How to pack lightly for New York
So good they named it twice, New York is one of the world’s premier vacation spots, with millions taking annual pilgrimages to the city famed for its late night partying, giant pizzas and outspoken fashion sense.
Nothing could spoil a vacation to the Big Apple, apart from an oversized suitcase you have to lug from one side of the city to the other. Which is why packing light for New York is a must; you’ll be surprised at how much you don’t need
Oh and save space for treats – here are our top tips.
- Check the climate
The thing about New York, unlike the UK is, it tends to stick to its seasons. So where the UK can experience sub-zero temperatures during the summer and a heat wave at the end of October, the summer in New York sees temperatures skyrocket, and stays hot throughout the day and night. On the opposite end, the winters can be extremely harsh, with the streets often covered in snow. So bare this in mind when packing, because you won’t need that winter coat in July.
- What are you doing?
A trip to New York is probably something you’ve been planning for years, so the likelihood of you having an itinerary before you leave is pretty high. Therefore you’ll know what sort of activities you’ll be doing there, whether that’s Christmas ice skating at Bryant Park, summer sunbathing in Central Park or climbing to the top of the Empire State Building, you should know exactly what to pack, limiting unnecessary choices.
- Reduce the load
Packing can be a nightmare, whittling down that wardrobe of yours, before jetting across the world with just a few select items. But when you’re heading across the world you don’t need all your favourite jumpers and shoes, so choose everything you’re thinking of taking – with seasonality in mind – and lay it down on the bed. Now take a step back and reduce it by a third to save space.
- Wear the bulk
Once you’ve whittled down your selections to something you can comfortably cart around, look for the heaviest outfit, and make that your travel gear. After all, why would you need an extra outfit to travel in when you can wear something you’re already packing? This may make your bag a little heavier on the way home, or you could just throw it back on to travel home in – the choice is yours.
- Leave space
Grabbing yourself, family or friends a few souvenirs is something we’ve all done, and a trip to New York is bound to bring some excellent gift and memory opportunities. Keep this in mind when you’re packing, and leave space for a few items. You may have to reduce your clothing load a tad more, but I bet even after removing a third you’ve still over packed.
- Get a smaller bag
The last piece of advice we can give you when heading across the world is use a smaller bag. Many of us try to cut back on things but consider that extra pair of shoes an essential, after all we may want to wear something different when we arrive. But to prevent this, get a case that’s slightly smaller than you’d usually use, so you won’t be tempted to over pack due to the reduced space.