Girly Guide To New York-The Essentials

Things that are worth noting when travelling to New York.
1.If you use GHD'S (newer ones) they may have a 2 pin US plug inside. Unscrew the plug and there should be a 2 pin plug insde, saving you the use of a travel adaptor.
2.Bring a travel adaptor anyway for your mobile/ipod charger, iron etc. Email your hotel before you go if their website does not state whether or not they have a hairdryer/iron in-room.
3.Taxi's can be expensive in New York. Familiarise yourself with the subway system using an online map before you go. The subway is cheap, quick and stations are plentiful around the city.
4.Check where you are flying to and see what is the quickest and/or most cost effective way to reach your hotel. Newark Airport is in New Jersey, not Manhattan, making it more expensive to arrive by taxi than if you land in JFK.
5.Look up the prices of any sights you want to visit, things you plan to buy before you go and work out how much money you need. New York is expensive but can be done within most budgets if well-planned. I'll put up budget tips later on.
6.Pack for the weather. Use a website such as Accu Weather a few days before you go and get a 10 day forecast. Plan what you pack around this. Essentials in any weather are a map, alcohol gel for hands (while using subway,out sightseeing ,if you plan on eating on the go), photocopies of your passport, camera and enough money to keep you going but not so much that you will be left with nothing if you get robbed/pickpocketed (although this is unlikely).
7.You now need to complete an ESTA form (part of your visa) before you go. This can be done for free online at https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/esta/esta.html?_flowExecutionKey=_cDA8B77A1-9572-283F-DC83-B27E434CBC4E_k24C6ED77-ABD6-8E89-AB22-20ED9DA9F150
8.Make sure you have travel insurance before you go to avoid big medical bills hould you fall unwell. Also, pack enough of any medications you are on.
9.Remember hand luggage restrictions. Check with the individual airline/airport before you go. Usually you are only allowed a small amount of make up and toiletries (fluid based) which must be under 100mls each and should be able to fit in the small clear big that you will be issued with at the airport.
10. Take decent walking shoes. You will do a lot of wlaking in New York and a lot of standing in queues if you visit the main attractions and while heels are very flattering and very Carrie Bradshaw, they are also completely impractical. Keep your heels for dinner/a Broadway show.