Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
The subway might not cost a nickel anymore, but here are some useful listings and information that can help you enjoy the free & dirt cheap lifestyle.
1 Information Centers
The city runs six information centers, which are stocked with free maps and brochures, as well as discount
coupons for tourist-friendly fare. Check with
www.nycgo.com
for information, or call
212/484-1222,
which is
also the number for the centers below unless otherwise noted.
Gateway to America: Discover New York Harbor Visitor Information Center
Federal Hall (Financial District),
26 Wall St., at Broad St.
212/825-6990.
Mon-Fri 9am-5pm. Subway: 2/3/4/5 to Wall St.
Official Visitor Information Kiosk—Chinatown
At the triangle of Canal, Walker, and Baxter sts. Daily
10am-6pm; holidays 10am-3pm. Subway: J/N/Q/R/Z/6 to Canal St.
Official Visitor Information Kiosk—City Hall
Broadway and Park Row. Mon-Fri 9am-6pm; Sat-Sun 10am-5pm;
holidays 9am-3pm. Subway: 2/3 to Park Place; R to City Hall; 4/5/6 to Brooklyn Bridge/City Hall; A/C/J/Z to
Fulton St./Broadway Nassau.
Official Visitor Information Center—Harlem
Studio Museum, Harlem, 144 W. 125th St., btw. Lenox Ave. and
Adam Clayton Powell Blvd.
212/222-1014.
Mon-Fri noon-6pm; Sat-Sun 10am-6pm. Subway: 2/3 to 125th St.
Official NYC Information Center—Midtown
810 Seventh Ave., btw. 52nd and 53rd sts. Mon-Fri 8:30am-6pm;
Sat-Sun 9am-5pm; holidays 9am-3pm. Subway: B/D/E to Seventh Ave.; N/Q/R to 57th St.; 1 to 50th St.
Official NYC Information Center—Times Square Alliance
1560 Broadway (the east side of Seventh Ave. btw.
46th and 47th sts.).
212/768-1560.
Daily 8am-8pm. Subway: N/Q/R to 49th St.; 1/2/3/7/N/Q/R/S to 42nd
St./Times Sq.
Information at the Libraries
New York's public libraries are founts of information, and real live librarians will
answer your brief
factual
questions (this service is of little utility for existential concerns). The Bronx, Staten Is-
land, and Manhattan residents can call
917/ASK-NYPL
(917/275-6975), Monday to Saturday 9am to 6pm.
You can also text, IM, or e-mail for answers (there's a form you can fill out online, and they'll e-mail your
reply). Check
www.nypl.org
/ask-nypl/phone-us
for more numbers for specialized questions. In Brooklyn, call
718/ 230-2100,
option 5 (Mon-Thurs 9am-6pm, Fri-Sat 10am-6pm). There's also a 24/7 online chat service,
which the Queens Library participates in as well. The Queens InfoLine is
718/ 990-0728
(Mon and Wed-Thurs
9am-8:45pm, Tues 1-8:45pm, Fri-Sat 9am-6:45pm, Sun noon-4:45pm). Brooklyn and Queens also provide an-
swers via e-mail.
Current Events
The city does a decent job of providing the latest scoop on goings-on around town.
NYC & Company
keeps a 24-hour in-
formation hot line (
800/NYC-VISIT
[692-8474] or 212/397-8222). For listings of music, theater, museum, and other
events, check online at
www.nycgo.com
.
An even better source is
NewYorkology
(
www.newyorkology.com
), an indie New
York travel guide with city basics and attraction and event listings. See below for other sources.
Internet Access for Free or Cheap
The city's Wi-Fi zones are constantly expanding. The South Street Seaport,
Bryant Park, City Hall Park, Union Square, and Penn Station are among the areas covered by free wireless con-
nections. (The entire outdoor part of DUMBO is now covered, thanks in part to
www.nycwireless.net
.
) Many
hotels have gotten onboard, and lobbies like the Ace Hotel (20 W. 29th St.;
212/679-2222
) are good spots to
log in. Check
www.openwiinyc.com
for an index. Many public libraries are Wi-Fi friendly, in addition to the
free computers they provide for Internet connections. Check online for more information (
www.nypl.org
in the
Bronx, Manhattan, and Staten Island;
www.queenslibrary.org
or
www.brooklynpubliclibrary.org
). Many cafes
and fast-food establishments also offer Internet access; the Wi-Fi connections at McDonald's and Starbucks are
