Resources A to Z

Age restrictions to Holidays | Insurance to Students
Tax & tipping to Work permits

INSURANCE

If you are not an American, it's advisable to take out comprehensive insurance before arriving here; insurance for foreigners is almost impossible to arrange in the U.S. Make sure you have adequate health coverage; medical costs are high. For a list of New York urgent-care facilities, see Emergency rooms.

INTERNET

Internet access

Cyber Café
250 W 49th St between Broadway and Eighth Ave (212-333-4109). Subway: C, E, 1 to 50th St; N, R, W to 49th St. Mon–Fri 8am–11pm; Sat, Sun 11am–11pm. $6.40 per half hour; 50¢ per printed page. AmEx, MC, V.
This is a standard Internet-access café that serves great coffee.

FedEx Kinko's
See Computers

New York Public Library
Science, Industry and Business Library, 188 Madison Ave at 34th St (212-592-7000; www.nypl.org). Subway: 6 to 33rd St. Tue–Thu 10am–8pm; Fri, Sat 10am–6pm. FREE.
The branch libraries throughout the five boroughs are a great place to e-mail and surf the Web for free. However, the scarcity of computer stations may make for a long wait, and the user's time is limited. The Science, Industry and Business Library at Madison Ave and 34th St has more than 40 workstations that you can use for up to an hour per day.

Wi-Fi

NYC Wireless
www.nycwireless.net.
This group has established 113 nodes in the city for free wireless access. (For example, most parks below 59th Street are covered.) Visit the website for more information.

Starbucks
www.starbucks.com. AmEx, MC, V.
Many branches offer wireless access through T-Mobile (10¢ per minute).

LAUNDRY

See also Wardrobe services.

Dry cleaners

Madame Paulette Custom Couture Cleaners
1255 Second Ave between 65th and 66th Sts (212-838-6827). Subway: 6 to 68th St–Hunter College. Mon–Fri 7:30am–7pm; Sat 8am–5pm. AmEx, MC, V.
After more than 50 years in business, this luxury dry cleaner knows how to treat delicate garments. Take advantage of free pickup and delivery throughout Manhattan; there's also a worldwide shipping service.

Meurice Garment Care
31 University Pl between 8th and 9th Sts (212-475-2778). Subway: N, R, W to 8th St–NYU. Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri 7:30am–7pm; Sat 9am–6pm; Sun 9:30am–3pm. AmEx, MC, V.
Laundry is serious business here. High-profile clients include Armani and Prada, and the company handles all kinds of tricky stain removal and repair jobs.
Other location 245 E 57th St between Second and Third Aves (212-759-9057).

Midnight Express Cleaners
212-921-0111. Mon–Fri 5am–5pm. AmEx, MC, V.
Midnight Express will pick up your dry cleaning anywhere below 141st Street ($50 minimum may apply) at a mutually convenient time and return it to you the next day (that goes for bulk laundry too).

Self-service laundry

Most neighborhoods have self-service laundries with coin-operated machines, but in New York, it doesn't cost much more to drop off your wash and let someone else do the work. Check the Yellow Pages for specific establishments.

Ecowash
72 W 69th St between Central Park West and Columbus Ave (212-787-3890). Subway: B, C to 72nd St; 1 to 66th St–Lincoln Ctr. Mon–Fri 7:30am–10pm; Sat, Sun 8am–7pm. Cash only.
For the green-minded, Ecowash uses only natural, nontoxic detergent. You can wash your own duds, starting at $2.25 per load or leave up to seven pounds for $7.50 (each additional pound is 75¢).

LEGAL ASSISTANCE

If you're arrested for a minor violation (disorderly conduct, harassment, loitering, rowdy partying, etc.) and you are very polite to the officer during the arrest (and are carrying proper ID), you'll probably get fingerprinted and photographed at the station and be given a desk-appearance ticket with a date to show up at criminal court. Then you'll most likely get to go home.

Arguing with a police officer or engaging in more serious criminal activity (possession of a weapon, drunken driving, illegal gambling or prostitution, for example) might get you "processed," which means a 24- to 30-hour journey through the system.

If the courts are backed up (and they usually are), you'll be held temporarily at a precinct pen. You can make a phone call after you've been fingerprinted. When you get through central booking, you'll arrive at 100 Centre Street for arraignment. A judge will decide whether you should be released on bail and will set a court date. If you can't post bail, you'll be held at Rikers Island. The bottom line: Try not to get arrested, and if you are, don't act foolishly.

Legal Aid Society
212-577-3300; www.legal-aid.org. Mon–Fri 9am–5pm.
Legal Aid gives general information and referrals on legal matters.

Sandback, Birnbaum & Michelen Criminal Law
800-640-2000, 212-517-3200. 24hrs daily.
You might want to carry these numbers with you, in case you find the cops reading you your rights in the middle of the night. If no one at this firm can help you, they'll direct you to lawyers who can.

LIBRARIES

The vast New York Public Library (NYPL) is the largest, most comprehensive library system in the world. Unless you're interested in a specific subject, you best bet is to visit the system's flagship, officially known as the Humanities and Social Sciences Library. Information on the entire system can be found at www.nypl.org.

Donnell Library Center
20 W 53rd St between Fifth and Sixth Aves (212-621-0618). Subway: E, V to Fifth Ave–53rd St. Mon, Wed, Fri 10am–6pm; Tue, Thu 10am–8pm; Sat 10am–5pm; Sun 1–5pm. FREE.
This branch of the NYPL has an extensive collection of records, films, videotapes and DVDs, along with screening facilities. The Donnell specializes in foreign-language books—in more than 80 languanges—there's also a children's section of more than 100,000 books, films, records and casettes.

Humanities and Social Sciences Library
455 Fifth Ave at 42nd St (212-930-0830). Subway: B, D, F, V to 42nd St–Bryant Park; 7 to Fifth Ave. Tue, Wed 11am–7:30pm; Thu–Sat 10am–6pm. FREE.
When people mention "the New York Public Library," most are referring to this imposing Beaux Arts building. Two massive stone lions, dubbed Patience and Fortitude by former mayor Fiorello La Guardia, flank the main portal. Free guided tours (at 11am and 2pm) stop at the beautifully renovated Rose Main Reading Room, which offers free Internet access. Lectures, author readings and special exhibitions are definitely worth checking out.

The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts
40 Lincoln Center Plaza at 65th St (212-870-1630). Subway: 1 to 66th St–Lincoln Ctr. Tue, Wed, Fri, Sat noon–6pm; Thu noon–8pm. FREE.
One of the world's great performing-arts research centers, this facility houses an endless collection of films, letters, manuscripts, videotapes—and a half a million sound recordings. Visitors can browse through books, scores and recordings, or attend a concert or lecture.

Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture
515 Malcolm X Blvd (Lenox Ave) at 135th St (212-491-2200). Subway: 2, 3 to 135th St. Tue, Wed noon–8pm; Thu, Fri noon–6pm; Sat 10am–6pm. FREE.
An extraordinary trove of vintage literature and historical memorabilia relating to black culture and the African diaspora is housed in an institution founded in 1926 by its first curator, bibliophile Arturo Alfonso Schomburg. The Center hosts jazz concerts, films, lectures and tours.

Science, Industry and Business Library
188 Madison Ave at 34th St (212-592-7000). Subway: 6 to 33rd St. Tue–Thu 10am–8pm; Fri, Sat 10am–6pm. FREE.
Opened in 1996, this Gwathmey Siegel-designed branch of the NYPL is dedicated to science, technology, business and economics. It has a ciruclating collection of 50,000 books, an open-shelf reference collection of 60,000 volumes, and it provides access (at no charge) to 100 electronic databases. Free tours are given at 2pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

LOCKSMITHS

The following emergency locksmiths are open 24 hours. Both require ID and proof of car ownership or residency (license, registration, utility bill).

Champion Locksmiths
30 locations in Manhattan (212-362-7000). $15 service charge, $39 minimum to replace the lock they have to break. AmEx, Disc, MC, V.

Elite Locksmiths
470 Third Ave between 32nd and 33rd Sts (212-685-1472). Subway: 6 to 33rd St. $55 during the day; $85 at night. Cash only.

LOST PROPERTY

For property lost in the street, contact the police. For lost cards or traveler's checks, see Money.

Buses & subways
New York City Metropolitan Transit Authority, 34th St–Penn Station, near the A-train platform (212-712-4500). Mon–Wed, Fri 8am–noon; Thu 11am–6:30pm.
Call if you've left something on a subway train or bus.

Grand Central Terminal
212-340-2555. Mon–Fri 7am–6pm; Sat 8:45am–5pm.
Call if you've left something on a Metro-North train.

JFK Airport
718-244-4444, or contact your airline.

La Guardia Airport
718-533-3400, or contact your airline.

Newark Liberty International Airport
973-961-6230, or contact your airline.

Penn Station
212-630-7389. Mon–Fri 7:30am–4pm.
Call for items left on Amtrak, New Jersey Transit or the Long Island Rail Road.

Taxis
212-692-8294; www.nyc.gov/taxi.
Call for items left in a cab.

MEDIA

Daily newspapers

Daily News
The News has drifted politically from the Neanderthal right to a moderate but tough-minded stance under the ownership of real-estate mogul Mort Zuckerman.

New York Post
Founded in 1801 by Alexander Hamilton, the Post is the nation's oldest continually published daily newspaper. It has swerved sharply to the right under current owner Rupert Murdoch. The Post includes more column inches of gossip than any other local paper, and its headlines are often as sassy and sensational.

The New York Times
As Olympian as ever after almost 150 years, the Times remains the city's, and the nation's, paper of record. It has the broadest and deepest coverage of world and national events and, as the masthead proclaims, it delivers "All the News That's Fit to Print." The mammoth Sunday Times can weigh a full five pounds and typically contains hundreds of pages of newsprint, including a magazine and book-review, arts, travel, finance, real-estate, sports and other sections.

Other dailies
The Amsterdam News, one of the nation's oldest black newspapers, offers a trenchant African-American viewpoint. New York also supports two Spanish-language dailies, El Diario and Noticias del Mundo. Newsday is the Long Island-based daily with a tabloid format but a sober tone (it also has a city edition). USA Today keeps weary travelers abreast of national news. You may even find your own local paper at a Universal News shop (check the phone book for locations).

Weekly newspapers

Downtown journalism is a battlefield, pitting the New York Press against the The Village Voice. The Press consists entirely of opinion columns; it's full of youthful energy and irreverence as well as cynicism and self-absorption. The Voice is sometimes passionate and ironic, but just as often strident and predictable. Both papers are free. In contrast, the New York Observer focuses on the doings of the upper echelons of business, finance, media and politics. Our Town, Clinton News, the West Sider and Manhattan Spirit are on the sidelines; these free sister publications feature neighborhood news and local political gossip, and can be found in street-corner dispensers around town. In a class of its own is the hilarious, satirical national weekly, the Onion.

Magazines

New York
This magazine is part newsweekly, part lifestyle reporting and part listings.

The New Yorker
Since the 1920s, the New Yorker has been known for its fine wit, elegant prose and sophisticated cartoons. Today, it's a forum for serious long-form journalism. It usually makes for a lively, intelligent read.

Time Out New York
Of course, the best place to find out what's going on in town is Time Out New York, launched in 1995. Based on the tried-and-trusted format of its London parent, TONY is an indispensable guide to the life of the city (if we do say so ourselves).

Other magazines
Since its launch in 1996, the bimonthly Black Book has covered New York high fashion and culture with intelligent bravado. Gotham, a monthly from the publisher of the glossy gab-rags Hamptons and Aspen Peak, unveiled its larger-than-life celeb-filled pages in 2001. And for two decades now, Paper has reported monthly on the city's trend-conscious set with plenty of insider buzz on bars, clubs, downtown boutiques—and the people you'll find in them.

Radio

Nearly 100 stations in the New York area. On the AM dial, you can find talk radio and phone-in shows that attract everyone from priests to sports nuts. Flip to FM for free jazz, the latest Killers single or any other auditory craving. Radio highlights are printed weekly in Time Out New York, and daily in the Daily News.

College radio
College radio is innovative and free of commercials. However, smaller transmitters mean that reception is often compromised by Manhattan's high-rise topography.

WNYU-FM 89.1 and WKCR-FM 89.9 (see also Jazz below) are, respectively, the stations of New York University and Columbia; programming spans the musical spectrum.

WFUV-FM 90.7, Fordham University's station, plays mostly folk and Irish music but also airs a variety of shows, including Beale Street Caravan, the most widely distributed blues program in the world.

Dance & pop
American commercial radio is rigidly formatted, which makes most pop stations extremely tedious and repetitive during the day. Tune in on evenings and weekends for more interesting programming.

WQHT-FM 97.1, "Hot 97," is a commercial hip-hop station with all-day rap and R&B.

WKTU-FM 103.5 is the city's premier dance-music station.

WWPR-FM 105.1, "Power 105," plays top hip-hop, and a few old-school hits.

WBLS-FM 107.5 showcases classic and new funk, soul and R&B.

Jazz

WBGO-FM 88.3 is strictly jazz. Dee Dee Bridgewater's weedly Jazz Set program features many legendary artists.

WKCR-FM 89.9, the student-run radio station of Columbia University, is where you'll hear legendary jazz DJ Phil Schaap.

Rock

WSOU-FM 89.5, the station of Seton Hall University, a Catholic college, focuses primarily on hard rock and heavy metal.

WXRK-FM 92.3's alternative music format attracts morning listeners with Howard Stern's 6 to 10am weekday sleazefest.

Other music

WQEW-AM 1560, "Radio Disney," has kids' programming.

WNYC-FM 93.9 (see also News & talk below) and WQXR-FM 96.3 serve up a range of classical music; WNYC tends toward the progressive end of the classical spectrum.

WCAA-FM 105.9/WZAA-FM 92.7 spin Spanish ad Latin.

News & talk

WABC-AM 770, WCBS-AM 880 (see also Sports below), WINS-AM 1010 and WBBR-AM 1130 (see also Sports below) offer news throughout the day, plus traffic and weather reports. WABC hosts a morning show featuring the street-accented demagoguery of Guardian Angels founder Curtis Sliwa along with civil rights attorney Ron Kuby (weekdays 5 to 10am). Right-winger Ruch Limbaugh also airs his views here (noon till 3pm).

WNYC-AM 820/FM 93.9, a commercial-free, public radio station, provides news and current affairs commentary and programming from NPR.

WBAI-FM 99.5 is a left-leaning community radio station.

Sports

WFAN-AM 660 airs Giants, Nets, Mets and Devils games. Talk-radio fixture Don Imus offers his opinion on...everything (Mon–Fri 5:30–10am).

WCBS-AM 880 covers the Yankees, New York's pride and joy.

WEPN-AM 1050 is devoted to news and sports talk and is the home of the Jets, Knicks and Rangers.

WBBR-AM 1130 broadcasts Islanders games.

WADO-AM 1280 provides Spanish-language coverage of many sports events.

Television

A visit to New York often includes at least a small dose of TV time, which can cause culture shock, particularly for British and European visitors.

Time Out New York offers a rundown of weekly television highlights. For full TV schedules, save the Sunday New York Times TV section or buy a daily paper.

The networks

Six major networks broadcast nationwide. All offer ratings-driven variations on a theme.

CBS (Channel 2 in NYC) has the top investigative show, 60 Minutes, on Sundays at 7pm; overall programming is geared to a middle-aged demographic.

NBC (4) is the home of Law & Order, the long-running sketch-comedy series Saturday Night Live (Saturdays at 11:30pm), and popular sitcoms such as Will & Grace.

Fox-WNYW (5) is popular with twentysomethings and teens for shows like The Simpsons and The O.C.

ABC (7) is the king of daytime soaps and family-friendly sitcoms (My Wife and Kids).

WXTV (41) and WNJU (47) are Spanish-language channels that offer game shows and racy Mexican dramas. They're also your best noncable bets for soccer.

Public TV

Public TV is on channels 13, 21 and 25. Documentaries, arts shows and science series alternate with Masterpiece Theatre and reruns of British shows like Inspector Morse. Channel 21 broadcasts BBC World News daily at 6am and at 7 and 11pm.

Cable

All channel numbers listed are for Time Warner Cable in Manhattan. In other locations, or for other cable systems, such as Cablevision and RCN, check a local paper's listings.

NY1 (1) focuses on local news.

Nickelodeon (6) presents programming suitable for kids and adults nostalgic for shows like The Brady Bunch and Happy Days.

The History Channel (17), Sci-Fi Channel (44) and Weather Channel (72) are self-explanatory. Discovery Channel (18) and The Learning Channel (52) feature educational nature and science programs.

VH1 (19), MTV's mature sibling, airs the popular Behind the Music series, which delves into the lives of artists like Vanilla Ice and the Partridge Family.

MTV (20) increasingly offers fewer music videos and more of its original programming (Newlyweds, Punk'd and The Real World).

FUSE (132), a new music-video channel, aims for early MTV style.

FSN (Fox Sports Network, 26), MSG (Madison Square Garden, 27), ESPN (28) and ESPN2 (29) are all-sports stations.

Bravo (64) shows arts programming such as Inside the Actors Studio, art-house films and Queer Eye for the Straight Guy.

Comedy Central (45) is all comedy, airing the raunchy cartoon South Park (Wednesdays at 10pm) and The Daily Show with Jon Stewart (Monday through Thursday, 7 and 11pm).

Cinemax, Disney Channel, HBO, The Movie Channel and Showtime are premium channels often available in hotels. They show uninterrupted feature films, exclusive specials and acclaimed original series such as The Sopranos and Six Feet Under.

MONEY

Over the past few years, much of American currency has undergone a subtle face-lift—partly to deter increasingly adept counterfeiters. However, the "old" money is still in circulation. One dollar ($) equals 100 cents (¢). Coins include copper pennies (1¢), silver-colored nickels (5¢), dimes (10¢) and quarters (25¢). Half-dollar coins (50¢) and the gold-colored dollar coins are less commonly seen, except as change from vending machines.

All paper money is the same size, so make sure you fork over the right bill. It comes in denominations of $1, $2, $5, $10, $20, $50 and $100 (and higher, but you'll never see those bills). The $2 bills are quite rare and make a smart souvenir. Small shops will seldom break a $50 or $100 bill, and cab drivers aren't required to change bills larger than $20, so it's best to carry smaller denominations.

ATMs

The city is full of automated teller machines (ATMs), located in bank branches, delis and many small shops. Most accept American Express, MasterCard and Visa, and major bank cards, if they have been registered with a personal identification number (PIN). Commonly, there is a usage fee of $1 to $2, though the superior exchange rate often makes ATMs worth the extra charge.

If you've lost your PIN number, or your card becomes damaged, most banks will give cash to cardholders who have proper ID.

Banks & currency exchange

Banks are generally open from 9am to 3pm Monday through Friday, though some stay open longer. You need a photo ID, such as a passport, to cash traveler's checks. Many banks will not exchange foreign currency, and the bureaux de change, limited to tourist-trap areas, close between 6 and 7pm.

It's best to arrive with a few dollars in cash and to pay mostly with credit cards or traveler's checks (accepted in most restaurants and larger stores—but ask first, and be prepared to show ID). In emergencies, most large hotels offer 24-hour exchange facilities; the catch is that they charge high commissions and don't give good rates.

Chase Bank
888-242-7234; www.chase.com
Chase's website gives information on foreign currency exchange, banking locations and credit cards. For foreign currency delivered in a hurry, call the number listed above.

Commerce Bank
888-751-9000; www.commerceonline.com
All of Commerce's 17 Manhattan locations are open seven days a week.

People's Foreign Exchange
575 Fifth Ave at 47th St, third floor (212-883-0550). Subway: E, V to Fifth Ave–53rd St; 7 to Fifth Ave. Mon–Fri 9am–6pm; Sat, Sun 10am–3pm.
People's provides foreign exchange on bank notes and traveler's checks of any denomination for a $2 fee.

Travelex
29 Broadway at Morris St (212-363-6206). Subway: 4, 5 to Bowling Green. Mon–Fri 9am–5pm.
A complete range of foreign-exchange services is offered.
Other locations 510 Madison Ave at 53rd St (212-753-0117).

Credit cards

Bring plastic if you have it, or be prepared for a logistical nightmare. Credit cards are essential for renting cars and booking hotels, and handy for buying tickets over the phone and the Internet. The five major cards accepted in the U.S. are American Express, Diners Club, Discover, MasterCard and Visa. If cards are lost or stolen, contact:

American Express
800-528-2122

Diners Club
800-234-6377

Discover
800-347-2683

MasterCard
800-826-2181

Visa
800-336-8472

Traveler's checks

Like credit cards, traveler's checks are also routinely accepted at banks, stores and restaurants throughout the city. Bring your driver's license or passport for identification. If checks are lost or stolen, contact:

American Express
800-221-7282

Thomas Cook
800-223-7373

Visa
800-336-8472

Wire services

If you find that you have run out of cash, don't expect anyone at your embassy or consulate to lend you money—they won't, though they may repatriate you. In case of an emergency, you can have money wired from your home.

MoneyGram
800-926-9400; www.moneygram.com

Western Union
800-325-6000; www.westernunion.com

PHOTO PROCESSING

Photo-developing services are offered by most drugstores (CVS and Rite Aid, for example) and megastores such as Kmart, but the best results can be expected from labs that develop on the premises.

Duggal
29 W 23rd St between Fifth and Sixth Aves (212-924-8100). Subway: F, V, R, W to 23rd St. Mon–Fri 7am–midnight; Sat, Sun 8am–6pm. AmEx, Disc, MC, V.
Duggal has amassed a dedicated following that includes artist David LaChapelle. Started by Baldev Duggal more than 40 years ago, this shop is expert at developing any type of film, flawlessly. Prices reflect that mastery.

POSTAL SERVICES

Stamps are available at all U.S. post offices and from drugstore vending machines. It costs 37¢ to send a one-ounce (28g) letter within the U.S. Each additional ounce costs 23¢. Postcards mailed within the U.S. cost 23¢; for international postcards, it's 70¢. Airmailed letters to anywhere overseas cost 80¢ for the first ounce and 75¢ for each additional ounce.

For faster Express Mail service, you must use special envelopes and fill out a form, which can be done either at a post office or by arranging a pickup. Twenty-four-hour delivery to major U.S. cities is guaranteed. International delivery takes two to three days, with no guarantee. Call 800-275-8777 for more information.

General Post Office
421 Eighth Ave at 31st and 33rd Sts (24-hour information 800-275-8777; www.usps.com). Subway: A, C, E to 34th St–Penn Station. 24hrs daily.
This is the city's main post office; call for the branch nearest you. Lines are long, but stamps are available from self-service vending machines. Branches are usually open Monday through Friday, 9am to 5pm; Saturday hours vary from office to office.

General Delivery
390 Ninth Ave between 31st and 33rd Sts (212-330-3099). Subway: A, C, E to 34th St–Penn Station. Mon–Sat 10am–1pm.
U.S. visitors without local addresses can receive their mail here; it should be addressed to recipient's name, General Delivery, 390 Ninth Ave, New York, NY 10001. You will need to show identification–a passport or ID card–when picking up letters.

Poste Restante
421 Eighth Ave between 31st and 33rd Sts, window 29 (212-330-2912). Subway: A, C, E to 34th St–Penn Station. Mon–Sat 8am–6pm.
Foreign visitors without U.S. addresses can receive mail here; mail should be addressed to recipient's name, General Post Office, Poste Restante, 421 Eighth Avenue, attn: Window 29, New York, NY 10001. Be sure to bring some form of identification to claim your letters.

Couriers & private mail services

DHL Worldwide Express
Various locations throughout the city; call to find the office nearest you or to arrange a pickup at your door (800-225-5345; www.dhl.com). AmEx, DC, Disc, MC, V.
DHL will send a courier to pick up packages at any address in New York City, or you can deliver packages in person to one of its offices or drop-off points. Cash is not accepted.

FedEx
Various locations throughout the city; call to find the office nearest you or to arrange a pickup at your door (800-247-4747; www.fedex.com). AmEx, DC, Disc, MC, V.
FedEx rates (like those of its main competitor, UPS) are based on the distance shipped, weight of the package and service chosen. A FedEx envelope to Los Angeles costs about $17; one to London, $30. Packages headed overseas should be dropped off by 6pm for International Priority delivery (depending on destination), and by 9pm for packages to most destinations in the U.S. (some locations have a later cutoff time; call to check).

UPS
Various locations throughout the city; free pickup at your door (800-742-5877; www.ups.com). Hours vary by office; call for locations and times. AmEx, MC, V.
Like DHL and FedEx, UPS will send a courier to pick up parcels at any address in the five boroughs. The city's 30 retail locations (formerly known as Mail Boxes Etc.) also offer mailbox rental, mail forwarding, packaging, phone-message service, photocopying and faxing. UPS provides domestic and international service.

RELIGION

Here are just a few of the many religious organizations and places of worship in New York. Check the phone book for a more detailed listing.

Baptist

Abyssinian Baptist Church
132 W 138th St between Malcolm X Blvd (Lenox Ave) and Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Blvd (Seventh Ave) (212-862-7474; www.abyssinian.org). Subway: 2, 3 to 135th St. Mon–Fri 9am–5pm.

Buddhist

New York Buddhist Church
331-332 Riverside Dr between 105th and 106th Sts (212-678-0305; www.newyorkbuddhistchurch.org). Subway: 1 to 103rd St.

Catholic

St. Patrick's Cathedral
Fifth Ave between 50th and 51st Sts (212-753-2261). Subway: B, D, F to 47–50th Sts–Rockefeller Ctr; E, V to Fifth Ave–53rd St. 6:30am–8:45pm. Call for tour dates and times. Free.

Episcopal

Cathedral of St. John the Divine
1047 Amsterdam Ave at 112th St (212-316-7540); www.stjohndivine.org). Subway: B, C, 1 to 110th St–Cathedral Pkwy. 8am–6pm daily. $5, seniors and students $4. MC, V.

Jewish

UJA-Federation of New York Resource Line
212-753-2288; www.youngleadership.org. Mon–Thu 9am–5pm; Fri 9am–4pm.
This hot line provides referrals to other organizations, groups, temples, philanthropic activities and synagogues, as well as advice on kosher food and restaurants in the city.

Methodist

Church of St. Paul and St. Andrew United Methodist Church
263 W 86th St between Broadway and West End Ave (212-362-3179; www.spsanyc.org). Subway: 1 to 86th St.

Muslim

Islamic Cultural Center of New York
1711 Third Ave between 96th and 97th Sts (212-722-5234). Subway: 6 to 96th St.

Presbyterian

Madison Avenue Presbyterian Church
921 Madison Ave at 73rd St (212-288-8920; www.mapc.com). Subway: 6 to 72nd St.

REST ROOMS

Visitors to New York are always on the go. But in between all that go, go, go, sometimes you've really got to go. Contrary to what your nose may sometimes lead you to believe, the streets and alleys are no place to find relief. The real challenge lies in finding a legal public place to take care of your business. Although they don't exactly have an open-door policy, the numerous McDonald's restaurants, Starbucks coffee shops and most of the Barnes & Noble bookstores contain (usually clean) rest rooms. If the door to the loo is locked, you may have to ask a cashier for the key. Don't announce that you're not a paying customer, and you should be all right. The same applies to most other fast-food joints (Au Bon Pain, Wendy's, etc.), major stores (Barney's, Macy's, Toys R Us), and hotels and bars that don't have a host at the door. Here are a few other options around town that can offer sweet relief (although you may have to hold your breath and forgo soap).

Downtown

Battery Park
Castle Clinton. Subway: 1 to South Ferry; 4, 5 to Bowling Green.

Tompkins Square Park
Ave A at 9th St. Subway: L to First Ave; 6 to Astor Pl.

Washington Square Park
Thompson St at Washington Sq South. Subway: A, C, E, B, F, V to W 4th St.

Midtown

Bryant Park
42nd St between Fifth and Sixth Aves. Subway: B, D, F, V to 42nd St–Bryant Park; 7 to Fifth Ave.

Grand Central Terminal
42nd St at Park Ave, Lower Concourse. Subway: 42nd St S, 4, 5, 6, 7 to 42nd St–Grand Central.

Penn Station
Seventh Ave between 30th and 32nd Sts. Subway: A, C, E, 1, 2, 3 to 34th St–Penn Station.

Uptown

Avery Fisher Hall at Lincoln Center
Broadway at 65th St. Subway: 1 to 66th St–Lincoln Ctr.

Charles A. Dana Discovery Center
Central Park, north side of Harlem Meer, 110th St at Malcolm X Blvd (Lenox Ave). Subway: 2, 3 to 110th St–Central Park North.

Delacorte Theater in Central Park
Central Park at 81st St. Subway: B, C to 81st St–Museum of Natural History.

SAFETY

New York's crime rate, particularly for violent crime, has waned during the past decade. Most crime occurs late at night in low-income neighborhoods. Don't arrive thinking your safety is at risk wherever you go; it is unlikely that you will ever be bothered.

Still, a bit of common sense won't hurt. If you look comfortable rather than lost, you should deter troublemakers. Do not flaunt your money and valuables. Avoid desolate and poorly lit streets; if necessary, walk facing oncoming traffic so no one can drive up alongside you undetected. On deserted sidewalks, walk close to the street—or even on it. Muggers prefer to hang back in doorways and shadows. If you do find yourself threatened, hand over your wallet or other valuables at once (your attacker will likely be as anxious to get it over with as you), then dial 911 as soon as you can (it's a free call).

Be extra alert to pickpockets and street hustlers—especially in crowded tourist areas like Times Square—and don't be seduced by any scam artists you may encounter. That shrink-wrapped camcorder you bought out of a car trunk for 50 bucks could turn out to be a couple of bricks when you open the box.

New York women are used to the brazenness with which they are stared at by men, and they usually develop a dismissive attitude toward the ogling. Should unwelcome admirers ever get verbal or start following you, ignoring them is better than responding. Walking into the nearest shop is the best way to get rid of a persistent offender. If you've been seriously victimized, see Emergencies, or Rape & sex crimes for assistance.

SMOKING

New Yorkers live under some of the strictest antismoking laws on the planet. The 1995 NYC Smoke-Free Air Act makes it illegal to smoke in virtually all indoor public places, including the subways and movie theaters. Recent legislation went even further, banning smoking in nearly all restaurants and bars. Be sure to ask before you light up.

STUDENTS

Student life in NYC is unlike that anywhere else in the world. An endless extracurricular education exists right outside the dorm room—the city is both teacher and playground. For further guidance, check the Time Out New York Student Guide, available in August for free on campuses, online and for $2.95 at Hudson News outlets.

Student identification

Foreign students should get an International Student Identity Card (ISIC) as proof of student status and to secure discounts. These can be bought from your local student-travel agent (ask at your student union). If you buy the card in New York, you will also get basic accident insurance—a bargain. The New York branch of the Council on International Educational Exchange (205 E 42nd St between Second and Third Aves, 212-822-2700) can supply one on the spot. Note that a student identity card may not always be accepted as proof of age for drinking (you must be 21).

Student travel

Most agents offer discount fares for those under 26; specialists in student deals include:

STA Travel
205 E 42nd St between Second and Third Aves (212-822-2700; for other locations 800-777-0112; www.statravel.com; for other locations 800-777-0112). Subway: 42nd St S, 4, 5, 6, 7 to 42nd St–Grand Central. Mon–Sat 10am–6pm.

Age restrictions to Holidays | Insurance to Students
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