There’s nothing like summer in Collierville, TN. Dancing to great local music. Dazzling fireworks lighting up the night sky. Strolling the Farmer’s Market for farm-fresh produce and tasty treats.
If you think this sounds like something out of a Hallmark movie, you’re right—Collierville’s famous town square actually was featured in the 2019 Hallmark Channel Movie, Wedding at Graceland.
Voted “America’s Best Main Street” by Parade magazine, Collierville, TN, is truly special. And for Memphis-area seniors looking for safe, affordable places to retire, Collierville’s The Farms at Bailey Station is a special place to call home.
Our residents love The Farms’ southern charm and easy-living all year long, especially during the summer months. In this guide to the top summertime things to do in Collierville, TN, we’ll show you why.
Why Collierville Is the Best Place to Retire in Tennessee
With its combination of small-town charm and big city accessibility, Collierville is an ideal place to retire for older adults in the Memphis area.
Collierville seniors can peacefully enjoy their best years in this safe and secure community. More than 85% of local residents say they feel safe here, and over 70% rate Collierville law enforcement as highly effective and responsive. It is consistently ranked among the safest places to live in Tennessee.
Overall, Tennessee ranks among the best states to retire because it offers many opportunities for seniors to maximize their savings. Social Security benefits, pensions, IRA distributions, and 401(k) withdrawals are all tax-free in Tennessee because there is no state income tax. The state also offers additional programs for retirees, including the Property Tax Freeze Program for seniors over 65, which locks in your home’s property tax rate even as property values increase over time.
Collierville offers dining, shopping, attractions, music, and festivals. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, Collierville’s Victorian-era heritage features a mix of 19th-century architecture. The Morton Museum of local history is housed in a restored church dating back to 1873. The Depot Visitor Center also has an interesting past, previously serving as a 1940s train station.
For a more lively, exciting culture and nightlife, head down to Memphis, which is a short 30-minute drive away. Memphis is world-famous for its blues, barbecue, art, and nightlife—a city truly fit for a king. After all, Elvis Presley himself chose Memphis’ Graceland as his personal sanctuary. Some of our residents’ favorite places to visit are the Memphis in May Festival, the National Civil Rights Museum, and the legendary Sun Studio, where The King made his first recordings.
Top 10 Summer Activities for Seniors in Collierville, TN
When summertime rolls around, everyone feels like a kid again. School’s out, and even if you graduated long ago, that feeling of freedom and independence lives on.
The town square in Collierville is always hopping with music, food, and fun summer activities for seniors. Here’s a list of the can’t-miss things to do in Collierville, TN, this summer:
- Sounds Like Collierville Music Festival
If you like the lyrical storytelling and folk rhythms of Americana musicians like John Prine, Emmylou Harris, and Jason Isbell, you’ll love the Sounds Like Collierville Festival. This festival welcomes more than 6,000 fans for a good old-fashioned hootenanny.
You can also jam along with free interactive guitar, banjo, fiddle, and songwriting workshops. Online registration is required, but the event is free to attend.
- Fair on the Square
Since 1976, more than 10,000 crafters and craft-lovers alike have gathered in Collierville every May for Fair on the Square. This event, hosted by the Collierville Twentieth Century Club, raises money for community grants, scholarships, and non-profit funding. The Fair also features live music, food, fun, and games to enjoy while you browse the wares of more than 100 local vendors.
- Collierville Independence Day Celebration
Celebrate America’s 250th birthday on America’s Best Main Street. Collierville’s annual Independence Day celebration features live music, family activities, food vendors, and a spectacular fireworks show. Throughout the summer, Collierville will also host special events to commemorate this milestone for our nation, including a Road to Independence Program series at the Collierville Burch Library and a Patriotic Porch Tour of local homes all decked out in red, white, and blue.
- Main Street Concert Series
Every Thursday night throughout June and July, there’s music in the air. No matter what your favorite genre might be, the Main Street Concert Series has you covered. From funky horns to groovy beats and the classic Southern rock of a Lynyrd Skynyrd tribute band. If you’re always yelling “Play Freebird!” at every concert, this is where you want to be.
- Collierville Farmers Market
For more than 15 years running, the Collierville Farmers Market has been showcasing the best locally sourced produce, food, and handcrafted goods from across the Mid-South region. Stop by for fresh vegetables and delicious treats from local bakeries, as well as meats, dairy, flowers, and natural bath and body products.
- Morton Museum of Collierville History & Train Depot
All aboard for summer fun! Collierville is home to a colorful collection of trains that includes the Frisco 1351 steam locomotive from 1912, a business car that once served as a gameday clubhouse for the Florida State University Seminole Boosters, and an all-steel caboose. The Morton Museum, a historical landmark in its own right, features a collection of local artifacts dating back to the Civil War.
- Spring Sidewalk Sale on Collierville Town Square
Shop local and grab great deals during Collierville’s sidewalk sales. The sale is an excellent opportunity to explore a wide variety of local merchants offering gifts, accessories, jewelry, home furnishings, and more. If you miss the summer sale, don’t fret—there’s another sidewalk sale every fall.
- Greenway Trail Walks at Peterson Lake
With all the excitement downtown, it’s nice to get away from it all and enjoy a relaxing stroll through nature. The Peterson Lake Nature Center loop connects you to beautiful views and a small beach area along the Wolf River, with easy-to-navigate flat trails. For longer treks, check out the Wolf River Greenway trails, which offers a more intimate, winding path along the river.
- Exploring Beale Street and Downtown Memphis
If all of these summer activities for seniors have worked up your appetite, take a ride into Memphis for dinner. Enjoy ribs, BBQ, brisket, fried chicken, and more classic Southern dishes. While you’re here, check out the legendary Beale Street music scene or visit the childhood home of the “Father of the Blues,” W.C. Handy.
- FoodieLand Food Festival
Still hungry? Come back for seconds when the FoodieLand Food Festival comes to town in August. This nationwide tour of independent food and merchandise vendors brings flavors from around the globe to celebrate culinary diversity and bring everyone together for memorable meals.
Come Home to The Farms at Bailey Station
The best part of summer in Collierville, TN, is knowing that all of this amazing food, culture, and fun is right in your backyard.
The Farms at Bailey Station is just minutes away from the best summer activities for seniors, and the good times don’t end once you leave the city limits. Our campus brings seniors together by design, with a thoughtful layout centered around town square areas for casual, impromptu gatherings.
Whether you’re looking for a senior living community that offers space to entertain or cozy convenience, The Farms at Bailey Station has you covered. Life at The Farms is maintenance-free and includes top-notch amenities and services, so you can spend your summer at concerts and cookouts instead of pulling weeds.
There are so many things to do in Collierville, TN, and all of them are better with good friends by your side. Our residents say the connection and camaraderie at The Farms have turned friends into a “forever family” that they carry with them throughout every season of life.
Memories are waiting to be made here in Collierville. Visit The Farms at Bailey Station this summer to discover all this special place has to offer.
