You’ve probably noticed Gemini is basically everywhere in Google’s ecosystem at this point , whether you asked for it or not. But here’s the thing: it’s actually pretty useful when it shows up in Google Maps, and I was genuinely shocked by how well it worked as a personal day planner.

I decided to test drive Gemini’s “Ask Maps” feature by letting it completely plan out a full day of exploring Seattle. I’m someone who’s obsessed with Google Maps , I’ve spent literally hours scrolling around looking for hidden gems, new coffee shops, and random playgrounds. But that endless scroll can also be super overwhelming, and I usually end up revisiting the same neighborhoods instead of adventuring into new territory. So I gave Gemini some basic parameters: public transit only, lunch somewhere, a nice walk, and a coffee shop where I could actually work. Oh, and I had to be home by 4:30 PM.

The AI started with suggestions that felt too obvious , places I’d already been recently , but after a quick back-and-forth, it nailed the vibe I was looking for. Tacos Chukis ended up being incredible, tucked into the back of a building I’d almost walked right past. The specialty tacos with grilled pineapple that Gemini recommended? Absolutely worth the hype. The app even got me there right when they opened.

Now, I did hit one major problem: Gemini completely hallucinated the location of Elliott Bay Books, telling me it was “one block east” when it was actually way further away. In the pouring rain, this could’ve been genuinely frustrating. That’s the big concern with using AI for navigation , it can confidently lie to you about real-world directions, which isn’t ideal when you’re trying to actually get somewhere.

But after I corrected it, Gemini suggested Kobo, this beautiful Japanese goods store I didn’t even know existed nearby. Then there was the Volunteer Park Conservatory, which turned out to be exactly what I needed on a gross, rainy day. The app didn’t mention the $6 admission upfront, which was a minor L, but spending time surrounded by impossibly tall palms and weird cacti in a warm greenhouse? Totally worth it.

Here’s what really got me thinking though: so much of what made this day actually good came from other people. The conservatory worker who made sure I saw the cacti room. The reviews on Google Maps that told me which spots were actually worth visiting. Gemini was just the middleman connecting me to all that human knowledge.

That said, when you’re staring at thousands of options on a map, having an AI that can actually filter through reviews and suggest stuff based on your specific needs? That’s genuinely useful. It’s not replacing the experience of exploring , it’s just making it less paralyzing.

I ended the day at Day Made Kaffe, a minimalist coffee shop with excellent cardamom buns (okay, they were out, but the guava pastry hit different). I walked through my door at 4:26 PM. Gemini nailed it.

The tool isn’t perfect, but it’s pretty damn solid for anyone trying to actually explore their city without getting completely lost in decision paralysis.