New York City’s Official Visitor Information Center (810 7th Ave., at 53rd St., 212/484-1222, www.nycvisit.com, Mon.–Fri. 8:30 a.m.–6 p.m., Sat.–Sun. 8:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m., with shorter hours on major holidays), run by NYC & Company, New York’s tourism marketing organization is open 365 days a year. Maps, hundreds of brochures, and calendars of events are available, while kiosks provide up-to-date information. The center also runs a visitor information kiosk in Harlem (163 W. 125th St., just east of Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Blvd., 10 a.m.–6 p.m. daily) and the NYC Heritage Tourism Center (Broadway and Barclay St., 9 a.m.–6 p.m. Mon.–Fri., 10 a.m.–6 p.m. Sat.–Sun.), focusing on history, located near City Hall Park.

When out of town, written information can be ordered by calling NYC & Company at 800/NYC-VISIT or 212/397-8222.

The Downtown Alliance (212/566-6700, www.downtownny.com) can provide you with information about Lower Manhattan. Various business partnerships operate carts stocked with tourist brochures near such visitor-heavy sites as Grand Central Station and the Empire State Building.