Planning a trip to NYC? It’s tempting to think you’re done once you book your airfare and a cheap hotel, but don’t overlook your packing list. When your itinerary includes visiting all the best New York attractions, taking walking tours in NYC and exploring NYC parks, you’re going to need to come prepared. Leave the fanny pack and “I Heart NY” shirt at home and instead bring this list of useful things you'll definitely need on a trip to NYC. From a collapsible water bottle to the ultimate subway app, these essentials will help you navigate Gotham like a true New Yorker.
You can expect to use your phone’s maps app (and plenty of battery power) nonstop on your first visit to the city. This slim external battery holds more than two additional charges for any smartphone and comes equipped with two USB ports for easy simultaneous charging. And since it’s only a half-inch thick, it’s easy to slip into your purse or bag.
Mophie Powerstation External Battery for Universal Smartphones and Tablets, $46.43 on amazon.com
Doing New York right entails a lot of walking—several miles, at least. Your cutest wedges or flip flops just aren’t going to cut in. Instead, invest in a pair of stylish sneaks you can walk around in all day comfortably, like these sleek Superga kicks.
Superga Classic Sneakers, $65 on superga.com
New York City weather can be unpredictable, leaving you at the mercy of a sudden rainstorm any time of year. Even if the forecast doesn’t include a chance of showers, it’s not a bad idea to have a small travel umbrella tucked away in your suitcase just in case.
AbcCanopy Travel Umbrella, $7.99 on amazon.com
More than 8.5 million people live in New York City. Think about how many germs those people bring into subways, coffee shops and museums. Give your immune system a boost with this supplement drink mix packed with vitamin C and zinc.
Emergen-C Dietary Supplement Drink Mix, $4.49 on target.com
Lightweight Baggu totes are the gold standard of reusable bags. These machine-washable nylon bags can hold up to 50 pounds of stuff, but fold up into a 5-inch square for easy storage. Bring one along on a trip to NYC to carry home any souvenirs you might buy, use for last-minute picnics in Central Park or just separate dirty clothes from clean ones in your suitcase.
Standard Baggu Tote, $10 on baggu.com
Sure, the Google Maps app works just fine, but it pales in comparison to the uber detailed maps and transportation instructions on Exit Strategy. This app not only tells you how to get from point A to point B, but also pinpoints the best place to board and exit each train to shave minutes off your journey. Combine those tips with intricate neighborhood maps, bus information and the fact that it works without cell service, and you’ve got a total winner.
The Exit Strategy App, $3.99 on itunes.apple.com
The crossbody bag is the new fanny pack, at least where tourists are concerned. Both hold all the essentials you need, but the former looks much more attractive. You might even pass for a New Yorker when you’re toting around this classic leather number by Vince Camuto. It even comes in Gotham's favorite color: black.
Vince Camuto Cass Leather Crossbody Bag, $99.97 on nordstromrack.com
Buying a $1.50 water bottle at Duane Reade might not seem like a big deal, but the costs add up fast over the duration of your trip. This soft reusable bottle collapses into a 2-inch cylinder when it’s empty, so it won’t take up any extra room in your bag.
Hydrapak Stash Bottle, $22.99 on amazon.com
Gotham is a city of potent smells. From strange subway scents to eau de hot garbage, New York City has plenty of ways to make you feel queasy. Whenever you start to get grossed out, take a whiff of the aptly named CLEAN perfume in this handy rollerball. Either apply some to your wrists at the beginning of the day or keep the double-ended applicator in your bag for scent emergencies.
CLEAN Warm and Cool Cotton Rollerball Perfume, $20 on sephora.com
So many typical NYC situations could call for wet wipes: eating a hot dog on the street, gripping a grimy subway pole, getting splashed with a murky-looking puddle. Better be prepared with a travel-size pack of antibacterial hand wipes.
Wet Ones Antibacterial Hand Wipes, $1.52 on target.com
Don’t be seduced by hop-on, hop-off buses and promises of a once-in-a-lifetime trip: If you’re going to all the most touristy attractions in NYC, it won’t be memorable in a good way
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