New York City - Prepare

Bring an attitude that combines a quick wit with street-smart world-weariness. Warm clothes for winter, walking shoes with style and balm for the sore neck you'll get after all that skyscraper-gazing.

Celebrate the Big Apple's culinary riches during Winter Restaurant Week (Jan), see NYC's Celtic community kick up its heels on St Patrick's Day (Mar) and catch the summertime vibe during the Central Park SummerStage (Jun-Sep). The US Tennis Open (Aug-Sep) gives an insight into the city's sport mania, or join locals at a New York Yankees game for the climax of the baseball season (Sep). Join the fun on the streets for the huge Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade (Nov).

New Year's Day (1 Jan), Martin Luther King's Day (third Mon in Jan), Presidents' Day (third Mon in Feb), Memorial Day (last Mon in May), Independence Day (4 Jul), Labor Day (first Mon in Sep), Columbus Day (second Mon in Oct), Veterans' Day (11 Nov), Thanksgiving (fourth Thu in Nov), Christmas Day (25 Dec).

Weather is fierce in New York with cold, snowy winters (January temperatures hover just below freezing at -1°C) and sizzling summers. In July and August temperatures of around 33°C are not unusual but the average is around 28°C. Spring and autumn are the best time to visit for clear skies and balmy temperatures.

110-120V AC, 60Hz, two-pin flat bladed pins are standard

+1 (national), +212 (Manhattan), other boroughs have different codes

The US dollar ($) is the currency.

GMT/UTC -5 (Eastern Time)

Visit New York City Tourism website

The dress code in New York is strictly 'anything goes'. It's all about what you can get away with, whether it's Andy Warhol-era drainpipe trousers or Blondie-era spandex. You may wish to dress with the extremes of weather in mind, but plenty of New Yorkers choose to disregard even this rule of thumb.