Campus Life

Livin’ in Memphis? You’ll never be short of things to do here in the Mid-South. Memphis’ bustling community boasts a rich cultural history, an impressive arts scene, and a tasty array of excellent restaurants.

• Overton Park: Need some greenery? Overton Park sits by campus just across North Parkway and is home to several iconic Memphis hotspots. Visit the Memphis Zoo to hang with giraffes, play with the stingrays, or look at holiday decorations and ice skate during the beautiful Zoo Lights exhibit. The Brooks Museum of Art is one of the largest art museums in Tennessee, with constantly rotating exhibits of local and international artists. There are plenty more green spaces inside Overton Park, including a dog park, and even a golf course.
• 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 theatre performances. 
• 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 large concerts and performances.
• Graceland: The home of the “King of Rock and Roll” Elvis Presley, Graceland is one of the city’s most popular destinations, with the mansion drawing visitors from around the world. The whole site offers 200-000 square feet of museums, exhibits, restaurants, and more dedicated to all things King. The new Graceland Soundstage offers concerts throughout the year.
• National Civil Rights Museum: Located in Downtown Memphis at the Lorraine Motel, where Martin Luther King, Jr. was assassinated. The museum is a powerful and sprawling look at the American Civil Rights Movement, tracing its importance throughout the country and right here in Memphis. It’s worth several visits to absorb everything, and renovations set to be complete in 2025 will expand the museum’s offerings, providing a deeper look into how the Civil Rights movement has evolved since the assassination and how protests have shaped our culture.
• Shelby Farms Park: Need to get away for a bit? Shelby Farms Park is one of the largest urban parks in the United States. At 4,500 acres, the Park features more than 40 miles of trails, 20 bodies of water which provide fishing or kayaking, and a 100-acre off-leash dog park. Other activities include paint ball, horseback riding, or the Go Ape zipline and treetop adventure course. Shelby Farms Park is also home to Coastal Fish Company restaurant, one of the city’s most-recommended restaurants. Its views of the sunset over the lake make it an excellent spot for a special occasion. Once you’ve explored thoroughly, try to find the nearby “secret beach.”