Dallas Life and Visitor Travel Tips

(Dallas, Texas - TX, USA)



Dallas, Texas (TX) is an appealing tourist destination for Americans and international visitors alike. Boasting a dramatic skyline, excellent shopping opportunities and a huge range of cultural and historic attractions, the city is one of the USA's most popular stopovers.

Life in Dallas is a combination of traditional Texan charm mixed with a modern cosmopolitan feel creating a vibrant city with a focus on the arts and entertainment. Travel tips on Dallas are available from a range of sources including travel guides, tourist information offices and the Internet.


Tourism and Tourist Information

There is a great selection of tourist information offices throughout Dallas, Texas (TX) that can assist you in planning your holiday and advising you on places to visit, as well as providing other additional information on opening times and so on. These offices often provide tourists with free maps and brochures highlighting the various attractions that are dotted around the city.

Visitor Information Center of Dallas Convention and Visitors Bureau
Address: Old Red Courthouse, 100 South Houston Street, Downtown Dallas, Texas TX, USA
Tel: +1 214 571 1300
Open hours: Monday to Friday - 08:00 to 17:00, Saturday and Sunday - 09:00 to 17:00, Holidays - 09:00 to 17:00

Language

Over 300 languages are spoken in the USA, including over 170 that are indigenous to the area with the most commonly spoken language being English. Many different ethnicities and nationalities are well represented in Dallas, Texas TX, USA and other languages in addition to English are available for study in schools and language centers.

Visas

For details on whether you will require a visa for travel to Dallas it is best to check with your nearest consulate or embassy for information specific to your country. There are a number of different types of visa available, with tourists visiting Dallas normally being required to obtain a non-immigrant visa that permits temporary stay. Citizens from Visa Waiver Program countries are allowed to enter Dallas and the USA without a visa if they can meet certain requirements. If you are applying for a visa before your arrival in Dallas, it is advisable to apply well in advance as there can be delays on processing applications.

Working

There are several categories of non-immigrant visas available to those wishing to work in the US temporarily. Working without a visa in Dallas is strictly forbidden and there are harsh penalties for those who are caught in breach of this law. Persons wishing to work in the US must apply for the relevant visa in their home country and usually require a letter from their prospective employer in the US and other documentation.

Tipping

Tipping is common in Dallas; however, it is only required should you consider service to have been satisfactory. When in restaurants, a 15 percent tip is standard, although it's worth taking note of whether there is a service charge already included in your bill. Bars differ slightly in the way that there is often a tips tray at the counter where customers are expected to leave a dollar or two upon their departure.

Taxes and Refunds

Most states in the US have a sales tax of between seven and eight percent on goods and services; although, some states have no tax at all. Sales tax is not reclaimable by tourists on their departure from the Dallas and Texas. Should visitors have a relevant visa permitting them to work during their stay, then a partial or total refund of tax that is deducted from their salary is reclaimable.

Smoking

A few decades ago Americans accepted smoking in public places without much fuss, but nowadays things have changed dramatically with several states having laws restricting the public areas in which people are allowed to smoke. Cigarette advertising is banned from TV and radio and most restaurants in Dallas are required to have a non-smoking section. Airplanes, trains and all public transport options in Dallas prohibit smoking. If you are a smoker, it is always best to politely check whether smoking is permitted before lighting up in Dallas.