Countries / United States / Packing guides / Northeast
Packing for the Northeast
New York, New Jersey, New England and nearby. Four distinct seasons. Winters are cold and often below freezing, with snow and ice, most of all in New England and upstate New York. Summers are warm to hot and sticky. In the big cities people walk and ride trains and buses, so you spend more time outdoors than you might expect.
- States
- Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland and Washington, D.C.
General information only. Weather varies a lot within each region and from year to year. Check your city’s forecast on weather.gov before you pack.
Your packing checklist
Tick items as you pack, then share, copy or print the list, or add reminders to your calendar.
Winter
- Warm, windproof coat (or buy one when you arrive)
- Waterproof boots with a good grip
- Hat, gloves and scarf
- Thermal layers
Summer
- Light, breathable clothes
- Light sweater for cold air conditioning
Spring and autumn
- Light jacket
- Rain jacket or umbrella
- Comfortable walking shoes
Winter (December to March)
- A warm, windproof coat. It is often cheaper, and better suited to the climate, to buy one here in the autumn than to pack it.
- Waterproof boots with a good grip for snow, slush and ice.
- Hat, gloves and scarf, plus thermal layers if you will be outside a lot.
Summer (June to August)
- Light, breathable clothes for heat and humidity.
- A light sweater: trains and offices can be very cold with air conditioning.
Spring and autumn
- Layers for fast-changing weather: a light jacket, a rain jacket or umbrella, and comfortable walking shoes.
Local tips
- Coastal storms called nor’easters can bring heavy snow or rain, and tropical storms occasionally reach the coast in late summer and autumn.
- Apartments are often small. Pack light and buy furniture and kitchen things after you arrive.
Documents, medicines, electronics, food and cash rules are the same everywhere: see the newcomer basics. For a tick-off list for a trip, try the packing list maker.
Other regions
Official sources
Last checked October 2026.