Whether you're hitting the open road, packing a swimsuit for the beach, hiking in the mountains or rediscovering your own hometown, here are eight must-download apps to make your vacation all the more pleasurable.
To jazz up your weekend with a sexy staycation, check out Hotel Tonight, a beautifully designed mobile app offering last-minute deals on hotel rooms for tonight, tomorrow, or up to one week out. Choose from rooms categorized as luxe, solid, hip, or charming—you'll be sleeping under 300 thread count sheets before you can say "room service." // Download Hotel Tonighthere.
From Andrew Mason, the guy who brought us Groupon, comes Detour, a collection of audio tours narrated by in-the-know locals. Detour's guides will, of course, point out the famous stuff, but they'll also turn you on to hidden gems and little-known tales that make each neighborhood special. Detour is only available in Austin and San Francisco; so, unless you're headed to the Lone Star State, this one's for staycationers. Discover another side of Fisherman’s Wharf, take a Sweets Tour of the Marina, or learn all about garbage (you heard that right) on the very unique Trash Tour. // Download Detour here.
So you took a billion pictures while traveling. Now what? Make the most of those magical memories by turning them into gorgeous stories. Steller's array of well designed templates will add themes and your own personal narration to your pics. Once created, share your stories on Steller and connect with its community—you might just find inspiration for your next big trip. // Download Steller here.
Gonna get your kicks on Route 66? Download Roadtrippers, an application geared toward showing you all the cool sites between point A and point B. First, type in your starting point as well as your final destination. Then, pick the stuff you're into—it could be anything from craft breweries to movie locations. Roadtrippers will make a custom itinerary with all the awesome spots you might otherwise have missed. You can add up to 28 destinations, or simply search for what’s around you—that's a great way to play tourist in your own town. // Download Roadtrippes here.
A handy resource for outdoor adventurers, AllTrails is the park ranger of travel apps. Here you can explore hiking and mountain biking paths, as well as ski runs and campsites, both nearby and nationwide. Set the filters to suit your preferences for distance, vistas, difficulty and more, then lace up your sneakers and hit the trail. You can record all your conquests, too. // Download AllTrails here.
When you find yourself passing that flask of bourbon around the campfire beneath a clear midnight sky and wondering what constellation of stars that might be overhead, SkyView is like Trivial Pursuit for off-the-grid gamers. Developed by NASA, this is the "internet's virtual telescope." // Download StarView here.
Forget Yelp. The best way to discover any city, whether it's a far-flung first-time visit or your very own backyard, is through the positive recommendations of locals—no negativity, no BS. HeyLets gets our thumbs-up. Why? The app and website let us filter our search by specific interests—think antique shops, outdoor bars, and zumba classes—and offers up recommendations from users with similar taste. Simple. Smart. // Download HeyLets here.
Boutique hotel lovers will find much to swoon over with Mr. & Mrs. Smith, a travel company that curates only the most stylish small stays around the world. Browse and daydream on the site till your heart's content, or book hotels via the new mobile app—it’s even easier to find your dream bed. // Download Mr. & Mrs. Smith here.
