Best Apps for NYC: Tools to Get the Best of the City!
Travel
Discover the best apps for NYC to enhance your city experience! From dining and transport to sightseeing, find the ultimate tools for tourists and locals alike.

Best Apps for NYC: Explore, Eat, and Navigate

Introduction

Thanks to its vibrant atmosphere, NYC offers many opportunities for residents and tourists alike. Whether you’re a local, a business traveler, a tourist, or an eco-conscious individual, having a curated list of the best apps for navigating NYC is a helpful way to enhance your overall experience.

Ranging from exploring iconic city landmarks to navigating the city’s intricate subway system, the following list of apps will transform the way you see and experience the Big Apple. Let’s explore 25+ must-have apps that will help you save money, time, and energy that can be better spent enjoying the present moment.

Some of the Best Apps for New Yorkers and NYC Visitors

Cost-effective Commuting

Given its size and complexity, using NYC’s transit system might seem daunting at first, but having the right apps can easily make your journey easier and more budget-friendly. 

Whether you’re a daily commuter or a visitor passing through, these apps will allow you to travel efficiently without wasting your valuable time. 

Future

  • Main features: Using FutureCard Visa® Debit Card to pay for public transit offers top benefits for New Yorkers and other visitors. 
    It provides 100% cashback on your first week after signing up and a 5% cashback reward each time you hit OMNY’s 12-ride fare cap, meaning that you earn rewards each time you travel on NYC’s subway.
  • Cost to download: Completely free. Creating an account is also free and does not require waiting time, as you can have your card activated immediately.

MTA Live Subway Map

  • Main features: Get real-time updates of live train locations, service changes, and possible delays across the subway network. It is also integrated with OMNY to work seamlessly with the contactless payment system.
  • Cost to download: Free to access online through your browser. There’s no download required.

NYC Transit App

  • Main features: This app integrates multiple transit modes, including subways, buses, Citi Bike, and ride-sharing options. Other features include fare comparisons, step-by-step navigation, and service alerts.
  • Cost to download: Free on both iOS and Android services.

Find New Restaurants and Culinary Events

Yelp

  • Main features: It includes a vast database of dining options, featuring honest user reviews, ratings, images, and menus to help to make more informed decisions. You can also add filters for cuisine type, price range, and dietary preferences.
  • Cost to download: Free.

DoNYC

  • Main features: This app offers a curated selection of restaurants and culinary events, allowing users to filter options by location, type of cuisine, and event date. It also provides ticket purchasing for events and reservations at selected restaurants.
  • Cost to download: Free.

Eater

  • Main features: Eater features in-depth reviews, information about the latest dining trends, and guides to the best eateries, ranging from casual to elegant places. It also highlights upcoming food-related events, such as openings, special dinners, and food festivals.
  • Cost to download: Free.

OpenTable

  • Main features: This one is great for making reservations and discovering new restaurants, featuring real-time availability for users to make reservations instantly. Moreover, it highlights special culinary events, such as exclusive tasting menus and seasonal offerings. 
  • Cost to download: Free.

Local Discounts and Offers

Groupon 

  • Main features: It provides a wide range of limited-time deals and daily offers, including discounts on events, activities, and restaurants. Users can easily look for discounts by category, location, and type of experience.  
  • Cost to download: Free.

Seated

  • Main features: It is designed to help users earn rewards while eating at participating restaurants across NYC. This unique platform features a curated selection of dining options and provides incentives, such as gift cards or cashback, for completing meals and making reservations.
  • Cost to download: Free.

Overtime

  • Main features: Overtime is a must-have app for sports fans looking to score exclusive deals on live events, merchandise, and experiences. The platform curates special discounts on game tickets, apparel, and sports-related activities, making it easier for users to enjoy top-tier sports entertainment at a lower cost.
  • Cost to download: Free.

Apps for Eco-Conscious Users 

Sustainable Transportation

For eco-conscious citizens, there is more than one way of using sustainable transportation in NYC, and this includes traveling in electric or hybrid vehicles or using apps to rent bikes and scooters to move around even faster.

With the goal of promoting green lifestyles, FutureCard Visa® allows users to earn 5% cashback rewards each time they use sustainable transportation, including electric vehicles, bikes, and public transit (subway and buses).

The following are the best apps for NYC travel to navigate the city in a more sustainable way while saving valuable money, time, and energy.

Citi Bike 

  • Main features: It allows users to rent bikes for short trips around NYC by locating available bikes and stations, managing ride duration, and accessing exclusive memberships for regular use.
  • Cost to download: Free. The price of renting bikes depends on the duration of the ride or the chosen membership.

Uber Green

  • Main features: This is an eco-conscious option within the Uber app, and its goal is to allow users to choose electric or hybrid vehicles for their rides to reduce their environmental impact. 
  • Cost to download: Free and available through the Uber app.

Eco-Friendly Dining

Moving around the city isn’t the only activity eco-conscious users will do when navigating NYC; they’ll also want to find eco-friendly dining places to enjoy delicious ethically sourced food meals. 

Following its commitment to supporting sustainable practices, FutureCard Visa® gives its users up to 6% cashback rewards for choosing plant-based restaurants across NYC.

As NYC offers a wide variety of options, it is crucial to have a curated list of apps to easily find these dining places and ultimately make greener dining choices.

HappyCow

  • Main features: This popular app offers a comprehensive guide to vegan, vegetarian, and sustainable restaurants in the city. Users will also find detailed restaurant reviews, photos, menus, and filters for dietary preferences.
  • Cost to download: $3.99 (one-time cost.)

Localvore

  • Main features: It connects users with restaurants that prioritize organic, locally sourced ingredients. Its main features include curated lists of sustainable eateries, access to exclusive deals, and detailed information about each restaurant’s commitment to eco-conscious practices.  
  • Cost to download: Free.

Ecoviate

  • Main features: This app encourages greener dining choices by providing a database of sustainable dining options, eco-impact tracking, and tips for reducing waste while eating out. 
  • Cost to download: Free.

Apps for Tourists

Navigation Tools

Given the bustling environment of the city, it is essential to have navigation tools at hand, especially if you are a tourist, as they can help avoid confusion and explore NYC with confidence. 

The following apps’ main goal is to provide real-time directions to help visitors navigate the Big Apple without complications.

Google Maps

  • Main features: This essential navigation tool offers comprehensive real-time directions for walking, driving, biking, and using public transit. Users can also download offline maps, monitor live traffic, and write recommendations based on their experience. 
  • Cost to download: Free.

Citymapper

  • Main features: Tailored for tourists, this app offers real-time directions across various transit modes, including subways, buses, ferries, and walking routes. Its main focus is providing step-by-step instructions to make navigating the city stress-free.
  • Cost to download: Free.

Maps.Me

  • Main features: This app offers offline maps to ensure reliable navigation without relying on internet connections. Other key features include offline search, bookmarks for saving favorite locations, and up-to-date map data for accurate guidance.
  • Cost to download: Free.

Transit App

  • Main features: Transit App provides real-time public transportation updates, including bus and subway arrival times, service alerts, and trip planning assistance. It also integrates ride-sharing and bike-sharing options, helping users navigate NYC efficiently. The app’s user-friendly interface makes it a go-to choice for commuters and visitors alike.
  • Cost to download: Free.

NYC Transit

  • Main features: NYC Transit is an essential app for navigating New York City’s subway and bus system. It offers live updates on train schedules, route maps, and service changes, ensuring users stay informed about their commute. The app also includes offline access to subway maps, making it useful even without an internet connection.
  • Cost to download: Free.

Sightseeing and Cultural Experiences

The New York Pass App

  • Main features: This must-have app for tourists offers access to over 100 attractions, including iconic landmarks, museums, and tours. It also features an interactive map, attraction details, and a digital pass for a seamless entry. 
  • Cost to download: Free.

TodayTix

  • Main features: Designed for tourists who want to experience the city's vibrant theater scene and cultural offerings, this app provides multiple benefits like last-minute ticket access to Broadway, off-Broadway shows, and other live performances, often at discounted prices.
  • Cost to download: Free.

Apps for Business Travelers

Reliable Transportation

Business travelers who frequently visit NYC must have a selection of apps ready to use when visiting the Big Apple. This means having tools to manage their schedules in the most convenient way possible. 

The following apps will help business travelers with everything, from booking working spaces to finding accommodation, to make the most of their time in this fast-paced city. 

Moovit

  • Main features: This reliable app offers updated and accurate navigation tips for public transit systems, including buses, trains, and subways. It provides step-by-step directions, and users can track vehicles in real-time. 
  • Cost to download: Free.

GroundLink

  • Main features: It provides premium car service for airport transfers and corporate travel, including access to high-quality vehicles, professional drivers, and the ability to schedule rides in advance.
  • Cost to download: Free.

Coworking Spaces

WeWork 

  • Main features: Designed for business travelers, this app provides access to coworking spaces, meeting rooms, and flexible office solutions across the city. Users can book a workspace on-demand and foster networking opportunities with other professionals.
  • Cost to download: Free.

Deskpass 

  • Main features: Business travelers can book spaces by the day, and the app offers a variety of coworking locations, easy booking, and different types of spaces depending on their needs.
  • Cost to download: Free, but users must purchase a subscription based on their usage.

Accommodation Bookings

Airbnb 

  • Main features: This accommodation app offers a wide range of options, from rooms to apartments, ideal for business travelers looking for a home-like stay.  It also includes detailed property listings with photos, guest reviews, secure payment processing, and filter searching.
  • Cost to download: Free.

Booking.com

  • Main features: Providing a vast selection of accommodation, this app allows users to book instantly or in advance, including various pricing options, free cancellations, and no booking fees.
  • Cost to download: Free.

Practical Tips for Using NYC Apps

Optimize navigation apps

Because NYC can become overwhelming due to dense traffic or a complex transportation system, it is crucial to always optimize your navigation apps to receive the most accurate, real-time updates.

Enable location services

Most navigation apps require users to enable their location services to provide them with precise step-by-step directions to help them find nearby attractions, restaurants, or other services. 

Download offline maps

This ensures you can navigate the city without needing an internet connection at all times, which can be reliable in specific areas or during peak hours. Having offline maps at hand allows you to continue receiving directions and track your route while saving you money on data roaming charges.

Manage notifications for deals and discounts

To ensure you always stay updated on the best deals in NYC, it is essential to manage your notifications accordingly and include categories like restaurants, transportation, and attractions.  

Allow push notifications

Allowing push notifications is the perfect way to avoid missing out on important updates and alerts. For instance, apps for dining, events, or discounts can send you notifications about exclusive deals, special promotions, or last-minute availability.

Filter your preferences

If you value your time, then filtering your preferences will be the best approach to saving energy when searching for deals and discounts in NYC. You can easily narrow down the search results based on your needs, such as price, location, or availability. 

Leverage cashback and rewards

This is an excellent way of maximizing your savings while exploring the Big Apple. Most apps, particularly those related to dining, transportation, and shopping, allow you to earn back a percentage of what you spend and offset some of your expenses, whether it is on meals, travel, or experiences. 

Use cashback cards

Cashback cards, such as FutureCard Visa®, are a straightforward and convenient approach to earning rewards for your everyday spending, including groceries, transportation, and entertainment. By linking your FutureCard to apps that offer cashback or discounts, you can receive 5-6% cashback for green purchases and 1% on all other purchases.

Track rewards

This allows you to monitor your savings and ensure that you’re taking full advantage of a card's rewards. With FutureCard, for example, tracking your rewards is easy, as you can view your cashback balance through the app to make informed decisions while maximizing your benefits.

Save payment methods for quick access

Saving payment methods not only saves time but also allows you to follow the fast pace of NYC without complications, given that manually entering your payment details each time you make a purchase can become impractical. 

Link payment options

Linking your payment options is always a good decision, especially in cities like New York, whether it is for transportation, dining, or entertainment. It also enables you to take full advantage of app-specific features like rewards or discounts. 

Allow user-friendly integrations

Allowing user-friendly integrations, which allow apps to work seamlessly together in one platform, is important to enhance the overall convenience and functionality of payment apps. 

Link apps together

It enables you to manage multiple aspects of your day with ease by connecting apps with different purposes—such as navigation, dining, transportation, and payments—so you can access all the information you need without having to switch between platforms. 

Do more and pay less in NYC: Get FutureCard!

Whether you’re a tourist exploring NYC, an eco-conscious citizen, a business traveler, or a local navigating the bustling Big Apple, these apps will help you enhance the experience by saving you time, energy, and—most importantly—money.

Using cashback cards, such as FutureCard, is the best way to enjoy everything NYC has to offer without breaking the bank, as it allows you to earn at least 5% cashback each time you make a green purchase. 

FAQs

What is the safest way to get around NYC?

The safest way to get around NYC, especially during peak hours, is by using well-lit, busy public transit options like the subway or buses. For late-night travel, it is best to use ride-share services or yellow taxis. 

What is the cheapest way to get around NYC?

The cheapest way to get around NYC is by using public transit, such as the subway or a bus, with an OMNY system offering affordable rates. To make it even cheaper, you may use a cashback debit card, such as FutureCard, which offers 5% cashback on the NYC subway and buses.

How much is a subway ride in NYC?

A subway ride in NYC costs $2.90 with the OMNY system or a MetroCard.

What apps do New Yorkers use for the subway?

New Yorkers commonly use apps like MTA Live Subway Map, Citymapper, and Transit for real-time updates, route planning, and service alerts on the subway. Pairing them with FutureCard is ideal for saving money on commuting, as it offers 5% cashback when using OMNY for subway rides.

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