Find the MoMA Using its Logo

Have you ever flown to a tourism destination and been baffled about all the signage in a foreign language and had difficulty getting your bearings?

NYC Map, a new and free iPhone travel app from New York City’s tourism body, NYC and Company, and City Maps makes strides in solving that dilemma by enabling users to search and locate points of interest by tapping on company logos to access more information.

Although it is a very commercial approach, hopefully some of these logos would be widely recognized, assisting visitors’ searches for things to do around the five boroughs.

After granting permission, the app recognizes your location. If you are in the neighborhood, for example, you can tap on the Museum of Modern Art logo and get the address and phone number, read a brief description of the venue, view some photos and even check in on foursquare, if that’s your style.

However, some of the app’s search functionality could be a lot better.

For example, a search for the Chelsea Piers sports complex, located on the Hudson River waterfront between W. 17th and W. 23rd streets, produces a wayward result for Pier 9, a restaurant at 802 9th Ave. in Manhattan.

And, the app’s descriptions of attractions would be considered terse, at best.

Still, you can click on logos and use NYC Map to find attractions, including restaurants, shopping, entertainment, bars and nightlife and hotels nearby or you can filter the app to just show each category.

The app also features restaurant menus and the ability to make reservations through OpenTable.

And, if you don’t want to be limited in your touristy pursuits to your current location, you can tap on a “Jump To” icon to search different sections of the city ranging from Battery Park in Manhattan to Park Slope in Brooklyn.

And, for travelers on a budget, the app serves up nearby daily deals from Groupon, Living Social, Restaurants.com and others.

It should help the next time you’ve got a flight to New York.

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photo: wm_archiv