You need to be over 21 to drink alcohol in the US and id will be needed in the form of your driving licence or passport regardless if you are 21 or 60 so don't leave home without it !

Don't bother taking Travellers Cheques, they can be a pain to change, just take your cashpoint card, there are simply thousands of ATMs.

Public Holidays
New Years Day - January 1st
Martin Luther King Jr Day - Third Monday in January
President's Day - Third Monday in February
Memorial Day - Last Monday in May
Independance Day - July 4th
Labor Day - First Monday in September
Columbus Day - Second Monday in October
Election Day - First Tuesday in November
Veteran's Day - November 11th
Thanksgiving - Fourth Thursday in November
Christmas Day - December 25th

In the USA.........
A lift is an elevator
Toilets are Restrooms
Takeaway Food is called " To Go"
Soft Drinks are Sodas
Malt Liquor is just Strong Beer
If someone is pissed it means they are angry
In a Restaurant ask for the Cheque not the Bill
A Drugstore is a Chemist
The road is called the pavement
The pavement is called the sidewalk

You gotta tip here so as a guide, Wait staff get 15-20% of the bill, cabs 15%, barstaff $1 a round, hairdressers 10-15%, hotel doormen $1 for hailing a cab, hotel porters $1 a case and Take a Way delivery around $2.
Quickest way to work out the tip in restaurants is to take the sales tax ( 8% ) and double it.

Getting Around
Hailing a cab is easy just look for the lit up section of the roof light, this is also the cabs number. They are cheap and the fare is measured by meter, rates and clearly listed on the outside of the front passenger door.
Do you wanna drive in NY ? forget it !
The subway is safe and easy to use, payment
is by a token ( $1.50 ) per journey or get a
Metrocard. these are the best option as
some stations don't take tokens. the best deal
is to get a 7 day unlimited ride, with this you can use it as often as you like.