Page 100 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - USA

98  NE W Y ORK CIT Y & THE MID-A TLANTIC REGION

New York City Practical Etiquette
Information It is illegal to smoke in any
public place or building in New
York. Bars all over the city also
Visitors to New York are treated very much the same as ban smoking.
anyone else and as long as you follow a few guidelines on Tipping is part of New York
personal security you’ll be able to explore the city as freely as life. In general, 10 to 15 percent
any native New Yorker. Buses and subway trains are reliable of your bill is enough – 20
and inexpensive. Beside, the wide range of prices offered by percent for outstanding service.
For bartenders and coat check,
the many hotels, restaurants, and entertainment venues $1–2 is typical.
means your New York trip can be both fun and affordable.
Entertainment
Tourist Information Getting Around New York City is a non-stop
Advice on any aspect of life Rush hours extend from 8am to entertainment extravaganza,
in New York City is available 10am, 11:30am to 1:30pm and every day, all year round. What-
from the NYC & Company 4:30pm to 6:30pm, Mon–Fri. At ever your taste, you can be sure
(NYC & Co.). Their 24-hour these times, most forms of public the city will satisfy it on both a
touch-tone phone service trans portation are crowded. grand and an intimate scale.
offers help outside office Buses are a comfortable way to New York is famous for its
hours. Information kiosks and get around, but they often tend extravagant musicals and its
brochures are available at the to be slow. Subways are quick, ferocious critics. The Times
official NYC Information Center reliable, and inexpensive, and Square area hosts the “power
at Macy’s Herald Square. make stops throughout central productions” of Broadway –
Manhattan. The vast system the big, highly publicized
extends over 233 miles (375 km) dramas, musicals, and revivals
Personal Security
and most routes operate through- starring many Hollywood
Though New York is rated out the year. You can buy a luminaries in sure-fire money
among the safest large US Metrocard for the $2.75 subway earners, in theaters such as the
cities with around-the-clock and bus single fares. Cards come Ambassador and the Lyceum
foot, horse, bike, and car patrols in $5.50 to $80 amounts (1903), the oldest theater still in
by the police in tourist areas, it depending on the number of trips operation. Off-Broadway and
is always good to be cautious. you intend to take. If $5.50 or more Off-Off-Broadway stages such as
At night, if you can’t afford a is put on the card, you get a 11 Atlantic Theater Company, host
taxi, try to travel with a group. percent bonus; discounts increase experimental shows, ranging
Walk as if you know where as you put more money on the from the well-appointed to the
you’re going. Avoid making card. Other options are $31 for improvised, in lofts, churches, or
eye contact and getting into an unlimited 7-day pass. Taxis are even outside at the open-air
confrontations with down- best for door-to-door service, Delacorte Theater in Central Park.
and-outs. If someone asks you but can be held up in traffic The city is also a great center
for money, do not get drawn jams. You should hail only yellow of traditional ballet and modern
into conversation. Always taxis, as they are the only ones dance. The New York City Ballet,
keep some change handy for with licences. If their roof numbers founded by the leg endary
bus fares; carry your Metrocard are lit up, they are available. choreographer George
in your pocket. Never carry Heavy traffic and expensive Balanchine, performs in the
too much cash, and lock your rentals make driving in New York David H. Koch Theater. The
valuables in the hotel safe. a frustrating experience. The Dance Theater of Harlem is
Do not allow anyone except speed limit is 30 mph (48 km/h). world famous for its modern,
hotel or airport personnel to Parking in Manhattan is difficult and ethnic productions, as is
carry your luggage. and costly. Many hotels include the esteemed Alvin Ailey
Public toilets in bus stations parking charges in their room American Dance Theater.
should be avoided at all times rates. New York’s tow-away crews There’s every imaginable form
of the day. It is best to find a are active, and one-third of cars of music in New York, from inter-
hotel or store if you want to towed suffer damage. If you na tional stadium rock to the
use a restroom. Since parks are cannot find your car at its parking sounds of the 1960s, from Dixie-
sometimes used for drug place, first call the traffic depart- land jazz or country blues, soul, and
dealing, they are safest when ment’s tow-away office. For world music to street musicians.
there is a crowd, for example, specific details call the The city’s music scene changes at
for a rally or concert. If you want Department of Transportation a dizzying pace, so there’s no way
to go for a jog in a park, always (Tel: 311). If you receive a parking to predict what you may find when
make sure you avoid lonely ticket, you have 7 days to pay you arrive. The top performers
areas and pathways, and follow the hefty fine. If the car is not at such as Beyoncé, Taylor Swift, and
a map that shows safe routes. the pound, contact the police. Jay-Z perform in the huge arenas

098-099_EW_USA.indd 98 11/2/16 2:43 PM
Eyewitness Travel LAYERS PRINTED:
Practical template “UK” LAYER
(Source v1.7)
Date 5th March 2013
Size 125mm x 217mm