# Foursquare MCP > Foursquare lets you audit location data directly through your AI client. Search for venues, pull detailed metadata like categories and addresses, and gather public sentiment by analyzing community tips and photos. It acts as a real-time location intelligence scout for market research or local service management. ## Overview - **Category:** data-management - **Price:** Free - **Tags:** location-data, venue-discovery, poi-search, metadata, geospatial-data ## Description If you're doing anything that relies on knowing what’s where—from checking competitor pop-ups to mapping out the best lunch spots near an office—this MCP is built for you. You connect it through your preferred AI client, and your agent handles all the heavy lifting. Instead of manually visiting a dashboard or running multiple searches, you simply ask questions about local areas. Your agent can search for specific types of venues by name or coordinates, pull detailed data sheets on those places, and even list photos to give you an immediate feel for the aesthetic. It pulls in community reviews and tips so you understand public sentiment instantly. By using this MCP through Vinkius, your AI client becomes a comprehensive location scout that keeps your geographic data current and accurate, no matter how complex the area is. ## Tools ### autocomplete_places Provides real-time suggestions when you are typing a place name. ### get_nearby_places Identifies multiple locations that are close to specific coordinates. ### get_place_details Retrieves the full set of metadata for one particular venue. ### get_place_photos Fetches a list of photos that have been uploaded to a specific location listing. ### get_place_tips Queries community-submitted tips and reviews for one venue. ### list_categories Lists all the official categories used by Foursquare to classify venues. ### search_places Searches the database for places based on user-defined criteria. ## Prompt Examples **Prompt:** ``` Search for coffee shops near 'New York, NY'. ``` **Response:** ``` I've found several coffee shops in New York. Top results include 'Blue Bottle Coffee' and 'Stumptown Coffee Roasters'. Would you like the addresses for any of them? ``` **Prompt:** ``` Show me tips for place ID 4b2af3d6f964a520... ``` **Response:** ``` I've retrieved 5 tips for this venue. Customers recommend the 'espresso' and mentioned the 'cozy seating area'. Would you like to see the full list? ``` **Prompt:** ``` Get nearby places for lat 40.7, long -74.0. ``` **Response:** ``` Finding nearby venues... I've identified several places within 1km, including a 'Fitness Center' and a 'Library'. Would you like the full categories and details? ``` ## Capabilities ### Discovering locations nearby Find venues within a specific radius just by providing coordinates. ### Searching for specific places Search the entire database for locations using names, categories, or general keywords. ### Auditing location details Retrieve comprehensive metadata for any single venue, including its address and official categories. ### Understanding public opinion Gather customer tips and reviews to gauge local sentiment about a specific place. ### Analyzing visual data List photos associated with a venue to understand its environment or style. ## Use Cases ### Verifying competitor locations A restaurant owner needs to know if a rival opened up nearby. They ask their agent to use get_nearby_places for the specific coordinates of their block, instantly mapping out any new competition. ### Assessing event viability An event planner is scouting a potential venue and needs to know its vibe. They ask the agent to run get_place_photos and get_place_tips for the location ID, getting both visual confirmation and public buzz. ### Building a service directory A developer building a local guide needs consistent data. They use list_categories first to understand all possible types of businesses, then search_places to pull accurate listings for their schema. ### Quick market entry audit A business analyst is looking into opening a branch in a new town. They ask the agent to get_place_details on several major competing venues to understand exactly how they are categorized and addressed locally. ## Benefits - Understand public sentiment instantly. Instead of reading dozens of disparate Yelp or Google listings, you can use the tool to gather customer tips and reviews for a single spot. - Never waste time searching general directories. Use autocomplete_places to ensure your location queries are always precise by getting real-time naming suggestions. - Map local ecosystems easily. You can find multiple venues within a certain radius using get_nearby_places, making neighborhood analysis fast and simple. - Deep dive into metadata. When you need the raw data for strategy, get_place_details pulls all addresses and categories into your chat window in one go. - Analyze venue aesthetics quickly. Use get_place_photos to see what a place looks like without having to click through external image galleries. ## How It Works The bottom line is that you get actionable location intelligence without touching a single dashboard. 1. Subscribe to this MCP and enter your Foursquare API Key. 2. Connect it to your AI client (like Claude, Cursor, or Windsurf). 3. Tell your agent what you need—for example, 'Find five Italian restaurants near my office.' The agent runs the necessary tool calls and returns structured data. ## Frequently Asked Questions **How do I find all possible types of venues using Foursquare MCP?** You use list_categories to get a complete master list of every venue category available. This helps you structure your search or filter results when searching for specific types of places. **Can I find locations that aren't near my current address using Foursquare MCP?** Yes, if you know the coordinates (latitude and longitude), you can use get_nearby_places to scan a specific area regardless of where you are right now. **What is the difference between search_places and get_place_details?** search_places finds multiple locations based on general criteria. Once you pick one, use get_place_details to pull every piece of specific metadata associated with that single venue. **Does Foursquare MCP handle finding names I don't know yet?** Yes, if you are unsure how to spell a place or what it's called, use autocomplete_places. It gives you real-time suggestions as you type. **Can I use Foursquare MCP for competitive analysis?** Absolutely. You can use get_place_details and get_place_tips on several competitors' locations to gather rich data on their category, address, and public reception quickly.