Business Hours

In the United States: Banks are generally open weekdays from 9 am until 3 pm, post offices weekdays between 8 am and 5 pm; many branches operate Saturday morning hours.

Business hours tend to be weekdays from 9 to 5. Many stores may not open until 10 or 11, but they remain open until 6 or 7; most carry on brisk business on Saturdays as well. Large suburban shopping malls, the focus of most Americans' shopping activity, are generally open seven days a week, with evening hours every day except Sunday. Large all-purpose stores like Wal-Mart are often open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, even in small towns. All across the country, so-called convenience stores sell food and sundries until about 11 pm. Along the highways and in major cities you can usually find all-night diners, supermarkets, drugstores, and convenience stores.

In Canada: Most banks in Canada are open Mondays through Thursdays 10–3 and Fridays 10–5 or 6. Some are open longer hours and also on Saturday mornings. All close on national holidays.

Most motorway and city gas stations are open seven days a week (although there's rarely a mechanic on duty Sunday) and some are open around the clock. In small towns, gas stations are often closed on Sundays, although they may take turns staying open.

Museum hours vary, but most open at 10 or 11 and close in the evening. Some smaller museums close for lunch. Many museums are closed on Mondays; some make up for it by staying open late on Wednesdays, often free.

Stores, shops, and supermarkets tend to be open Monday through Saturday 9–6, although in major cities supermarkets are often open 7:30 am–9 pm. Blue laws are in effect in much of Canada, but a growing number of provinces have stores with limited Sunday hours, usually noon–5 (shops in areas highly frequented by tourists are usually open Sunday). Retail stores often stay open Thursday and Friday evenings, most shopping malls until 9 pm. Drugstores in major cities are often open until 11 pm, and convenience stores usually are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.