I will help you to anticipate some potential vacation pitfalls and prepare accordingly.
Having lived in New York City for my entire life, I can offer you tips for your vacation packing list that will help you to maneuver about the big apple in a much easier, relaxed fashion. I’ve experienced it all, so learn from my mistakes!
1. Prepare a complete New York City vacation packing list. This allows you to think through your needs thoroughly. Keep your New York City vacation packing list with you in NYC in the unlikely event that your luggage is lost. It does happen. It has happened to me twice. You will need it to report your loss to the airline and to your insurance carrier.
2. Here’s my mantra…repeat after me: “I will pack as little as possible.” Try to condense your items into one carry-on, with wheels, per person. Pack an additional, less bulky tote, within your luggage, to cart souvenirs home.
3. If you travel with a carry-on, you don’t have to worry about late or lost luggage. In some instances, I’ve waited hours for my luggage to come down the ramp to the carousel. Beginning or ending your holiday with this black cloud can really dampen your vacation spirit. And, if you have kids, it can make for a very cranky clan. Additionally, wheeling one suitcase throughout the airport creates for a much more pleasant arrival and departure experience. You can breeze through the airport and stop to pick-up a newspaper without readjusting yourself needlessly. My vacation packing list will help lessen what you pack.
4. Check out the smart, streamlined packing system by Eagle Creek. They have all sorts of things to help you pack efficiently and wrinkle free. Watch the video, under "Travel Insights" to teach you how!
5. New York City can be VERY hot, humid, and sticky in the summer, and VERY cold, windy, and messy with melted, dirty snow in the winter. But, we do have anomalies. It snowed on Easter a few year’s ago, and temperatures hit 75 degrees during Thanksgiving for two years in a row, so, you never know! The lesson here is to check the weather forecast before you go and pack appropriately. You’ll be glad you did.
6. Pack valuables like jewelry, money, prescription medications, and the like, in your carry-on. Most airline insurance companies do not cover these items if lost or stolen.
7. Pack perfume, shampoo, and other liquids in plastic bags. They can leak and make your clothes a mess and virtually useless.
8. Bring as many wrinkle-free items as possible. Yes, most hotels have irons, but who wants to iron on vacation?
9. Add a product called “Wrinkle Free” to your vacation packing list. (It’s made by Downy.) Spray it on your clothes and your wrinkles disappear in a few minutes. I’m waiting for the facial version!:>
10. If you choose to check your luggage, carry a change of clothes and basic toiletries on the airplane in the event your luggage is misplaced for the day.
11. When planning your vacation packing list, select 3 days worth of clothes that can be hand-washed and reused. You’ll be
able to pack a lot less clothing and leave extra room in your suitcase for special souvenirs. This will also allow you to follow my recommendation of bringing just one carry-on per person. In order to achieve this more successfully, especially for a family, take a hour or two during your vacation and go to a laundromat--bring a sandwich along. I always do this when I travel. It really cuts down on the amount of clothing that I have to bring--and bring home.
12. Do NOT carry your money in your backpack. Carry it in your front pant’s pocket, or in your pocketbook held closely to your body at all times. I’ve had my pocketbook cut-open, money stolen, without even noticing. As I've said, learn from my mistakes!
13. Listen to and/or read the weather report each day before you venture out to tour, and bring appropriate articles in your backpack or pocketbook with you. See my special list below entitled "Items to carry in a backpack or travel pocketbook."
14. Use your New York City vacation packing list for repacking your suitcase to return home. You can refer to your list to ensure that you haven't forgotten anything.
15. Traveling with kids? Then, check out the Kiddyap. It's a unique backpack-style kid carrier designed for preschoolers (3 1/2 or older, up to 60 pounds) who tire out during long walks. I love it because it keeps the wearer's hand's free and it weighs just 4 pounds! Kids will think it's fun!! See for yourself!
16. Check out the Xubaz Cargo II Scarf for securing your valuables ON YOU! With six pockets on the outside and two smaller nested pockets, this scarf can store valuables for travelers who don't want to wear bulky cargo jackets or vests. Available in black or khaki, the suede-finished scarf is roomy enough to store passport, tickets, or even small wallets and mobile devices.
17. This portable, expandable travel pillow is packed to a flat 6-by-12 inches, and expands to a luxurious 13-by-17 inches. It's also recycled, so you'll sleep even more soundly knowing that you've helped the environment! This is great for traveling on planes and trains (especially with kids) and for those staying in hostels.
18. Kwik Point for those that don't speak any English. If you don't speak any English or Spanish (lots of New Yorkers speak Spanish), then perhaps you'll be more comfortable carrying around this handy booklet. It's a pamphlet that displays pictures of common travel needs--a bus, toothpaste, etc. It's surely more dignified to point to a picture of a bathroom than to act it out!
19. Luggage Ideas: There are many unique items that can make packing and travel easier such as:
- Delsey Helium Fusion Lite 2.0 Expandable Suiter Trolley: features a built-in overweight indicator which turns red if your bag has reached its weight limit.
- Stow Away Bags: nylon bags that weigh less than a pound and fold neatly into a zippered 11 X 9 inch carrying case, but when expanded, hold enough clothing and gear for a weekend. Available in larger sizes, waterproof, wrinkle-resistent and perfect for carrying back souvenirs and momentos.
20.
Stuffitts Odors-Killing Bags: stash the gang's smelly laundry in this drawstring nylong bag. A removable panel inside contains wood and oils that absorb moisture and neutralize odors, so no stinky suitcases! Just $30.
NEW YORK CITY VACATION PACKING LIST
General Items:
RECOMMENDED CLOTHING FOR MEN
- Very comfortable walking shoes
- A pair of good shoes (For a nice restaurant—highly recommended)
- 1 button-down shirt
- 1 tie
- 1 jacket
- Closed shoes or rubber boots: After a summer rain, or rain after snow, Manhattan is famous for the most ENORMOUS puddles at each street corner. There is no way around them. Think Atlantic Ocean.)
- Sandals (for summer or in lieu of comfortable walking shoes)
- Belt
- Underwear
- Casual shirts
- Shorts, seasonal
- Jeans
- T-shirts
- Pajamas
- Workout clothes, if needed
- Bathing suit (if your hotel has a pool)
- Lots of warm layers, gloves and hat for the winter
CLOTHING VACATION PACKING LIST
FOR WOMEN
- Very comfortable walking shoes
- Closed shoes or rubber boots for rain and/or snow. (Check out these waterproof shoe covers that pack flatly so you don't have to pack clunky boots.)
- Sandals (if summer, or if you prefer sandals to walking shoes)
- 1 pair of nice shoes (for a nice restaurant or to dress up an outfit)
- Short, pants, skirts; depending on the season
- Tops
- Bathing suit (if your hotel has a pool)
- Bras
- Underpants
- Pajamas
- Jewelry
- 1 wrinkle-free dress (For a nice restaurant-highly recommended)
- 1 light sweater for air-conditioned restaurants and theaters
- Workout clothes, if applicable
- Lots of warm layers,gloves and hat for the winter.
RECOMMENDED TOILETRIES
- Razor and shaving cream
- Your medications
- Powder
- Blow dryer (Most hotels have them, check their website before bringing one.)
- Brush and comb
- Deodorant
- Makeup
- Moisturizer
- Women’s personal hygiene products
- Toothbrush and toothpaste
- Mouthwash
- Floss
- Shampoo and conditioner (Your hotel may provide them.)
ITEMS TO CARRY WITH YOU DAILY
(in a backpack or travel pocketbook that zips closed!)
- A small, compact umbrella
- Your discount cards and coupons
- Your itinerary
- A New York City Street Map
- A New York City subway map
- Sunscreen
- Anti-Nausea lollipops (for city cruises, buses, airplanes, cars, and pregnancy!) Love these!
- Band aids (for blisters and cuts)
- Sunglasses that fold completely flat
- Binoculars (for tops of buildings)
- Anti-bacterial hand sanitizer, like Purell (you’ll thank me)
- Hat (for summer and winter)
- Water bottle: to be refilled as needed. (No need to spend $2 each time you are thirsty. especially if you have a family.)
- Carry snacks like fruit, candy bars, chips, whatever. This will help you to avoid costly snack bars, machines, and stores when you are hungry.
- Camera and/or video camera
- Cell phone (don’t forget your charger)
- Cash, ATM card, and/or credit card
- Reading material: for waiting time at attractions
- Playing cards and/or entertainment for your kids, for waiting on lines.
- English dictionary or phrase book; if needed
- Aspirin
- Pen/paper
These items are essential to any vacation packing list!
TRAVELING WITH KIDS?
Check out my super tips and suggestions for making travel with kids a breeze. I guarantee that you will use at LEAST one of my tips during your vacation. Click here and scroll down to the bottom of the page. Here are some other tips.
HOW TO KEEP THE KIDS ENTERTAINED!
1-
Check out this guide to creating your own super kids travel fun kit.
2-
Create FUN New York City postcards that can be transformed into some of the city's most recognizable objects or landmarks such as the Empire State building, Brooklyn Bridge, a food cart, bagel and lox, a taxi and the Staten Island Ferry.
3-Play a variety of
light travel games. This site offers fantastic options!
4-Create your own scavenger hunt at any museum. Go to the gift shop and buy postcards of the paintings that are featured at the museum. Walk through the museum and try to find those works of art!
Remember, a little pre-planning, in the form of a New York City vacation packing list, will help to ensure a wonderful vacation and create great memories that will last a life time. Enjoy New York City!
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