What to Pack for Your First Trip to New York City
You just booked your travel arrangements for your first trip to New York City, and now you can happily await your Big Apple adventure. (Love that for you!) As you start to prepare for your memorable city trip and begin the packing process, it’s always super beneficial to consider your itinerary, so you know what to bring before you go. And since NYC leans into all four seasons, you can check the weather ahead of time and pack your bags with the forecast in mind. Are you wondering where to begin? We got you. Here is your go-to guide on what to pack for your first trip to New York City.
Shoes
The forecast will definitely give you insight into what kind of shoes to pack for your exciting New York City trip. You truly can never go wrong with your tried and true kicks, but being prepared for the elements is also wise; we’re talking rain boots, and we’re talking snow boots — if you’re traveling in the winter months. And of course, you can pack a pair of chic shoes for a fun night out. (Pro-tip: one of our popular NYC tours for first-time visitors is our Private Shopping Tour to Woodbury Common Premium Outlets, which could be the perfect opportunity to snag a pair of designer shoes at a much lower price point.)
Weather Gear
New York City is a seasonal city that tends to inspire daily style. Late fall into winter is when we break out the cozy soft sweaters and the winter puffer and warm gloves, and even as we head into early spring, the weather can be a bit cold and unpredictable. (Don’t they say that March goes in like a lion?) Once the temps begin to rise, lighter attire is much more welcome; perhaps a denim jacket or cardigan can be worn on a warmer spring day. Summer in the city can be quite hot, so you will want to pack those sundresses, skirts, and T-Shirts, along with a pair of flip flops, sunnies, and SPF. Finally, early fall in NYC lends itself to light layers (and cute plaid jackets) during fall’s fickle weather.
Tech
While we all know and love our day to day electronics, there is other tech that could be pretty useful for traveling as well. If you are flying and unsure if your bag will pass the weight test, you can pick up a portable luggage scale (such as the affordable Travel Inspira Luggage Scale) for your carry-on bag, so you can carefully weigh your items to ensure that your security check-in will be smooth sailing. Meanwhile, a Bluetooth tracker for iPhone users, such as the Apple AirTag, works in unison with your other Apple devices to thankfully help pinpoint any lost items. Other travel-friendly tech can include a pair of wireless noise-cancelling headphones, a compact power bank to keep your electronics efficiently charged, and one of Apple’s cheaper iPads, so you don’t have to worry about lugging that heavy laptop.
Travel-Friendly Water Bottle + Snacks
Another non-negotiable (at least for me) is to always have water on hand with a travel-friendly bottle and some light snacks that you can stick in your bigger travel bag like protein bars, beef jerky, cheese sticks, or veggie sticks — anything that can be eaten on-the-go if your tour is in between meals. (Pro-tip: a travel size bottle of Ibuprofen, a hydrating lip balm, and a travel size hand sanitizer are great items to have in your bag, too!)
Comfy Shoes
When you book one of our signature NYC Tours for First-Time Visitors, you will want to wear comfortable shoes for any walking that you may do while sightseeing. Your feet will surely thank you by the day’s end.
Extra Cash
Since you can customize your route during one of our luxury private tours in NYC, you may want to request special stops for shopping or dining; it’s always helpful to bring some extra cash, just in case it’s needed.
- Be Mindful of Safety: Safety is key in the city that never sleeps, especially when it comes to street-crossing protocols and trusting your instincts when navigating particular neighborhoods. It’s typically advised to keep your bag close to you when walking around, and crossbody bags would be the perfect style with that in mind. If you’re taking the subway, just be weary of empty subway cars and make sure that your subway stop is in a safe neighborhood as well.
- Avoid Bringing Oversized Bags/Backpacks to Tourist Attractions: If you’re visiting major NYC landmarks, you most likely will have to swap out your oversized bag or backpack for a much smaller bag upon admission. Tourist sites that have oversized bag limitations include the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, One World Trade Center, the 9/11 Museum, Museum of Modern Art (MOMA), the Empire State Building, the Rockefeller Center Observation Deck, Broadway Theaters, and Radio City Music Hall.
- Keep Up the Pace: New Yorkers tend to walk very fast, so try your best to keep up a steady pace when walking amidst the bustling crowds.
- Make Adjustments for Mobility Needs: Are you traveling with seniors, or anyone who may require mobility assistance? Our accessible senior-friendly NYC tours are ideal for the senior demographic; our stress-free senior-friendly tours incorporate minimal walking and flexible routes that are specifically tailored to the tour goer’s desired pace and preferences. If you’re exploring the city on your own with seniors, or anyone who requires mobility assistance, I recommend scheduling a rideshare service (or hailing a taxi) to get where you need to go; the convenience factor will certainly be worthwhile.
RideShare Apps
First-time visitors in NYC will be so grateful for their rideshare apps. If public transportation just isn’t your thing, your Uber or Lyft driver will just be one phone tap away to get you to your destination.
Apple Maps
Have an iPhone? Apple Maps will be your personal navigational guide whether you’re walking, driving, or cycling, and this app can certainly come in handy for first-time visitors in NYC.
Yelp
If you are a foodie like me, you will love downloading Yelp before your trip. Of course you can spontaneously stop into one of the countless NYC restaurants, and there are so many gems to choose from, but Yelp can also give you leads on highly-rated NYC eateries while you’re in the planning phase of your trip, too. (It could also be worth noting that making a restaurant reservation ahead of time can give you peace of mind.)
The XE Currency App
This app is for our international first-time visitors who want a quick and easy (and free) way to convert currency.
As a first-time visitor to New York City, there are various factors to consider when planning your fab trip (forecast and all). We’re here with your go-to guide on what to pack for your first trip to New York City, and of course, our NYC tours for first-time visitors are a fantastic introduction to the Big Apple.
If you have any questions, concerns, or special requests regarding our luxury private tours in NYC, please reach out to us at (212) 901-3013 or email us at res@privatetoursnewyork.com.
