Fast Facts

American Express -- There is an Amex office at 16th Street and John F. Kennedy Boulevard (tel. 215/587-2300).

Area Code -- Philadelphia's telephone area code is 215. Bucks County and half of Montgomery County also use 215, but the Brandywine Valley area of Delaware, Chester, and half of Montgomery have switched to 610. Lancaster County and the Pennsylvania Dutch region use area code 717.

Babysitters -- Check with your hotel.

Business Hours -- Banks are generally open Monday through Friday from 9am to 5pm, with some open Saturday from 9am to noon. Commerce Banks offer extended hours, and are open Sundays. Most bars and restaurants serve food until 10 or 10:30pm. Those near Rittenhouse Square and in Old City tend to stay open later, and some Chinatown places stay open until 3am. Bars are open Friday and Saturday until 2am. Offices are open Monday through Friday from 9am to 5pm. Stores are open daily from 10am to 7pm, and most Center City locations keep the doors open later on Wednesday evening. Old City, Rittenhouse Square, South Street, Northern Liberties, and Manayunk are the most active late-night districts. Some SEPTA "Night Owl" routes run all night, but the frequency of buses and trolleys drops dramatically after 8pm.

Business Services -- Most hotels have on-site business facilities, but for quick professional production of materials, try the various 24-hour FedEx/Kinko's, whose downtown locations include 1201 Market St. (tel. 215/923-2520) at the Marriott Convention Center, and 2001 Market St. (tel. 215/561-5170). For shipping, the local UPS is at tel. 215/567-6006 (www.ups.com).

Dentist -- The Philadelphia County Dental Society tel. 215/925-6050 can refer you to a dentist weekdays from 9am to 5pm. For after-hours dental emergencies, Dr. Leonard Parris offers 24/7 service at 220 S. 16th St. (tel. 215/545-5455; www.emergencydentist247.com).

Doctor -- Call the Philadelphia County Medical Society (tel. 215/563-5343). You can always dial tel. 911 in an emergency. Every hospital in town has an emergency room.

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 contact police, fire, and rescue in an emergency, dial tel. 911. In case of accidental poisoning, call tel. 215/386-2100. For 24-hour pet emergencies, call the Matthew J. Ryan Veterinary Hospital at the University of Pennsylvania at tel. 215/898-4685.

Hospitals -- Medical care in Philadelphia is excellent. Major hospitals include Children's Hospital, 34th Street and Civic Center Boulevard (tel. 215/590-1000; www.chop.edu); Graduate Hospital, 1800 Lombard St. (tel. 215/893-2000; www.graduatehospital.com); Hahnemann University Hospital, Broad and Vine streets (tel. 215/762-7000; www.hahnemannhospital.com); University of Pennsylvania Hospital, 3400 Spruce St. (tel. 215/662-4000; www.pennhealth.com); Pennsylvania Hospital, 8th and Spruce streets (tel. 215/829-3000; www.pennhealth.com/pahosp); and Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, 11th and Walnut streets (tel. 215/955-6000; www.jeffersonhospital.org).

Liquor Laws -- The legal drinking age is 21, and closing time for bars (as opposed to private clubs) is 2am, 7 days a week. You can buy wine and spirits only in state stores, which are usually open Monday through Wednesday from 9am to 5pm and Thursday through Saturday from 9am to 9pm, and some on Sunday from noon to 5pm. Beer and wine coolers are available at most delis. Visit www.pawineandspirits.com for the state store locations.

Lost Property -- If you lose something on a SEPTA train or subway, try the stationmaster's office in Suburban Station (tel. 215/580-7800).

Newspapers & Magazines -- Philadelphia has two main print journals, both now owned by the same firm. You'll want to check out the Friday "Weekend" supplement of the Philadelphia Inquirer for listings and prices of entertainment as well as special events and tours. The Daily News has more local news. Visit both papers online at www.philly.com. The Metro is a free daily offered at SEPTA stations. Free alt weeklies PW (Philadelphia Weekly) and City Paper offer a glimpse of the younger side of city life; you'll find them in street-corner boxes. Philadelphia magazine is the upscale city magazine, sold at bookstores and at newsstands, and available online at www.phillymag.com. For the most complete selection of journals and newspapers, try Avril 50, 3406 Sansom St. (tel. 215/222-6108), in University City. Center City has a Barnes & Noble at 1805 Walnut St. (tel. 215/665-0716), and a Borders bookstore at 1 S. Broad St. (tel. 215/568-7400) and a Borders Express on the mezzanine level of Liberty Place at 1625 Chestnut St. (tel. 215/557-8443).

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 -- There's a 24-hour CVS at 1826 Chestnut St., on the corner of 19th Street (tel. 215/972-0909), and at 10th and Reed streets (tel. 215/465-2120) in South Philadelphia. Center City's 24-hour Rite Aid is at 2301 Walnut St. (tel. 215/636-9634), and, in South Philadelphia, at 2017 S. Broad St. (tel. 215/467-0850).

Police -- The emergency telephone number is tel. 911.

Post Office -- Offices are scattered every few blocks in the city. The main post office at 2970 Market St. (tel. 215/895-8989), just across the Schuylkill and next to 30th Street Station, has a window open nightly until 10pm. The post office on the subway concourse at 2 Penn Center, 15th Street and John F. Kennedy Boulevard, is open Monday through Friday from 7am to 6pm, Saturday from 9am to noon. You can also go to the post office Ben Franklin used, at 316 Market St.

Radio -- All news, WKYW (1060 AM); album-oriented rock, WMMR (93.3 FM); classic rock, WYSP (94.1 FM) and WMGK (102.9 FM); oldies, WOGL (98.1 FM); top 40, WIOQ (102.1 FM); country, WXTU (92.5 FM); hip-hop and R & B, WUSL (98.9 FM); R & B and classic soul, WDAS (1480 AM); classic and jazz, WRTI (90.1 FM); smooth jazz, WJJZ (106.1 FM); National Public Radio, WHYY (91.0 FM); and for independent and world music, WXPN (88.5 FM).

Restrooms -- Public restrooms can be found at 30th Street Station; the Independence National Historical Park Visitors Center; and at major shopping complexes such as Liberty Place, the Bourse, the Gallery, and Downstairs at the Bellevue. You can usually use hotel lobby and restaurant facilities.

Taxes -- Lodging charges add 14% onto room rates, 6% for state tax and 8% city surcharge. There is a 7% tax on restaurant meals and general sales, and a 10% tax on liquor. Clothing is tax-free.

Time Zone -- Philadelphia is in the Eastern Time zone -- Eastern Standard Time (EST) or Eastern daylight saving time, depending on the time of year -- making it the same as New York and 3 hours ahead of the West Coast.

Transit Information -- To find out how to reach a specific destination, call SEPTA headquarters at tel. 215/580-7800 -- but expect to wait -- or visit www.septa.org.

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 the U.S. Diplomatic Mission's website at 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 the American Embassy London's website at 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 the website at 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 get the information directly from the "For New Zealanders" section of the website at http://usembassy.org.nz.

Weather -- Call tel. 215/936-1212 for weather information.