New York in December: what to pack for the cold, the wind and the holidays

The story

You come out of the subway at Rockefeller Center and the wind hits you in the face. It’s 3 °C, but between the tall buildings of Midtown it feels much colder: the avenues work like wind tunnels. Everyone around you is in a long coat, a hat and gloves, walking fast with a coffee in hand. Above the skating rink the tree is lit, and the line to see it moves slowly.

Then you step into a museum, and ten minutes later you’re too hot. New York heats everything: museums, shops, subway cars, your hotel room with its radiator ticking away. You end up carrying your coat, your scarf and your hat, and wishing you’d worn a thinner sweater underneath.

In the afternoon it snows a little, not enough to stay on the pavements, but enough to turn every street corner into a puddle of gray slush. At a crossing on Fifth Avenue, the person in front of you steps into it ankle-deep in canvas sneakers. Your boots are waterproof, and you walk straight through.

In the evening you meet friends at the holiday market in Bryant Park: hot chocolate, stalls selling scarves and ornaments, a skating rink in the middle. You’ve walked 20,000 steps and your feet are fine, because you packed shoes for walking and not just for looking good.

New York in December means dressing for the wind outside and the heat inside. Layers you can take off, a real coat and boots that keep your feet dry make all the difference.

What to pack

Pack for the cold in layers you can carry, and put comfort first for your feet.

Clothes

• A warm coat that covers your hips, windproof if possible.
• A thin base layer, a thermal top and leggings, for the coldest days.
• Sweaters or fleeces of medium weight rather than one thick one: you’ll take them off indoors.
• A hat, a scarf and gloves; touchscreen gloves let you check maps without taking them off.
• Something a little dressier for a show or a nice dinner.

Shoes

• Waterproof boots with good grip, for slush and the odd patch of ice.
• Comfortable shoes for long days on foot.
• Warm socks, and a spare pair in your day bag.

For the day

• A small backpack or tote for the layers you take off.
• Lip balm and moisturizer: the cold outside and the heating inside both dry your skin.
• A compact umbrella.

Documents, money and tech

• Passport.
• A contactless card or phone: you tap it at the subway turnstile.
• A plug adapter if you come from outside North America: sockets are types A and B, at 120 V. Check that your chargers and hair tools work at 120 V.
• A power bank: the cold drains phone batteries faster.

Good to know

• Weather: in December, highs are around 6 °C (43 °F) and lows around 0 °C (32 °F). Cold snaps can bring −10 °C (14 °F), and the wind makes it feel colder. Snow is possible, but more common in January and February.
• The holidays: the tree at Rockefeller Center is lit from late November or early December into January, and holiday markets open in Bryant Park, Union Square and Columbus Circle. Weekends are crowded; go on weekday mornings.
• Getting around: tap a contactless card or phone at subway turnstiles and on buses. After 12 paid rides within seven days on the same card or phone, further rides in that period are free.
• Plugs: types A and B, 120 V.
• Money: US dollar (USD). Prices usually don’t include sales tax, and tipping is expected: around 18 to 20% in restaurants and a dollar or two per drink at bars.
• Entry: travelers from Visa Waiver Program countries need an approved ESTA before they fly; Canadian citizens need neither, and most other travelers need a visa. Check which applies to you.