Memphis and our connections to it are as much a part of the Rhodes education as any lab or lecture hall. Home to Fortune 500 companies such as FedEx, AutoZone, and International Paper, and a major hub for biomedical research, distribution, and industry, Memphis offers prestigious internships and research opportunities for students. The city's independent spirit makes it fertile ground for arts and culture, nonprofits, community service, and do-it-yourself leaders of all kinds.
Memphis has a vibrant entrepreneurial spirit, rich music heritage, a unique history, and deep culture. Due to its strategic location, Memphis is also one of the nation’s leading commercial centers for transportation and logistics for everything from paper goods to medical instruments.
The city’s largest employer, FedEx, was founded in Memphis in 1973 and maintains its global air hub at Memphis International Airport, making it the world’s second-busiest cargo airport. Two other Fortune 1000 companies, AutoZone and International Paper, also call Memphis home while St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital anchors a thriving healthcare industry and conducts life-saving research related to childhood cancers.
With more than 1.3 million residents in its metropolitan area, Memphis is a destination for theatre, music, healthcare, restaurants, and tourism. Memphis is home to the National Civil Rights Museum and the Memphis Rock ‘n’ Soul Museum; other popular attractions are Graceland, Beale Street, the Orpheum Theatre, Sun Studio, Soulsville, and the Memphis Zoo, located across the street from our campus. Sports fans know it as the home of the NBA’s Memphis Grizzlies and the FedEx St. Jude Championship golf tournament, where the first round of the FedEx Cup playoffs is held.
Music fans all over the world recognize our city as the Home of the Blues and the Birthplace of Rock ‘n’ Roll where legends like Elvis Presley, B. B. King, Al Green, Otis Redding, Carl Perkins, and Jerry Lee Lewis got their early starts. Other notable Memphis musicians that call the Memphis area home are Justin Timberlake, Tina Turner, Yo Gotti, Kirk Whalum, Three 6 Mafia, and Julien Baker of the Grammy-award-winning group Boygenius.
In short, Memphis has something for everyone, and we are proud to call this amazing place our home.
Rhodes College gives students a little bit of everything; a top-class liberal arts education on a beautiful campus located in a major metropolitan area. That means there are plenty of activities, restaurants, and attractions to explore during your time in Memphis.
Beale Street: One of Memphis’ most iconic streets, the Downtown destination is an important landmark in the history of Blues music, and today welcomes visitors into many hopping bars and restaurants. At night, go see the goats at Silky O’ Sullivan’s, or catch a country show at Tin Roof. Hungry? Dine in at a piece of Beale Street history at Dyer’s Burgers, which has been operating for over a century. At the edge of Beale Street lies the Orpheum Theatre, housing nationally touring musicals, concerts, and other shows. At the other end, the FedExForum is home to the NBA’s Memphis Grizzlies, and frequently hosts other larges concerts and performances.
Broad Avenue: This revitalized arts district offers 70-plus shops and restaurants very close to campus: gourmet coffee at City & State, the outstanding Wiseacre Brewing, and ice cream and boba at Sugar Ghost accompany a stacked lineup of stores featuring local art and craftsmanship. Also, make sure not to overlook the nearby alumni-owned Hampline Brewing.
Cooper-Young: A friendly mix of residential and commercial, the Cooper-Young neighborhood blends is quirky, artsy, and hip all at once. There are plenty of patios to relax on if the weather’s nice, from Young Ave Deli to Celtic Crossing, or feed your inner bookworm with a trip to Burke’s Books. Beauty Shop is the place to be for brunch, while the annual free Cooper-Young Festival in September is a great way to get acquainted with the neighborhood.
Crosstown: Located just a few blocks away from campus, Crosstown Concourse took an old Sears warehouse and transformed it into an impressive vertical village full of restaurants, live music, shops, apartments, and plenty of other amenities. Global Café, Bao Toan, and Crosstown Brewing are popular dining spots, while Art Bar serves up a good mix of creative cocktails. Crosstown Arts, Crosstown Theater, and The Green Room host live shows, performances, and exhibits year-round, and the Memphis Listening Lab offers access to tens of thousands of albums and music history.
Overton Square: A quick jaunt from campus, Overton Square is a booming Midtown strip with a great selection of restaurants, and even some great live music. Hit up a live show at Lafayette’s Music Room or grab a burger just up the street at Huey’s, a Memphis mainstay. Beyond that, sample Mexican, South Korean, Sichuan, Cajun, and plenty other types of cuisine. Playhouse on the Square, Hattiloo Theatre, Circuit Playhouse, and Ballet Memphis all offer compelling slates of dance, musical, and other theater performances.
Overton Park: Students are literally steps away from the 342-acre park, which contains a nine-hole golf course, the Memphis Brooks Museum of Art, Rainbow Lake, Veterans Plaza, the Greensward, two playgrounds, and the 126-acre Old Forest State Natural Area. Included in the park is the Memphis Zoo, which has partnered with Rhodes for more than 90 years, and the Overton Park Shell outdoor music venue (free!).
Memphis is a city where access and ambition meet. At Rhodes, students are steps away from nationally recognized institutions, global companies, and organizations shaping the future of healthcare, logistics, the arts, education, and social innovation. Our location in the heart of the city gives students unparalleled access to internships, research placements, and professional networks that start building careers long before graduation.
What sets Memphis apart is the way the city welcomes students into its work. From interning at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital to partnering with FedEx on real-world projects, or joining grassroots nonprofits making meaningful community impact, Rhodes students don’t just observe—they contribute. Our faculty and staff actively connect students with opportunities that align with their academic interests and passions, making Memphis a hands-on training ground for what comes next.
But opportunity here goes beyond the professional. Memphis is a culturally rich, creatively charged city where students immerse themselves in music, food, history, and the arts. Whether you're exploring Midtown, volunteering in Binghampton, or joining the rhythms of the city at night, Memphis becomes a place to grow personally as well as academically. At Rhodes, being “Connected to Opportunity” means being fully connected—to a city that invites you in, challenges you, and helps you discover who you want to be.
Once you’re here, you’ll know—there’s simply no college experience quite like Rhodes. Our close-knit, residential campus fosters community like no other. Our Memphis location inspires our students to not only explore, shop, and dine off campus, but also volunteer, intern, and work off campus.
We invite you to visit and see for yourself!
