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New York Travel Basics
Calling Codes
The area codes in Manhattan are 212 and 917; Brooklyn, the Bronx, Staten Island, and Queens use 718; Long Island is 516.
For local numbers dial the seven-digit phone number. For long-distance calls within the United States, dial 1, then the area code, then the seven-digit number. For long-distance calls outside the United States, it is usually necessary to dial 011 and the country code, any local codes, then the phone number. (When calling parts of the Caribbean, however, it is necessary to dial 1, plus the area code and phone number.)
Dial 0 to get the operator. Dial 411 for directory assistance, or for assistance with a place in a different borough, dial the area code and then 555-1212.
Electricity
Electricity is 110V AC, 60Hz in the United States. Plugs are of the flat, two-pin type. Be aware that this voltage is half as much as in most European and Asian countries, so visitors from those countries will need a plug adapter and a power transformer to operate their appliances.
Emergency Contacts
Dial 911 for all emergencies.
Police: 212-374-5000
Fire: 212-628-2900
Victim Services Hotline: 212-577-7777
Suicide Prevention Resource: 212-673-3000
Poison Control: 800-972-3323
Fax/Modem
Fax machines and modem hook-ups are readily available at hotels (in business centers and sometimes in individual rooms) and at facilities such as copy centers, secretarial service centers, etc.
Local Language
The local language in New York City is standard American English, though with the high Hispanic population, Spanish is not far behind. Depending on which borough or region of New York you're in, the English will be spoken with a different accent. Two of the heaviest accents are found in parts of Brooklyn and the Bronx. New Yorkers speak at a rapid pace, and also tend to omit the letter r from words. For instance, New York sounds more like New "Yawk." It can be helpful to carry a phrasebook, though don't be taken aback if a New Yorker gets impatient.
Public Holidays
New Year's Day: January 1
Martin Luther King Jr. Day: Third Monday in January
Presidents' Day: Third Monday in February
Easter Sunday: mid-March or early April
Memorial Day: Last Monday in May
Independence Day: July 4
Labor Day: First Monday in September
Columbus Day: Second Monday in October
Veterans Day: November 11
Thanksgiving: Fourth Thursday in November
Christmas Day: December 25
Because of the large Jewish population in New York City, many Jewish-owned businesses close for Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, and the first day or two of Passover, the dates for all of which vary according to the Hebrew calendar. Government offices do not close on these days, however.
Time Zone
New York City lies in the Eastern Time Zone (GMT/UTC minus five hours). During the spring and summer months New York observes daylight-saving time.
Travel Documents
Australia: Citizens of Australia must have a valid passport to enter the United States if they are staying less than 90 days and have an onward or return ticket.
Canada: Citizens of Canada need proof of citizenship for entry into the United States. This can be either a birth certificate with a raised seal or a voter registration card with a photo ID. A driver's license is not enough. Canadian citizens under 16 need notarized permission from both parents.
France:Citizens of France must have a valid passport to enter the United States if th ey are staying less than 90 days and have an onward or return ticket.
Germany: Citizens of Germany must have a valid passport to enter the United States if they are staying less than 90 days and have an onward or return ticket.
Ireland: Citizens of Ireland must have a valid passport to enter the United States if they are staying less than 90 days and have an onward or return ticket.
Japan: Citizens of Japan must have a valid passport to enter the United States if they are staying less than 90 days and have an onward or return ticket.
United Kingdom: U.K. citizens must have a valid passport to enter the United States if they are staying less than 90 days and have an onward or return ticket.
What to Take
The type of clothes you'll need depends on the time of year you're visiting. In summer, shorts, tank tops, summer dresses, cotton pants, and lightweight, long-sleeve shirts can all come in handy. Also bring a light jacket with you in case you encounter a cool evening. In winter, you will definitely want to pack sweaters, long pants, a heavy coat, hat and gloves, a scarf, and whatever else you need to keep warm. Pack jackets for spring or fall, and make sure to bring an umbrella no matter what season you visit. It's also advisable to have comfortable sandals or shoes with you, as you'll likely cover a lot of ground on foot in Manhattan.
Casual clothes are appropriate for daytime activities, but you'll want to bring some dressier attire for restaurants, theater performances, and nightclubs.
When to Go
New York experiences extremes in temperature that range from sweltering and sticky in the summer to windy and freezing in winter. Conditions are erratic, however, so you can enjoy moderate, sunny, dry weather one week in July, and be bombarded by nearly 95-degree (Fahrenheit) temperatures and 90-percent humidity the next. The same goes for winter when temperatures can fluctuate 20 degrees in a week. Be prepared for air-cleansing rains and thunderstorms in summer and freezing rain or snow in winter. Spring is pleasant with temperatures in the 60s and 70s, though rain is common. Autumn is also ideal, with temperatures in the 50s and 60s.
You will likely find street fairs on any weekend between late spring and early autumn in a variety of neighborhoods around the city; contact the chamber of commerce to find out specific dates. September's Feast of San Gennero in Little Italy is notable for tantalizing the culinary senses, and Manhattan's eccentric Halloween Parade and renowned Macy's Day Thanksgiving Parade are major tourist attractions. Christmas is an especially festive time of year to visit, with the towering tree and ice-skating rink at Rockefeller Center the biggest draws.
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