Top 5 Apps for Vancouver Visitors

Chunky guide books take up too much room in your carry-on. When you need Vancouver info right now, take these helpful mobile apps in hand instead:

Tourism Vancouver: start with this free destination-specific app developed by Vancouver’s official tourism board

for Windows Mobile, Android Mobile and iPhone
interactive tourist guide with integrated street navigation of Vancouver and Whistler
mapping and navigation to all local points of interest including hotels, restaurants and attractions
one-touch reservations
What to Do section and seasonal events calendar
transportation planner
emergency services information
ability to “footprint” photos and replay them on Google Earth
ability to receive updated weather reports and news flashes

NearMeBC: this free app from Hello BC, the province’s official tourism organization, quickly points you to the hotels, restaurants, watering holes or attractions nearest your location

for iPhone
includes 4,000 listings province-wide
particularly helpful for last-minute “where should we go tonight?” decisions
information can be marked and saved for review off-line

Yelp: this free app gives you easy access to one of Vancouver’s most popular user-generated review sites

for Blackberry, Palm Pre, Android and iPhone
particularly helpful for hospitality-related reviews: bars, restaurants, lounges, hotels
search by category–ie, “pizza, Thai”–or name

Groupon: find great daily deals at Vancouver restaurants, bars, spas, events and attractions with this free app

for iPhone and Android and “vintage” mobiles
find deals for any city where Groupon is active
one-touch downloading
keep track of deals by location, date and expiration
discount coupons are redeemable right from your phone

EnRoute/Air Canada Dining Guide: a free app from the publisher of one of Canada’s most reliable Top New Restaurants lists

for iPhone and Blackberry
province-specific dining recommendations based on EnRoute’s picks since 2002
current Top 10 Best New Restaurants
special wine features, route maps and more

>>Ready to book a flight? Learn more here about how to find cheap fares to Vancouver.

>>Find more official tourism organizations in Canada here.