Your Complete Travel Guide to Collierville, Tennessee
Just east of Memphis, the town of Collierville charms visitors with a Historic Town Square that looks like it was sketched from a storybook. Red-brick storefronts trimmed with bunting, a vintage depot, and a central green shaded by old oaks set the scene for concerts, markets, and unhurried afternoons. It’s a place where the bakery smells drift down the sidewalk, where you can browse antiques and handcrafted goods, and where friendly shopkeepers strike up conversations like you’re already a neighbor.
Yet Collierville is no time capsule. The town layers modern tastes onto its heritage, with chef-driven restaurants, a lively coffee culture, and parks that thread into the Wolf River wetlands. It’s easygoing but active, polished but down-to-earth. Families come for the splash parks and festivals; food lovers plan itineraries around bistros and soda fountains; and outdoorsy travelers lace up for boardwalk trails, birding, and big-sky sunsets. If you’re seeking a small-town escape that still has plenty to do, this guide opens the door.
Why Visit Collierville
Collierville’s magnetism begins on its Historic Town Square, one of the prettiest in the Mid-South. On summer evenings, live music ripples over the lawn as couples unfold picnic blankets and kids chase fireflies between the gazebo and the old depot. In winter, “Christmas in Collierville” wraps the district in a warm glow of twinkle lights and storefront wreaths, the crisp scent of cocoa steaming up from sidewalk café cups. Whether you’re here for an afternoon or a long weekend, the Square makes a gracious home base for the best things to do in Collierville.
Beyond the Square, culture and nature weave together. The Morton Museum of Collierville History fills a 1912 building with artifacts and stories that bring the railroad town’s past to life, while the Collierville Arts Council stages community theater that surprises visitors with its polish and heart. Shopaholics can detour to the airy promenades of The Shops at Carriage Crossing, where candle stores smell like vanilla and cedar, and open-air courtyards invite a slow stroll. Food follows fun: you’re never far from a square-side espresso or a grilled steak, and that makes hunting for top restaurants in Collierville, Tennessee part of the pleasure.
For outdoor seekers, the town’s parks feel like a secret. Boardwalks at W.C. Johnson Park trace cypress-lined wetlands; Hinton Park’s broad lawns catch the breeze; neighborhood greens hide playgrounds shaded by magnolias. Sitting at the edge of the Wolf River watershed and an easy drive from Shelby Farms and downtown Memphis, Collierville offers a quieter, greener base with easy access to larger-city energy. It’s a place where a day can start with birdsong and end with blues, and where the best things to do in Collierville can be as simple as a morning coffee and a loop around the Square before dinner at one of the top restaurants in Collierville, Tennessee.
Local tip: “Time your visit for a Thursday night concert on the Square—arrive by 6 p.m. to snag a patch of shade and pick up takeaway from a spot nearby.” —Eli R., Main Street Collierville volunteer
Things to Do in Collierville
Begin where the town began: the Square. Step into the depot-turned-visitors hub, admire the preserved railcar, and then drift into boutiques like the Brooks Collection and Western-wear staple Hewlett & Dunn, where the scent of leather and cedar lingers in the air. The bells from the courthouse clock mark the hour as you wander; across the green, ice clinks in soda fountain glasses at century-steeped eateries. It’s easy to see why a stroll here tops so many lists of the best things to do in Collierville.
Connect to the town’s story at the Morton Museum of Collierville History, where exhibits unfold with a tangible sense of place—from railroad artifacts to oral histories and rotating shows that might feature quilts or local photography. Come Thursday mornings from late spring to fall to browse the Collierville Farmers Market, a community favorite for sun-warmed tomatoes, jams, and pastries still fragrant from the oven. In the evening, catch a play at the Collierville Arts Council in the Harrell Theatre, where the stage lights glow and the lobby hums with pre-show chatter. It’s all part of a day that flows easily toward dinner at one of the top restaurants in Collierville, Tennessee.
When you’re ready for green space, head to the town’s parks, maintained by Collierville Parks & Recreation. W.C. Johnson Park rewards a slow ramble with birdsong and the earthy, clean smell of the wetlands, especially along the boardwalk after a summer rain. At Hinton Park, open fields and gentle hills invite kite-flying and lazy picnic afternoons. If shopping is your sport, the breezy lanes of The Shops at Carriage Crossing offer a different kind of wander, with café aromas drifting through tree-lined promenades. Thread these stops together and you’ll have a satisfying sampler of the best things to do in Collierville, which pairs perfectly with sampling the top restaurants in Collierville, Tennessee after sunset.
Local tip: “Birdwatchers—bring binoculars to W.C. Johnson Park just after sunrise. The boardwalk can be lively with egrets, woodpeckers, and the occasional heron.” —Marissa T., frequent visitor
Where to Eat and Drink in Collierville
Collierville’s dining scene is as deliciously layered as its history. On the Square, the clink of silverware and low murmur of conversations spill from porches and brick-walled dining rooms. Settle into a booth at the nostalgic The Silver Caboose Restaurant & Soda Fountain and watch milkshakes whirl to a creamy finish while plates of Southern staples—fried green tomatoes, chicken and dressing—arrive steaming and savory. Across the green, P.O. Press Public House & Provisions presents a chef-forward menu with Gulf-influenced accents; think oysters mignonette, perfectly seared fish, and cocktails bright with citrus and garden herbs. For a refined Southern lunch or dinner that still feels like a neighborhood hangout, Raven & Lily Restaurant pairs seasonal salads, pan-roasted meats, and a warmly lit dining room perfumed with butter and thyme.
A short drive away, Jim’s Place Grille is a longstanding favorite for hand-cut steaks, Mediterranean-leaning appetizers, and a buzzing bar where polished wood gleams under pendant lights. If your cravings run smoky and casual, the Collierville outpost of Corky’s BBQ serves pulled pork and ribs lacquered with sweet-heat sauce, sides rich with nostalgia, and that unmistakable hickory aroma. For sports on the screen and a cold, local brew, The Skybox Grill & Bar delivers burgers, wings, and a tap list that brings in Memphis-area favorites—perfect for unwinding after a day spent exploring the best things to do in Collierville.
Mornings and sweet breaks are their own reward. The Square’s Square Beans Coffee draws regulars with small-batch roasts, foam art that looks almost too pretty to sip, and cases of brownies and muffins that sell out by lunch. When the afternoon sun turns warm, treat yourself to a slice at Frost Bake Shop, where buttercream is silky, cakes are cloud-soft, and vanilla and sugar scent the air. Put simply, the top restaurants in Collierville, Tennessee excel at both comfort and craft, making the town a little pilgrimage for anyone who travels by taste.
Local tip: “If you’re hitting P.O. Press on a weekend, book ahead and request a patio table. Then stroll the Square with an ice cream from the soda fountain for dessert.” —Derrick L., Collierville foodie
Best Places to Stay in Collierville
For a stay that keeps you steps from shopping and dining, the Courtyard by Marriott Memphis Collierville sits right at the edge of Carriage Crossing’s leafy promenades. Rooms are fresh and contemporary, with big windows that flood mornings with soft light; the lobby’s bistro serves espresso and easy breakfasts that smell like toasted butter and cinnamon. Outdoor seating acts as a calm retreat for paging through your day’s photos and mapping out the best things to do in Collierville.
Travelers who prioritize value and convenience gravitate to the Hampton Inn Memphis/Collierville. Expect friendly Southern welcomes at check-in, a hot breakfast you can smell as the elevator doors open, and a pool that feels great after summer sights. A newer alternative is the Fairfield Inn & Suites Memphis Collierville, where crisp design meets practical comforts—mini-fridges for leftovers, smart TVs for winding down, and a lobby workspace that’s handy for quick emails before searching for top restaurants in Collierville, Tennessee.
If you like a straightforward stay close to major arteries, the Holiday Inn Express & Suites Collierville offers the brand’s familiar formula—fresh bedding, grab-and-go breakfast, warm cookies in the afternoon—within a short drive of the Square and parks. Whichever you choose, Collierville’s hotels make an easy base for families, business travelers, and road-trippers who want quiet nights and quick access to local highlights. After checking in, you’re minutes from the best things to do in Collierville and only a short hop from the top restaurants in Collierville, Tennessee.
Local tip: “Ask for a room facing inward at Carriage Crossing—sunrises are lovely, and it’s a quick stroll to morning coffee before the shops open.” —Nina S., frequent guest
Tips for Visiting Collierville
Season sets the scene here. Spring brings azaleas and soft breezes that carry the scent of honeysuckle across the Square; fall ignites the maples and oaks, making park picnics and porch dining irresistible. If your goal is to pack in the best things to do in Collierville, aim for late April through early June or September through early November, when outdoor events thrive and midday heat is gentler. Summer is festival season too, but plan for humidity—early starts in the parks and leisurely, air-conditioned afternoons at museums or Carriage Crossing help you pace the day before settling in at one of the top restaurants in Collierville, Tennessee.
Getting here is simple: fly into Memphis International Airport and drive roughly 30 minutes east, depending on traffic. Ride-share cars operate in town, though a rental car opens up parks and nearby attractions at your own tempo. For a smooth Square day, arrive before lunch to find easy parking along side streets; comfortable shoes matter because the best things to do in Collierville often involve strolling between shops, museums, and cafés. Dress is casual Southern—smart-casual works almost everywhere—and a light layer is handy since restaurants and theaters keep the A/C enthusiastic.
Keep an eye on community calendars for the Main Street Collierville summer concert series, holiday festivities, and special markets. Families can target splash-pad days at parks run by Collierville Parks & Recreation, while nature lovers might coordinate with guided walks from the Wolf River Conservancy. Even if you arrive without a plan, a loop around the Square will point you toward the best things to do in Collierville, and friendly locals are quick to share favorites, from playgrounds to the top restaurants in Collierville, Tennessee for date night.
Local tip: “In summer, hit the Farmers Market right when it opens, then grab brunch on the Square—by noon, you’ll have a bag full of produce and a table without a wait.” —Caleb M., Germantown neighbor and regular visitor
