Table of Contents

17 Top NYC Packing List Items for 2022 + What to Wearable & Not to Bring

New York City

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New York City receives over 60 one thousand thousand tourists every year, and information technology'due south considering of the full-on sensory and cultural experience information technology offers. But it can also mean having to deal with crowds and lines, getting stuck in traffic, and encountering unexpected sights, sounds, and smells. Only information technology'due south all worth it to experience the Big Apple.

This New York City packing list includes the essentials like what to bring, what to wearable in NYC, what Not to take, and some FAQs for your trip. Brand sure you bring a healthy dose of patience with yous, and you'll come dwelling house saying, "I ♥ NYC!"

New York cityscape
You're gonna love The Big Apple!

What to Pack for New York – 17 Essentials

  • i. Gorgeous Outfit

    This metropolis is a place where you will desire to dress upwardly at least a couple of times. Bring some fabulous outfits that brand yous feel like a million bucks – y'all'll get a huge boost in conviction and energy when you feel groovy, and that always makes the night more fun. This one-piece is admittedly gorgeous and flattering on just about anyone.

    Gorgeous Outfit

    View on Amazon.com ➜

  • two. Stylish Daybag

    You'll probably desire to opt for a nicer-looking daybag instead of your boilerplate dirty backpack. Information technology'due south ever a proficient thought in fashionable cities like NYC, and it will help you feel similar you fit in more, which is e'er ideal when traveling.

    Stylish Daybag

    View on Amazon.com ➜

  • 3. Packing Cubes

    Packing cubes are a pretty universal obsession for frequent travelers, and for very adept reason. They make arrangement an absolute cakewalk, they shrink your items into bully cubes while at the aforementioned time compartmentalizing each blazon of habiliment so, for example, all of your t-shirts can be in 1 cube.

    Available on HeroTravelSupply.com with an exclusive 15% disbelieve using the coupon code"HERO".

    aqua packing cubes

    View on Amazon.com ➜

  • iv. Toiletry Purse

    This toiletry bag is nothing brusque of gorgeous. I was instantly attracted to its supple leather and classic look, and when I used information technology I was hooked. It has bully compartments, it rolls neatly to store your items compactly, and the organization it lends to packing is unbeatable. I have tried several similar bags and this i is my favorite blend of affordability, attractiveness, and utility.

    hanging toiletry bag

    View on Amazon.com ➜

  • 5. Pepper Spray

    New York Urban center has a great reputation for some things, just unfortunately piffling crime is not one of them. You can't be too conscientious, although information technology'south unlikely that you'll have any real trouble if you take basic precautions. This pepper spray is an easy and affordable manner to keep yourself extra protected – but having it in your purse or daybag will help you feel a little more at ease.

    Pepper Spray

    View on Amazon.com ➜

  • 6. Lipstick-Sized Charger

    Having a portable charger with you can save you a ton of hassle. In a place similar NYC you don't want to take to hoof it or pay for a cab back to your accommodations only to accuse your devices if you lot can avoid it. This portable charger can carry several charges with it so that if your devices run out or juice, you can recharge them on the become with your standard USB charger cables! I never travel without mine.

    Lipstick-Sized Charger

    View on Amazon.com ➜

  • seven. Fashionable Raincoat

    Fashion and mode are pretty important in New York! So much then that you lot'll probably feel uncomfortable in super casual clothing and outerwear. It's precisely for occasions and trips like this that I go along a stylish raincoat around. I've used mine in Paris, London, NYC, and several other places where expert taste and manner are important and paid-attending-to. This coat is prissy-looking and does a good job of keeping me warm and dry without overheating me.

    Stylish Raincoat

    View on Amazon.com ➜

  • 8. Virtual Individual Network (VPN)

    Yous're going to be hopping from Wifi to Wifi in the city, or risk using too much data while trying to navigate, plan visits to attractions, and hail Ubers. Free Wifi is great! Unfortunately, it comes with a substantial adventure to your personal and financial information. Hackers like to "camp" in these unsecured networks to casualty on unprotected users (trust me, we had this experience in Paris and volition NEVER gamble it once again), and so do everything you tin to avert falling victim to their schemes.

    Nosotros utilise Nord VPN for our security and browsing rubber. It adds an extra layer of encryption between your information and any would-be hackers so you can scan worry-complimentary. Additionally, in countries (like Bali and Communist china, to name a couple) where cyberspace censorship and blocked content are a real consequence, a VPN will assist yous unlock access to things y'all're trying to observe on the net. For a very affordable price and with incredible ease of use, a VPN is a total no-brainer.

    Virtual Private Network (VPN)

    View options at NordVPN ➜

  • ix. Fashionable Tote

    There may be days when a daybag won't cut information technology, or yous need an extra pocketbook to acquit your shopping haul. This tote is beautiful and handy, and is a splendid fashion accessory all its own. I often use a tote like this as a deport-on bag since it's roomier than a standard daypack and can still bide past the airplane carry-on rules. Pace upwards your pocketbook fashion game – it's worth it in a identify like NYC.

    Fashionable Tote

    View on Amazon.com ➜

  • 10. Cashmere Poncho

    Ponchos never seem to go out of fashion. It'southward probably because they're universally flattering, they tin can be worn with all sorts of outfits both casual and dressy, and they make you look uber chic. This cashmere one is peculiarly nice because information technology's incredibly soft, and tin be packed compactly into your luggage and then into your daybag then you'll ever accept it if you go chilly while you're out.

    Cashmere Poncho

    View on Amazon.com ➜

  • 11. Comfortable Flats

    Sneakers are not great in NYC – they will make you stick out like a sore thumb. I opt for cute flats when I'm in fashionable places. These one are absolutely gorgeous, and they're very comfortable to walk in – I get tons of compliments when I wear them, and my feet experience good all day.

    Comfortable Flats

    View on Amazon.com ➜

  • 12. Pea Coat

    In the chillier months in New York, y'all volition absolutely need a warm glaze, and it should exist an attractive ane. Wearing a pea coat will help yous avoid sticking out as a tourist (always good to look similar y'all "belong" while traveling), and information technology will proceed you warm and even protect you if it starts misting or raining lightly, which is common in some months on the Due east Coast.

    Pea Coat

    View on Amazon.com ➜

  • 13. Rolling Suitcase

    Picture show yourself toting around a suitcase that doesn't have wheels while yous're en route to your accommodations or going dorsum to the airport. It's nigh as un-fun as information technology seems. I e'er use a suitcase that has wheels and a good handle or handles so that I can navigate whatsoever situation, whether it be upward of 7 flights of stairs in Paris or extra-long metropolis blocks in NYC. This one is especially nice considering of its hard outer beat that protects information technology from less-than-careful baggage handling.

    Rolling Suitcase

    View on Amazon.com ➜

  • 14. Filtered Water Bottle

    H2o in NYC is actually globe-renowned for its drinkability, though the sense of taste may non be the same as that of your hometown. Either way, I always use a bottle with a built-in filter, just to be certain that the water I'm drinking and giving to my family is as safe as possible! Plus, carrying my own bottle with me means I salve a ton of coin instead of buying bottle after bottle of water while I'k out and nearly for the 24-hour interval.

    Filtered Water Bottle

    View on Amazon.com ➜

  • xv. Deodorant Wipes

    I remember a quote from a picture that describes New York with the discussion "soot," and it'south pretty authentic. The metropolis is absolutely gorgeous and such a fun place to explore, merely the combination of winds in the city along with vehicle exhaust and dirt/dust tin go out you feeling extra grimy. I acquit these deodorant wipes with me and so that I tin clean up on the wing if I demand to, or if I simply can't deal with the grime. They're gentle and prophylactic on sensitive skin, and they accept a nice, light fragrance.

    Deodorant Wipes

    View on Amazon.com ➜

  • 16. Solid Shampoo

    Solid shampoo is something I tried while I was looking for ways to lessen the number of liquids I have to carry with me through airport security, and I really dear it. Certain brands don't work quite too as the real thing, but this 1 is a good substitute for liquid shampoo. Information technology's easy to use and leaves my hair feeling overnice and smelling expert!

    Solid Shampoo

    View on Amazon.com ➜

  • 17. Travel Insurance for New York

    It's not fun to think about your crawly vacation being plagued by some sort of problem, but it's even less fun to have to bargain with those issues without travel insurance. Medical trouble, emergency trips home, reservation cancellations, and damage or theft could all be covered under a good plan like those offered by Earth Nomads, and at a very affordable toll. Nosotros prefer Globe Nomads for their prices, customer service, and great reputation for coverage and assistance to travelers.

    world nomads

    View their plans at WorldNomads.com ➜

What should I wear in New York?

New York is a progressive and various identify where you never know what you'll run into – so in that sense, you can wear almost anything. But if you lot don't want to stick out as a tourist, opt for dark jeans and black or solid-color staple clothing items, and apparel a bit nicer than y'all might at home.

Blouses, sweaters, and dresses are all expert choices for women, and guys might choose polo-style shirts or button-downs and a sport coat. You'll want lightweight, breathable wearing apparel during the humid summer months, and a warm coat and gloves in the winter. No matter when you visit, an umbrella and some comfortable walking shoes are New York packing essentials.

Packing for the Seasons in New York

Spring – March, April, and May:

Be sure to bring a pelting jacket and umbrella because rain is frequent – but you'll withal demand sunscreen and sunglasses for the many sunny days. Temperatures average betwixt 50°F and lxx°F (10°C and 21°C), starting around 50°F average in March and rising near ten°F on average each calendar month.

Summertime – June, July, and August:

Choose dress made from breathable, lightweight fabrics to stay comfortable in the hot, humid weather, and bring a water canteen to help you lot stay hydrated.

New York hosts frequent parades, concerts, and festivals this time of year, so yous'll want to be comfortable spending lots of time outside in the heat. Temperatures average betwixt eighty°F and 85°F (27°C and 29°C).

Autumn – September, October, and November:

Pack your sweaters and a lite coat, and be prepared to apparel in layers because the temperatures will be starting to driblet, though snow is unlikely. Temperatures average betwixt 55°F and 75°F (13°C and 24°C), starting around 75°F in September and dropping about 10°F on average per month.

Wintertime – December, Jan, and February:

Be sure to bring a warm coat, warm but fashionable boots, gloves, and a chapeau considering the temperatures frequently drop beneath freezing and you'll most likely encounter snowfall.

If yous're planning to scout the brawl drop on New year's Eve, make sure you have appropriate dress to go on you warm outside for several hours. Temperatures average between 35°F and 45°F (2°C and 7°C).

What NOT to accept to New York

  • i.DON'T PACK heavy books

    Yous may want to get some reading washed on your flight to New York, but physical books will actually offset to weigh you down. Fortunately, a Kindle takes upward less space (and weighs less) than a single book.

  • 2.DON'T BRING too many clothes

    Well-nigh people tend to bring besides many dress when they travel and then only cease up wearing one-half of them. Be choosy near what to bring, and you'll end upwards with a much lighter bag.

  • three.DON'T Have a bath towel

    Whatsoever hotel you stay at in New York will most likely take a towel, only if you practice want to bring your own, opt for a quick-drying travel towel instead of the regular kind. They're much lighter weight and have up nigh no space.

  • 4.DON'T PACK unnecessary valuables

    You'll probably want to bring some electronics to utilise during your trip and some nicer jewelry to article of clothing on nights out, just leave anything you won't really utilise at home. At that place'southward e'er a adventure that things could get lost or stolen while traveling, and in that location's no reason to risk it.

  • v.DON'T Have overly-casual clothes

    Compared to the remainder of the U.S., New York is a relatively formal place. If yous want to blend in with the locals and avoid sticking out every bit an unwary tourist, dress upward a scrap.

  • six.DON'T BRING uncomfortable shoes

    Y'all'll be doing a lot of walking during your trip, so make sure you bring comfortable shoes. Otherwise, your feet will be killing you lot the whole fourth dimension, and it could end up ruining your trip.

FAQs about traveling to New York City – NYC

  • 1. What is the best fourth dimension of twelvemonth to visit New York?

    Due to the frigid, snowy winters and the hot, humid summers, the all-time months for visiting New York, weather-wise, are Apr, May, September, and October. Merely if you can dauntless the cold, prices for everything from hotels to Broadway tickets drib in January and February, and the city is much less crowded. And while prices are still high in December, there's nothing quite like Christmas in New York. At the other cease of the spectrum, the city comes alive in the summer, despite the heat and humidity. Prices are high then, just it's also a season of free concerts, movie screenings, outdoor activities, and more.

    What is the best time of year to visit New York?
  • 2. What is the best neighborhood to stay in?

    The best surface area to stay in during your trip to New York depends on your interests – and your budget. At that place are far too many interesting neighborhoods in New York to list, but these are a few to get you started. In Manhattan, art lovers will be delighted past all the galleries in Chelsea, while Chinatown is the best bet if cheap, tasty food is your top priority. The bohemian past of Greenwich Village is withal evident today, and Harlem is more vibrant than ever. And of course, Midtown is dwelling house to nearly of the things that make yous think of New York. Or, if yous adopt to stay in one of the other boroughs, you'll have enough more astonishing neighborhoods to choose from.

    What is the best neighborhood to stay in?
  • iii. How tin can I have public transportation?

    Public transportation is hands the cheapest and most convenient fashion to get around New York, but the organisation is and then extensive, it can be confusing for visitors.

    The city's subways are color-coded by line and identified by number or alphabetic character, while buses are identified by a route number post-obit a alphabetic character that denotes the civic.

    Apps similar MyTransit NYC will make using the buses and subways much easier.

  • iv. Where can I become to avoid the crowds in New York?

    New York has some of the country's most famous tourist attractions – and they draw some of the biggest crowds. If you want to avoid the crowds, skip the urban center's biggest sites, namely Times Foursquare, the Statue of Liberty, the Empire State Building, and the Met. If you can, visit during the off-season (similar in January or February), and plan to spend time outside Manhattan.

  • 5. How can I save coin in New York?

    New York is ane of the about expensive cities in the U.Southward., making it hard to travel there on a shoestring. Withal, there are plenty of ways to cut costs while you're visiting. If you don't listen sharing a room with strangers, New York is one of the few cities in the country with hostels, which is probably the cheapest pick if you're traveling alone. Otherwise, consider using a home-sharing service, which can be significantly cheaper than hotels.

    For saving money on food, skip the five-star restaurants and whatsoever place that caters to tourists, and eat instead where the locals eat. New York'south affluence of hole-in-the-wall spots take some of the best food and at reasonable prices. Don't forget yous can always pick up groceries at a supermarket for some of your meals, which volition save you a package.

    When it comes to seeing the sights, check to see if whatsoever of the attractions yous want to visit accept reduced-admission hours, or if it makes sense to go a city laissez passer. Don't forget about things like Groupon and LivingSocial, which have literally thousands of deals in the area. In that location are also lots of free walking tours and free events yous can nourish in New York, particularly during summer. And merely strolling through the metropolis, which might exist the best manner to experience it, costs naught.

    How can I save money in New York?
  • 6. What should I know about seeing a Broadway show?

    Tickets to Broadway shows can exist incredibly expensive and often sell out far in advance – but in that location are many ways to find discounted and last-infinitesimal seats, then don't give up. Traditionally, people seeking cheaper tickets have gone in-person to a TKTS Booth, which usually has most tickets bachelor at 50 percent off. Of course, now you can purchase tickets online, and TodayTix and NY Tix both sell them at a discount. You lot tin can too find discount codes online at BroadwayBox or Broadway Insider. Some shows sell a express number of mean solar day-of tickets at steep discounts as well – but the only manner to get them is to be at the box function when it opens.

    Once you've got your tickets secured, double-check the fourth dimension of the show (curtain times tin be all over the place on Broadway), and plan to arrive at least 20 minutes early. Make sure you lot know how to become to the theater and allow enough time after dinner or other pre-show plans. Subsequently the evidence, yous might exist able to meet some of the performers in person and have them sign your Playbill – merely enquire an usher where to go.

    What should I know about seeing a Broadway show?
  • seven. What are the best museums in New York?

    New York has over 100 museums, so you lot'll take to exist choosy when deciding which ones to visit. The Metropolitan Museum of Art, improve known equally The Met, is 1 of the largest and nearly-visited art museums in the world, housing nearly two million works. The Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum is as well known for its iconic compages and unique layout equally it is for the artwork, mostly Impressionist and modern, on display there. The Museum of Modern Fine art is one of the earth'due south leading modern art museums, even if many visitors question whether some of its works really constitute "art."

    If fine art isn't really your affair, the American Museum of Natural History has exhibits covering nigh all periods of known man and brute history, besides as a planetarium and an IMAX theater. The Museum of the Urban center of New York aims to celebrate the city and preserve its heritage, housing objects representing the urban center'due south civilisation and illustrating its history. The New-York Historical Gild too contains artifacts from throughout New York's history, and it'due south home to the Center for Women'southward History, the country'southward first initiative of its kind. Finally, the Tenement Museum is located in a former apartment building in the Lower East Side and tells the stories of the immigrants who once lived there.

    What are the best museums in New York?
  • 8. What are the pinnacle foods to try in New York?

    New York is then various and such a cultural hotspot, it's a food lover'due south paradise. Some of the foods the city is virtually known for come from its Jewish customs, including pastrami sandwiches on rye and the go-to breakfast of bagels with lox. Of class, since New York was domicile to the country's get-go pizzeria, New York-style pizza is some other must-eat, distinguished by its sparse, hand-tossed crust. For a sweeter selection, the iconic options are New York cheesecake or a cronut – or authentic Italian cannoli!

    What are the top foods to try in New York?
  • 9. What are the all-time walking tours?

    In that location are dozens of walking tours available in New York, covering all v boroughs. Both Free Tours By Foot and New Europe Tours run several tours per day in Manhattan and elsewhere, all offered on a pay-what-you-wish basis. The Grand Primal Partnership's tours of the Yard Key neighborhood (including the train station) are free and led by historians, and the Central Park Conservancy runs several different tours in and around Central Park, some of which are complimentary. Big Onion Walking Tours is another popular company; their tours cost $25, and each one is themed around architecture, culture, nutrient, or history. Lastly, Foods of NY runs food tours in Chinatown, Greenwich Village, and elsewhere, well-nigh of which are $54.

    What are the best walking tours?
  • 10. Which New York city pass is the most useful?

    There are numerous city passes available in New York, and each ane works slightly differently and offers its ain list of attractions. To cull the best 1 for your trip, decide which attractions you want to visit first, and then y'all tin can exist sure to get a pass that includes them. Some as well include line-skipping privileges, employ of a hop-on/hop-off bus, and other perks. Earlier you cull your pass, consider which extras you'll actually use and what they're worth to you.

    The FreeStyle Pass from CitySights NY starts at $129 and includes admission to any three of the attractions on their listing. For $122, CityPASS gets you archway to half-dozen attractions, but there are some restrictions – for example, if you choose to visit the 9/11 Memorial & Museum, you cannot also apply your CityPASS at the Intrepid Ocean, Air & Infinite Museum. The New York Explorer Pass starts at $84 for three attractions, and tin can be used at any of the 74 spots on their listing. Unlike most passes, it'south valid for 30 days later the outset visit.

    There are besides ii unlimited passes – the New York Pass and the New York Sightseeing Pass – both of which are available as 1-, 2-, 3-, 5-, or vii-day passes. The prices are almost the same, but the listing of attractions differs slightly, and then cheque what's included on each 1.