What to Do If You Get Sick Away from Home
In Memphis, call Methodist Healthcare, at 1211 Union Ave. (tel. 901/5176-7000), or the Regional Medical Center/Elvis Presley Trauma Center, at 877 Jefferson Ave. (tel. 901/545-7100).
If you have dental problems in either city, a nationwide referral service, known as 1-800-DENTIST (tel. 800/336-8478), will provide the name of a nearby dentist or clinic.
You may want to ask the concierge at your hotel to recommend a local doctor -- even his or her own. This will probably yield a better recommendation than any toll-free number would.
You can also try the emergency room at a local hospital. Many hospitals also have walk-in clinics for emergency cases that are not life threatening; you may not get immediate attention, but you won't pay the high price of an emergency room visit.
If you suffer from a chronic illness, consult your doctor before your departure. Pack prescription medications in your carry-on luggage, and carry them in their original containers, with pharmacy labels -- otherwise they won't make it through airport security. Visitors from outside the U.S. should carry generic names of prescription drugs. For U.S. travelers, most reliable health-care plans provide coverage if you get sick away from home. Foreign visitors may have to pay all medical costs upfront and be reimbursed later.
Staying Safe
Nashville is a friendly city where travelers can feel safe both downtown and in outlying neighborhoods. Cautious tourists may want to be aware that the nightlife along Broadway downtown can become rowdy after dark.
Although it, too, is full of friendly people, Memphis also has a serious crime problem, with rampant gang activity and one of the highest violent crime rates in the U.S. Although tourists aren't necessarily targeted, neither are they immune. Avoid walking or driving in unpopulated or inner-city areas alone, especially after dark. Be mindful of your surroundings, and take prudent precautions to avoid becoming a victim, such as keeping valuables hidden and your car locked.
Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.
