5 apps for exploring a new city like a local
There are some things everybody knows about New Yorkers. They pay exorbitant rents, they worship pizza and they never hang out in Times Square.
But venturing beyond Times Square can be intimidating for weary travelers with limited time and a lot of curiosity.
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For those looking to dive into the local scene, we test drove recommendation apps to see just how good the locals' picks were. Here are five apps that offer a well-curated look at the restaurants, activities and bars that tourists may not have heard.
Although we took them for a spin in New York, the apps work in most tourist cities around the world -- meaning it's easy to see Paris beyond the Eiffel Tower, where locals are actually going in Rome or even Istanbul's hotspots behind the Blue Mosque.
The key to the city is just a download away.
Spotted by Locals
Spotted by Locals is at its best for those looking for a local joint to wile away the time. The app recommends local spots close to the user's current location for sightseeing, eating and drinking.
The app does best with restaurants and food recommendations. For those with a yen for a certain cuisine, Spotted by Locals will let you know what's close by and how much you can expect to pay.
The app is consistently updated to keep it up-to-date with the newest hotspots.
Localeur
Offering a "a community of locals," Localeur provides hand-picked city advice.
People who live in a city can organize their favorite places into categories — like "New York's Best Rooftop Jazz Clubs" or "Killer Stairs Workouts in NYC" — for travelers to search through.
The app is most helpful when looking for a specific vibe.
Lonely Planet Guides
The newly launched Lonely Planet Guides is available for 38 cities around the world. The app offers advice from the Lonely Planet writers, who have in-depth knowledge of their city.
The app suggests places to see, eat, sleep, shop, drink and play based on the user's current location.
The recommendations are not off the beaten path, but they're solid.
Like a Local
For those looking for a truly unique travel experience, the charming Like a Local puts the hidden parts of a city front and center.
The app is even useful for those who have lived in their city for years: It's like having an in-the-know friend pass along hidden gems in the neighborhood.
The app's forte is recommending bars and places to hang out.
SitOrSquat
There is one thing all locals know: the best places to duck into a bathroom.
They know which are grimy incubators of infectious disease and which are truly porcelain thrones. In that regard, SitOrSquat is indispensable for anyone looking for an authentic local experience (or anyone who just needs a bathroom).
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Topics Apps & Software
Cailey studied journalism at SUNY Purchase and french cinema & literature at Paris IV Sorbonne. She is a cynical optimist and Talking Heads karaoke enthusiast. Drop her a line @misscaileyanne
