Online Driving Directions

Most individuals understand that maps are so much more than a few lines or symbols on a piece of paper. Maps are the gateway to our understanding of the world, as well as showing migration patterns, continental climates and places of great biodiversity at-a-glance.

Presently, customizable online maps have opened a window of opportunity for having fun with maps. The course to our favorite restaurants and the cheapest gas stations can be plotted, or you can find local news. Modern day maps are so much more than basic driving directions.

Google Maps has become the template of choice for a number of local food maps. At www.menurequest.com, you can plot restaurants on a map of your city, as well as read/write reviews, make reservations and get driving directions. In Philadelphia, www.communitywalk.com is an amazing resource for local event organizers who want to ask a number of nearby restaurants to participate.

At www.toeat.com, you will find a number of dining options in your neighborhood. In major cities like NY, Paris, Bangkok and Chicago, you will find baked goods at www.yummybaguette.com. Or you may need to get your burrito fix at www.burritophile.com. Drinkers can appreciate www.drinktown.com, which lets you know all the local booze specials.

As you can see, street maps are so much more than just compendiums of driving directions. Today's online map is part travel advisor, part photographer, part encyclopedia, part Yellowpages and part friend.

You can read reviews of local businesses, learn about tourist destinations in a Wikipedia window or even find bus schedules. Google Maps. MapQuest, Yahoo Maps and MSN Live Earth are all competing sites vying for your attention. The best news is that all of this is easy to use and free!

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