Visiting New York City in the summer is on possibly every tourist’s bucket list. From Broadway musicals to Smorgasburg and other street festivals, NYC offers the traveler a myriad of different activities for each and every personality. Now, as the entire summer lays before you, it is time to take advantage of the weather and start planning for your trip. Here is a list of 3 things to bring on your trip PLUS one thing not to bring!

1. Camera
→ Take pictures! Almost every street corner in NYC flaunts something fun, interesting, or just plain weird. (If you’re in Times Square, get READY for the weird.) Overall, you’ll make some incredible memories in the city that you will want to look back on someday. So, make sure that your future self is satisfied. Perhaps Times Square isn’t your scene — you just want to take some cute pictures for Instagram. If that’s the case, then head down to SoHo, where you’ll find charming cobblestone roads and brick walls, perfect for making all of your Insta followers jealous AF. Foodies are also welcome here, as SoHo is home to countless restaurants and diners that serve food made for the screen.

• Author’s recommendation: Try NoMo SoHo — this charming hotel/restaurant has it all! A beautiful interior and exterior perfect for social media, food that tastes like heaven (I have dreams about their Lemon Ricotta Pancakes), and best of all, prices that you can actually afford!

2. Metrocard
→ Trust me, the subway system is NOT as daunting as it may seem to a first-time traveler. Besides, with the added comfort of Google Maps, getting to where you need to be is easier than ever. The subways offer travelers an easy, accessible, and affordable way to get around. With the number of expensive activities that NYC offers, you will not want to spend another $20 or so dollars waiting for an Uber. The Metrocard is essentially an adventure pass that grants you access to the entire city, from Queens to Brooklyn. And as always, speeding around underground is always better than getting stuck in NYC traffic.

→ NYC is a walking city, so you can expect to be on your feet for the majority of your vacation. Comfortable shoes will transform your vacation, from having to come home tired and achy to energetic and ready for another day exploring the city. With the sheer number of events and activities NYC offers, getting burdened down because of your shoes will lead to a regretful vacation. Definitely leave the heels and dress shoes at home if you are going out on an adventure. Trust me, you’ll look better in pictures when you’re not grimacing from the pain!

+1. Luggage
→ Don’t bring bags with you! When you are walking around as much as you will, you don’t want to be burdened by heavy bags. This will only lead to complete exhaustion and will depress your day. I promise, whatever you were carrying in those bags can be found on every street corner for just mere dollars. Furthermore, there is nothing less fun than having to crowd yourself and your luggage into a packed subway car. Instead, try to find short-term storage options around the city that will allow you to store your bags accessibly and inexpensively.

With Vertoe, you can find on-demand short-term storage all around the city. For $5.95 per day, with 100+ locations around NYC, Vertoe connects anyone looking to safely store their bags/items to nearby local shops with space. This way, you won’t even have to leave all your bags at your hotel, you can simply put them nearest to where you may be, granting you the convenience of access to your bags at any time! Use code “vertoefirst” for an extra 5% off!