New York City (Fodor's, 2012) - Fodor's [314]
IDs and Services High 5 for the Arts (520 8th Ave., at 36th St., Midtown | 10018 | 212/750–0555 | www.highfivetix.org). STA Travel (212/627–3111, 800/781–4040 24-hr service center | www.sta.com).
TAXES
A sales tax of 8.875% applies to almost everything you can buy retail, including restaurant meals. However, prescription drugs and nonprepared food bought in grocery stores are exempt. Clothing and footwear costing less than $110 does not incur a city sales tax, although there is a 4.375% state sales tax.
TIPPING
The customary tipping rate for taxi drivers is 15%–20%, with a minimum of $2; bellhops are usually given $2 per bag in luxury hotels, $1 per bag elsewhere. Hotel maids should be tipped $2 per day of your stay. A doorman who hails or helps you into a cab can be tipped $1–$2. You should also tip your hotel concierge for services rendered; the size of the tip depends on the difficulty of your request, as well as the quality of the concierge’s work. Waiters should be tipped 15%–20%, though at higher-end restaurants, a solid 20% is more the norm. Tip $1 per drink you order at the bar.
VISITOR INFORMATION
The Grand Central Partnership (a sort of civic Good Samaritans’ group) has installed a number of information booths in and around Grand Central Terminal (there’s one near Vanderbilt Avenue and East 43rd Street). They’re loaded with maps and helpful brochures on attractions throughout the city and staffed by friendly, knowledgeable, multilingual New Yorkers.
NYC & Company’s Times Square Visitors Center is decked out with lots of fun and helpful tools like multilingual kiosks. The bureau also has a Midtown visitor center on 7th Avenue and runs kiosks in Lower Manhattan at City Hall Park and at Federal Hall National Memorial at 26 Wall St; in Chinatown at the triangle where Canal, Walker, and Baxter streets meet; and in Harlem at the Apollo Theater at 253 West 125th St.
The Downtown Alliance has information on the area encompassing City Hall south to Battery Park, and from the East River to West Street. For a free booklet listing New York City attractions and tour packages, contact the New York State Division of Tourism.
CONTACTS
City Information Downtown Alliance (120 Broadway, Suite 3340, between Pine and Thames Sts., Lower Manhattan | 10271 | 212/566–6700 | www.downtownny.com). Grand Central Partnership (212/883–2420 | www.grandcentralpartnership.org). NYC & Company Convention & Visitors Bureau (810 7th Ave., between W. 52nd and W. 53rd Sts., 3rd fl., Midtown West | 10019 | 212/484–1200 | www.nycgo.com). Times Square Information Center (1560 Broadway, between 46th and 47th Sts., Midtown West | 10036 | 212/768–1560 | www.timessquarenyc.org) | Subway: N, Q, R, S, 1, 2, 3, 7 to 42nd St./Times Square).
Statewide Information New York State Division of Tourism (518/474–4116 or 800/225–5697 | www.iloveny.com).
Previous Chapter | Beginning of Chapter | Table of Contents
ABOUT OUR WRITERS
Lynne Arany is the author of Little Museums, contributor to the New York Times, and editor of the acclaimed new book New Mexico: A Guide for the Eyes, travel has drawn her to the Art Nouveau wonders of Budapest, Barcelona’s Barri Gòtic, Glasgow’s fine tearooms, polka dancing in Tamazulapan, and rambles throughout Mexico and the U.S.—yet she remains forever in thrall to those five special boroughs known as New York City.
Alexander Basek is a food and travel writer based in New York City. His work has appeared in Travel + Leisure, the New York Post, and Time Out New York. He has a very passionate opinion about the best way to get to LaGuardia Airport.
Arthur Bovino is senior editor and lead writer for the Eat and Dine section of The Daily Meal, a new national food website by the former CEO of Forbes.com, Jim Spanfeller. Arthur is