Memphis Life and Visitor Travel Tips

(Memphis, Tennessee - TN, USA)

Memphis has a wealth of historical attractions and one of the most influential music history of anywhere in the US. Its soulful ambiance, magnetic charms and wealth of attractions to suit all tastes and ages have made it a top tourist drawcard.

Whether you come for the music scene, cultural heritage, shopping or the famous barbecue-cooking, visitors to Memphis, Tennessee are sure to have an unforgettable experience. Travel guides and travel tips are available at visitor information centers in Memphis or online before arrival. Here are some handy travel tips about life in Memphis.

Tourism and Tourist Information

Memphis offers excellent tourist information facilities and there are plenty of online sources providing free information, guides and travel tips. Tourist information centers and travel agencies in Memphis can assist you with travel information and details on attractions. Free guides, brochures, maps and tourist magazines are often distributed at these offices and in hotels throughout the city of Memphis.

Memphis Visitor Center
Address: 3205 Elvis Presley Boulevard, Memphis, Tennessee TN, 38116, USA
Tel: +1 901 543 5333
Open hours: daily - 24 hours

Language

More than 300 languages are spoken in America, including over 170 that are indigenous to the area, with the most commonly spoken language in Memphis being English. Many different ethnicities and nationalities are well represented in Memphis and Tennessee TN, with further languages available for study in schools and Memphis language centers.

Visas

There are a number of different types of visa available, with tourists traveling to Memphis usually requiring a non-immigrant visa that permits temporary stay in Memphis. Citizens from Visa Waiver Program countries are allowed to enter Memphis, Tennessee and America without a visa if they can meet certain requirements. If you are applying for a visa before your arrival in Memphis, it is worth applying well in advance as there can be delays on processing applications.

Working

Several categories of non-immigrant visas are available to those wishing to work in Memphis on a temporary basis. Working without a visa in Memphis, Tennessee and throughout America is against the law and there are harsh penalties for those who are caught breaking this law. People wishing to work in Memphis must apply for the relevant visa in their home country and usually need a letter from their prospective American employer, together with other documentation.

Tipping

Tipping is common in Memphis and is only required should you consider service to have been satisfactory. When in Memphis restaurants, a 15 percent tip is standard, although it is worth noting whether there is a service charge already included in your bill. Bars in Memphis differ slightly, with a tips tray at the counter where customers are expected to leave a dollar or two upon as they leave.

Taxes and Refunds

Most states in the United States have a sales tax of between seven and eight percent on goods and services although some states have no tax at all. Tourists in Memphis are not usually able to reclaim sales tax when leaving America, unless the necessary working visa is held.

Smoking

Smoking in Memphis has changed dramatically in recent years and laws now restrict areas where people are permitted to smoke, including all modes of public travel. Memphis restaurants are required to have non-smoking areas and cigarette advertising is banned from the television and radio. Sensible advice would be to check with those nearby before smoking in Memphis, Tennessee.