How Social Media Makes Navigating New York a Walk in the Park

New York City is a sprawling metropolis filled with countless things to do and places to see. In the city that never sleeps, 8.3 million people are holding art shows, dining out, attending concerts, and doing chores at all hours of the day. How can you keep up with so many things happening 24/7?

Whether you’re a native or just stopping by to see the sights, these five social media-powered apps can help you navigate The Big Apple.

It Helps You Navigate Subways

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The Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA) maintains 6,311 subway cars, 24 subway lines, and 659 miles of track—a dizzying number of interlocking parts for anyone not familiar with subterranean mass transit. Luckily, apps like KICKMap NYC Subway Map are available on most smart phones and take guesswork out of the subway equation. This handy app provides day and evening maps, step-by-step directions for transferring between lines, and GPS tracking to help you figure out where you are and where to go next. You can even share directions with friends via e-mail, Twitter, or Web Link.

It Finds You Things to Do

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Your social media news feeds are prime locations for scoping out fun things to do in New York. Some companies devote entire blogs and magazines to advertising all sorts of interesting events in the worlds of film, theater, music, nightlife, and more. Time Out New York, for example, neatly tags and organizers every social gathering you can imagine in the Big Apple by type, date, price, popularity, and more. They also compile thousands of restaurant, bar, and venue reviews. Of course, you’ll want to make sure your devices are hooked up to a reliable internet connection as New York is easier to navigate via web-based resources.

It Keeps Your Belly Full

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No trip to New York City is complete without a sampling of the fine international cuisine on practically every block. But why make the trip across town to find just the dish you were looking for when you can easily place your order online and have it delivered. Seamless does exactly that. All you have to do is think of what you’d like to eat, type in your address, and peruse the 12,000 delivery/carry-out menus in their archives. Friend them on Facebook to find exclusive deals and plenty of ideas if you’re not quite sure what to order.

It Makes Central Park a Walk in the… Well, You Know

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The 840-acre Central Park in the heart of New York City offers citizens an oasis of natural beauty and peaceful escape from the concrete jungle. It’s one of the most popular and storied parks in the entire United States and as such offers plenty to do. Central Park NYC Lite for iPod/iPhone contains a repository of over 100 points of interest in the park, including detailed stories about landmarks like Bethesda Fountain, Shakespeare Garden, and Belvedere Castle. Even if you’re not a history buff, you can still use the app for simpler things, like locating the nearest restroom.

It Helps You Meet New People

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Image via Flickr by Sheconomy®

Moving to a big city by yourself can be daunting and alienating, especially if you don’t know anyone when you arrive. Lucky for you, groups like the New York Social Network organize activities nearly every day of the week. You’ll see everything from karaoke get-togethers to wine tasting tours to volunteer night at the homeless shelter. Regardless of what the occasion, NYSN’s main goal is to help people, single or not, to expand their social circles and meet new friends. This kind of networking is your most valuable asset while you’re trying to navigate the most populated city in the US. Locals can help lead you to new and exciting places and activities you might not have discovered otherwise, or could even put in a good word for you and help you find a job.

New York City is a place unlike any other. Utilize the power of social networking apps so you can make the most of your time in the Big Apple.