| Tips on what to pack for a trip to New York City, posted by real travelers and New York City locals. New York City Map |
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 Packing? by shutterlust
Women: bring purses that zip. I've never known anyone who's been actually "pickpocketed" but to be on the safe side, don't take a large -open- tote, especially if you think you might look too much like a tourist.
And those huge camping backpacks look silly! Who actually camps in New York! (Edit: Ok, so I'm just realizing that backpacks are fairly common in Europe. Bring them if you must. But just as Europeans don't wear shorts, New Yorkers don't wear fanny/bum packs. Fannypacks are definite tourist gear.)
Whoever said that all New Yorkers wear all black was TOTALLY lying! I hardly ever wear ANY black! It's such a depressing color. Wear whatever YOU PLEASE! Actually, the weirder you dress, the more you might actually fit in! (Note: As ATLC and others have pointed out, I do own black clothes and I do wear them on occasion. Bring black clothing, but don't feel as though you need to wear black to fit in!)
Bring sensible flats...or at least kitten heels or wedged heels. Women: buy foot pads if you do wear heels. Well, buy foot pads no matter what. You could use the cushioning on the hard sidewalks!
Don't wear all white sneakers. It bothers me so much when tourists wear those. I still can't believe people actually wear those white sneakers, shorts, t-shirts, visors, and those "fanny packs". You'll look ridiculous. But don't be afraid to bring sneakers in general.
For more information on What-To-Wear, visit my 2 What-To-Wear Tips listed under General Tips.
If you're from a foreign country, obviously bring your own prescriptions because you might not know what the American version is called. Otherwise, you can pretty much find everything else. Try Duane Reade, especially for standard toiletries and medical supplies. They're everywhere.
Camping??...where would people actually camp?! Central Park? (Actually, that might be interesting...)
Bring foot paddings, a fold-up tote bag for any souvenirs, a water bottle to fill up (bottled water can be expensive in certain neighborhoods), a book to read on long museum admissions lines, and try to find a SMALL map of Manhattan. (attempt to be discreet). Leave a Comment
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 Suitcase stuffer by gilabrand
I just found this great solution called Travel Space Bags. Before you leave, pick up a box or two of these special plastic bags. I think you can get them at five and dime stores like Woolworth's. A friend of mine sent me American Tourister bags, but maybe other companies make them, too. They come in an assortment of sizes, four in a box for about $10.
So what's the deal? These are vacuum bags with a zip lock. You take a whole pile of clothing, put it in the bag, zip it shut and start rolling it up, applying pressure. This pushes out the air and compresses the pile into something like half the size - so you can fit more in your suitcase!
Aside from compressing clothing, this is a great way to store laundry when you're traveling. Instead of a bulky plastic bag filled with dirty socks and underwear, you have this nice vacuum-packed square that fits neatly into the suitcase's zipper compartment.
One word of caution, from personal experience. The instructions - printed on each bag - say "Do not fill over indicated line." Well, guys, listen to them. I tried to stuff a blanket into a bag that was a bit too small, and ended up ruining the zipper. Leave a Comment Other Contact: www.spacebag.com
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You can get travel-sized toilet paper (I've only seen Charmin). Buy some and keep it in your purse (right beside the Purell but, I'm assuming you already thought of that!).
Why I say make sure you have it?
Because a lot of the bathrooms aren't very well maintained (that's an understatement)... if you have toilet paper and there's a line, you get a free pass if there are any stalls with no paper...
My handy-dandy toilet paper's helped me out more times then you can say "Do I really have to get ANOTHER Starbucks coffee, just so I can pee?" Leave a Comment
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Girls, I was very surprised how safe, I felt in NY! At first walking around to check out our immediate area, I had cash and ID in jacket pockets, but eventually, I needed more very important things, lip stick for instance, and the camera of course. Felt very comfortable carrying my purse, but it wasn't big enough. Take a smallish tote bag, preferably something with a closure (just to make you feel safe) and make sure it will hold all the important things you will need to carry if you are out all day sight seeing. You will want your hands free when shopping, or riding the subway, you may need to hold on!
Guys, don't be afraid to use a fanny pack! I had to carry everything for myself and DH in my (too small) purse!
It's true, everyone does wear black!
Don't be a slave to fashion fashion! Be sure you can walk the distance in even your evening shoes! We walked everywhere! Even when we thought we were exhausted, I just wanted to soak it all in, and you can't do that from a taxi!
Take anti-bacterial lotion, travel sized in your tote bag! After a couple of hours of door handles and subways, I started to feel a little 'icky' . (admittedly, I have a bit of a 'germ thing')
And a note about bathrooms here...understandably businesses try to keep the facilities for their customers, but NY was the first place I've ever seen 'bathroom guards' lol. My girlfriend's hubby got in an insane line at McD's for a coke, just so we could get upstairs to use the bathroom, my DH was not allowed to come up to see what was taking us so long as he didn't have a purchase, (the line was about 15 long when we arrived). So plan your breaks carefully, or take some Depends! lol
Band-Aids for blisters, just in case.
A healthy dose of good attitude! I found New Yorkers quite friendly and helpful really, one lady even walked DH and I to the exit we needed in Grand Central, exactly the opposite way she was going! But the crowds can get to you if you aren't used to it, and lines/waits are long to see some sights. Leave a Comment
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The most important thing to bring is comfortable, pre-broken-in walking shoes. You can't be happy if your feet hurt!
No worries if you forget something, you can replace it here in a New York minute. There are more chain drug stores (Duane Reade, CVS or Rite-Aid) than Starbucks. Leave a Comment
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 Manhattan from Liberty
Island by toonsarah
The other important item in your bag should be a very comfortable pair of shoes. New York is big, and although the public transport system is very good, you’ll find yourself doing a lot of walking, not least because all the streets are so visually exciting even on the stretches between the major sights.
Take your essentials by all means, including any prescriptions medication, but don’t worry too much about running out of favourite products. You can buy anything here, and even with the recent strengthening of the dollar against the pound I found prices competitive and was pleased to stock up on my favourite make-up at Macy’s.
The message is simple – take plenty of memory (or film) because you’ll need it. Every corner on every street is likely to throw up a photo opportunity. You’ll get through your batteries too, though as with toiletries, these products are competitively priced and easily available, so running out isn’t a major problem.
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Anything goes... depending on how long your staying for and where. You don't need anything super fancy unless for some oddly reason it calls for it, but otherwise, your travel bags are fine. Hey! Some people you plastic bags!
Comfy walking around shoes. Depending on the season you want to dress, it varies. I wouldnt wear open toed sandles during the winter and heavy snow shoes during the summer. In New York its usually an extreme of whatever season its in. For example, winter can get to be very cold and wet and summer can be very hot!! It rains like everywhere else but unless the news caster doesnt predict it, dont worry about buying a umbrella. You can always news the old fashioned newspaper or coat if u get caught in an unexpected down pour.
If your staying at a hotel they will provide all this for you. You might even get lucky and get toothpaste too! But if not, i will bring my own toothpaste and toothbrush and anything else u need just in case. But if you find yourself short, no worries- there are literally little convenient stores every block or so.
There are lots of tourist shops, ESPECIALLY at Times Square if you like throw aways. But any camera will do. And a good thing about NYC is you don't need a zoom lens for anything!
I HIGHLY suggest u dont go to Coney Island Beach or Jones Beach if you want to enjoy yourself. You'll find things in the sand that shouldnt even BE at a beach! But the Hamptons have really great sandy beaches. Its a little bit out of the way so u might want to make it an All Day trip if u go.
Camping-- there is Cedar Point but then again thats out in the Hamptons. Im sure you can go up towards the Bronx and near White Plains and find some good camp grounds. If your interested in Camping, let me know and i'll get some info for you. Leave a Comment
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Wheels!!!Wheels!!!Wheels!!! If you need to do a lot of walking with your luggage, and you might very well have to, have wheels on your luggage!
We went in winter and prepared for the cold, and still weren't prepared for SUCH cold. It was -13 deg C and we could hardly feel our faces when we were walking outside. Take thick scarves, gloves, wooly hats, jackets...
I always take headache tablets, plasters etc. A basic first aid kit.
Take anything you think you'll need. Naturally there is no shortage of electricity here, so charging batteries is no problem. Bring your photo cards with you, we wanted to buy a couple extra and felt we were being ripped off due to us being foreigners.
In the first photo I had put on 2 pairs of gloves, the second pair being much too large for me which you can see haha. The second photo shows us on top of the open top bus tour... freeeeezing up there! Leave a Comment
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 by Mahieu
Comfortable walking shoes aren't an option, they are an obligation!
If you're from Europe or any other continent , don't forget to take an adapter with you for electrical suppliances. Leave a Comment
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Bring "Streetwise Manhattan" map. I think the "Streetwise" maps are very helpful! I have purchased these maps for cities all over the world--I highly recommend it! They also make "Artwise", so check it out. I have bought them online, as well as at Barnes and Noble.
The cost is around $6.00. Leave a Comment
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