American Express -- There's an American Express Travel Service office at 1150 Connecticut Ave. NW (tel. 202/457-1300) and another in upper northwest Washington at 5300 Wisconsin Ave. NW, in the Mazza Gallerie (tel. 202/362-4000).

Area Codes -- Within the District of Columbia, it's 202. In suburban Virginia, it's 703. In suburban Maryland, it's 301. You must use the area code when dialing any number, even local calls within the District or to nearby Maryland or Virginia suburbs.

Congresspersons -- To locate a senator or congressional representative, call the Capitol switchboard (tel. 202/225-3121). Point your Web browser to www.senate.gov and www.house.gov to contact individual senators and congressional representatives by e-mail, find out what bills are being worked on, the calendar for the day, and more.

Drugstores -- CVS, Washington's major drugstore chain (with more than 40 stores), has two convenient 24-hour locations: 14th Street and Thomas Circle NW, at Vermont Avenue (tel. 202/628-0720), and at Dupont Circle (tel. 202/785-1466), both with round-the-clock pharmacies. Check your phone book for other convenient locations.

Emergencies -- In any emergency, call tel. 911.

Hospitals -- If you don't require immediate ambulance transportation but still need emergency-room treatment, call one of the following hospitals (and be sure to get directions): Children's Hospital National Medical Center, 111 Michigan Ave. NW tel. 202/884-5000); George Washington University Hospital, 23rd St. NW at Washington Circle tel. 202/715-4000; Georgetown University Medical Center, 4000 Reservoir Rd. NW tel. 202/784-2000; or Howard University Hospital, 2041 Georgia Ave. NW (tel. 202/865-6100).

Hot Lines -- To reach a 24-hour poison-control hot line, call tel. 800/222-1222; to reach a 24-hour crisis line, call tel. 202/561-7000; and to reach the drug and alcohol abuse hot line, which operates from 8am to midnight daily, call tel. 888/294-3572.

Internet Access -- Your hotel should be your first stop, since many hotels now offer free Internet access. Away from the hotel, try Cyberstop Cafe, 1513 17th St. NW (tel. 202/234-2470), where you can get a bite to eat while you surf one of 10 computers for $6 per half hour, $8 per hour; the cafe is open from 7am to midnight Monday through Friday, 8am to midnight Saturday and Sunday. In Dupont Circle, the bookstore Kramerbooks and Afterwords, 1517 Connecticut Ave. NW (tel. 202/387-1400), has one computer available for free Internet access, 15 minute-limit.

Maps -- Free city maps are often available at hotels and throughout town at tourist attractions. You can also contact the Washington, D.C. Convention and Tourism Corporation, 1212 New York Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20005 (tel. 202/789-7000).

Police -- In an emergency, dial tel. 911. For a nonemergency, call tel. 202/727-1010.

Weather -- Call tel. 202/936-1212.