How to Plan the Best Girls Trip to New York City

There are few things more fun and exciting than exploring everything the city has to offer with your girlfriends, and with so much to do and see across the five boroughs, planning your trip ahead of time is essential to getting the most out of it.

Setting Your Budget

The first step to organizing any itinerary is determining your budget. New York City is a massive place, with way too many sights, shops and adventures to possibly fit into one trip, so focus first on identifying absolutely must-do activities.

Base your group’s budget on the answers to these important considerations:

How many people are you traveling with?
What’s the length of your stay?
What activities would you like to do?
How do you plan on traveling there, and how will you get around?
Where do you plan on staying?
Are you looking for low-cost, or high-end luxury hotels and restaurants?

From taking a helicopter tour of the city skyline to hitting up the spa to enjoying a nice brunch or catching a show or concert in the park—the possibilities are endless!

Best Time to Go

When scheduling your epic girls outing, there’s plenty to consider regarding exactly when to visit.

If you’re looking for warm, pleasant weather and manageable tourist crowd sizes, book from April to June, and September to early November. You’ll find some of the best deals on shopping, hotel rates, and airfare from mid-January to the end of February, due to post-holiday sales and less tourists.

New York City is also famous for its host of seasonal events:

You can enjoy the winter holiday festivities by visiting the holiday markets, Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting, and New Year’s Eve Times Square Ball Drop.

If the spring is more up your alley, you can check out the New York Botanical Garden’s annual Orchid Show, the Brooklyn Botanic Garden Cherry Blossom Festival, and take part in the St. Patrick’s Day Parade.

Summers in the city are full of exciting activities and musical events, including the Governors Ball, Veuve Clicquot Polo Classic, and of course, Macy’s Fourth of July Fireworks.

In the fall, look forward to events such as the New York Food & Wine Festival, NYC Marathon, and annual Thanksgiving Day Parade.

How to Get Around

As vast and active as NYC is on any given day, traversing the city by car can often prove to be a difficult (and costly) task. If you aren’t familiar with navigating the intricate streets or deciphering the confusing mess of parking signs, then it’s best to utilize public transportation instead of a rental.

While taxis and ride-share options are plentiful throughout the city, this can also be expensive. It’s better to pick up a MetroCard and purchase a seven-day unlimited subway pass, and reserve the taxi or ride-shares for select outings.

In addition to often being the fastest and most cost-effective method of getting around, it will also give your party the chance to experience the city like real New Yorkers—which is a huge part of the fun!

Take a Tour & Explore

There are plenty of great ways you and your girlfriends can explore, with guided and themed tours operating throughout the city to satisfy any interest.

Take the Circle Line Cruise and enjoy a phenomenal view of the city skyline while sailing by the Statue of Liberty. Book a ride on the Sex & the City Hotspots Tour, and relive your favorite character’s exploits. Or if you prefer to venture out on your own, check out the Highline at Hudson Yards, the newly developed walking path and shopping complex, and visit Chelsea Market to grab a bite before strolling through scenic Hudson River Park.

Whether taking a guided tour or hitting the streets with no clear destination, there’s nothing quite like taking in the city sights with your friends.

Best Places for Shopping

New York City is one of the major shopping epicenters in the world, and scheduling time to indulge in some serious perusing with your crew is an absolute must. And if you’re going to be shopping in New York, Manhattan is the place to be.

Enjoy a host of great shops and stores in SoHo, including Anthropologie, Club Monaco, JCrew, Madewell, and Bloomingdale’s. Then there’s the iconic luxury stores and boutiques on 5th Avenue, including: Bergdorf Goodman, Saks 5th Avenue, Tiffany & Co., Louis Vuitton, Harry Winston, Prada, Hugo Boss, and Mikimoto.

If you’d prefer more budget-conscious options, Century 21 on Broadway offers a great selection of discounted luxury goods, and the flagship Macy’s at Herald Square is a massive complex where you can always discover some great grabs. Also don’t be afraid to check out the small independent shops and street markets, where you can usually find fantastic bargains at incredible prices.

Catch a Show

All worn out from exploring? Take to the theatre district and catch a show!

There are plenty both on and off Broadway to delight everyone in your party. Depending on your show, venue and seating choices, tickets can run from $50 to more than $300, and if you have your heart set on a certain performance, you can book online in advance.

If you’d rather not spend any money at all, rest assured you can enjoy a great show or concert in one of the city’s many parks, completely free of charge.

Grab a Drink & Bite

NYC is home to some world-class bars and restaurants, so you’ll never need to look too far for a great bite to eat with the gang. Some places may require a reservation, so try to map out where you’d like to go ahead of time to ensure you get seated.
Enjoy some brunch and drinks on the café on the terrace at the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), or the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Met Rooftop Bar.

Have a fantastic meal in one of SoHo’s local eateries, including Ruby’s, Prince Street Pizza, The Butcher’s Daughter, Felix, and Lure.

Head into the East Village for a drink at Bar Primi, enjoy a free personal pizza with every drink at the Crocodile Lounge in Gramercy Park, or reserve a seat in the lady’s lounge of Beauty & Essex and enjoy some complimentary champagne.

With so many options, the sky’s the limit.

How to Avoid Making These 5 Surprising Passport Mistakes

Your next international vacation should be full of excitement, magical moments, and unforgettable stops at the most extraordinary restaurants, shops and destinations the world has to offer.

The last thing you need, then, is to show up at the airport simply to get turned away due to an expired passport, or even too many stamps in your book. (Who knew?!)

Mistake #1: Not Checking the Expiration Date

This doesn’t even just mean a passport long since expired. Some countries only accept passports that won’t expire for six months or more. So if you have four months left till your expiration date, it’s probably safer to get a new one than be turned away at the gate! Please do not think that you can show up and bypass the country regulations. Countries do not play when it comes to their rules and regulations.

Mistake #2: Waiting Too Long to Apply

It’s pretty common knowledge that passports take forever to receive and/or renew, but with all the stress of a trip, this important detail can sometimes be forgotten. In general, passports take at least six weeks to arrive on time. If you require it sooner, expedited services will cost $60 and take about three weeks.

Need it even sooner than that? Check out this page to learn how to book an appointment at a passport agency or center.

Mistake #3: Not Correctly Filling Out the Form

We’ve all made some typos here and there, but an error on your passport application will result in a missed flight. Even if the printer was to blame, you’ll still need to correct it before heading through security. The bright side? The correction process is free. You’ll just need a DS-5504 form that you can either mail in or fill out online.

Mistake #4: Not Updating Your Name After a Change

Legally changed your name recently? Passports don’t automatically update, so you’ll have to go through the renewal process. You’ll need to use a passport renewal form (DS-82), submit a color passport photo, an official document showing your name change, and your current passport (plus the fees that go along with it). We suggest ensuring you’re eligible for the DS-82 form.

If it’s been less than a year since your passport with your old name was issued, you might be able to update for free with the DS-5504 form.

Mistake #5: Having Too Many Stamps

Who knew that being a world traveler can have its downsides? Though you’re very lucky to have so many stamps in your book, some countries require you to have two to four blank pages in your passport.

If you love traveling as much as we do, make sure you’re always on top of your passport status to avoid any mishaps at the airport and reach your destination as soon as possible!

Double check and triple check your information once you receive your passport to ensure that everything is correct. You do not want to wait until the last minute just in case there is a delay. Stressing about whether or not you will receive your passport back in time for your trip is the last thing you need before going on a beautiful vacation.

For more information or to book your next trip, go to journey2elation.com.

Common Passport Mistakes

If you’re traveling abroad, there are tons of passport mistakes that might hold you up at security. Some of these mistakes are easily avoidable, while others might just surprise you!

Not checking the expiration date

While this seems obvious, it’s also easily overlooked. Ensure your expiration date is far enough in the future, because some countries won’t accept passports that will expire in six months!

Waiting too long to apply

Expedited shipping for passports does not mean overnight or 3 – 5 business days. While expedited shipping is available, it still takes $60 more and three weeks.

Not correctly filling out the form

Make sure everything on your application is clearly written. Luckily the correction process is free for typo’s made to your passport.

Not updating your name after a change

Passports don’t automatically update, so when a name change occurs you’ll have to go through the renewal process.

Having too many stamps

Who would of thunk it? Some countries have a requirement for the amount of blank pages that travelers have in their books. Passport books have a limited number of pages.

For more information or to book your next trip, go to journey2elation.com.