All aboard, travel fans. This time it’s destination New York City and we’re bringing you the ultimate packing list of essential items you might otherwise regret leaving behind. 

Straight off the bat, let’s cover a handy acronym that pulls together some of the major reminders that we all need to double and triple check before tipping the cab driver and marching through the door marked ‘Departures’. PMT – Passport, money, tickets. If you were to arrive in NYC with nothing but PMT, you’d be more or less fine and able to get home. But you aren’t a boomerang. You’re going to leave the airport, one imagines, and you’re going to need to live and be comfortable over a period of days. With that in mind, check out our ultimate packing list for visiting NYC.

1. BLURRY VISION CAN PUT A DAMPENER ON SEEING THE SIGHTS 

Here’s a stat: America has a population of 327.2 million people, give or take. Here’s another stat: around 75% of that number requires vision correction (and roughly 64% get over that hump via prescription glasses). New glasses tucked away as a spare pair (or even as a funky travel gift to yourself) means you’ll always have a backup should you misplace or break your current specs. Times Square, Central Park, The Statue of Liberty, and the Empire State – all in HD vision – await your discerning gaze. 

2. POWER STRUGGLE – KEEP THOSE DEVICES CHARGED (FOR SO MANY REASONS)

When travelling, your cell phone or tablet becomes about a thousand things. It’s a map. It tells you the weather. It’s an alarm clock. It’s a torch. It’s a camera. It’s a bank. It’s emails, calls, texts, video chat, and social media. It’s music. It’s a book. There’s a reason this generation is ‘never off their phones’. Why would you ever want to be!? Pack a portable charger and a spare cable (they break, a lot). Arriving in NYC from abroad? Check if you need a power socket adapter. 

3(A). KEEPING YOUR DEVICE CHARGED COULD SAVE YOUR LIFE

OK. You probably know about this. But few people will have actually set it up. What are we going on about? Speaking purely from an iPhone point of view (other cell phones are available), there is a way to let emergency services know important medical info from your lock screen (super useful if you are unconscious). Open the health app, tap on Medical ID, and follow the instructions. Simple. Let’s just hope you never need it.

3(B). CONTINUING THE THEME OF MEDICAL ALERTS … A STYLISH BRACELET!

You may think that your allergies or medical information is well known to your family, friends, co-workers, etc. And you’re probably right. The people closest to you will no doubt step in with useful nuggets of medical-history should the situation call for it. But in NYC? Where south of no-one knows you? You need a medical bracelet, widely available, in a range of colors. TIP: Why not get more than one bracelet – in different colors – to mix and match with your outfit? Treat yourself. Go crazy. 

4. FANNY PACKS / BUM BAGS – AWFUL NAMES FOR SOMETHING REALLY USEFUL

Every kid on the block had one. The big bit was for some cheap plastic shades and maybe a small toy and a leaf you found. The smaller compartments were for pennies and maybe the crayons you wanted to hide from your brother. Little did you realize, this was valuable training. Hidden beneath clothes and tucked away, your money and important documents can be kept safe from pickpockets (and depending how much you want to spend, there are some swanky high-end options from top designers – get involved!).

5.  STAY HYDRATED (NO, NOT A WATER BOTTLE)

There is NOTHING in this world more annoying than cracked lips or dry skin. Try as you might to enjoy yourself, you’re basically going to be peeved the whole day through. NYC is outdoors. Maybe you’ve seen pictures. It’s a big place, and to be fair quite a lot of it is indoors, too, but getting around and seeing the sights certainly requires a degree of exposure to the elements. And that means dry skin and sore lips. Carry a lip balm and if you’re susceptible to cracked skin on your hands (perhaps you work with your hands for living) also carry a hand cream. Keep it moisturised out there, people.