Mobile Apps For Planning Your Travels

There comes a time when you just need to get away. Go to a foreign place and discover life beyond your city's limits. With summer in the air, it's time for a little something fresh. Whether you'd like to travel outside of the county or state, these apps should let you be prepared for the adventure, and help you discover new things.

Discovering

Field Trip by Google - The app--optimized for smartphones (Google uses a service called Geo-fencing), not tablets--runs in the background so at any point you can discover more about the city you’re in. Field Trip helps you learn about different locations by popping up detailed cards every time you get close to something interesting. For the iOS faithful, Field Trip launched in the  Store in March so there’s no excuse for not taking downloading it. It really is a learning adventure when you’re with Field Trip.

Nara Mobile - Nara recommends new restaurants based on personalization. It uses your previous restaurant-visiting history to show you new places you may like. The app browses places to eat based on a customized profile. Nara also allows you to check out new restaurants in places you are visiting and make reservations.

Thrillist - The most badass site/app combination on your phone. Thrillist gives you the business on all of the best restaurants and bars going on in and around a particular city. From the burgers  to best bars in town, finding new places to eat drink in your new city becomes a joy. I highly recommended you sign up beforehand and search through the site so that you know what you’ll be getting yourself into.

City Resources

CitySourced apps - City Sourced has city apps for just about any city you’ll be traveling to in the US. It is a real time mobile civic engagement platform. CitySourced provides a free, simple, and intuitive platform empowering residents to identify civic issues (public safety, quality of life, & environmental issues, etc.) and report them to city hall for quick resolution.

Commuting:

ParkMe - Wherever you’ll be traveling, you’re mostly likely going to rent a car. ParkMe will have information on the lots and parking garages in that city. Fueled by their real-time information on their Los Angeles Parking information page, their iOS and Android app for commuter in the area. The app shows you real-time parking information, prices, and availability for most of the San Francisco area.

Lodging and Planning:

Kayak - There are a ton of apps that let you purchase flights, taxis, and hotels, but none do it better than Kayak. It’s the easiest to use and sorting out the best, cheapest hotel in your destination is a breeze.

Feel free to share any must-have apps.