This is a city that rewards self-expression; no one is going to police personal style in NYC. However, your walk over the Brooklyn Bridge might not be the place to debut those brand-new sandals. Read our advice below and consider this your rulebook on what to pack, what to skip and what to grab once you land.
Comfortable shoes are not optional
This was the prevailing sentiment when asking real New Yorkers what a visitor should pack. The pointed toe box of an evil boot or the edge of a seemingly comfortable flats into the back of your ankle is a feeling even the most seasoned of New Yorkers are familiar with and take pains to avoid. If that pair of shoes can’t handle upward of 20,000 steps per day, leave them at home. Your arches will be grateful.
Bring layers, even for summer
Especially in summer. If you’re new to visiting the United States, you might not realize how seriously we take air conditioning. Many visitors have been shocked at how freezing it can be when you’re walking in from a hot, muggy day to the merciless cold of an air-conditioned shop or museum. A small cardigan, a light jacket or even a scarf will make all the difference.
When in doubt, wear black (or neutrals)
The rumors are true, if not a bit cliché: black on black is the unofficial uniform for NYC. This is a very easy formula to follow for blending in with the locals if that’s what you want. Opt for neutrals if all-black isn’t your thing; denim, beige, cream, white and navy are all good choices. But hey, it’s NYC — own your own personal sense of style! Consider this a “nice to know.”
Bring one elevated piece of clothing
The beauty of NYC is that your plans can change at any given moment due to something fun and spontaneous. Did you win the ticket lottery for a Broadway show at the last minute, for example, or score the last reservation for two people at an upscale restaurant? Make sure you have a quick go-to; a blazer to throw over your outfit, a simple dress you can wear with sneakers but is elevated with a pair of heels or other smart pair of shoes. Accessories count!
Pack transitional day-to-night items
A city like New York will have you starting out the day at a museum alone, and, by night, if you’ve heeded the call of an NYC side quest to its full potential, hoisted on stage by a Celine Dion tribute performer in drag. And no, the side quest isn’t returning to the hotel to change. Be sure to pack outfits that transition easily; a pair of boots or a jacket thrown over your outfit could change the whole look.
Prepare for all weather events, even if you’ve checked the forecast
We’re not asking you to walk around the City with a giant backpack full of your contingency items. But New Yorkers do have a rough plan if they’re spending the entire day out and about— shoes that won’t get soaked through but still reflect one’s personal style, a tote bag large enough to stick an umbrella and maybe a second layer. You can throw a single-use rain poncho in there, but we will know you’re a visitor if you wear one.
Don’t overpack toiletries
Save some room if you need it and buy your toiletries from any drugstore and/or pharmacy. (Tip: most of the travel sized items are not behind locked glass.) You can also Or, head to K-town and buy the latest in Korean skin care on 32nd street, a few blocks from the Empire State Building. NYC has 24-hour pharmacies, beauty stores and specialty shops in nearly every neighborhood.
Know what kind of shopper you are, and prepare
Are you planning on doing some light shopping while you’re here, or are you hinging a good chunk of your trip on what you’ll be adding to your wardrobe from New York City? If you’re just looking to get some souvenirs here and there, leave room in your luggage.
However, if you fall into the category of “serious shopper,” plan your shopping route ahead of time because there are many different ecosystems when it comes to shopping here in the City. Get specific with yourself. Are you looking for vintage and consignment? Do you plan on hitting known shopping areas like Chinatown and Soho or walking up and down Madison and Fifth Avenues? Or are you more interested in flagship stores like Macy’s, Bergdorf Goodman, Nordstrom and Saks? Make sure you know where your heart (and wallet) is—and know that buying another carry-on to check in your wares is not unheard of.
Pack smart tech and other useful accessories
While we do have anything and everything you might need right here, coming prepared saves you more time to do all the fun stuff (not that wandering around a 24-hour drugstore in Times Square isn’t fun—we love people watching there!). Here are a few tips:
Bring a portable power bank
Even if your phone has an impressive battery life, you’ll be toggling so much between apps all day—checking train and ferry times, buying tickets, mapping out routes—that it will be in the red before lunch. Be sure to pack a portable battery, and if you need a charge, know that LinkNYC screens (streetside screen displays) have charging stations and can be found in all five boroughs.
Understand whether you need an adapter, a converter or both
An adapter changes the shape of the plug to fit the socket. International visitors, take note: in the US, we use Type A adapters, which have the two flat metal prongs parallel to each other and can fit all outlets, and Type B, which has the two flat prongs and a third, round pin, which only fits certain outlets. Tech like laptops, mobiles and tablets do not usually need a converter, just an adapter.
However, hot hair tools like straighteners and blow dryers usually require a converter (and sometimes an adapter, depending where you’re coming from). In terms of voltage, NYC runs on 120V power. Check your tools beforehand to make sure you don’t also need a voltage converter. If it says 100V to 240V, that means the item is built to service dual voltage types, which means you can use it here. If it only says 220V to 240V, you’re going to need that converter to get it to 120V.
Summertime madness
Yes, we did tell you to pack a sweater for the freezing interiors of any shop or museum during the summer. However, when you’re walking around in the heat of July, you’ll be glad to have packed a portable fan in your tote bag with that cardigan. In the past few years, there has been an uptick in the use of small portable fans; some are wearable, and some even have a water compartment for cooling mist! When waiting on the subway platform during hot and humid summer months, you’ll look like a regular whipping out your portable fan rig with mist attachment. A water bottle would also be a great addition for your “walking in NYC” bag.
Click here for more advice on how to navigate your first trip to NYC.