American Express--Travel service offices are at many Manhattan locations, including 1185 Sixth Ave., at 47th Street (tel. 212/398-8585); at the New York Marriott Marquis, 1535 Broadway, in the 8th-floor lobby (tel. 212/575-6580); on the mezzanine level at Macy's Herald Square, 34th Street and Broadway (tel. 212/695-8075); and 374 Park Ave., at 53rd St. (tel. 212/421-8240). Call tel. 800/AXP-TRIP or go online to www.americanexpress.com for other city locations or general information.
Area Codes--There are four area codes in the city: two in Manhattan, the original 212 and the new 646, and two in the outer boroughs, the original 718 and the new 347. Also common is the 917 area code, which is assigned to cell phones, pagers, and the like. All calls between these area codes are local calls, but you'll have to dial 1 + the area code + the 7 digits for all calls, even ones made within your area code.
Business Hours--In general, retail stores are open Monday through Saturday from 10am to 6pm or 7pm, Thursday from 10am to 8:30 or 9pm, and Sunday from noon to 5pm. Banks tend to be open Monday through Friday from 9am to 3pm and sometimes Saturday mornings.
Doctors--For medical emergencies requiring immediate attention, head to the nearest emergency room (see "Hospitals," below). For less urgent health problems, New York has several walk-in medical centers, like DOCS at New York Healthcare, 55 E. 34th St., between Park and Madison avenues (tel. 212/252-6001), for nonemergency illnesses. The clinic, affiliated with Beth Israel Medical Center, is open Monday through Thursday from 8am to 8pm, Friday from 8am to 7pm, Saturday from 9am to 3pm, and Sunday from 9am to 2pm. The NYU Downtown Hospital offers physician referrals at tel. 888/698-3362.
Emergencies--Dial tel. 911 for fire, police, and ambulance. The Poison Control Center can be reached at tel. 800/222-1222 toll-free from any phone.
Hospitals--The following hospitals have 24-hour emergency rooms. Don't forget your insurance card.
Downtown: New York Downtown Hospital, 170 William St., between Beekman and Spruce streets (tel. 212/312-5063 or 212/312-5000); St. Vincents Hospital and Medical Center, 153 W. 11th St., at Seventh Avenue (tel. 212/604-7000); and Beth Israel Medical Center, First Avenue and 16th Street (tel. 212/420-2000).
Midtown: Bellevue Hospital Center, 462 First Ave., at 27th Street (tel. 212/562-4141); New York University Medical Center, 550 First Ave., at 33rd Street (tel. 212/263-5500); and Roosevelt Hospital, 425 W. 59th St., between Ninth and Tenth avenues (tel. 212/523-6800).
Upper West Side: St. Luke's Hospital Center, Amsterdam Avenue and 113th Street (tel. 212/523-3335); and Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center, 622 W. 168th St., between Broadway and Fort Washington Avenue (tel. 212/305-2500).
Upper East Side: New York Presbyterian Hospital, 525 E. 68th St., at York Avenue (tel. 212/472-5454); Lenox Hill Hospital, 100 E. 77th St., between Park and Lexington avenues (tel. 212/434-2000); and Mount Sinai Medical Center, Fifth Avenue at 100th Street (tel. 212/241-6500).
Hot Lines--The 24-hour Rape and Sexual Abuse Hot Line is tel. 212/267-7273. The Bias Crimes Hot Line is tel. 212/662-2427. The LIFENET hot line for suicide prevention, substance abuse, and other mental health crises is tel. 800/543-3638. For Mental Health and Alcoholism Services Crisis Intervention, call tel. 212/219-5599. You can reach Alcoholics Anonymous at tel. 212/870-3400 (general office) or 212/647-1680 (intergroup, for alcoholics who need immediate counseling from a sober, recovering alcoholic). The Domestic Violence Hot Line is tel. 800/621-4673. Other useful numbers include the Crisis Help Line tel. 212/532-2400; Samaritans' Suicide Prevention Line tel. 212/673-3000; to locate local police precincts tel. 646/610-5000 or 718/610-5000; Department of Consumer Affairs tel. 212/487-4444; and taxi complaints at tel. 212/NYC-TAXI or 212/676-1000. If you suspect your car may have been towed, call the Department of Transportation TOWAWAY Help Line at tel. 212/869-2929.
Libraries--The New York Public Library is on Fifth Avenue at 42nd Street (tel. 212/930-0830). This beaux-arts beauty houses more than 38 million volumes, and the beautiful reading rooms have been restored to their former glory. More efficient and modern, if less charming, is the mid-Manhattan branch at 455 Fifth Ave., at 40th Street, across the street from the main library (tel. 212/340-0833). There are other branches in almost every neighborhood; you can find a list online at www.nypl.org.
Liquor Laws--The minimum legal age to purchase and consume alcoholic beverages in New York is 21. Liquor and wine are sold only in licensed stores, which are closed on Sundays, holidays, and election days while the polls are open. Beer can be purchased in grocery stores and delis 24 hours a day, except Sunday before noon. Last call in bars is at 4am, although many close earlier.
Newspapers & Magazines--There are three major daily newspapers: the New York Times, the Daily News, and the New York Post.
If you want to find your hometown paper, visit Universal News & Magazines, at 234 W. 42nd St., between Seventh and Eighth avenues (tel. 212/221-1809); and 977 Eighth Ave., between 57th and 58th streets (tel. 212/459-0932), or Hotalings News Agency, 624 W. 52nd St., between Eleventh and Twelfth avenues (tel. 212/974-9419). Other good bets include the Hudson newsdealers located in Grand Central Terminal, at 42nd Street and Lexington Avenue, and Penn Station, at 34th Street and Seventh Avenue.
Pharmacies--Duane Reade (www.duanereade.com) has 24-hour pharmacies in Midtown at 224 W. 57th St., at Broadway (tel. 212/541-9708); on the Upper West Side at 2465 Broadway, at 91st Street (tel. 212/799-3172); and on the Upper East Side at 1279 Third Ave., at 74th Street (tel. 212/744-2668).
Police--Dial tel. 911 in an emergency; otherwise, call tel. 646/610-5000 or 718/610-5000 (NYPD headquarters) for the number of the nearest precinct.
Restrooms--Public restrooms are available at the visitor centers in Midtown (1560 Broadway, between 46th and 47th sts.; and 810 Seventh Ave., between 52nd and 53rd sts.). Grand Central Terminal, at 42nd Street between Park and Lexington avenues, also has clean restrooms. Your best bet on the street is Starbucks or another city java chain -- you can't walk more than a few blocks without seeing one. The big chain bookstores are good for this, too. You can also head to hotel lobbies (especially the big Midtown ones) and department stores like Macy's and Bloomingdale's. On the Lower East Side, stop into the Lower East Side BID Visitor Center, 261 Broome St., between Orchard and Allen streets (open Sun-Fri 10am-4pm, sometimes later).
Salon Services--Need a haircut or a manicure while you're here in town? Bold, bustling Warren-Tricomi, 16 W. 57th St., just west of Fifth Avenue (tel. 212/262-8899; www.warrentricomi.com), can meet all of your salon needs. For a dash of downtown style (and slightly lower prices), make an appointment at Arte, 284 Lafayette St., SoHo (tel. 212/941-5932). If it's a good manicure or pedicure you need, visit Pinky, which has five locations on the Upper West Side, including 2050 Broadway, at 70th St. (tel. 212/362-9466); 312 Columbus Ave., at 74th St. (tel. 212/787-0390); and 2240 Broadway, at 80th St. (tel. 212/877-4992).
Smoking--Smoking is prohibited on all public transportation, in the lobbies of hotels and office buildings, in taxis, and in most shops. Smoking is also now prohibited in bars and restaurants.
Taxes--Sales tax is 8.625% on meals, most goods, and some services, but it is not charged on clothing and footwear items under $110. Hotel tax is 13.25% plus $2 per room per night (including sales tax). Parking garage tax is 18.25%.
Time--For the correct local time, dial tel. 212/976-1616.
Transit Information For information on getting to and from the airport, call Air-Ride at tel. 800/247-7433. For information on subways and buses, call the MTA at tel. 718/330-1234,.
Traveler's Assistance--Travelers Aid (www.travelersaid.org) helps distressed travelers with all kinds of problems, including accidents, sickness, and lost or stolen luggage. There is an office on the second floor of the International Arrivals Building at JFK Airport (tel. 718/656-4870), and one in Newark Airport's Terminal B (tel. 973/623-5052).
Weather--For the current temperature and next day's forecast, look in the upper-right corner of the front page of the New York Times or call tel. 212/976-1212. If you want to know how to pack before you arrive, point your browser to www.cnn.com/weather or www.weather.com.
