Top Mobile Apps for the Big Apple

With the modern age fusing together with our everyday lives, there is now a Smartphone application for just about anything. Going to any new destination is an exciting experience, but what if you are visiting a country that does not speak your language, or you simply do not want to walk around with an awkward guide book that advertises yourself as a tourist. Knowledge is king and when you can download local travel information, into the palm of your hand, within a matter of seconds, it got me thinking. What are the best mobile applications for those who want to tour around New York City? All applications mentioned here can either be downloaded for Android or Apple operating systems.

NYC Way – Everything NYC

Rated has one of the Top 5 Travel Apps, this powerhouse of an application is a must for anyone even thinking of going to New York. It packs in over 60 applications from street vendors, nightlife, tourist attractions, subway stations, the garbage collection schedule, to everything in between. But the best thing about this app, is that it is 100% free.

Languages: English. Category: Travel. Price: Free.

New York Subway Map

As essential as any app could be when travelling around NYC, you need to know where you are going and how to get there. This application can be completely customized between your daily life of work and social engagements. Touch the stations tabs or follow them on the map, you always have the most up-to-date information with this app.

Languages: English. Category: Travel. Price: Free.

NY Times – The Scoop NYC

Want to know what events are going, which restaurant to try out and where to have a coffee or even plan a day trip. Then this regularly update application from The New York Times is the perfect app for planning your time in New York. One feature I really like about this application is that Sam Sifton, restaurant critic, has shared his 50 favourite restaurants and bars!

Languages: English. Category: Travel. Price: Free.

MoMA – The Museum of Modern Art

If you are like me, then trying to understand modern art on my own is a pointless effort, I need someone or in this case, something to explain it to me. Cue the arrival of the MoMA app that provides you with an audio guide and gives you information on one of the world’s finest collection of modern and contemporary art.

Languages: English. Category: Education. Price: Free.

Explorar – The American Museum of Natural History

This app comes loaded with exhibit tours and has the option to create a custom tour, plus if you get lost in a maze of history, you can use the built in GPS to locate your position. With its built-in navigation, you have precise directions to any exhibit you want, and at the same time it gives you a complete overview of the history.

Languages: English. Category: Education. Price: Free.

The article was written by Steven, a travel writer & blogger for Nycvacationrentalsonline.com, providers of over 350 New York holiday apartments for rent.

Five Funky Food Experiences In NYC

Shopsins

Shopsins is notorious, for its proprietor, Kenny Shopsin, never holds back on his opinions about customers, table manners, house rules, food and well, the world at large. Luckily for him, the food is good. Very good and plentiful. The menu has over 800 dishes to choose from. But despite the menu’s length, be sure not to dither over your choice or you risk incurring the infamous wrath of Kenny – it’s all part of the service!

Ninja

If a black-clad ninja suddenly drops down from the ceiling in this dark and eerie restaurant, don’t panic. He’s probably just here to clear your plates away. The Ninja Restaurant in Tribeca hires waiters that are skilled in martial arts and well versed in Japanese ninja lore. Many dishes come with a special flourish of ninja skills – sword stunts, illusions and fire displays. The building recreates an old Japanese village, with drawbridge, lanterns hanging in narrow passageways, and a darkly lit Japanese garden. The food – as you would imagine – is also Japanese.

Peanut Butter & Co.

Anyone with peanut allergies should steer several blocks clear of this quirky little eatery in Greenwich Village. That’s because it’s a real honeypot (or should that be peanut butter pot?) for fans of the nutty stuff.

The sandwich menu is almost entirely dominated by peanut butter, and some of the combinations are an acquired taste. A PB and pickle sandwich take your fancy? No? Then how about PB with chicken and pineapple jam? PB, bacon and bananas?

Mars 2112

Themed restaurants often walk a fine line between quirky and wretched, but this famous spot on Broadway and West 51st Street aims for the sky, and just keeps on going. You start your journey in a space station, where you’re directed to your space ship. A short light-speed trip later, and you arrive on – yes, that’s right – Mars! Members of staff are dressed as aliens, the surroundings resemble the red rock terrain,  but the all-American menu is down to earth.

Rice to Riches

The humble rice pudding has never been more fashionable than in this Little Italy eatery.  In fact, it’s all they sell. You can choose from 18 different gourmet flavours of pudding at the giant rice-shaped counter, from pistachio-sage, to cardamom, lemon grass and ginger!

Charlotte Amelines, editor of travel site Quirky Guide and shares her choice of the Big Apple’s quirkiest restaurants.

In the absence of any guest posts over theweekend we thought we would take a look back at various shopping guides this site has published over the past two years.

First was this guide to Christmas markets in Europe – and checking the analytics it still attracts plenty of visitors to the site on the run up to the festive break.

Then we focussed on the emerging shopping culture of United Arab Emirates – looking at Dubai Airport followed by the amazing range of luxury shops in Abu Dhabi

Finally we returned to a Christmas shopping favourite – New York and of course London in winter.

Once again we urge guest posts about destinations throughout Europe & Beyond – share with us your favourite shopping cities – from mall to market.

http://www.europe-autos.com/new-york-christmas-shopping/

New York New York

New York is a city that holds great appeal for tourists all year round. But one of the most magical times to visit is during the Christmas period. From the festive welcome offered by almost every one of the New York hotels that get so busy at this time of year, to the palpable sense of excitement on the streets, this is a fantastic city to spend time in when November and December come around.

Whether you want to experience the festive hustle and bustle of last minute Christmas shoppers scouring the illuminated department stores on Christmas Eve, try out your skating boots at the Rockefeller Center, which also boasts a stunning giant Christmas tree, or take a carriage ride through Central Park which becomes a real winter wonderland.

Here are  top four tips for festive fun in the Big Apple:

Shopping

1. If you have children, take them to visit Santa at Macy’s, one of the world’s most famous department stores. Queue times can seem excessive but Macy’s Santa Claus is the best in the city. Try to time your trip for early morning to avoid the rush.

Walking Tours

2. Go on a walking tour of the Christmas windows and lights: New Yorkers love Christmas and there’s an element of friendly competition between shop owners, restauranteurs and homeowners as to who can put up the best decorations. A walking tour, either guided or a DIY version, can be the ideal way to experience the best of the New York lights. You can find online maps that provide some of the best walks, taking you past Bloomingdale’s, Barneys, and Central Park.

Ice Skating

3. Ice skating at the Rockefeller Center is an experience which tops many people’s festive to-do lists, but it can be extremely busy. A viable alternative is the Pond in Bryant Park, which sits between 40th and 42nd Streets and 5th and 6th Avenues. Skating here is a far more laid-back experience and won’t leave as big a hole in your pocket!

Show Time on Broadway

4. Seeing a show on Broadway is a holiday highlight and is particularly special at Christmas. If you attend a matinee’ performance, you’ll have a fabulous afternoon being entertained in a warm, comfortable theatre, and then step out into a frosty, decorated street, sparkling with lights, Christmas Trees, and tinsel – perfect!