My NYC trip in apps

Working in social media is pretty great. It also makes me an anal online investigator. When planning a trip I read lots of blogs, plan my wardrobe on Pinterest, and Instgram everything. I can't help it it's just who I am. So when my bf got me tickets for Governors Ball for my birthday I immediately started my research for NYC! Here are a few apps we used along the way and blogs I researched for planning the best NYC trip.

Airbnb

Yelp

Uber

Southwest

TKTS

GovBallNYC

Pinterest 

NYC Subway Map

Flavorpill

We started with booking a place to stay then our flight. Airbnb was pretty hyped during SXSW so I did a little research and found a few things about the site...you have to read the full details of places to figure out if you will have the whole place or if the owner will stay there as well. So a "room" is just that but a "full home" is the whole the place to yourself. After mapping the neighborhood and narrowing down we also noticed that some places listed pets. With my allergies all cat places were bye bye. Reading reviews from past guests helped and after being in contact with a few people we found a place available during our visit. They suggest you contact multiple owners because some will be busy or take a while to get back with you. Using the app you can message the owners and email to get quick responses and you can get notifications when the owners answer you. Really helpful and a great experience.

I personally hate yelp for anything other than searching nearby food/bars. We used yelp a lot when deciding where to eat. You can search for places close to you and get reviews/menus/suggestions on what is good. It also can map and show the websites. We found some good food and bars through this.

The first time I tried to use uber it was busy but the second time I got a car in 5 minutes. Uber is a car service that is cheaper than a taxi and better. They get paid through the app and don't accept tips. You can also get ride codes and save $ on your first ride. The perks are you open the app request a ride and if someone is near by the will accept and pick you up. Loved it super easy ride back to the airport and they picked me up at our doorstep.

I always use my Southwest app while traveling. You can check in, get a digital boarding pass, and get text notifications if your flight info changes. Love the app and it keeps track of my points! Also people always ask how I afford to travel...well my flight cost $10 for HOU to NYC because I got a Southwest credit card! Have gotten several flights out of my points to LA a few times. Read this blog for details on the best credit cards for travel: www.thepointsguy.com

TKTS is the place to get all info on half price Broadway tickets. They have 3 locations where you can purchase but in the app you get updates on available tickets, times, and shows. We went to the Times Square location but didn't end up buying any tickets. 

I am on Pinterest a lot and use my Oh The Pinteresting Places You'll Go board to collect places to eat, travel and packing tips, and my fav blogs. Below is my Pinterest and links to a few of my favorite posts. I pack everything into one carry on for every trip. Weekend or week long I make it fit by rolling everything and using my birchbox samples instead of packing heavy stuff. Only essentials make the bag! 

http://www.pinterest.com/jb1996/oh-the-pinteresting-places-you-will-go/

http://lemonstripes.com/travel/carry-on/?t=50089#_a5y_p=763894
http://themamasgirls.com/smart-packing-in-just-one-carry-on/
http://www.babble.com/travel/25-free-things-to-do-in-new-york-city/
http://prettyprovidence.com/how-to-experience-new-york-city-on-a-budget/

At any festival you have to get the apps. The GovBallNYC app had set lists, maps, updates, and vendor info. Through the app you can favorite all shows you plan to go to and they will send you push notifications 15 minutes before the show. 

We rode the subway and walked almost everywhere but found out the last day there was a Subway Map app! This would have helped because navigating the subway was hard to figure out and pulling up the map in a browser took forever.
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/new-york-subway-map/id369691844?mt=8

Flavorpill NYC show you what's happening in arts, music, food, events, and more. One of the cool things we found was a music store where you buy an album and get a ticket to an in studio performance/autograph signing with the band. It sounded like a lot of fun. http://flavorpill.com/newyork