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Best New York City History Apps

147+ iOS apps curated and reviewed

4.5 avg rating
20 free apps
Updated May 2026

If you already know Urban Archive Explore History, this is the deeper bench. 147+ new york city history apps for iPhone, all reviewed and ranked by user rating, recency, and download trend as of May 2026.

Compare top New York City History Apps (May 2026)

#AppPriceRatingAdsIn-App PurchasesUpdated
1Urban Archive Explore HistoryUrban Archive Explore HistoryFree4.7★ (227)NoNoJul 2026
2GeoNYC - History In LocationGeoNYC - History In LocationFree5.0★ (3)NoNoMay 2026
3NYC Revolutionary TrailNYC Revolutionary TrailFree5.0★ (2)NoNoJul 2026
4OldNYC - Historical NYC PhotosOldNYC - Historical NYC PhotosFree4.6★ (28)NoNoMay 2026
5The New YorkerThe New YorkerFree3.9★ (8K)YesYesAug 2026
6New York Subway MTA Map NYCNew York Subway MTA Map NYCFree4.6★ (109K)YesYesAug 2026
7pulsd - The Best of New Yorkpulsd - The Best of New YorkFree4.9★ (9.4K)NoNoAug 2026
8New York City Travel GuideNew York City Travel GuideFree4.8★ (515)NoYesAug 2026

Top Picks for New York City History

Urban Archive Explore History#1

Urban Archive Explore History by Urban Archive, Inc.

The City is Your Museum
Editor's Choice
📚 Education
4.7😊(227 ratings)
Free
Urban Archive Explore History screenshot 1
Urban Archive Explore History screenshot 2
Urban Archive Explore History screenshot 3
Urban Archive Explore History screenshot 4
Urban Archive Explore History screenshot 5
Urban Archive Explore History screenshot 6

Explore NYC's past with a vast mobile archive of historical images. Compare then-and-now photos of streets and buildings, uncovering history at its original location. Partnering with over 30 cultural institutions, it brings the city's heritage to your fingertips.

What We Love

  • 📸 Exceptional historical photo collection and archival content
  • 🗺️ Innovative location-based history discovery
  • 👍 User-friendly and intuitive interface design
  • 📚 Educational value with rich historical context

Room to Improve

  • 🐛 Frequent crashes and app instability
  • ⏱️ Sluggish performance and loading delays
  • 🔗 Broken notification links not opening content
GeoNYC - History In Location#2

GeoNYC - History In Location by Bello social, Inc.

Explore New York City
Strong Contender
📚 Education
5.0(3 ratings)
Free
GeoNYC - History In Location screenshot 1
GeoNYC - History In Location screenshot 2

Discover historical photos of New York City overlaid on your current location. See the city as it was in the 20th century and earlier, with images sourced from the New York Public Library's collection. Explore the past right where you stand.

More New York City History apps to explore

4
OldNYC - Historical NYC Photos
OldNYC - Historical NYC Photos
OldNYC - Historical NYC Photos
Explore New York City history
Free

Explore over a century of New York City's past with a vast collection of historical photographs. Discover the evolution of thousands of locations across all five boroughs, offering a unique glimpse into the city's rich history.

Explore 100+ years of NYC historyThousands of historical photo locationsCovers all five boroughs
📚 Education
(28)
free
5
The New Yorker
The New Yorker
The New Yorker
News, Culture, Audio, Humor
Free

Access in-depth reporting, cultural commentary, fiction, and humor from global contributors. Read or listen to top stories, solve puzzles, and enjoy cartoons. Save articles for offline access.

In-depth reportingPolitical and cultural commentaryFiction and poetry
📡 News
(8K)
freemium
6
New York Subway MTA Map NYC
New York Subway MTA Map NYC
New York Subway MTA Map NYC
Live NY Routes & Transit Times
Free

Navigate New York City's subway system with official MTA maps and a smart route planner. Get live service status, countdown clocks, and offline access to help you travel efficiently. Plan routes to popular attractions and save your favorite stations.

Official MTA subway mapsTransit route plannerOffline functionality
🗺️ Navigation
(109K)
free with in-app purchases
7
pulsd - The Best of New York
pulsd - The Best of New York
pulsd - The Best of New York
Democratizing Fun
Free

Discover unique and authentic New York City experiences with a constantly updated list of events. Easily find and purchase tickets for concerts, sample sales, tastings, and more, with all voucher information stored in your account.

Curated event listingsReal-time updatesTicket purchasing
🌟 Lifestyle
(9.4K)
free
8
New York City Travel Guide
New York City Travel Guide
New York City Travel Guide
with New York City Map & Metro
Free

Explore a city with an offline travel guide featuring augmented reality, interactive maps, and daily itineraries. Discover attractions, restaurants, and nightlife without an internet connection. Get practical tips for shopping, commuting, and safety.

Augmented Reality (AR) city discovery100% Offline travel guideOffline interactive zoomable maps
✈️ Travel
(515)
free with in-app purchases
9
American Museum of Nat History
American Museum of Nat History
American Museum of Nat History
AMNH Visitor Guide - New York
Free

Explore the American Museum of Natural History with this comprehensive offline guide. Discover exhibits, learn about the museum's history, and access practical visitor information. Includes a full New York City travel guide with maps and itineraries.

Offline museum guideExhibit descriptionsMuseum history
📚 Education
(355)
free with in-app purchases
10
Eric's New York - Travel Guide
Eric's New York - Travel Guide
Eric's New York - Travel Guide
Offline City Map & Metro Lines
Free

Explore New York City offline with a comprehensive guide featuring maps, walking tours, and metro information. Discover attractions, restaurants, and hidden gems, and save money with ticket discounts. Plan your perfect trip by saving favorites and adding your own must-see spots.

Offline New York City mapPoints of interest highlightingOffline subway map
✈️ Travel
(634)
free with in-app purchases
11
New York City Subway
New York City Subway
New York City Subway
Offline maps and route planner
Free

Navigate the NYC subway system with offline maps and a route planner. Find stations near your current location or a specific address, and save your favorite routes. This app provides a comprehensive guide to traveling through New York City's transit network.

Offline subway mapsRoute plannerStation locator
✈️ Travel
(3.8K)
free with in-app purchases
12
Metropolitan Museum of Art NYC
Metropolitan Museum of Art NYC
Metropolitan Museum of Art NYC
The MET Visitor Guide New York
Free

Discover New York City and the Metropolitan Museum of Art with this comprehensive offline visitor guide. Explore city attractions, public transport, and detailed museum information including collections, history, and practical tips for an enriching travel experience.

Offline city travel guidePublic transportation mapsZoomable street maps
📚 Education
(1.2K)
free with in-app purchases
13
StreetEasy NYC Rentals & Sales
StreetEasy NYC Rentals & Sales
StreetEasy NYC Rentals & Sales
Apartments For Rent & For Sale
Free

Discover the largest selection of NYC apartments for rent and sale. Filter by neighborhood, amenities, or virtual tours to find your perfect home. Save favorites and get instant updates on price changes.

Search NYC rentals and salesFilter by neighborhood and amenitiesView virtual tours and floor plans
🌟 Lifestyle
(131K)
free
14
New York Magazine
New York Magazine
New York Magazine
Culture, Politics, News, Style
Free

Access a curated collection of articles covering culture, politics, news, and style. Enjoy a seamless reading experience with customizable modes, easy site switching, and personalized content. Listen to select articles with audio playback and engage in discussions.

Dark Mode readingSeamlessly switch between Vulture, The Cut, Intelligencer, Curbed, Grub Street, and The StrategistPersonalized recommendations
📰 Magazines & Newspapers
(105)
free with in-app purchases
15
NYC Bus Checker
NYC Bus Checker
NYC Bus Checker
Live Bus Times for New York
Free

Get live bus times, plan journeys, and view route maps for all New York City buses. Access real-time updates on detours and cancellations, and save your favorite stops for quick access.

Live bus timesSmart journey planningDetailed route maps
✈️ Travel
(3K)
free with in-app purchases
16
New York Map and Walks
New York Map and Walks
New York Map and Walks
by GPSmyCity.com, Inc.
Free

Explore the city with self-guided walking tours and a detailed offline map. Discover attractions, hidden gems, and local businesses at your own pace. Track your steps, take photos, and share your journey without needing an internet connection.

Self-guided walking toursDetailed offline city mapSearch for streets and businesses
✈️ Travel
(1)
free
17
NYC Ferry
NYC Ferry
NYC Ferry
Explore NYC like never before
Free

This app offers a comfortable and enjoyable way to commute and explore New York City. It provides paperless ticketing, live scheduling with real-time updates, and a trip planner to discover new routes. Receive personalized notifications and consider an unlimited pass for frequent travel.

Paperless ticketingLive schedulingReal-time updates
✈️ Travel
(52K)
free with in-app purchases
18
NYC Transit: MTA Subway & Bus
NYC Transit: MTA Subway & Bus
NYC Transit: MTA Subway & Bus
Live Times, LIRR, Metro-North
Free

Navigate New York City like a local with real-time updates for subways, buses, and trains. Plan trips, get arrival alerts, and track your journey with detailed maps and customizable widgets.

Real-time MTA subway, bus, and train trackingArrival and stop alertsTrip planner with step-by-step directions
🗺️ Navigation
(38K)
free with in-app purchases
19
New York Subway Map MTA NYC
New York Subway Map MTA NYC
New York Subway Map MTA NYC
Offline NY Subway Transit Map
Free

Navigate New York City's public transit system offline with this comprehensive subway map. Access detailed station information, including transfers, gate addresses, and accessibility features. Includes LIRR, Metro-North, and bus route maps for complete transit coverage.

Offline subway mapMTA subway station informationAccessibility details
✈️ Travel
(1.2K)
ad-supported
20
New York:
New York:
New York:
by PocketGuide Inc.
Free

Explore iconic landmarks and hidden gems of a major global city with an audio guide. Discover local stories, insider tips, and critical reviews for dining and shopping. Offers themed tours for unique experiences.

GPS-enabled audio toursOffline maps and contentLocal stories and secrets
✈️ Travel
(2)
free with in-app purchases

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FAQ about New York City History

What are the best new york city history apps for iPhone?
Urban Archive Explore History tops our new york city history apps ranking as of May 2026, with a 4.7-star average from 227 App Store ratings, and it's free to download.
Yes — 20 of the top new york city history apps we rank are free to download, including Urban Archive Explore History and GeoNYC - History In Location.
Urban Archive Explore History has no ads and has no in-app purchases, according to its App Store listing as of May 2026.
We track 147+ new york city history apps on the iOS App Store as of May 2026, ranked by rating, recency, and analysis of real user reviews.
This app provides the largest mobile archive of historical images for New York City. It allows users to uncover history by mapping tens of thousands of historical images across the five boroughs and comparing them with current streetscapes.
Key features include access to a vast collection of mapped historical images, the ability to add new images daily, and the functionality to create instant then-and-now photos of buildings and city streetscapes for a direct historical comparison.