Fast Facts

Babysitters -- Most hotels can arrange a sitter for you, and many resorts feature special programs for children on weekends and throughout the summer. If your hotel can't help, call A-1 Messner Sitting Service (tel. 520/881-1578), which will send a sitter to your hotel.

Dentist -- Call the Arizona Dental Association (tel. 800/866-2732; www.azda.org) for a referral.

Doctor -- For a doctor referral, ask at your hotel or call the University Medical Center (tel. 520/694-8888; www.azumc.com).

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

Eyeglass Repair -- Alvernon Optical (www.alvernonoptical.com) has several stores around town where you can have your glasses repaired or replaced. Locations include 440 N. Alvernon Way (tel. 520/327-6211), 6987 N. Oracle Rd. (tel. 520/297-2501), and 7123 E. Tanque Verde Rd. (tel. 520/296-4157).

Hospitals -- The Tucson Medical Center is at 5301 E. Grant Rd. (tel. 520/327-5461; www.tmcaz.com). The University Medical Center is at 1501 N. Campbell Ave. (tel. 520/694-0111; www.azumc.com).

Internet Access -- Internet access is free at downtown's Joel D. Valdez Library, at 101 N. Stone Ave. (tel. 520/791-4393; www.library.pima.gov/locations/main). Also, try FedEx Kinko's locations around the city.

Lost Property -- If you lose something at the airport, call tel. 520/573-8156; if you lose something on a Sun Tran bus, call tel. 520/792-9222.

Newspapers & Magazines -- The Arizona Daily Star is Tucson's morning daily, while the Tucson Citizen is the afternoon daily. The Tucson Weekly is the city's news-and-arts journal, published on Thursday.

Pharmacies -- Contact Walgreens (tel. 800/WALGREENS; www.walgreens.com) for the Walgreens pharmacy that's nearest you; some are open 24 hours a day.

Police -- In case of an emergency, phone tel. 911.

Post Office -- There's a post office in downtown Tucson at 141 S. Sixth Ave. (tel. 800/275-8777 or 520/903-1958; www.usps.com); it's open Monday through Friday from 9am to 5pm.

Radio -- KXCI (91.3 FM) has an alternative mix of programming and is a favorite with Tucsonans, while KUAT (90.5 FM) has all-classical programming and is a good station for news. KUAZ (89.1 FM) is the National Public Radio station.

Safety -- Tucson is surprisingly safe for a city of its size. However, downtown isn't all that lively after dark and attracts a lot of street people and panhandlers. Be particularly alert if you're down here for a performance of some sort. Just to the south of downtown lies a poorer section of the city that's best avoided after dark unless you are certain of where you're going. Otherwise, take the same precautions you would in any other city.

When driving, be aware that many streets in the Tucson area are subject to flooding when it rains. Heed warnings about possible flooded areas and don't try to cross a low area that has become flooded. Find an alternate route instead.

Taxes -- In addition to the 5.6% sales tax levied by the state, Tucson levies a 2% city sales tax. Car-rental taxes, surcharges, and fees add up to between 25% and 30% on weekly rentals. The hotel tax in the Tucson area is generally 11.5% to 12%.

Weather -- For the local weather forecast, call the National Weather Service (tel. 520/881-3333).