Game On! Navigating New York Via Text

As August approaches, many Manhattanites inevitably feel like they've exhausted every summer must-see on the list.  From rooftop bars to poolside sunning to back "yard" barbeques (not to mention all forms of typically indoor entertainment relocated to parks or - still less appealing - another island), let's face it, the city becomes, believe it or not, a been-there-done-that type of place. Call it the summer itch.

Before throwing in the proverbial towel and jumping on the Jitney, there's at least one more way to spend hot days - and hot dates - right here at home. Enter the up-and-coming company Stray Boots, a throwback to the classic scavenger hunt, with an interactive twist. Launched last summer by Manhattan native Avi Millman and pal Scott Knackmuhs of New Jersey, The Game appeals to tourists and locals alike, transforming familiar - and not so familiar - neighborhoods into an engaging playground fit for the New York novice as well as the so-called know-it-all. And all you need is a cell phone with texting capabilities. Not too tough. Friends visiting for the weekend? Follow up a Friday night on the town with a Saturday afternoon strolling the streets of your favorite area, or, for a greater challenge, somewhere a little lesser known. Stumped about where to take a date? This is indeed a superb way to spend the day with someone new or a longtime love. Re-acquainting ourselves with this metropolis from the perspective of a pair in search of something.

I recently spent an afternoon retracing steps I'd not traversed since summers studying at NYU. Operating sans iPhone or Blackberry, my partner-in-crime and I hadn't any opportunity to Google what we didn't know and took the sporadic point deductions in stride. We wandered aimlessly, made mistakes, laughed it off, and high-fived each time we got one right. This occupied us for hours, from mid-afternoon 'til nearly 9, trekking from Washington Square Park to Stonewall Street and everywhere in between and beyond. We came upon a quaint block party, found a huge American flag, 3/4 of an address, a very tiny, claustrophobic music store, and  mounted the steps of an ancient church hitherto not known to us, and learned a thing or two about Manhattan landmarks, permanently under our noses but otherwise overlooked. We even stopped for a slice and a couple cocktails on Bleecker Street mid-trip. It was one of my more memorable afternoons spent in New York to date. I highly recommend giving it a go, be it with friends, family or, for romantic roaming, that forthcoming date deserving of a little more amusement and creativity than the last guy or girl brought to the table. There's a reason you're on deck. Now ensure you stay there.

And don't forget your fanny pack.

How it works: visit NewYorkTheGame.com. Then, click "I want to play!" and select a timeframe (three hours, one day, three days or, their alternative option, museums only). Enter the number of people participating, the PaperMag.com promotional code (PAPER10)* and proceed to the payment page to check out. The confirmation page contains instructions for activating your mobile. These directions are also sent to you via e-mail, along with a "cheat sheet" containing tips and maps of each game zone. Game zones include SoHo, Flatiron District, Greenwich Village and five other areas, as well as two museums (The Met and the American Museum of Natural History). Initiate the exploration via text once established in the designated area.  Let The Game begin!

*Enter discount code PAPER10 now through Labor Day Weekend and receive an
additional $5 discount.