Going to the States, NY, Washington - tell me everything I need to know!

[Bumperlicioso]

I'm going to the States next month, for a couple of days work then extending so I will have 4 nights leisure. A colleague is staying on with me and we are meeting tonight to plan our trip. We have 3 nights in Washington for work, 3 nights in NY and 1 night back in Washington.

I've never left Europe let alone been to the states before so I am stupidly excited (especially as the trip will be practically paid for in overtime!). I need to know everything! Such as:

1. how do I get medical insurance?
2. How to survive long haul flights? We fly out at 4 in the afternoon, and returning we fly back at 9 getting in to the UK at 9 in the morning? Should I sleep? I'm not a great sleeper, I'm considering taking a sleeping tablet, something natural like Valerian, or even an antihistamine like Actifed.
3. Very importantly, what should I be wearing while I am a tourist around NY? Feel free to do some links, I have a bit of birthday money to spend
4. In NY what are the MUST SEES? We have about 2.5 days there and 2 half days in Washington.
5. Not sure where we are staying in NY yet. We may have free accommodation but that is to be decided. Any cheap hotels/hostels in NY/Washington
6. After we are dropped of at a Washington bus station by colleagues to get the bus to NY we won't have a car so any tips on getting around?

By the way, we are trying to do this on a budget so frugal tips are very welcome. Tell me everything I need to know! What to pack? What to wear? Where to go? (Lord, how did I ever make a decision before MN? )

Bumpity bump

read this thread including a very long post from me about what to do in New York

bumperlisco

I take it as read that your employers have sorted out the necessary visa requirements as you will be working there for a few days.

You can get travel insurance by phoning around and getting appropriate cover for the duration of your trip. Well worth doing!. Columbus to give but just one example offer good deals and are reasonable.

You probably won't sleep going out as its a day flight. Many people sleep or try to on the way back to the UK. Would say that the flight back is quicker than going out (this is due to favourable tail winds) and it does not stay dark on the plane for many hours. I would try to sleep coming back if you can.

Smart casual stuff is good for NYC; same for Washington DC. Wear comfortable shoes, both cities require plenty of walking.

In NYC must sees include the Empire State Building and Central Park (not at night though).

Both cities are not cheap in terms of accommodation; I would certainly sort out accommodation in both cities before you leave these shores.

Washington DC has plenty of museums on the Mall. It also has a very good Metro (underground) train system which is both efficient and cheap. Use the NY metro for getting around as well.

Thanks for the tips both.

Have sorted out all accommodation and travel between the major cities.

Any links for things that I should wear?

It's going to be knackering but am dead excited!