This list of the best apps to use when visiting New York City was written by Yana Zaytseva, co-founder of New York Simply (an official NYC partner of Apple Maps) and a NYC local.
Visiting a new place (especially one as big as New York City) is overwhelming, but there’s technology to relieve some of the stress. With a little research, you can turn the cliche phrase, “There’s an app for that,” into a real positive. If you use the right apps for visiting NYC, you can make reservations, get around the city, and find fun things to do just as fast as you can type.
I’ve been both a tourist and a local, and have spent more than enough screen-time squeezing apps for all their worth. In this article I’ll go over the most essential apps for visiting New York City. And trust me, they won’t sit on your phone unused for six-months like that calorie counting app you downloaded on New Years.
With a little preparation you can use these tools to make your trip to the Big Apple a little less anxiety-riddled and a lot more rich. Are you ready to get to the good stuff? Because I am!
Visiting New York City? If you haven’t decided where to stay (yet) check out our helpful guide on Where to Stay in New York City (10 Best Neighborhoods +3 to Avoid). Don’t have time? Here’s our favorite hotel in NYC, hands down.
Best NYC Apps
Table of Contents: Best New York City Apps
Table of Contents: Helpful Apps For Visiting NYC
#10. Too Good To Go
Available on iOS, Google Play and Huawei App Gallery
Eating well in New York City doesn’t have to max out your credit card when you use Too Good To Go. It’s one of the best apps for visiting NYC, especially on the nights you want to hit the hay early but want a snack at the hotel.
With Too Good to Go, bakeries, cafes, and restaurants can sell their leftover products at the end of the day rather than toss them in the trash. The result is incredible savings for you. You pick where you want your “surprise bag” from and pick it up at the designated time, usually in the evening. You never know for sure what you’ll get, so it’s a bit of a game.
I once ordered a surprise bag for $5 from a bakery near my apartment and received more than $80 worth of products (including two loaves of artisanal bread). Other times, I’ve walked away with only two croissants.
Still, for less than $10, you can roll the dice with pizzerias, bakeries, and restaurants. Not to mention, you’re helping reduce waste, so how could I not list Too Good To Go as one of the best apps for visiting New York City?
#9. Resy/Open Table
Staying on the topic of food, I must mention Resy and OpenTable, the two premier reservation apps in New York City. The apps allow you to make and modify reservations in one localized, easy-to-navigate hub. They’re two essential apps for visiting NYC since the city is notorious for long lines at its best restaurants. Not every restaurant in the city is available on the app, but let’s just say you won’t be short on options.
I also think the ability to browse through the restaurants (and see ratings, read reviews etc.) is an underrated blessing. I use each one a little differently though, allow me to explain: Resy is my go-to NYC dining app when I’m looking to eat ASAP. It uses my location to suggest nearby restaurants and shows me their soonest openings. It’s an invaluable resource when I’m exploring a new area.
On the other hand I use OpenTable when I know I want to have a reservation on a given date and time. For example, I can plug in my anniversary and browse through all the available reservations to find the best fit. But at the end of the day, I suggest having both. There is some crossover between restaurants but on occasion, you’ll want to try a place that only works with one of the apps.
#8. Yelp
Is it just me, or has Yelp been around longer than the internet itself? The website allows users to review local businesses and share their thoughts with the world. The reason it’s one of the best apps for visiting NYC is that it’s one of the most honest places to learn about restaurants.
For example, if you click on a restaurant’s website, the pictures of the burger will be immaculate, with perfectly manicured lettuce, ripe tomatoes, and melted cheese. On the other hand, YelpUser555 uploaded a picture where the burger looks like it was assembled by a toddler after being cooked in an Easy Bake oven.
If the prospective restaurant is dirty, if the staff is mean, or if the food gave someone food poisoning, odds are it’ll be on Yelp. It’s one of the best apps for visiting NYC and can stop you from visiting sub-par businesses!
Local’s tip: Not only is Yelp a great app for reviews, you can also sort items on the menu by photos.
#7. NYC Ferry
If you’ve read any of our other articles, you know we love the ferry. As an official means of New York City’s public transportation system, a one-way ride costs $4.00. Regarding how you get on board, each ferry station has automated booths where you can buy tickets. But one of the best apps for visiting New York City is the NYC Ferry app, and aren’t paper tickets so last year?
From the app, you can buy tickets, scan a QR code to board, and access maps and schedules if you’ll be riding the ferry more than once; you can also get a discount on ticket prices when you buy in bulk, which you do through the app.
There are ferries running to all five boroughs, and I tell every first-time visitor that hopping on board is one of the best things to do in New York City. Download the app to make your trip just a tad bit easier.
#6. Weather App
Hear me out before I get criticized for having a weather app on our list of NYC app suggestions. I’ll admit that most phones do have some sort of built-in weather app, but the notoriously faulty weather apps are the only thing worse than the unpredictable weather in New York City.
I encourage you to download an app with an hourly breakdown tailored to the area you’re visiting. If at all helpful, I use AccuWeather, and it has yet to fail me. My husband, on the other hand, is a big fan of Weather Underground.
Having a reliable hourly temperature reading has saved me from numerous unpleasant rainstorms and uncomfortable sweating spells. Whatever you choose, one of the most popular apps for visiting NYC has to be one that tracks the weather.
#5. TodayTix
Most folks visiting New York City for the first time will at least look into Broadway shows. If you fall into this category, one of the best apps for visiting NYC you can download is TodayTix. The app helps you sift through the best musicals and plays and gives you some of the best pricing.
From the app, you can find the best dates and showtimes and purchase tickets. The biggest caveat to using TodayTix is that you won’t get to pick your seat. You get to pick the section, but I’ll be honest and say more than one person has complained about their seat.
At the end of the day, it’s a give-and-take since you’re also getting them at a discount. Regardless, you don’t lose anything by checking the pricing on one of the best apps for visiting NYC.
#4. Eventbrite
Eventbrite is one of those apps that’s easy to get sucked into. It feels like every organized event in New York City uses Eventbrite services’ to advertise and sell its tickets. Before you know it, you’ve been scrolling for two full hours and have tickets to a shower-curtain convention.
Whether it’s a traveling trade show or a community barbecue, if it’s not on Eventbrite, it’s not happening. As a local, I rely on the app when friends visit from out of town. Everyone knows there’s always something happening in New York City, and I use the app to fill me in on the best events.
But I also recommend it as one of the best apps for visiting NYC. You never know if there’s a unique event that might pique your interest, so it’s worth a brief browse (some events are even free).
#3. Citibike
Biking is one of the best ways to get around the city. It’s quicker than walking, less expensive than a cab, and helps you see the city, unlike most subway routes that are underground. But if you can’t check your bicycle onto your flight, the Citibike app will make visiting NYC that much easier. It helps you rent one of the 27,000 Citibikes right from the palm of your hand.
There are more than 1,700 docking stations spread across all five boroughs, and the app tells you where the closest one is and how many bikes are available. And if you want the perks of riding a bike without breaking too much of a sweat, you have the option to choose an e-bike, too. These bicycles use motors, which makes them less exerting to ride.
Prices start at $4.49 for the first 30 minutes and $0.26 per minute afterward. But if you know you’ll have a fun-filled day of pedaling, you can always opt for a $ 19-day pass. Regardless, Citibike is an essential app for visiting NYC.
#2. Curb
Uber and Lyft have a time and place, but in New York City, you’re also going to want to have Curb. It’s basically the same thing as the two ride-sharing heavyweights but hails taxis instead. I won’t get into the weeds of taxis vs. Uber, but think of ride-sharing apps as invasive species endangering the native cabs and threatening their very existence.
Cabs aren’t always going to be less expensive, but in my experience, they’re generally comparable and a little below what you’d pay on Uber or Lyft. Curb is one of the best apps for visiting NYC that can help you stay on a budget.
From the app, you can schedule a pickup, or you can hop into a cab and “pair and pay” through the app. Just enter the number displayed on the cab’s backseat screen, and you’re set; no need to pull out cash or credit cards to pay!
#1. Google or Apple Maps
Anytime you’re navigating a new city, you’re going to need a little help, so one of the best apps for visiting NYC is either Google Maps or Apple Maps. Between the two, Google Maps is a little more robust in features, but for the average tourist, either will work fine.
They’re true assets when navigating the subway for the first time because they tell you where to enter, which train to take, when to get off, and where to exit. I have no idea how tourists navigated the subway system before smartphones; they took all the brainpower out of figuring it out.
The apps even tell you when the next train is coming, so if you need to run – run! The reason I think Google Maps is slightly better is thanks to the ability to save pins on a map. Before traveling to a new place, I like to list every place I have even the slightest interest in seeing. Then, I create a My Map for that city and put pins on every item on that list.
If at any point in the trip, I have a little downtime, I pull up my saved map and see if there are any pins near me, which has helped me see some really cool things I wouldn’t have otherwise!
More Ways Technology Can Make Visiting New York City Simple
Have tap to pay enabled devices:
Although it’s not an app, having some bank cards linked to your phone’s wallet will make your visit to NYC easier. New York City is an advanced city, meaning you’ll have a more challenging time finding a place that doesn’t take Apple Pay or Google Pay. Tapping your phone to hop on the subway is quicker than fishing through your pockets for your metro card.
Download an offline Google map before you visit NYC:
One of the most important New York City travel tips is to download an offline map (using Google Maps) before your first visit to NYC. It’s a free service and pretty easy to do. There’s seldom any cell service in the subway, and having access to a map while you’re en route is invaluable.
(Post Summary)
- Google or Apple Maps
- Curb
- Citibike
- Eventbrite
- TodayTix
- Weather App
- NYC Ferry
- Resy/Open Table
- Yelp
- Too Good To Go
Further Reading for Fun Things to Do in New York City
Romantic Things to Do: 19 (Non-Cheesy) Romantic Things to Do in New York City
Free Things to Do: 20 Unique Free Things to Do in New York City to Keep Your Wallet Happy!
Things to Do at Night: 15 Things to Do in New York City at Night
Best Things to Do in NYC: 30 Best Things to Do in New York City
Iconic Spots in NYC Everyone Needs to Try
Best Pizza in NYC: 15 Best Pizza Joints in New York City
Iconic Restaurants in NYC: 10 Iconic New York City Restaurants Every Local Needs to Try
Mouthwatering Bagels in NYC: 15 BEST Bagels in New York City
Unbelievable Brunch Spots in NYC: 18 Prime Brunch Spots in New York City Worth the (Inevitable) Wait
Is the New York City Pass worthwhile?
Note from the writers: Prices are subject to change at any point in time. The prices below reflect the prices during the time this guide was written. To keep these posts relevant and useful, we make every effort to update them frequently.
Depending on how long you plan on visiting NYC getting the standard NYC CityPASS might be worth considering. The pass is $132 per person and allows access to six attractions over the span of 9 days.
Or there is also the New York City C3 Pass. The C3 pass is $87 per person and allows access to three attractions over the span of 9 days. The attractions are listed below:
- Empire State Building
- Top of the Rock Observation Deck
- Ferry Access to Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island
- 9/11 Memorial & Museum
- American Museum of Natural History
- The Metropolitan Museum of Art
- Museum of Modern Art
- Circle Line Sightseeing Cruises
- Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum
- Guggenheim Museum
- Hornblower Sightseeing Cruises
Based on my math, I suggest getting the New York City C3 Pass if you plan to visit at least three of the following places: (plus, the ability to skip lines is invaluable!)
- Empire State Building (regular admission is $44/person)
- Top of the Rock (regular admission is $40/person)
- The Statue of Liberty (regular admission is $19/person)
- 9/11 Museum (regular admission is $24/person)
- The MET (Metropolitan Museum of Art) (regular admission is $30/person)
- The Museum of Modern Art (MOMA) (regular admission is $25/person)
And there you have it, the best apps to download for visiting NYC. Let us know if we missed any, we LOVE to hear from you!
Cheers.
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