Preparing Your NYC trip - Continued

When to go? If you’re flexible, try to avoid the months July and August. At that time, the city turns into the firing pits of hell. Ok, that may be a slight exaggeration. But taking the subway is like stepping into an underground pizza oven and the streets get so hot (and sometimes smelly), you will be literally running from one air-conditioned building to the other. The best time to visit Manhattan is any other time of the year. If you prefer warmer weather, aim for spring (April – June) or Indian Summer (September – October). Fall foliage in Central Park can be really pretty in November. Even the cold months (December – February) are recommended. My favorite is definitely the Christmas season during which the Big Apple turns into one big Christmas Tree. Of course, it can get really cold so bring lots and lots of layers (and warm shoes!).

What to pack? Be prepared to walk a marathon! Exploring New York City can be exhausting – unless you are willing to spend a nice amount on cab rides. Even when you take the subway, just walking from the subway station to your destination can be quite a hike. So, this is not the time to show off your new pair of designer heels, instead go for comfortable flat shoes. One last tip, bring an empty suitcase! New York is a notorious shopping destination, and even the cheapest person will not be able to resist the temptation. So, in order to avoid a penalty when flying back to Belgium, either pack light or be ready to invest in an extra suitcase!

What else? In order to maximize your time, it might be useful to book some museum tickets online in order to avoid waiting lines. I would definitely recommend buying a City Pass – this is a great deal: $79 for the Empire State, MET, MoMA, Museum of Natural History, Statue of Liberty, and the Top of the Rock! These are all on our “no valid excuse to miss” list! You can buy it online or at one of the participating sites.