don't be a schlocky tourist...

I have loved reading all the great posts on this website, and I trust that I am getting the best information, particularly from the NYC natives. Our trip is in August, and as we get closer I am getting alot more excited and somewhat anxious about maneuvering our family of five about town: you know, keeping kids happy, hubby happy, me happy (the only woman in the group), Please tell us what NOT to do, what NOT to wear so as not to stand out as rubes from the midwest (which is exactly what we are). Ok, what I really want to ask is if it%26#39;s ok for me to wear my running shoes during the day? In the old days, when I cared more about stylishness, I wore smart black everything.. ah, but now middle-age has given way to comfort.

don't be a schlocky tourist...

Wear your comfortable running shoes. You won%26#39;t regret it.

New York is highly walkable, fairly flat and laid out well... And bring a spare pair of comfy shoes if you can. For going out a pair of sandals will work. Stash them in your bag and switch when you get to your destination.

The best thing for you to do is get your bearings as soon as possible. Start reading New York maps and laying out your trip. Learn what%26#39;s in the neighborhoods. Having someone on the trip who is willing to act as a navigator makes everyone else very happy.

And if you are going with a family, don%26#39;t overdo things. You might want to be out from 6 am till dark, but they won%26#39;t. Downtime is important. Sleeping in a day here or there may be important..so schedule time accordingly, don%26#39;t cram too much in for little ones.

don't be a schlocky tourist...

You are absolutely right about me wanting to be out from morning to night... and I know the hazards of pushing the kids to far too fast. They aren%26#39;t little, however; they are 20, 17 and 9. The main issue the two oldest have is wanting to sleep all morning and be out all night. Which will drive me nuts. Thank goodness we have a suite set-up. Being that we will be close to Central Park, perhaps we can let them sleep in, and hubby and I can get in a good morning walk and cup of coffee before we prod them out of bed. Thank you for the suggestion of carrying sandals and changing when need be; I think that would work perfectly since I am assuming there will be times when we won%26#39;t be going back to the hotel to change before meals.

We wear our Nike%26#39;s every time we are there in the summer. Shorts and tennis shoes are everywhere. I guarantee you will not feel out of place in most areas. Dress better if you eat in a nice place. Business casual in the midwest will get you buy for 95% of the places in NYC.

KellerHummer, thank you for your feedback.. I am feeling better already about this trip.. I am totally about comfort and in the midwest we are pretty casual. I was joking when I said we were ';rubes';.. we are professionals, and dress accordingly for work...but, come the weekend! We will bring shorts and Nikes, and for me a couple pair of pants, one black and one khaki.. kids can bring polo shirts for dress, but will feel best in the usual tshirt and jeans or shorts by day. We are determined to pack light!

I%26#39;ve seen people here say many times that NY%26#39;ers don%26#39;t wear shorts.

I can tell you that I%26#39;m in my early 40%26#39;s as are all of my friends. We are all professionals and all live in Manhattan. And guess what?

We all wear shorts, and sneakers.

I think that when you are in midtown or other business areas you are less likely to see shorts. Personally I think that is because you are seeing everyone dressed for business. Very often these people don%26#39;t even live in the city but commute in from the burroughs and suburbs.

I%26#39;ve said here before that in the heat of the summer my friends and I will even wear shorts to a casual dinner(very casual)

I would not wear shorts to the theater or a nice dinner.

So wear your shorts and sneakers and when you see men in suits and women in dresses remember they are off to work, and if they weren%26#39;t they%26#39;d probably be in shorts too!

Here%26#39;s a tip for navigating our busy streets. When you stop on the street to look at a map or decide what to do next, please step to the side of the sidewalk or stairs. Don%26#39;t stand in the middle. Our sidewalks are our freeways, so please don%26#39;t stop short in the middle of traffic. Pull over.

Also, it is really hot and humid here in August. And if it%26#39;s bad on the street, it%26#39;s triple worse in the subway. Carry a small bottle of water and some kleenex/hankies with you, for dabbing the forehead. The subway is 100 years old - didn%26#39;t plan for central air back then. Bring an umbrella, sunscreen and sunglasses.

Relax, wear comfortable shoes (as everyone has said), and have a great time!

I have been really confounded about what shoes to take. I don%26#39;t think I could stand to walk around midtown in my running shoes, although they are just about the only comfortable things I have.

But....my question is.....No one seems to be mentioning a hat to help with the heat. That%26#39;s my number one essential here in the southwest. Will I look goofy in a straw brimmed hat???

I agree with the previous poster who always likes to blend in.

I like the idea of appointing a navigator. How about switching off. Have each person choose a neighborhood and learn about it, then show the others around.

(I%26#39;m sitting here in my shorts.)

I worried about this too, kk6758. And yes, you can certainly tell the tourists from the natives. New Yorkers overall are gorgeous people. I%26#39;ve never ever seen so many beautiful people before in my life, men and women! And they have a way of wearing clothing that definitely escapes us Midwesterners. Here%26#39;s what we didn%26#39;t see last week...

shorts, especially short shorts

mini skirts

capri pants unless they were the drapey, expensive looking fabric that makes them look more like a skirt

fanny packs

white tennis shoes with capri pants and fanny packs ;)

what we did see....

large designer bags

lots of beautiful skirts to the knee or below

shawls and lovely scarves wrapped casually around necks and shoulders

tennis shoes in colors that are not white. I think the shoe stores call them urban casual shoes now. A good example would be pumas in a brown or gray or black.

long long lovely necklaces are on all the ladies

Generally, we noticed that people are more covered up then Midwesterners are in the summer. And it was hot and humid while we were there.

With all the tall buildings, usually one side of a street will be shady (except at high noon :) ) - just cross over there until you get to your destination.

And I also bring a lightweight pair of ';nice'; shoes in my big (but comfortable) bag, and switch into them when going into a ';nice'; restaurant.