers, rescue workers and residents of Lower Manhattan.

2. Tweat.it

iPhone, iPad, Android (free)

NYC’s eclectic food trucks throw an interesting wild card into the lunchtime mix, but finding them can be a whole other story. Tweat.it makes your life easier by mapping truck locations in real-time based on their tweets. Whether your four-wheeled favourite is the Milk Truck (for shakes and grilled cheese) or Fishing Shrimp (for seafood), Tweat.it has you covered.

3. MoMA

iPhone, iPad, Android (free)

New York’s most important modern art gallery takes on a whole new meaning with the MoMA app installed on your device. Find out what’s on each floor, learn more about the artworks and listen to audio tours from world-renowned experts. You can even take a photo of your favourite work and send it to a friend using the MoMA Snaps feature.

4. HopStop

iPhone, iPad, Android, Windows (free)

 

The NYC public transport system is second to none, but it can be a bit overwhelming at first. That’s where HopStop comes in. This no-frills app for iPhone, Android and Windows lets you locate subway stations and bus stops near you. It also keeps you up-to-date on delays and disruptions, while letting you know which stations have buggy or wheelchair access. Ideal!

5.  New York City Cocktail Compass

iPhone (free)

Impress your pals with your hipster knowledge of New York’s best watering holes with Cocktail Compass. This download for drinks lovers helps you locate nearby Happy Hours and tells you how long you’ve got left. And when you’re done drinking, Cocktail Compass will help you call a cab home.

6. HotelClub

iPhone, iPad (free)

 

HotelClub’s awesome hotel booking app combines the best features of its rivals with a slicker design and more intuitive interface. Sift through hundreds of NYC hotel options according to user ratings, price and neighbourhood. Once you’ve found the room of your dreams, you can book it with just a few taps of your iPhone. Returning customers can take advantage of HotelClub’s Member Rewards scheme to earn money off future reservations. Perfect for frequent travellers!

7. NYTimes: The Scoop

iPhone, iPad (free)

New York Times contributors really know their stuff when it comes to what’s happening in NY, which is why The Scoop is such an indispensable download. It’ll inform you of the best coffee shops, restaurants and concerts, while avoiding the usual tourist traps. The Scoop assumes you’ve been to the Statue of Liberty and takes you to 5 Pointz Aerosol Art Center, Long Island instead.

8. MapMatcher New York

iPhone, iPad (free)

Prize for most innovative NY travel app has got to go to MapMatcher New York. This quirky tool gives you a glimpse of the city’s history by exploring multiple maps simultaneously. Compare New York in 1866 with New York now to see how the city has changed – and see your own GPS location imposed on both. You can also overlay the subway map to see where those train tracks run beneath your feet.

9. CultureNOW: Guidebook for the Museum without Walls

iPhone, iPad ($1.99)

Why pay $20 for a ticket to an art gallery when you can see New York’s crazy public artworks for free? CultureNOW points you towards the sculptures lining the streets and subway stations. It’s a veritable encyclopaedia of New York installations containing audio tours (e.g. ‘Cultural and Historical 125^th Street’), expert podcasts and background reading to replace all the books in your bag.

10. New York BlackBook

iPhone, iPad, Android (free)

Created by the popular blog of the same name, New York BlackBook gathers local night-owls, club kids and foodies in one place to give you the lowdown on the hippest places to hang out. Besides insider info, BlackBook offers exclusive perks like VIP treatment, free drinks and queue jumps – just show your phone at the venue to claim them.