wander lust

Chevy Does Memphis

2018 Chevy Colorado Memphis Beale Street

In case you haven’t noticed… I’m a big fan of impromptu roadtrips. Just getting behind the wheel of a fun ride and hitting the open road for a weekend getaway is life! I especially love it when said vehicle gets me to my destination in style. Cause it’s not always where you go, but how you get there. Amiright!? So, for my latest adventure I packed my bags and headed West to Memphis, Tennessee. Dubbed as the Birthplace of Rock ‘n’ Roll and Home of the Blues, Memphis is known for it’s lively entertainment and iconic southern sights, and the 2018 Chevy Colorado was the perfect pickup to parade me around to take on the town.

But first things first… Let’s talk about the journey from the ATL to Bluff City. Now I had heard that the Chevy Colorado was considered America’s most fuel efficient pickup, but what I didn’t know was just how fuel efficient it really was. Now this is gonna sound crazy, but we literally drove to Memphis and back on a single tank of gas!!! Seriously. The Colorado uses a Turbo-Diesel engine that made this dream a reality, and it completely shattered all my expectations! But this mid-sized pickup was full of even bigger surprises.

2018 Chevy Colorado

The Peabody

Now if you really wanna do Memphis right, you must stay at the famed Peabody Hotel. Best known for its marching mallards, the #PeabodyDucks, this iconic luxury hotel is steeped in history. Speaking of the Peabody ducks, you won’t see a more magnificent spectacle in all the land. Each day at 11am these lovely ducks take center stage as they march from their rooftop digs escorted by the Duckmaster down the elevators to the Grand Lobby Fountain where they swim and occasionally pose for paparazzi. Then, at 5pm the Duckmaster rallies the troupes to return to their rooftop sanctuary but not before literally rolling out the red carpet from the fountain to the elevators. These adorable feathered creatures are given the royal treatment. It’s the coolest thing you will ever see.

I’ll have to admit, the Peabody ducks were treated like royalty. Hey, I was feeling a little regal myself, and about to embark on my grand plans for Memphis!

2018 Chevy Colorado Peabody Hotel 2018 Chevy Colorado Peabody Hotel Memphis 2018 Chevy Colorado Peabody Hotel Grand Lobby Fountain 2018 Chevy Colorado Peabody Ducks 2018 Chevy Colorado Peabody Ducks Duckmaster2018 Chevy Colorado Peabody Ducks Duckmaster

The Royal Treatment

This might come as a surprise to some, but I was r-e-a-l-l-y obsessed with the Royal Wedding of Harry & Meghan. Like millions of giddy-girls around the world, I tuned in to catch the royal nuptials. It was sooo enchanting! So, to celebrate this epic affair I did what everyone else did…had high tea. No? Moving on. 😀 For my honorary high tea for the Prince & Princess, the Peabody’s Chez Phillipe restaurant provided the perfect setting for a royal afternoon of dainty decadence to celebrate this very special occasion.

At Chez Phillipe I felt just like a queen. With Old South splendor, the restaurant serves classic French cuisine and has even been dubbed “worth a special trip” by the NY Times, and even “Most Romantic Restaurants in the U.S.,” and I totally agree. I’m so glad I got to experience it. Pinkies up ppl! 😉

2018 Chevy Colorado Peabody Hotel2018 Chevy Colorado Chez Phillipe 2018 Chevy Colorado Chez Phillipe2018 Chevy Colorado Chez Phillipe

Queue the ‘Cue

Though we absolutely loved the accommodations, we knew we had to venture outside of the hotel to get to know Memphis, so we hopped into the Colorado and headed down to the World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest to partake in some good ol’ fashioned cue. The stunning Mississippi River served as the backdrop as more than 230 teams from over 25 states and several foreign countries participated in America’s most prestigious barbecue competition. We were lucky enough to sample some of the best barbecue in BBQ Alley and I must say that hubby (a bonafide BBQ Master according to himself, of course) was in literal hog heaven. Now I can never be sure, but I thought I heard what sounded like “Let’s Get It On” being played ever so softly as he took a bite. 😛

2018 Chevy Colorado Memphis World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest 2018 Chevy Colorado Memphis World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest

Rock’n and Rollin’

Now you can’t do Memphis without hitting a few hotspots synonymous with the city and the on-board navigation in theColorado got us around town without a glitch. And, because we (as in hubby) couldn’t get enough BBQ, we (he) just had to stop by the world-renowned dry-rub experts at Rendezvous BBQ Restaurant for a bite (or ten). And of course we couldn’t do Memphis without a quick stop on historic Beale Street for some authentic Memphis entertainment.

2018 Chevy Colorado Memphis Rendezvous BBQ Restaurant 2018 Chevy Colorado Memphis Rendezvous BBQ Restaurant2018 Chevy Colorado Memphis Beale Street  2018 Chevy Colorado Memphis Music Hall of Fame

Whenever I visit a city I really like to take in the culture. Sprinkle in a few historic sites and now you’ve got an adventure to remember. And Memphis delivered! We cruised around town while still staying connected thanks to the Colorado’s onboard 4G LTE Wi-Fi connection. No cruisin’ is complete without a soundtrack to ride to and the available Apple CarPlay and Android Auto helped serenade our sightseeing with ease.

2018 Chevy Colorado Memphis Beale Street

While adventurin’ Memphis we popped by a few happenin’ stops that tell the tale of the city. First up was historic Sun Studio. Known around the world as “The Birthplace of Rock ’n’ Roll,” Sun Studio is where musical legends and genres of the 50’s were first discovered—from B.B. King and Elvis Presley to Johnny Cash and Jerry Lee Lewis; from Blues and Gospel to Country and Rock ’n’ Roll. Next up on our music memorabilia tour was Stax Records, one of the most popular soul music records labels of all-time. It’s second only to Motown in sales and influence, but it ranks number-one in gritty, raw, stripped-down soul music. Needless to say, these iconic music industry staples made the perfect setting to snap shots with our sweet ride.

2018 Chevy Colorado Memphis Sun Studios 2018 Chevy Colorado Memphis Sun Studios 2018 Chevy Colorado Memphis Stax Records

You’d think by now I’d be all adventured-out, but I had one more little trick up my sleeve. As we were cruising through the city in the comfy Colorado, I stumbled upon one of the coolest places EVER! It’s called the Beauty Shop, and it’s a restaurant where you can let your hair down… Literally! You can dine under an actual hair dryer! This funky little find was a total blast and I’m so happy I discovered this Memphis gem—it’s like taking a step back into the beauty parlor days of the ‘50s! Super chic and offbeat for a one-of-a-kind experience.

2018 Chevy Colorado Beauty Shop Memphis 2018 Chevy Colorado Beauty Shop Memphis

So now that our Memphis trip is in the books, we can’t wait to go back to take in even more fun. The question now is: Is it excessive to take the Chevy Colorado for every roadtrip? Asking for a friend… 😉

Disclaimer: Chevrolet USA provided me with a vehicle to test drive, however all opinions are my own.

Nikka Shae The Undercover Socialite

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16 Comments

  • Reply robin rue May 30, 2018 at 6:59 am

    I have always wanted to go to Memphis. I have never been anywhere in TN, so it’s definitley on my bucket list.

  • Reply kage2015 May 30, 2018 at 7:37 am

    Road trips are always fun and having a car or truck you can depend on makes the trip that much better. Those ribs look yummy.

  • Reply wendybigalbal May 30, 2018 at 7:42 am

    Looks like a great truck and city to visit! That food looks amazing. Also, great dress in the tea picture. We also love a good road trip.

  • Reply Amber May 30, 2018 at 8:16 am

    Oh wow, amazing! I need to get to Memphis. I would enjoy checking out Beauty Shop and my husband would love the truck.

  • Reply Tasheena May 30, 2018 at 8:47 am

    I can’t wait to visit Memphis. Everything about your trip looks amazing. Love the Chevy is the perfect color and it really fits you.

  • Reply irishred13 May 30, 2018 at 8:49 am

    I am also a fan of impromptu road trips! Looks like you had a BLAST!

  • Reply 3boysandanoldlady May 30, 2018 at 9:44 am

    I was in Memphis earlier this month. It’s one of my favorite places to visit and there’s always something to see and do. I will have to check out the Beauty Shop. I’ve never heard of it.

  • Reply Melissa Chapman May 30, 2018 at 10:02 am

    This was a great trip. I would love to go and experience music live and classic first hand. I need to see this city myself and take in some of those sights.

  • Reply Valerie Gray (@valmg) May 30, 2018 at 10:48 am

    A roomy and comfy vehicle is a must for a road trip. The Colorado has nice lines. I’ve never been to Memphis but do hope to get there one day.

  • Reply Katie Kinsley May 30, 2018 at 1:33 pm

    Cute! What a fun trip! I have friends that have gone there to see the duck parade – it is super adorable. I haven’t gone myself, but that is on my list.

  • Reply Olivia Douglass May 30, 2018 at 6:17 pm

    I’ve never been to Memphis and this looks like a place to go! I also love the photos you got of the Chevy in Memphis! This looks like so much fun!

  • Reply Kelly Reci May 30, 2018 at 10:45 pm

    Okay, can we just talk about that multi-colored panelled dress you have on?! Absolutely stunning and I love the way you rock it! Beautiful!

  • Reply rochkirstin May 31, 2018 at 1:03 am

    Lots of fun in your trip! I’d want to experience dining in the Beauty Shop. It looks so cool! How’s the food there? What are their best sellers?

  • Reply Jenn @ EngineerMommy May 31, 2018 at 9:20 am

    I love a good road trip. We take several throughout the summer. I never went to Memphis but I’d love to visit.

  • Reply Carol Cassara May 31, 2018 at 3:07 pm

    What a fun trip to Memphis! I’m sure you had an amazing time. I love the hotel and the fact that they served afternoon tea to celebrate the Royal Wedding which I am also obsessed with! Love how functional and stylish your car is too. It has awesome features!

  • Reply Chubskulit Rose June 1, 2018 at 6:21 am

    That’s the truck that my husband wants to buy. I love your dress and the food is making me hungry!

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