Travel tips · Memphis · United States
Memphis travel tips: what to know before you go
The etiquette, money and practical details that make the first day easier.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Quintin Soloviev, CC BY 4.0
Quick answer
Memphis is a proud, music-soaked Southern city with deep Black cultural roots, from the blues and soul to the civil rights movement. People are warm and talkative, and conversation turns quickly to music, barbecue and the Grizzlies.
Key facts
- Language
- English
- Currency
- USD
- Plugs
- Type A and B sockets, 120 V, 60 Hz
- Tap water
- Tap water is safe to drink.
- Emergency
- 911 (police, fire, ambulance)
Things to know
- Treat the National Civil Rights Museum and the Lorraine Motel as a memorial: speak quietly and be respectful.
- Tip musicians on Beale Street and in clubs, where many play largely for tips.
- Graceland is Elvis's grave site as well as his home; be respectful in the Meditation Garden.
- Southern politeness matters: greet people and say 'please' and 'thank you'.
- Tip at sit-down restaurants and bars.
- Book Graceland ahead: Buy timed mansion tickets online in advance, especially in summer, around Elvis's birthday in January and during Elvis Week in August.
- Beale Street, the Peabody Ducks, Tom Lee Park, Big River Crossing, Overton Park and Shelby Farms are free.
Tipping
Tipping is expected: about 18–22% at sit-down restaurants, a dollar or two per drink at bars, cash for bands and 15–20% for taxis and rideshares.
Language
English is spoken.
What to wear
Casual, with light, breathable clothes for hot, humid summers. Bring a layer for air-conditioned museums.
Practical details
- Plugs and voltage
- Type A and B sockets, 120 V, 60 Hz
- Drinking water
- Tap water is safe to drink.
- Emergency number
- 911 (police, fire, ambulance)
- Phone and internet
- US SIM cards and eSIMs are easy to buy; free Wi-Fi is common in cafés, hotels and at the airport.
- Time zone
- America/Chicago
Downtown and Beale Street are heavily visited, but some streets nearby feel empty after dark; stay in busy areas at night and use rideshares between neighbourhoods. Car break-ins are common, so never leave anything visible in a parked car. Summer heat and spring storms are the main weather risks.
Entry requirements
Visa and passport rules depend on your nationality and change often. Check United States's official government guidance and your own government's travel advice before booking.
Plan the trip
Questions travellers ask
+Do you tip in Memphis?
Tipping is expected: about 18–22% at sit-down restaurants, a dollar or two per drink at bars, cash for bands and 15–20% for taxis and rideshares.
+Can you drink the tap water in Memphis?
Tap water is safe to drink.
+What plugs are used in Memphis?
Type A and B sockets, 120 V, 60 Hz
+What language is spoken in Memphis?
English.