What's another way to find the north Star besides the big dipper?

Question

I know about the five thumb joint finger length method, but is there another way, if my visibility is blocked or something, i'm in new york, sometimes i can't see the big dipper.

Answer 1

It is the end of the handle of the Little Dipper.  Polaris is not very bright, so it doesn't stand out, but it is pretty much straight north.  The Little Dipper is upside down to the Big Dipper, with the North Star (Polaris) between them.  It is actually about 1 degree from true North at this time.

Answer 2

Hi,

well, it's cloudy in my part of NY, but it's generally the biggest brightest thing in the sky, barring saturn.

if you can't see the other stars or tell which way is north then you just may be s.o.l.

sorry, that's all i got.