Visiting NYC: 9 Must-Have iPhone Apps

So, you’re planning a visit to New York City? Lucky you! The food, the fashion, that funky subway smell – you’re going to love it all, I just know it. To prepare for your trip, you may have already begin to ask around for tips on where to stay, what to eat, and where to shop (duh, that’s all the important stuff). But, had it occurred to you to get your iPhone Manhattan-ready, too? If I had to venture a guess, I’d say – probably not.

As a (former and newly moved again) resident of the tiny isle of Manhattan, I often get asked by my friends and family back home what they should do while they’re in the city that never sleeps. I love to pass along my suggestions for what to stuff your face with, where to grab a drink, and the best places to expand your wardrobe – but, ya’ll, guess what? They make an app for that! Several apps, actually.

Is there an iPhone app that will tell me where and when the trains run, you ask? Or how to get the best deal on theatre tickets? What about one that will deliver eggs and bacon to you in bed at seven a.m.? Yes. Yes. And yes. Girl, I got you covered. Here are the nine best New York City apps I use, love, and think you should download before your feet hit the pavement here in the concrete jungle. Happy travels!

HopStop 

Door-to-door subway and bus directions for NYC – this one is a must-have. My first month in New York, I rarely took the subway for fear I’d get lost in the underground and consumed by some oversized rat. This app assures that doesn’t happen – and that I don’t wander aimlessly once I get back to street-level.

 

Exit Strategy 

Need help making your entrance or exit? Download this bad boy and shave minutes off your subway trip time. Knowing where to stand and what car to get in is critical to quickly and swiftly making your exit and getting back up to the world above. Never sure where to enter or exit the station to get where you need to go? Exit Strategy leads the way.

 

Seamless 

Food. To your door. Any time. Need I say more? Place delivery orders from your phone (it stores your credit card info and previous orders for easy re-ordering). It’s location based, so you don’t even really have to know your address (or what restaurants are within delivery distance of you) to have your favorite foods delivered to you day or night. Special instructions? Leave with the front desk, please!

 

Immaculate Infatuation 

An alternative to Yelp, this is for the real foodie in you – the perfect resource for honest, relatable perspectives on restaurants. Choose the ideal spot for the perfect date night, girls’ night out, or dinner with the parents. You can also find restaurants nearby, search according to categories (including “Perfect for”, “Cuisine”, “Neighborhood”, and “Proximity”).

 

Central Park NYC 

Green space can be disorienting after a few days spent in the concrete jungle, so be sure to download the Central Park Conservancy’s official app to guide the way. It includes a fully interactive map (so you can decide where you want to go), GPS location technology (so you don’t have to leave a trail of bread crumbs to get back out), and customizable notifications (so your phone can alert you to when you’re approaching one of the many park landmarks). Happy exploring!

 

TKTS 

They say the neon lights are bright on Broadway – they also say the tickets to see the shows on Broadway are wicked expensive. ‘Cause they are. The official TKTS app is the only way to get fast, accurate, real-time listings of all Broadway and Off Broadway shows. TKTS offers same-day tickets for up to 50% off full price – check ‘em out on-the-go and then make your way to one of three TKTS Discount Booths (Times Square, South Street Seaport, or Downtown Brooklyn) to pick your tickets up! Now that’s something to write home about.

 

NYC SampleSales 

This one is a no brainer – download and be instantly informed on the sample sales currently happening near you. No idea where you are and where that is in proximity to the sample sale you wish you were at? No problem. With this app, you’ll be alerted when a sample sale is within one mile of where you’re currently standing. DVF, Theory, YSL, Tory Burch? You’ll be there. And saving up to 80%.

 

New York City on the Cheap 

New York City, it’s the city that never sleeps. It’s also the city that makes sure you never save a penny of your paycheck. It’s not a cheap place, but this app helps you discover your inner cheapskate. Find free and low-cost museums, tours, restaurants, discount shopping, music and dance performances, and half-priced major sports events… all right here! Entries are sorted by name, category, neighborhood, price, and distance from where you are. Cha-ching. 

 

NYTimes The Scoop 

Your friends’ opinions are great. But you know whose opinions are even better? The Lifestyle editors and writers over at the New York Times. Download this app to get access to the NYT staff’s favorite things – restaurants, bars, coffee shops, art openings, shows, and day trips? They’ve got you covered. The app will even let you find recommendations for things to do near your current location. Then, make your friends jealous with the integrated social sharing and alert them via Facebook, Twitter, or Foursquare about what you’re up to in the city that never sleeps.

 

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