Planning a trip to Cincinnati

Fast Facts

Business Hours -- The following are general open hours; specific establishments may vary. Businesses and offices are open from Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm. Banks' hours are usually Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm, Saturday 10am to 1pm. Many banks and other outlets offer 24-hour access to ATMs. Shops' operating hours are likely to be daily from 10am to 6pm. Most bars and nightclubs close at 2:30am.

Electricity -- The U.S. 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.

Emergencies -- Call tel. 911 for emergencies, fire, ambulance, or police. A major local hospital is University Hospital, 234 Goodman St., Clifton (tel. 513/584-1000; www.medcenter.uc.edu). There's a 24-hour CVS pharmacy at 2520 Vine St. (tel. 513/569-4301; www.cvs.com).

Internet Access Free -- Internet access is available at the main branch of the Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County and its 40 branches. To find a location, call 513/369-6900 or go to www.cincinnatilibrary.org. Sitwell's Coffee House, 324 Ludlow Ave. (tel. 513/281-7487) offers free Wi-Fi and stays open until at least 1am. Many hotels offer Wi-Fi to guests for free or at a nominal charge. If you aren't bringing your laptop with you, know that many hotels offer business centers with internet access.

Liquor Laws -- The legal age to purchase and consume alcoholic beverages in the U.S. is 21; proof of age is required at bars, nightclubs, and restaurants, so bring ID when you go out. Beer, wine, and hard liquor can be purchased at liquor stores. Do not carry open containers of alcohol in your car or any public area that isn't zoned for alcohol consumption. Driving while intoxicated is considered a criminal offense.

Mail -- At press time, domestic postage rates were 27¢ for a postcard and 42¢ for a letter. For international mail, first-class postcards and letters weighing up to 1 ounce cost 94¢ (72¢ to Canada and Mexico).You can buy stamps and mailing supplies at any post office; to find locations, call 800/275-8777 or go to www.usps.com.

Newspapers & Magazines -- The two local papers are the The Cincinnati Enquirer (www.enquirer.com) and the Cincinnati Post (www.cincypost.com). The town's leading periodical is the monthly Cincinnati Magazine (www.cincinnatimagazine.com).

Pets -- To bring your pet to Cincinnati, you must have a health certificate for your pet supplied by a state-licensed veterinary clinic. Most airlines allow pets on flights, but require pets to be at least eight weeks old. Some Cincinnati hotels, such as the Holiday Inn on Eastgate Blvd. (tel. 888/897-0088), are pet-friendly.

Police -- For emergencies, dial tel. 911. This is a free call. The Cincinnati Police Department can be reached at tel. 513/352-3536.

Safety -- Cincinnati does have some drug problems and rougher neighborhoods. Its violent crime rate is about twice the national average -- but that doesn't mean you can't visit enjoyably. To preserve your safety, take the usual common-sense precautions: Avoid deserted areas, especially at night, and don't venture into public parks at night unless a concert or another event is attracting crowds. Keep money and valuables out of sight, always lock your hotel door, and don't carry too much cash on you.

Smoking -- Smoking is prohibited in public places and places of employment, including restaurants, bars, and nightclubs. Exceptions include designated smoking rooms in hotels, retail tobacco stores, outdoor patios, private clubs, and family-owned-and-operated places of business.

Taxes -- Hotel rooms are subject to a 17% tax. The sales tax is 6.5%. In the U.S., there is no value-added tax (VAT) or other indirect tax at the national level. Every state, county, and city has the right to levy its own local tax on all purchases, including hotel and restaurant checks, airline tickets, and so on.

To Make International Calls To dial international numbers, dial 011, then the country code, then the phone number. The telephone system in the U.S. is run by private corporations, so rates, especially for long-distance service and operator-assisted calls, can vary widely. Generally, hotel surcharges on long-distance and local calls are remarkably expensive, so you're usually better off using a public pay telephone or a cell phone if you have one with you. Many groceries and convenience stores sell prepaid calling cards; this can be the least expensive way to call overseas.

Time Zone -- Ohio, like New York, is in the Eastern Time Zone, which puts it 5 hours behind Greenwich Mean Time (GMT-5).

Tipping -- Gratuities are not usually included in rates. Here are guidelines to follow when tipping: In hotels, tip bellhops at least $1 per piece of luggage and the housekeeping staff $1 per person per day (more if you've left a mess). Tip the doorman or concierge if he or she has provided you with a service such as calling a cab or obtaining hard-to-get tickets. Tip the parking attendant 15% of the parking rate. Cab drivers should get at least 15% of the fare. In restaurants, bars, and nightclubs, tip wait staff 15% to 20% of the check, bartenders 10% to 15%, and checkroom attendants $1 per garment. Skycaps at airports generally get at least $1 per bag, while hairdressers expect 15% to 20%.

Water -- Water here is considered safe to drink.