Stuck for a plan? Five location-based apps to help you discover a new city

Trying to discover a new town or city, but don’t know where to start? With a smartphone, you shouldn’t have to go through such dilemmas. We’ve found five apps to help you become your own tour guide in a new place. Just turn on location services on your phone before using each of them, and you’ll be ready to go!   1. World Around Me (WAM): Android/ iOS/ Windows Phone  Need to rush to the nearest ATM, petrol pump or pharmacy? This app can dig it all out for you with its intuitive interface and impressive location features. Not only does it identify nearby places, but it also gives you the directions how to get there with its built-in map. Powered by Google Maps, this app is a quick tool to find directions, phone numbers and reviews about important places in your neighbourhood. Its smart interface makes it easy to get your head around what it does and we  found it to be pretty slick in operation.   2. Zomato: Android/ iOS/ Windows Phone    The latest update to this popular restaurant-search app categorises nearby joints based on the mood, budget, taste and cuisine you might be looking for. Whether you’re a vegan, a music lover, or just want to try out a local cuisine, you’ll find several preferences neatly displayed on the easy-to-use app. Apart from exploring new dining places, the app also lets you review the restaurants you visit and collect points to become a self-proclaimed food critic.   3. Swarm: Android/ iOS    If you’re a social butterfly looking for company in a new town, you can use Swarm to reach out to your friends every time you check into a place.  The app will tell you if you have any friends nearby so you can meet them at a common place (provided they’ve installed the app too). For example, if you see that a friend on Swarm is at a restaurant that you know is nearby, you can choose to meet them there. The app lets you include your contacts on Twitter, Facebook and your phonebook, just as most social apps these days. Quite similar to Facebook’s check-in feature, but Swarm takes it one-step step further by sharing your location with your Swarm friends even when the app is closed.   4. Book My Show: Android/ iOS/ Windows Phone    You’ve probably used it for booking movie tickets, but the Book My Show mobile app is also a great social-search app - using your location to keep you informed about the coolest events, plays and festivals happening around you. That’s a lot of asking around saved for you. Booking tickets is as simple as can be, and the app gives you real-time updates about available seats and show timing. You can also save your credit/debit card information for faster transactions in the future.   5. Meetup: Android/ iOS/ Windows Phone    Meetup is a great app to meet new people who share the same interests as you. Based on your location, you get to choose from a variety of Meetup groups happening near you, or alternatively, create groups of your own. It’s a nice way to keep you busy during the holidays and weekends, and the app works like your personal task-manager for the various activities you plan. If you’re in a new city and are not comfortable discovering it solo, Meetup is a good way to find the right company, without having to resort to other friend-finding or dating services.