Insider Picks writes about products and services to help you navigate when shopping online. Insider Inc. receives a commission from our affiliate partners when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.
- New York City welcomes over 65 million visitors every year, making it one of the world’s most popular travel destinations.
- Though the city is full of beautiful sights and fun things to do, there are plenty of unexpected situations that can get in the way of a seamless vacation.
- To help you prepare to make the most of your trip and circumvent the avoidable hiccups, we created a packing list of 12 helpful items to bring with you on your next visit to NYC.
In most movies, New York City is portrayed as a place full of glamorous people, beautiful park scenes, and picturesque skyscrapers. The movies don’t lie, but what they fail to point out is that The Big Apple can come with some … difficulties.
Prior to making the move from Colorado to NYC, I had the same romanticized expectations as the 65 million travelers that ventured here in 2018. After getting lost with a dead phone battery, going through a box of band aids thanks to painful blisters, and barely avoiding the stampede of busy subway goers, I realized that not everything was as effortless as the movies made it out to be.
Avoiding these struggles entirely might not be totally realistic, but there are surefire ways to ensure that these small issues don’t grow into larger problems that will ruin your trip. Come prepared with things like a change purse so you can easily act on your jumbo pretzel craving, or a nifty pocket hand sanitizer for sticky subway situations. There’s no saying whether or not you’ll run into too many unexpected annoyances, but you’ll feel much better knowing that you’ve come to the city prepared.
We compiled a list of 12 items to add to your packing list if you’re planning a trip to New York City. Our recommendations are based on all the possible hiccups you may face, offering preventative measures to keep your trip running smoothly.
An easily accessible fanny pack
Dagne Dover
Dagne Dover Ace Fanny Pack, $85, available at Dagne Dover
Lugging around a bulky bag is the last thing you want to deal with when traveling through NYC. A fanny pack like this one from Dagne Dover provides easy access to essential items like lip balm, hand sanitizer, cash, and subway cards without anything unnecessary getting in the way.
A packable rain coat
Amazon
Joules Packable Waterproof Rain Coat, from $36.10, available at Amazon
Checking the weather app on your phone is a good way to get a general idea of what the forecast looks like for your trip. Unfortunately, NYC weather is extremely temperamental (especially during the spring) which is why a lightweight, packable jacket should be on your list of wardrobe essentials. This one is super affordable on Amazon, plus it comes in 40 colors and patterns to fit any style. It also made our list of the best women’s raincoats of 2019.
A water "bottle" that can roll to fit in your pocket
Amazon
Vapur Flexible Water Bottle, from $9.95, available at Amazon
If you’re visiting NYC, walking is a given. With walking comes dehydration, and buying a water bottle at one of those little bodegas can get pretty expensive (not to mention very wasteful). The Vapur "bottle" is perfect for traveling or running around town because it’s collapsible, fits easily in a bag, and can save you money for more important things like ice cream in Central Park. As a New York resident, I’ve learned the true value of having this convenient pouch on me regularly.
See the rest of the story at Business Insider
See Also:
- The best air walker and air glider exercise machines you can buy
- 6 Memorial Day appliance sales you can shop right now, and some of the best deals you’ll find at each
- The best clothes hangers you can buy
SEE ALSO: 26 packing essentials we never travel without
Source: Business Insider – feedback@businessinsider.com (Megan Foster)