Fast Facts

American Express -- The Buckhead office, across from the Westin Buckhead near Lenox Square, provides travel services and currency exchange (tel. 404/262-7561).

Area Codes -- In metro Atlanta, you must dial the area code (404, 770, or 678) and the seven-digit telephone number, even if you are calling a number within the same area code. It is not necessary to dial "1" before the area code when calling between communities within the Atlanta local calling area, even if they have different area codes.

Babysitters -- Most hotels will arrange a babysitter for you. If yours doesn't, a highly recommended service is A Friend of the Family (tel. 770/725-2748), which has been in business for 17 years. All of its sitters are carefully screened and most are at least 21 years old. You can interview the sitter in advance on the phone. On request, the agency will send someone who is trained in CPR. Rates are $10 to $12 per hour, with a 4-hour minimum, plus an agency fee of $25 per day. The agency fee must be paid by credit card; the sitters prefer cash. If you're staying in a hotel without free parking, you may be asked to pay for parking as well. Advance notice of 24 hours is appreciated but not required. A Friend of the Family also provides pet care and companions for adults. Office hours are Monday through Saturday from 8am to 10pm, Sunday from 1 to 10pm.

Dentists -- The Georgia Dental Association of Atlanta (tel. 404/636-7553) offers a free referral service. It will point you in the direction of a dentist close to your hotel or, if need be, one who can accommodate your special needs. It cannot, however, match patients with dentists who offer services through specific insurance companies. Call Monday through Friday between 8am and 5pm. At other times, inquire at your hotel desk.

Doctors -- The Medical Association of Atlanta (tel. 404/881-1714), with more than 2,000 member physicians in town, runs a free referral service for every kind of medical specialty and subspecialty. Hours are Monday through Friday from 9am to 4:30pm. Health Call (tel. 404/541-1111), a well-respected local consortium of physicians, hospitals, and clinics, operates its own referral service Monday through Friday from 9am to 5pm.

Drinking Laws -- In the United States, the legal age for purchase and consumption of alcoholic beverages is 21; proof of age is required and often requested at bars, nightclubs, and restaurants, so it's always a good idea to bring ID when you go out.

In Atlanta, no alcohol is served at bars, restaurants, or nightclubs between 4am and 12:30pm on Sundays. In addition, alcoholic beverages are not sold on Sundays in liquor stores, convenience stores, or grocery stores.

Do not carry open containers of alcohol in your car or any public area that isn't zoned for alcohol consumption. The police can fine you on the spot. And nothing will ruin your trip faster than getting a citation for DUI ("driving under the influence"), so don't even think about driving while intoxicated.

Electricity -- Like Canada, the United States uses 110 to 120 volts AC (60 cycles), compared to 220 to 240 volts AC (50 cycles) in most of Europe, Australia, and New Zealand. Downward converters that change 220-240 volts to 110-120 volts are difficult to find in the United States, so bring one with you.

Embassies & Consulates -- All embassies are located in the nation's capital, Washington, D.C. Some consulates are located in major U.S. cities, and most nations have a mission to the United Nations in New York City. If your country isn't listed below, call for directory information in Washington, D.C. (tel. 202/555-1212) or log on to www.embassy.org/embassies.

The embassy of Australia is at 1601 Massachusetts Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20036 (tel. 202/797-3000; www.austemb.org). There are consulates in New York, Honolulu, Houston, Los Angeles, and San Francisco.

The embassy of Canada is at 501 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20001 (tel. 202/682-1740; www.canadianembassy.org). Other Canadian consulates are in Buffalo (New York), Detroit, Los Angeles, New York, and Seattle.

The embassy of Ireland is at 2234 Massachusetts Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20008 (tel. 202/462-3939; www.irelandemb.org). Irish consulates are in Boston, Chicago, New York, San Francisco, and other cities. Visit the website for complete listing.

The embassy of New Zealand is at 37 Observatory Circle NW, Washington, DC 20008 (tel. 202/328-4800; www.nzemb.org). New Zealand consulates are in Los Angeles, Salt Lake City, San Francisco, and Seattle.

The embassy of the United Kingdom is at 3100 Massachusetts Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20008 (tel. 202/588-7800; www.britainusa.com). Other British consulates are in Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Cleveland, Houston, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, and Seattle.

Emergencies -- To report a fire, summon the police, or procure an ambulance, simply dial tel. 911.

Eyeglass Repair --Lenscrafters, which has one location in the Lenox Square mall (tel. 404/239-0784) and another in the Around Lenox Shopping Center (south of Lenox Square, just behind Neiman-Marcus; tel. 404/239-0784), offers 1-hour service on contacts and eyeglasses (including bifocals and trifocals), stocks a gigantic selection of frames (from designer to economy), provides on-premises eye exams by independent optometrists, maintains a complete contact-lens center, and gives discounts to seniors and college students. Check your phone book for other locations.

Hospitals & Emergency Rooms -- Piedmont Hospital, 1968 Peachtree Rd., just above Collier Road (tel. 404/605-3297), offers 24-hour full emergency-room service, as does Grady Health Systems, 35 Butler St., downtown (tel. 404/616-6200). For life-threatening medical emergencies, dial tel. 911.

Lost & Found -- Be sure to tell all of your credit card companies the minute you discover your wallet has been lost or stolen and file a report at the nearest police precinct. Your credit card company or insurer may require a police report number or record of the loss. Most credit card companies have an emergency toll-free number to call if your card is lost or stolen; they may be able to wire you a cash advance immediately or deliver an emergency credit card in a day or two. Visa's U.S. emergency number is tel. 800/847-2911 or 410/581-9994. American Express cardholders and traveler's check holders should call tel. 800/221-7282. MasterCard holders should call tel. 800/307-7309 or 636/722-7111. For other credit cards, call the toll-free number directory at tel. 800/555-1212.

If you need emergency cash over the weekend when all banks and American Express offices are closed, you can have money wired to you via Western Union (tel. 800/325-6000; www.westernunion.com).

Mail -- Open 24 hours a day, Atlanta's main post office is located not in the downtown area, but close to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport at 3900 Crown Rd. (tel. 800/ASK-USPS).

At press time, domestic postage rates were 26¢ for a postcard and 41¢ for a letter. For international mail, a first-class letter of up to 1 ounce costs 90¢ (69¢ to Canada and Mexico); a first-class postcard costs 90¢ (69¢ to Canada and Mexico). For more information go to www.usps.com and click on "Calculate Postage."

If you aren't sure what your address will be in the United States, mail can be sent to you, in your name, c/o General Delivery at the main post office of the city or region where you expect to be. (Call tel. 800/275-8777 for information on the nearest post office.) The addressee must pick up mail in person and must produce proof of identity (driver's license, passport, etc.). Most post offices will hold your mail for up to 1 month, and are open Monday to Friday from 8am to 6pm, Saturday from 9am to 3pm.

Always include zip codes when mailing items in the U.S. If you don't know your zip code, visit www.usps.com/zip4.

Newspapers & Magazines -- The major newspaper in town is the Atlanta Journal-Constitution (www.ajc.com). Its "Access Atlanta" section, published every Thursday, highlights plays, festivals, live music, gallery openings, and other happenings for the weekend and the week ahead. It includes restaurant and movie reviews as well. You'll also find it helpful to pick up a current issue of Atlanta magazine when you're in town. And keep an eye out for Creative Loafing (www.cln.com), an offbeat free publication available in shops, restaurants, and on the street; it offers lots of interesting information, including excellent restaurant reviews.

Passports -- For Residents of Australia: You can pick up an application from your local post office or any branch of Passports Australia, but you must schedule an interview at the passport office to present your application materials. Call the Australian Passport Information Service at tel. 131-232, or visit the government website at www.passports.gov.au.

For Residents of Canada: Passport applications are available at travel agencies throughout Canada or from the central Passport Office, Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Ottawa, ON K1A 0G3 (tel. 800/567-6868; www.ppt.gc.ca). Note: Canadian children who travel must have their own passport. However, if you hold a valid Canadian passport issued before December 11, 2001, that bears the name of your child, the passport remains valid for you and your child until it expires.

For Residents of Ireland: You can apply for a 10-year passport at the Passport Office, Setanta Centre, Molesworth Street, Dublin 2 (tel. 01/671-1633; www.irlgov.ie/iveagh). Those under age 18 and over 65 must apply for a 3-year passport. You can also apply at 1A South Mall, Cork (tel. 021/272-525) or at most main post offices.

For Residents of New Zealand: You can pick up a passport application at any New Zealand Passports Office or download it from their website. Contact the Passports Office at tel. 0800/225-050 in New Zealand or 04/474-8100, or log on to www.passports.govt.nz.

For Residents of the United Kingdom: To pick up an application for a standard 10-year passport (5-yr. passport for children under 16), visit your nearest passport office, major post office, or travel agency or contact the United Kingdom Passport Service at tel. 0870/521-0410 or search its website at www.ukpa.gov.uk.

Pharmacies -- The supermarket chain Kroger (tel. 800/576-4377) operates several pharmacies that are open 24 hours. Call for the nearest location.

Poison Center -- Call tel. 404/616-9000.

Police -- Call tel. 911 in an emergency. Otherwise, call tel. 404/853-3434.

Road Conditions -- Call the Georgia Department of Transportation (tel. 404/635-6800; www.georgia-navigator.com) for information on delays due to road construction.

Salons -- To some of us, a gifted hairdresser can be the most essential of services. Carey Carter and Mitchell Barnes of Carter/Barnes Hair Artisans, on the upper level of the Phipps Plaza mall, in Buckhead (tel. 404/233-0047), are among the best and best-known stylists in Atlanta (for men and women). Their work is often featured in fashion magazines, they regularly make the lists of top national salons, and they draw clients from all over the region. Besides cuts and color, there's a full complement of services -- facials, manicures, pedicures, waxing, massage, extensive skin care, deep therapy for hands and feet, and full days of beauty treatments. Particularly fun is a lesson with one of the makeup artists.

Two other excellent places that are conveniently located and that serve both men and women include David King Salon, 2859 Piedmont Rd. NW (tel. 404/237-4970), and Van Michael Salon, 39 W. Paces Ferry Rd. (tel. 404/237-4664). In addition to the regular salon, Van Michael has a New Talents salon next door, where you can get a lower-priced haircut from a stylist in training.

All of the above salons are quite popular, so try to book well in advance. It's sometimes possible to get an appointment at the spur of the moment, especially if you're willing to see one of the newer -- but not necessarily less experienced -- stylists.

Taxes -- Sales tax in Atlanta is 7%. A total of 14% is paid by hotel and motel guests within the city of Atlanta and Fulton County. Of that tax, 7% is sales tax and 7% is room tax. Car rentals at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlantic International Airport are assessed 20% in taxes, but rentals in the metro area incur only the local sales tax.

Taxis -- Call Yellow Cabs (tel. 404/521-0200), Checker Cabs (tel. 404/351-1111), Atlanta Lenox Taxi (tel. 404/872-2600), or Buckhead Safety Cab (tel. 404/233-1152) in Buckhead.

Telephones -- Generally, hotel surcharges on long-distance and local calls are astronomical, so you're better off using your cellphone or a public pay telephone. Many convenience groceries and packaging services sell prepaid calling cards in denominations up to $50; for international visitors these can be the least expensive way to call home. Many public phones at airports now accept American Express, MasterCard, and Visa. Local calls made from public pay phones in most locales cost either 25¢ or 35¢. Pay phones do not accept pennies, and few will take anything larger than a quarter.

Most long-distance and international calls can be dialed directly from any phone. For calls within the United States and to Canada, dial 1 followed by the area code and the seven-digit number. For other international calls, dial 011 followed by the country code, city code, and the number you are calling.

Calls to area codes 800, 888, 877, and 866 are toll-free. However, calls to area codes 700 and 900 (chat lines, bulletin boards, "dating" services, and so on) can be very expensive -- usually a charge of 95¢ to $3 or more per minute, and they sometimes have minimum charges that can run as high as $15 or more.

For reversed-charge or collect calls, and for person-to-person calls, dial the number 0 then the area code and number; an operator will come on the line, and you should specify whether you are calling collect, person-to-person, or both. If your operator-assisted call is international, ask for the overseas operator.

For local directory assistance ("information"), dial 411; for long-distance information, dial 1, then the appropriate area code and 555-1212.

Tickets -- For tickets to almost all sports and performing-arts events, call Ticketmaster (tel. 404/249-6400) to charge by phone; a surcharge will be added to each ticket. The Ticketmaster surcharge ranges from $2.35 to $5.80 per ticket, depending on the event; there's an additional handling fee of $3.05 per order. Ticketmaster also has more than 100 locations throughout Georgia, including all Publix supermarkets, where customers can purchase tickets in person (though they must be paid for in cash). To avoid the Ticketmaster surcharge, it's often possible to purchase tickets at the box office of the theater or venue. If you're staying in a large hotel, the concierge will often able to obtain tickets to even the most popular events.

Day-of-show half-price tickets are available at the AtlanTIX! ticket booth at the Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau in Underground Atlanta. Customers can see what plays and other live performances have tickets available that day, purchase a voucher for the show, and pick up the ticket at the show's box office before curtain time. Vouchers must be paid for in person; phone sales are not available. AtlanTIX! is open Tuesday from 11am to 3pm, Wednesday through Saturday from 11am to 6pm, and Sunday from noon to 3pm. Call tel. 678/318-1400 for more information.

Time -- Atlanta is on Eastern Standard Time. The continental United States is divided into four time zones: Eastern Standard Time (EST), Central Standard Time (CST), Mountain Standard Time (MST), and Pacific Standard Time (PST). Alaska and Hawaii have their own zones. For example, when it's 9am in Los Angeles (PST), it's 7am in Honolulu (HST),10am in Denver (MST), 11am in Chicago (CST), noon in New York and Atlanta (EST), 5pm in London (GMT), and 2am the next day in Sydney.

Daylight saving time takes effect at 2am the first Sunday in April until 2am the last Sunday in October, except in Arizona, Hawaii, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico. Daylight savings moves the clock 1 hour ahead of standard time. (A new law will extend daylight saving in 2007; clocks will change the second Sunday in March and the first Sunday in November.)

In Atlanta, call tel. 770/455-7141 for the time.

Tipping -- Tips are a very important part of certain workers' income, and gratuities are the standard way of showing appreciation for services provided. (Tipping is certainly not compulsory if the service is poor!) In hotels, tip bellhops at least $1 per bag ($2-$3 if you have a lot of luggage) and tip the chamber staff $1 to $2 per day (more if you've left a disaster area for him or her to clean up). Tip the doorman or concierge only if he or she has provided you with some specific service (for example, calling a cab for you or obtaining difficult-to-get theater tickets). Tip the valet-parking attendant $1 every time you get your car.

In restaurants, bars, and nightclubs, tip service staff 15% to 20% of the check, tip bartenders 10% to 15%, tip checkroom attendants $1 per garment, and tip valet-parking attendants $1 per vehicle.

As for other service personnel, tip cab drivers 15% of the fare; tip skycaps at airports at least $1 per bag ($2-$3 if you have a lot of luggage); and tip hairdressers and barbers 15% to 20%.

Transit Info To find out how to get from point A to point B via MARTA bus or rail, dial tel. 404/848-4711.

Visas -- For information about U.S. Visas, go to http://travel.state.gov and click on "Visas." Or go to one of the following websites:

Australian citizens can obtain up-to-date visa information from the U.S. Embassy Canberra, Moonah Place, Yarralumla, ACT 2600 (tel. 02/6214-5600), or by checking http://usembassy-australia.state.gov/consular.

British subjects can obtain up-to-date visa information by calling the U.S. Embassy Visa Information Line (tel. 0891/200-290) or by visiting the "Visas to the U.S." section of www.usembassy.org.uk.

Irish citizens can obtain up-to-date visa information through the Embassy of the USA Dublin, 42 Elgin Rd., Dublin 4, Ireland (tel. 353/1-668-8777), or by checking the "Consular Services" section of http://dublin.usembassy.gov.

Citizens of New Zealand can obtain up-to-date visa information by contacting the U.S. Embassy New Zealand, 29 Fitzherbert Terrace, Thorndon, Wellington (tel. 644/472-2068), or by checking the "For New Zealanders" section of http://usembassy.org.nz.

Weather -- Call tel. 770/455-7141.