Experiencing a snow-white winter in New York is on many people’s bucket lists. It’s magical, romantic, and incredibly festive. But apart from these lovely aspects, winter in New York can also be excruciatingly cold! Sometimes, the temperature in NY can even drop below 10 Fahrenheit. Not fun! So before hopping on your flight to the Big Apple, make sure you’ve checked out some of the essential items on this New York winter packing list. Because the last thing you’d want is to catch a cold during your trip to NY! (Happened to me a few times because I refused to wear a scarf, thinking I was tough. Smh)
Anyways, enjoy this simple and essential New York winter packing list
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An Essential New York Winter Packing List
1. Warm Winter Jacket or Coat
This first essential item is quite obvious. I doubt anyone can have fun in New York winter without a thick winter coat or jacket to keep them warm. Unless they’re Super Saiyan or somthing….
Investing in a high-quality winter coat or jacket can save you money in the long run. I’ve had my winter coat for over 12 years now, and it is still my go-to for traveling in cold seasons.
2. Thermal Leggings
In New York winter, a simple pair of jeans is not going to keep you warm. Not at all. Especially when it starts pouring rain or snowing… Ufff, that’s when you’ll realize the importance of wearing a pair of thermal leggings underneath. It really does make a huge difference! Once your lower body is warm, your whole body will start heating up.
3. Beanies & Scarves
Apart from being cute accessories to your winter outfit, beanies and scarves can keep your head, your neck, and your ears warm. Which I think is the most important thing when traveling in a cold region.
Here’s the link to the beanie I was wearing in the photo (apparently they’re not selling the black ones anymore?)
4. Hand Warmers
Growing up in Taiwan, I remember that hand warmers were always super popular, and everyone had one during the winter. Yet, I actually don’t see a lot being used in the States! Which is surprising, considering how much colder it gets over here.
Hand warmers can REALLY warm you up. I’ve once left one in my pocket while sleeping and I woke up in the middle of the night thinking that someone was burning me with a fire torch. LOL! So even though these hand warmers are quite useful, be careful when using them.
5. Ear Muffs
Have you ever experienced the excruciating pain in your ears while the cold winter air blows? If you don’t know what I’m talking about, I hope you won’t ever have to endure this pain. It’s the absolute worst! Your ears literally feel as if they are about to break off.
Frigid cold air can irritate the ear canal which can often time cause extreme pain. So make sure to protect your ears with fuzzy and warm ear muffs before heading out to explore New York in the winter.
6. Touchscreen Thermal Gloves
OMG, I wish I would’ve recommended this item to myself when I visited New York this February! On the trip, I was constantly taking out my phone to look up Google Maps. And since I didn’t have a touchscreen glove, I had to expose my naked fingers in the freezing air. Whewww! After a few hours out in the cold, the pain in my knuckles became so severe that I couldn’t bend my fingers to grab my spoon and eat lunch. Not going to lie, I almost cried.
7. Thermos Flask
Instead of spending money on Starbucks’ hot cocoa and Honey Citrus Mint Tea (ugh, my fave!), consider bringing your own hot beverage on the road in a thermos flask. Not only will you be saving money on drinks, but you can also keep your tummy warm all day long. By the way, add some ginger in your tea! Definitely a great way to boost your immune system and stay healthy on the trip.
8. Chapstick or Moisturizer
Chapped, dry, and bleeding lips as a free souvenir from New York? NO thank you!
Since your lips naturally do not have oil glands, they tend to suffer a lot when the weather changes from warm to cold. Along with the constant exposure of the cold wind, as well as the occasional sunshine in New York winter, your lips can eventually become super dry and chapped. So make sure to keep a moisturizing chapstick with you when out and about!
9. Wool Socks
If wearing snow boots is too bulky for you, then maybe wool socks are more your cup of tea. You can wear these under your regular sneakers for extra warmth in the New York winter. Of course, they won’t provide the same level of warmth compared to fuzzy snow boots. But I think it’s a great alternative for those who don’t have enough space in their luggage to fit heavy winter boots.
10. Vitamin C Supplements
Catching the flu or getting a nasty fever is probably the last thing you want on your trip to the Big Apple. It’ll for sure ruin all the fun. So to prevent that from happening, make sure to drink a lot of water, rest well, dress warm, and maybe even taking Vitamin C supplements to boost your immune system!
You can even take these before your flight to make sure that your immune system won’t be compromised due to stressful travel and jet-lag.
11. Face Mask
A face mask can be helpful when the frigid cold air decides to unapologetically whoop against your face. Apart from keeping you warm, face masks can also protect your skin from dryness, as well as keep your nose and throat hydrated!
12. Winter Snow Boots
Snow boots are definitely an essential item in your New York winter packing list if you suffer from cold feet. When I went to New York this February, I brought a pair of Nike shoes and a pair of UGGs, just to test out if there’s really a difference between the two in terms of warmth. And let me tell you, my toes were freezing off in my Nikes! These UGGs, on the other hand, kept my feet warm and toasty.
13. Portable Power Bank
Did you know that your phone battery drains faster during the wintertime? Neither did I. But it’s true. You can learn all about it here on livescience.com
So if you’re exploring New York by taking the Metro, then you should consider investing in a portable power bank. Especially if you plan on using Google Maps to help navigate the city. (I always rely on my power bank everywhere I go because my iPhone battery sucks. Without it, my phone would die within 2 hours)
14. Portable Humidifier
New York air is super dry during the Wintertime. Split ends start forming, skin starts flaking, and pimples start popping up….all because of the lack of moisture. So to prevent all these symptoms from occurring, or at least reduce the severity of it, using a warm humidifier can be a great way to add back moisture into your body. Oh yea, and don’t forget to drink tons of water!
15. Anti-theft Shoulder Backpack
New York can get a bit sketchy at night, especially in the not so well lit districts and areas. So make sure to be aware of your surroundings at all times, and keep a close eye on all your belongings.
When traveling to New York in the wintertime, instead of putting all my important belongings in my backpack. I like to stow them away in a separate small bag or shoulder backpack and hide it under my poofy winter jacket.
Have Fun & Stay Warm In New York
I hope this New York winter packing list has been helpful to you. And make sure to stay safe & stay warm in New York!
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