We’ve had the pleasure of staying in Manhattan for the last few days as we wait on our Indian Visas to arrive. Our good friends Tristan and Julie are letting us use their living room as HQ and get a glimpse at the joys of married life. You can check that out below.
#1 – SipWell
One of the many reasons why Manhattan is so rock awesome, is that it is a treasure trove of SpeakEasy secret bars. However, as the name implies, they aren’t always easy to find. I spent a year looking for PDT (Please Don’t Tell) before I finally found myself getting pulled in through a secret wall in a phone booth. Yes, it happened.
To make your hunt for the extraordinary easier, SipWell came up with an app that allows you to see all the SpeakEasy bars, prohibition era bars, and wild bars in an area and even gives you hints on how to find them like, “walk through the fake ATM,” or “enter through the back of the barber shop.”
Yes. It’s that cool. It will cost you $1.99 but if you’re out drinking at themed bars anyhow, it’s probably worth it.
#2 – HOP Stop
HOP Stop is my favorite app for finding my way around NYC on the subway. If you’re looking for an app to help you figure out the subway schedule and get you around, then this is the one. It’s free, which is nice, and has been really easy to use. Whenever we’re in New York we only use the subway. One, because it’s easy. Two, because we’re cheap.
That said, the subway can be a literal labyrinth so any help you can find is great. With HOP Stop you plug-in your current position (or let it figure it out) and then add your destination’s address. The app will tell you the closest subway station and how to navigate there. What’s really cool about it though is that it can account for real-time delays and traffic. You’ll get an estimate on your transit time and step-by-step instructions on which stops to pass and where to get off. It even let’s you know which of the 4000 exits to take to get out of the line station and back above ground.
Hot.
#3 – GrubHub
If you’re looking for a way to find cheap and delicious food in New York, you’ll be bludgeoned with options. However, if you want to avoid the gauntlet of food carts and restaurants, we’ve got your solution. Whether you are staying with a friend, in your own apartment, or in a hotel, Grub Hub is a sweet app that allows you to look for restaurants by price or type of food. You can even look over their menu and order from your phone. It’s that simple and all you have to do it wait for your deliciousness to arrive.
#4 – Map
Exactly what it sounds like. The iPhone map app is a sweet tool to find your way around the city of walking. Just don’t forget to set it to walking and not driving.
#5 – StrayBoots
While it is not in fact an app, StrayBoots is a site that you can access from any smart phone and gives you an interactive walking tour. What I’m saying is, it’s a New York treasure hunt. We went on a scavenger hunt with CheapOair through Harlem and it rocked our socks! We followed a series of clues through one of New York’s coolest neighborhoods and learned a lot along the way. If you’re looking for a fun way to see the city and learn about it simultaneously then this is your jam.
If you know of any great apps that we missed leave them in the comments below!
I love speakeasies in the city–had no idea there was an app for that (OF COURSE!). Great recommendations
Good video, so funny!!! Hope today finds you on your way to India!
Love the app suggestions, but my favorite part of this video was when you started singing Part of Your World from Little Mermaid. Not ashamed to admit I was singing along…
Wait. I know nothing about this magical water machine. How have I gone this long without one?
Wow, Stray Boots sounds awesome! I have too many apps, 60% of which I never use! I am an apphoarder (not an appwhore, that is something else…).
LOL, very true about the gadgets.. it is quite ridiculous. And I am soooooooooo guilty!! Hope you get the other visa soon!
a) I was literally laughing out loud at the milk/seltzer thing…
b) The SipWell app will come in serious handy….Visited my first SpeakEasy a couple weeks ago, and I’m hooked…
MUST. TRY. SIPWELL. also, we live off hopstop.
OMGoood! I searched high and low for faster internet for this??! LOL, hilarious you two! I KNEWWWWWWWWWWW something was wrong when you guys weren’t in India yet. Could’ve sworn you said an earlier date. I DO care. Lol, but equally glad you guys got to spend more time in NY with married people.. they really do have cool shit, huh? I raid my cousin’s house all the time. :X
Hope the next vlog is from India. Look forward to the posts. In other words: I care.
Awesome post! I did NOT know about Stray Boots, so thanks so muchly–looks awesome! And yeah, married people do have cool shit.
Except ours are STILL in boxes.
love this post!! ummm yeah. i know you added sipwell just for moi!
stray boots looks sick. will try that one when next in the BIG APPLE!! OR can i use stray boots in other places too? like Paris??
Thanks so much more this post – these apps look essential for my next trip to NYC!
I like the idea of going my own treasure hunts just using my wits and senses so I’ve been holding off on the paradigm shift that is having a smartphone. I do like the idea of Strayboots, haven’t had too much experience with GeoCaching but those types of apps do open up a interesting virtual world of fun
The video is hilarious!! “Does it make Champaigne?” haha…
Not an iPhone user here, but I can appreciate an app that encourages you to walk.