Newport Travel Guide

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 are usually open Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm and Saturday 9am to noon. 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 around 1am.

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.

Internet Access Free Internet access is available at the Newport Public Library (tel. 401/847-8720; www.newportlibraryri.org). Jack & Josie's, 111 Broadway Row (tel. 401/851-6900), also offers free Wi-Fi, as do many hotels. Other hotels offer Wi-Fi at a nominal charge, as well as a business center where you can access internet-connected computers.

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 of 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 in Newport, call tel. 800/275-8777 or go to www.usps.com.

Newspapers & Magazines The main local paper is the Newport Daily News (www.newportdailynews.com). The Newport Mercury (www.newportmercury.com) is also a useful source of local information. The town's leading periodical, Newport Life (www.newportlifemagazine.com), features articles about life and leisure in Newport.

Pets To bring your pet to Newport, you must have a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI) for your pet supplied by a state-licensed veterinarian, as well as a current rabies vaccination. Most airlines allow pets on flights, but require pets to be at least eight weeks old. Some Newport hotels, such as The Chestnut Inn on 99 Third St. (tel. 401/847-6949; www.newportchesnutinn.com), are pet-friendly.

Police For emergencies, dial tel. 911. This is a free call. To call the Newport Police Department, dial tel. 401/847-1306.

Safety The crime rate in Newport tends to be higher than 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 keep money and valuables out of sight. Always lock your hotel door, and don't carry too much cash.

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, and private clubs.

Taxes Hotel rooms are subject to a 6% tax. The sales tax is 7%. In the U.S., there is no value-added tax (VAT) or other indirect tax at the national level.

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 Rhode Island, 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 in Newport is considered safe to drink.