This invention is a system and method for defining a location-specific augmented reality capability for use in portable devices having a camera. The system and method uses recent photographs or digital drawings of a particular location to help the user of the system or method position the portable device in a specific place. Once aligned, a digital scene is displayed to the user transposed over (and combined with) the camera view of the current, real-world environment at that location, creating an augmented reality experience for the user.