Precise Tourist Information

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Customs

All visitors to the United States and New York must have a valid visa or passport. The visa must be accompanied by a valid onward passage return ticket (such as an airline ticket). Passengers from particular countries in Europe, Canada, New Zealand and Japan do not requre visas if staying less than 90 days. For more information, contact your local U.S. embassy or consulate.

Upon entering the country, customs allowances are limited to 200 cigarettes (or 50 cigars or 4.4 pounds of tobacco) (two kilograms), two pints (one liter) of alcohol, and gifts no more than $100 (after that you must pay tax). In addition, no plants, fruit, produce or meat are allowed through customs at all.

Electric

The U.S. uses 100V (60hz) and most appliances from overseas will require a transformer. Check with your hotel regarding sockets for electrical devices.

Embassies/Consulates

Australia   212.408.8400        Israel    212.499.5300
Canada      212.596.1700        Italy     212.737.9100
France      212.606.3688        Japan     212.371.8222
Germany     212.308.8700        S. Afria  212.213.4800   
Great Brit  212.745.0200        Spain     212.355.4080
Holland     212.246.1429        Sweden    212.751.5900
Ireland     212.319.2555        Switzerl  212.758.2560

Emergencies

For ambulances, fire or police, dial 911 from any telephone (free call, open 24 hours.)

Hospitals (with 24 hour emergency rooms):

Bellvue Hospital     212.562.4141     First Ave @ East 29th
Cabrini Medical      212.955.6120     227 East 19th Street
Mount Sinai Hospital 212.241.6500     Fifth Ave @ 101st Street
New York Hospital    212.746.5454     East 70th @ York Avenue
Roosevelt Hospital   212.523.4000     428 West 59th Street
St. Vincent's        212.604.7000     Seventh Ave @ 11th Street.

Health and Safety

Doctors - In the Yellow Pages, look under "Physicians and Surgeons" to find doctors.

Drugstores/Pharmacies(open 24 hours) - Kaufman's (557 Lexington Avenue, 212.755.2266) and Plaza Pharmacy (251 East 86th Street, 212.427.6940).

Safety - In contrast to its TV image, recent years have seen a dramatic fall in New York City's crime levels. However, as in any other large city, you should protect your valuables and watch out for pickpockets in crowded areas, particularly in and around Times Square. Areas to avoid after dark are Central Park, Alphabet City (the area east of Avenue B) and desolate areas along the rivers and piers.

Lost Properties

For lost property on subways or buses, phone the MTA (718.625.6200); for taxis, phone the Taxi and Limousine Commission (212.302.8294). For property lost more than 48 hours, call the Police Property Clerk (212.374.5084).

Mail & Post

Post Offices - Generally open Monday-Friday: 9am-6pm, Saturday: 9am-12.30pm, the main post office at Eighth Avenue and 33rd Street is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Mail boxes - Letters and postcards can be mailed at post offices or mail boxes (painted blue) found througout the city.

Stamps, packages & shipping costs - You can purchase stamps from the post offices or from many shops. The cost of shipping packages depends on the size of the package, the destination and the speed of service you desire. Mail weighing less than an ounce, sent within the U.S. is 32 cents. Sending a postcard overseas is 50 cents and a letter (less than an ounce) is 60 cents.

Media

Listings - A great way to find out what's happening in New York is to pick up one of its weekly magazines or papers. New York magazine and Time Out New York are two of the more comprehensive. The weekly Village Voice and New York Press are packed full of things to see and do and are all free. All contain listings and information about the best in New York eating and drinking, cinemas, theaters, nightclubs, and many other forms of entertainment.

Newspapers - New York City has several daily newspapers. The most popular is the New York Times. The Daily News, New York Post, & New York Newsday also have large readerships. In addition, the city has a multitude of weekly, monthly, foreign language, and special interest papers.

Radio - New York has a multitude of radio stations that air every form of radio entertainment. The main ones are on the FM dial: 92.3 WXRK for rock music and shock-jock Howard Stern in the morning; 92.7 WDRE for modern and alternative rock; 93.9 for classical; 97.1 for Hip-hop; 101.9 for contemporary jazz; 103.5 for country; and 104.3 for hard rock.

Television - The main national stations are 2 (CBS), 4 (NBC), 5 (FOX), 7 (ABC), 9 & 11 (independent) and 13 (PBS). Most hotels have cable TV which allows you to watch over 50 stations.

Money

Currency - The American currency is the dollar ($), consisting of 100 cents. There are four commonly used American coins: penny (1 cent), nickel (5 cents), dime (10 cents), quarter (25 cents). Notes, which are more commonly used and most oftenly called 'bills', come in $1, $2 (rare, but you may see them), $5, $10, $20, $50, $100 denominations.

Money changing - You can change your money at banks or bureax de change. Although bureaux de change stay open longer, they sometimes charge high commissions (transaction fees).

Credit Cards - Major Credit cards are accepted just about everywhere in New York. Each individual establishment varies on which cards are accepted, however you can feel safe with a Mastercard or Visa; but many restaurants, shops, and tour groups accept American Express, Discover/Novus, or Diners Club.

Public Restrooms/Toilets

There are very few public restrooms, and none at subway stations. Museums, hotels, department stores, and restaurants are your best bet when sightseeing.

Religious Services

Listed below are the addresses and phone numbers of various religious denominations and places of worship. To find a religious service close to you, contact the following:

Buddist
    New York Buddist Temple
    331 Riverside Dr 
    212/678.0305

Epicopalian
    Cathedral of St. John the Divine
    Amsterdam Avenue @ 112th St 
    212/316.7400

    Trinity Church
    Broadway & Wall Street
    212/602.0800

Jewish
    Central Synagogue
    652 Lexington Avenue
    212/836.5122

Muslim
    Mosque of Islamic Brotherhood
    130 West 113th St 
    212/662.4100

Roman Catholic
    St. Patrick's Cathedral 
    Fifth Avenue at 50th St
    212/753.2261

Special Travelers

Disabled- Many of New York's hotels, attractions and restaurants have facilities for the disabled. The Mayor's Office for People with Disabilities (212/758.2830) provides information and the free publication Access Guide for People with Disabilities.

Special citizens- Seniors (generall defined as 65 or older) usually receive reduced admission at attractions. Please alert clerks at attractions and ticket booths about the discount.

Students- The International Student Identity Card is necessary for students to obtain concessions. It can be purchased from the International Educational Exchange (205 East 42nd St 212/661.1414), or the New York Student Center (895 Amsterdam Avenue, 212/666.3619). Proof of your student status will be required when applying.

Gay and Lesbian- The Gay and Lesbian Switchboard (Mon-Sun 10am-12midnight, 212/777.1800) provides information and assistance on gay activities and events happening in New York City.

Sports

New Yorkers take their sports very seriously, especially football, basketball, baseball and hockey. New York Yankees fans were especially pleased when their beloved "Bronx Bombers" were victorious in the 1996 World Series. Tickets for all major sporting events can be ordered by calling Ticketmaster (212/307.7171).

Football- The season runs from Sep-Jan and is played at the Meadowlands in New Jersey. New York's two home teams are the Giants and the Jets.

Basketball- The Knicks play their season from Oct-Jun at Madison Square Garden.

Baseball- From Apr-Oct. you can catch a game of baseball played by the Yankees or the Mets.

Hockey- Hockey season runs Oct-Apr. The home teams are th e Rangers, whom play in Madison Square Garden; and the Islanders who play at the Nassua Colisseum on Long Island.

Taxes

The U.S. does not have a tax program or a value added tax (VAT). Instead, all shoppers are required to pay state sales tax (8.5%) in addition to the marked price. Unfortunately, this tax cannot be reclaimed when a foreigner leaves the country.

Telephones

When dialing within Manhattan you do not need to dial the 212 area code, but only the seven-digit telephone number. Some new businesses and residencies in Manhattan will receive the new 646 area code. If you are dialing from Manhattan, to other New York buroughs - you must dial 1+AreaCode+Number. In the Bronx, Queens and Brooklyn (as for both airports as well), the area code is 718.
The only exception to the rule, is that all public telephones in New York City will allow you to call both 212 and 718 area codes, for one price (usually 25-35 cents).

Tipping

Tipping is customary in New York, and generally the entire United States. Although tipping may seem strange or unnecessary for some overseas visitors, keep in mind that a service charge is rarely included in the bill and that employers pay employees minimum wage, because it is assumed they will accumulate tips along with their pay.

Restaurants- A 15-20% tip on the total bill is custom.

Taxis/Bartenders/Hairdressers- The standard tip is 15-20%

Porters/Bellhops- The normal tip at major hotels for porter or bellhop service, is $1 per bag, depending on the number of bags, the distance carried and overall service.

Weights & Measures

In the U.S., the imperial, not the metric system is used.

Americans use inches, centimeters and feet - rather than meters.
They use miles instead of kilometers.
& Clothing sizes vary differently worldwide here as well.