American Express -- The Baltimore office is at 100 E. Pratt St. (tel. 410/837-3100); the Annapolis office is in the Annapolis Mall (tel. 410/224-4200). To report lost or stolen traveler's checks, call tel. 800/221-7282.
Area Codes -- The area code for all of Delaware is 302. Some Brandywine Valley attractions are in Pennsylvania; their area code is 610. Maryland has four area codes: 301 and 240 in the western half of the state, 410 and 443 in the eastern half, including Baltimore and Annapolis. In Maryland, you must always dial the area code first.
Business Hours -- Businesses are generally open from 9am to 5pm; government offices are open from 8:30am to 4:30pm. Stores usually open at 10am and close at 5pm or later. In smaller towns, shops may close on Monday or Tuesday but stay open Saturday and Sunday. Shops usually don't open before noon on Sunday.
Emergencies -- Dial tel. 911 for police, fire, or medical emergency.
Liquor Laws -- Alcohol is usually available every day at area restaurants and liquor stores. But the regulations do change from county to county -- so plan ahead. For instance, Bethany Beach, Delaware, does not allow liquor to be served on Sunday. Neither does Garrett County in Western Maryland. Liquor stores are closed on Sundays in Baltimore County, but not in Baltimore City. You must be 21 to buy alcohol; shopkeepers will ask for ID from anyone who looks to be under the age of 30.
Newspapers & Magazines -- TheBaltimore Sun and the Washington Post are the major newspapers in Maryland. In Annapolis, look for the Capital, and in the Mid-Shore, the Star Democrat. You'll find the Wilmington News-Journal and the Philadelphia Inquirer in Delaware.
Police -- Dial tel. 911 or, in Baltimore, tel. 311 for nonemergency situations that require police attention.
Smoking -- Smoking in restaurants, bars, and other public places is very rare. Hotels usually offer rooms for smokers -- but the majority of bed-and-breakfasts do not.
Taxes -- State sales tax in Maryland is 5%. Delaware has no sales tax. Hotel tax in both states is between 7% and 8%.
Time Zone -- Maryland and Delaware are on Eastern Standard Time. Daylight saving time is in effect April through October.
Weather -- For Baltimore weather, call tel. 410/936-1212; for Wilmington, call tel. 302/429-9000.
