Get your iPhones and iPads out. Summertime is around the corner, which means we’ve got a new list of must-have apps for summer fun.
There’s an app for everything from making a killer marinade to detecting how long you can stay in the sun before turning into a lobster. Plus, we found a few to keep the kids busy during the long, school-free days.
Summer Fun
Go Select Passes (free). If you’re headed downtown with the kids, this app will save you both time and money. Purchase mobile passes for two or more Chicago attractions and you’re guaranteed savings—anywhere from 10 to 40 percent off the retail price. Choose from a number of premade packages, or create a custom activity package to build your own day downtown—and you get to skip the crazy ticket lines!
Chicago Festival Finder – Fest Calendar, Information and Directions (free). Need more things to do this summer? This app provides all the information you need for a slew of Chicago festivals (dates, times and even directions for some). Search by month, neighborhood or festival name, and email the details to friends directly from the app. Looking for festivals in the suburbs? Check out our guide here.
UV US – Weather Forecast, UV index and Alerts (free). We’re obsessed with this app for summer-sun safety. Enter your location, and the app not only tells you the weather, but also the UV index for that day. Use this info, and select your environment, skin type and SPF level to predict your “time to burn” (no joke). There’s also a database of facts about skin cancer, vitamin D, tanning and more.
Travel
Postagram Postcards (free). Snail mail has officially gone mobile! Send cool, personalized postcards to friends and family members right from your phone using photos from your camera roll, Instagram or Facebook. This unique app lets you select the photo, write your own special message, and send a physical postcard for just $0.99. Bonus: Mail your first 5 Postagrams for free for a limited time.
TripIt (free). Easily store all of your travel plans in one place, so you’re not holding up the line at the airport or hotel as you fumble through your email. Forward your confirmation emails to plans@tripit.com and they’re instantly recognized and saved to an itinerary on your iPhone or iPad. TripIt has gotten loads of national attention and was even awarded the “Best Travel Mobile App” at the Webby Awards in 2011.
Roadside America ($2.99). This is a must-download app for road trips. Find detailed information about 9,000 quirky attractions across the country—like the 3-Way Electrical Plug Sculpture in Pennsylvania or the World’s Largest Totem Pole in Oklahoma. Kids will love looking up unique things to do along the way to your destination.
If you’re headed abroad this summer, here are 10 more apps you need.
Food
Weber’s On the Grill ($4.99). Become a grill master this summer with access to more than 300 classic Weber recipes (including recipes for rubs, marinades and sauces). Find and save your favorites, create a shopping list for ingredients, and watch quick how-to videos featuring celebrity chefs. Search recipes based on what type of meat you’re cooking, and look up details on cook times and temps for each cut.
Mixologist Drink & Cocktail Recipes ($0.99). Whether you’re planning a drink menu for an outdoor soiree or you just want to sip on something fresh by the grill, this app makes it easy to find something awesome. With thousands of drink recipes, you can search for specific drinks, find recipes by a certain ingredient or create custom cocktails. Save your favorites for easy access later.
Food Network In the Kitchen ($1.99). This app features thousands of recipes and photos from top Food Network chefs. You can search by chef, recipe or ingredient and browse recipes in various categories—quick and easy, kid-friendly, vegetarian, etc. Save your favorites, and add your own notes, tips and substitutions for next time. Summer meals have never been so delicious.
Fitness
Nike+ Running (free). Whether you run marathons or you’re more of a casual runner, this app is the best out there. Track your distance, pace, time and calories burned, and check in with your stats at every mile via in-run audio feedback—no external sensors required. The app lets you view your routes on a map, set fitness goals and even manage your music from inside the app.
Lose It! (free). Our dining editor swears by this app to log calories and track weight loss. With endless amounts of summer parties and barbecues in your future, Lose It! is a great way to record meals, snacks and workouts so you don’t go overboard. The large database of foods and activities makes it a snap to measure exactly how much you should be eating and burning off.
Pocket Yoga ($2.99). All you need is your iPhone or iPad and you can get your om on anywhere, anytime. Grab a towel or mat, head outdoors, and the app will lead you through any of 27 different sessions. Choose between different practices, difficulty levels and durations to customize your session. Namaste!
