msjend

I dunno what to do, all my accomadations are taken care of, I am reallly nervous about packing all the wrong things. I have one great REI Roller Bag (it's pretty big) but having lived on the west coast all my life, I don't know how to dress and or pack for the East! I'm going in March... help!

Anonymous

"Dressing for the east" is like dressing for California: It depends on location, weather, and types of activities.

In March, weather could be very variable; bring layers, and travel light.

escargot

tell us what your activities will be and we can help more - inside, outside, walking, hiking, sight seeing, casual/fancy restaurants, shows, etc - in nyc are you apt to do museums, soho, theater, etc...in both cities is it a sight seeing and walking vacation? - then the most comfortable shoes you can find.

in general, as anonymous said, pack light (leave room for your purchases), layers, and an all weather type coat for rain, snow or sun, but in March it is usually still quite cold.

nytraveler

March in NYC is mostly still winter - it will probably be cold esp at night and you might easily get snow/sleet. DC will be slightly warmer - and if it's a warm spell you could easily get into the 50's. (And you do realize that the trees will be leafless and only the first, earliest flowers showing a little?)

So you need to take a variety of things - but nothing summery. Be sure you have at least a raincoat with a heavy lining (given the choice I would take a good leather jacket - not blazer - with a zip out lining) and booties or shoes that are waterproof. I would also include a hat, scarf and gloves to be safe.

msjend

I will probably be doing it all, I am going as a travel companion for a single mother and her son whom I babysit for. We'll be doing museums etc. I am most concerned about packing for the train. She said, "you must pack light"...I don't own much clothing that I can actually wear in the wet. I live in Phoenix... land of the dry and the winter flipflop wearers!

nytraveler

Well - if you're here more than a few days you're almost sure to run into rain so make sure you have a good umbie and at least one pair of waterproof shoes. Flip flops will not make it in March - your feet will freeze - never mind how filthy they would get in a city.

Unless you are going to really elegant restaurants or theater/opera first nights or serious clubbing you can get by almost anywhere with busines casual. You are much lees likely to see holey jeans or giant white sneakers than in other parts of the country (walking shoes - and you will do a LOT of walking - are better off dark - but you can do cute skechers or something). A nice sweater and cords will do for almost anything.

gail

Are you really all taking the train from Phoenix - good luck!

claire01

For the DC part--could be anywhere from 30s to 60s...a few pairs of khaki or non-blue jeans, a lightweight raincoat (preferably hooded) with sweaters and tees to layer beneath...nice,clean running shoes/sneakers--good for almost anywhere but the fanciest restaurants...and you're good to go! Have fun--both cities are a blast--DC is MUCH more conservative dress-wise than NYC.