authentic travel
Image courtesy of Christopher Meder via Shutterstock.

In this day and age, there is no shortage of travel apps that can help you organize your trip. From localized services to airline booking apps to nifty programs that work offline, a quick search for useful travel apps will bring up hundreds of options. That being said, it can be difficult to sift through the dominant generic information to find suggestions for local, ethical and authentic travel experiences. Every location has its unique charms, but that uniqueness can get lost in the mass of information. That’s where the following apps come in.

Here are some of the best apps for finding authentic travel experiences:

authentic travel
Image courtesy of eva101 via Spotted by Locals.

1. Spotted by Locals

Who better to tell you how to explore a place than the people who actually live there? Spotted by Locals features easy-to-follow travel advice for all kinds of cities, compiled by locals. Use this app to find places you wouldn’t hear about otherwise, recommended by people who really know their stuff.

Image courtesy of oneinchpunch via Shutterstock.
Image courtesy of oneinchpunch via Shutterstock.

2. Grouper

Any travel guide can send you to a well-known restaurant or a new bar. And while there’s certainly nothing wrong with that, Grouper can offer you a more personalized dining, partying or bar-hopping experience. The app links you up with locals or other travelers looking to share a meal or drink with like-minded people. This can be a great way to meet new people, discover local cuisine and get off the tourist track.

authentic travel
Image courtesy of turtix via Shutterstock.

3. Roadtrippers

One of those classic travel experiences is the American road trip. Whether you’re a resident or not, there is so much to discover by driving across the US. Specifically designed for travelers with a car and some time on their hands, Roadtrippers  helps you plan your US road trip, from mapping out your route to finding tiny details and places of interest along the way.

authentic travel
Image courtesy of svariophoto via Shutterstock.

4. Foodspotting

Perfect for when you’re in a new location and desperately want to try their signature dish, Foodspotting works in the opposite way to most food apps. Instead of searching by restaurant, this handy app lets you search by dish in your location. For instance, next time you’re in Fez and searching for the best nearby couscous, Foodspotting can help you out.

authentic travel
Image courtesy of Localeur.

5. Localeur

This sleek little app offers exactly what its name suggests: Localeur is filled with locals’ suggestions for food, culture, nightlife, shopping and accommodation. Only residents of each location are invited to contribute suggestions, though travelers can vote up or down on each item, so you can see what fellow travelers have appreciated before you.

authentic travel
Image courtesy of Party with a Local.

6. Party with a Local

If you’re in a new city and looking for someone to head out on the town with, Party with a Local can match you up with a local who can show you the nightlife in their home city. You can either head out with them for a drink at their favorite venue, or just ask them for tips over the app if you already have some friends on hand to help you paint the town.

What are your favorite apps for discovering local and authentic travel experiences? Please share in the comments below.

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Jessica Festa

Jessica Festa is the editor of Epicure & Culture as well as Jessie on a Journey. She enjoys getting lost in new cities and having experiences you don’t read about in guidebooks. Some of her favorite travel experiences have been teaching English in Thailand, trekking her way through South America, backpacking Europe solo, road tripping through Australia, agritouring through Tuscany, and volunteering in Ghana.

Jessica Festa

Jessica Festa is the editor of Epicure & Culture as well as Jessie on a Journey. She enjoys getting lost in new cities and having experiences you don’t read about in guidebooks. Some of her favorite travel experiences have been teaching English in Thailand, trekking her way through South America, backpacking Europe solo, road tripping through Australia, agritouring through Tuscany, and volunteering in Ghana.

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