Our campus is just the beginning. Memphis is our classroom, our stage, our inspiration.
paragraph about Rhodes’ urban-campus advantage
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.
Areas to Explore
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.
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!
