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What to pack for New York City in May
Typical May, built from ten years of weather
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Typical for your dates
Highs 70°F, lows 54°F, rain 12 of 31 days
wetwindyhigh UV
Sunset lands around 8:05pm. Wind averages 12 mph. No border paperwork on this one.
0 of 43 packed
Packing for
37 things on this list are on sale today
Essentials
11 items
12 rain days a month finds every seam. A real shell, not a windbreaker.
UV index of 8.4 burns exposed skin in under 20 minutes.
Coastal glare and 20 km/h winds bouncing light off pavement strain unprotected eyes.
May brings insects to parks near the city, and bites itch for days.
Check ankles and, if there's a dog, paws and ears every night.
Urban walking, coastal wind, and sun exposure combine to cause minor injuries.
Fourteen hours of daylight means phones drain faster from constant navigation.
Carry-on fits overhead bins and avoids checked-bag lines at major hubs.
Parks near the city and 14.5 daylight hours demand a separate bag for daily gear.
Fits the overhead on every airline that matters. Skip the checked-bag line entirely.
For the passport, the chargers, and the one dry pair of socks.
Before you go
2 to sort
Recommended
9 items
Humidity at 71% and 14.5 hours of daylight mean sweat builds through the day.
UV hits 8.4 here. Long sleeves beat reapplying sunscreen every hour.
The sun tracks high for 14.5 hours, and shade is scarce in urban terrain.
Treat the clothes once and it lasts weeks.
Tap water is safe, but carrying water saves money on street vendors.
One brick charges the laptop, phone, and camera.
Crowded transit hubs and busy streets make bags easy targets for theft.
Multiple daily activities and laundry every few days require organized packing.
Humidity and sweat mean clothes need washing more than once a week.
Nice to have
7 items you could skip
Twelve rain days in May will soak leather and suede without protection.
Wind and sun exposure dry lips faster than indoor air does.
Public transit and crowded parks mean hands touch contaminated surfaces constantly.
Sunburned skin swells when scratched, and insect bites worsen the reaction.
Urban exploration requires charging phones and cameras multiple times per day.
Domestic travel through busy airports and hotels requires luggage security.
Urban hotel bathrooms are small, and hanging storage maximizes cramped space.
Basics
16 things you probably own already