NY State Parks Explorer vs Ask James

From the oceanfront shores of Long Island to the mighty Niagara Falls, more than 250 parks, historic sites, trails, golf courses, boat launches, and campgrounds are just a few taps away. With the New York State Parks Explorer App, you can plan getaways, explore favorite regions and discover new adventures and cultural gems with easy access to enhanced trail mapping, must-sees, things to know before you go, apparel and merchandise, and regularly updated information including special events and alerts. Discover your next adventure, download the NY State Explorer app today. Key highlights and recent enhancements include: • Users can discover new must-see locations with rotating curated content, and will enjoy quick access to park information, including directions, hours, fees and rates, trail maps, and helpful know-before-you-go details; • Empire Pass holders have the option to digitally add their pass to the wallet within the NYS Explorer app. • Expansion of the search function so that visitors can search for parks and historic sites from multiple regions at a time. • Link directly to online camping reservations to book a stay, and • The option to favorite select properties to receive important updates and real-time alerts. Interactive map elements now provide visitors: • Easier wayfinding: When the user's mobile device's location services are turned "on", visitors can easily follow along with where they are on the map; • The ability to zoom in on and around each map to learn more about the facility; • Information about trails, park features, and amenities by simply tapping on a trail or icon; • Trail segment distance; and • The ability to change base layers in live maps from satellite view, simple street view, or topography.

Meet James, your personal New York City concierge, powered by AI. Instead of scrolling through reviews, bouncing between maps, or asking friends for the tenth time, just ask James. WHAT YOU CAN ASK • “Best pizza slice in the East Village?” • “Where should I take my parents for dinner in Midtown?” • “What’s happening this weekend under $30?” • “I have 3 hours before my flight. What should I do near JFK?” • “Bar with outdoor seating in Williamsburg for a first date?” James gives you a straight answer, remembers what you’ve told him, and gets more useful the more you chat. KEY FEATURES Real-time recommendations Discover restaurants, bars, events, museums, neighborhoods, hidden gems, and more based on what you’re actually looking for. On Our Radar See what’s happening across New York City, from Broadway and major events to local happenings worth knowing about. Filter by category and save what interests you. Trip Planner Build a day-by-day NYC itinerary with James. Perfect for visitors planning their trip or New Yorkers showing someone around the city. Photo Lookups Snap a menu, subway sign, landmark, or storefront. Ask James what you’re looking at and get the context you need. Save Your Favorites Keep places, itineraries, and event picks together and synced to your account. WHY ASK JAMES? Search gives you endless results. Review sites give you endless opinions. James gives you a straight answer. Sign in with Apple, Google, Microsoft, or email. Made in New York, by New Yorkers, for anyone who ever wished they had a friend in the city.