Google offers virtual trip for New York City

(image taken from screen capture of nycgo website)

Planning a trip just got easier. Everyone knows the hassle that comes when planning a trip to see all the cool sites, museums and other hot spots around the city. Well Google and the City of New York have launched a virtual website to help you make your trip virtually easier before venturing out into the city to do it in person. The new website allows you to explore the Big Apple from the comfort of your home, phone or where ever else you can surf in from. This program even gives you options to see buildings in 3D and also experience New York in the "Google Street View" experience too.

(video originally found on YouTube Website - Google)
I would definitely recommend to watching this video and judge for yourself how amazing this service really is to the public.

The Mayor of New York city Michael Bloomberg launched the new website nycgo.com to the public for all to see. The information center for this project is located in Manhattan on 810 Seventh Avenue, between 52nd and 53rd Streets. The center itself offers touch screen interfaces for people to use in person. The video segment above gives you a glimps at how amazing and cutting edge this center really is. I think young and old will be in awe when visiting the information center in person.

""This dynamic site uses Google Maps to help you plan your New York experience," Bloomberg said in a posting at Google's website.

"So whether you are a visitor or a resident, we invite you to explore New York City from your home computer, your mobile phone -- and of course, in person."

People can use nycgo.com to learn about attractions, promotions, events and more, then map itineraries using Google software and send the information to mobile telephones for reference while on the move."

(image found on raising the bar: winter roof hotspots on nycgo.com)

I had a chance to check out the site and try it a bit. I enjoy the layout and design. The site is designed in a simple and user friendly format. I think this is a big plus because there are to many sites that just over complicate things. I especially enjoyed the assorted views of the inside of various places to get an idea of what it looks like. To many times all we get a chance to see is the outside which leaves many times much to the imagination.

This tool is a great way to view a city. I look forward when this kind of project is unveiled for my home Chicago and then some of the other metropolitan city's around the United States. This is definitely a step in the right direction when it comes down to broadening our horizons and really having a chance to see all the beauty the city has to give. This is definelty another "WoW" product from Google.

So if you have some free time check out the site and enjoy all that the Big Apple has to offer.

Google and New York City Launch town-touring technology tools (AFP)

New York uses Google Maps to guide Tourists (ComputerWorld Government)

Google-Powered Nycgo.com Site is Great Lesson in Interactive Web Maps (Google Watch)