Fast Facts

AAA-- The American Automobile Association (tel. 800/222-4357; www.aaaorid.com) has a Portland office at 600 SW Market St. (tel. 503/222-6734), which offers free city maps to members.

American Express-- Azumano Travel, 400 SW Stark St. (tel. 800/777-2018 or 503/294-2000), is an American Express Travel Services Representative. For card member services, phone tel. 800/528-4800. Call tel. 800/AXP-TRIP or go to www.americanexpress.com for other locations or general information.

Area Codes-- The Portland metro area has two area codes -- 503 and 971 -- and it is necessary to dial all 10 digits of a telephone number, even when making local calls.

Babysitters-- If your hotel doesn't offer babysitting services, call Northwest Nannies (tel. 503/245-5288).

Dentist-- Contact the Multnomah Dental Society (tel. 503/513-5010) for a referral.

Doctor-- If you need a physician referral while in Portland, contact the Medical Society of Metropolitan Portland (tel. 503/222-0156).

Emergencies-- For police, fire, or medical emergencies, phone tel. 911.

Eyeglass Repair-- Check out Binyon's Master Eye Associates, 803 SW Morrison St. (tel. 503/226-6688).

Hospitals-- Three conveniently located area hospitals are Legacy Good Samaritan, 1015 NW 22nd Ave. (tel. 503/413-7711); Providence Portland Medical Center, 4805 NE Glisan St. (tel. 503/215-1111); and the Oregon Health & Sciences University Hospital, 3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Rd. (tel. 503/494-8311), which is just southwest of the city center and has a drop-in clinic.

Internet Access-- If you need to check e-mail while you're in Portland, first check with your hotel, or, if you have your own laptop with a wireless card, find a cafe with Wi-Fi access. Otherwise, visit a FedEx Kinko's. There's one downtown at 221 SW Alder St. (tel. 503/224-6550) and northwest at 950 NW 23rd Ave. (tel. 503/222-4133). You can also try the Multnomah County Library, 801 SW 10th Ave. (tel. 503/988-5123), which is Portland's main library and offers online services.

Liquor Laws-- The legal minimum drinking age in Oregon is 21. Aside from on-premise sales of cocktails in bars and restaurants, hard liquor can only be purchased in liquor stores. Beer and wine are available in convenience stores and grocery stores. Brewpubs tend to sell only beer and wine, but some also have licenses to sell hard liquor.

Newspapers/Magazines-- Portland's morning daily newspaper is The Oregonian. For arts and entertainment information and listings, consult the "A&E" section of the Friday Oregonian or pick up a free copy of Willamette Week at Powell's Books and other bookstores, convenience stores, or cafes.

Pharmacies-- Convenient to most downtown hotels, Central Drug, 538 SW Fourth Ave. (tel. 503/226-2222), is open Monday through Friday from 9am to 6pm, Saturday from 10am to 4pm.

Photographic Needs-- Wolf Camera, 220 SW Main St. (tel. 503/224-2365), offers 1-hour film processing. Camera World, 400 SW Sixth Ave. (tel. 503/241-7979), is the largest camera and video store in the city.

Police-- To reach the police, call tel. 911.

Post Offices-- The most convenient downtown post office is University Station, 1505 SW Sixth Ave. (tel. 503/274-1362), open Monday through Friday from 7am to 6pm, Saturday from 10am to 3pm. For more information, call tel. 800/275-8777.

Restrooms-- There are public restrooms underneath Starbucks coffee shop in Pioneer Courthouse Square, in downtown shopping malls, and in hotel lobbies.

Safety-- Because of its relatively small size and progressive emphasis on keeping the downtown alive and growing, Portland is still a relatively safe city. Take extra precautions, however, if you venture into the entertainment district along West Burnside Street and in Chinatown at night. If you plan to go hiking in Forest Park, don't leave anything valuable in your car. This holds true in the Skidmore Historic District (Old Town) as well.

Smoking-- Although many of the restaurants listed in this book are smoke-free, many Portland restaurants allow smoking. At most high-end restaurants, the smoking area is usually in the bar/lounge, and although many restaurants have separate bar menus, most will serve you off the regular menu even if you are eating in the bar. There are a few nonsmoking bars in Portland.

Taxes-- Portland is a shopper's paradise -- there's no sales tax. However, there is a 12.5% tax on hotel rooms within the city and a 12.5% tax on car rentals (plus an additional airport-use fee if you pick up your rental car at the airport; this additional fee is anywhere from around 10% to around 16%). Outside the city, the room tax varies.

Time Zone-- Portland is on Pacific time, 3 hours behind the East Coast. In the summer, daylight saving time is observed and clocks are set forward 1 hour.

Transit Info-- For bus, MAX, and Portland Streetcar information, call the TriMet Customer Assistance Office (tel. 503/238-7433).

Weather-- If it's summer, it's sunny; otherwise, there's a chance of rain. This almost always suffices, but for specifics, call the Portland Oregon Visitor Association's weather information hot line (tel. 503/275-9792). If you want to know how to pack before you arrive, check www.cnn.com/weather or www.weather.com.