How to prepare for a once-in-a-lifetime trip to New York
After months of saving up and a lifetime of watching its unique skyline and bustling streets on your TV screen, you’re finally ticking an item off your bucket list and heading to New York for an adventure.
Since booking your flight, you’ve watched every episode of Friends ten times and memorised all of Carrie Bradshaw’s pearls of wisdom about city life.
Yup, you’re determined to do this once-in-a-lifetime trip right.
But whilst Hollywood is good at selling the Big Apple, it doesn’t offer much in the way of practical advice.
To guarantee you make the most of every second you’re away, you need to keep your excitement in check for a little longer and put in some prep work.
Here are three top tips for getting yourself in order, so you can hit New York in style.
#1: plan it all out
Weekly countdowns, packing lists and daily itineraries may give you painful flashbacks to grim school trips, but thoroughly planning your New York getaway is essential for making sure you enjoy every moment of your break.
Especially when it comes to getting the correct paperwork for entering the US in order (for example, most people travelling from the UK will need to apply for an ESTA).
Once the horrible task of organising official documents is out of the way, you can start putting together a plan of action for hitting all the main sights. To save time when you’re there, book tickets in advance for the big attractions, like the Empire State Building or a Broadway show you’re desperate to see.
#2: take your time packing
The seasons in New York all come with their own distinct sartorial challenges, but don’t worry – even the most extreme weather conditions are manageable so long as you pack the right gear.
If you’re heading off in the summer months go for light, loose layers, whilst thermals and waterproof overcoats will see you happily through the bitterly cold winter.
There’s one thing you’ll need no matter what time you visit, though – a killer formal look for an evening exploring the city that never sleeps. Midi dresses and sharp suits work any night of the year, if you ask us.
#3: get ready for the jetlag
We know it’s tempting to ignore the less fun aspects of travelling for fun daydreams about Fifth Avenue splurges, but failing to plan for jetlag will soon throw your schedule completely off track.
You can’t avoid it entirely but preparing yourself will help minimise its effects. Drink plenty of water, try to get some rest and go easy on yourself the first day. If you need a quick nap, don’t deny yourself one.
And whilst you’ll no doubt want to start the holiday celebrations on the plane with a beer or glass of wine, remember alcohol will only make you feel much worse when you eventually land.
Have you got any other top tips for New York first-timers? Leave a comment and let us know.