Located off Union Avenue in Memphis, The Peabody Hotel has been housing guests since 1869. It is on the National Register of Historic Places. But many people come through those beautiful glass doors and never see the inside of a hotel room. In the lobby, you can find a crowd waiting at 11 AM to see the world-famous Peabody Ducks.
Don’t forget to check out the Memphis Bass Pro Shop Pyramid while you are in town.
The lobby of the Peabody is beautiful and is worth the trip itself!
History of the Peabody Ducks
In the 1930s, a General Manager of the Peabody had a few “decoy ducks” after a hunting trip and put them in the fountain. The ducks were a hit and seemed to love the fountain, and so their tradition began.
The beautiful lobby in The Peabody.
Coming To See The Duck March
Many guests come to the Peabody at 11 AM to watch the ducks march off the elevator from their rooftop Royal Duck Palace and pitter-patter to the fountain in the hotel lobby.
It is recommended to come early. Half an hour early isn’t a stretch. I live near Memphis, so I have been several times and it seems to be crowded every time. The lobby will eventually become standing-room only. The ducks are small when they go trotting across the red carpet, so if you want to be able to see… come early.
Kids get to sit next to the red carpet for the best view!
One of the most beautiful things I have seen is there are Peabody employees there making sure kids are about to come to the front and sit down so they can see better! I’ve always loved to see that.
Once the ducks march over into their fountain you may be able to catch the duck master and get your photo taken with him. We have been a half dozen times and it is always the same friendly guy that LOVES his job. He will also have to feed the ducks once they are in the fountain. He gets volunteer kiddos to help him with this task.
There is also a chance to have your kid be an Honorary Duckmaster. The package includes some gifts and a couple of perks. But if you want your kid to help the duckmaster march the ducks out to the fountain, be ready to PAY!! The Ducky Day package starts at $434!
Feeding the ducks
About the Ducks
They are North American Mallards. There are five working on Peabody Fountain duty at a time. The ducks come to live at their $200,000 Palace on the rooftop made of marble and glass (and of course, it has a fountain) for only three months. They do not domesticate the ducks and after they retire they go back to living on a farm as wild ducks.
The ducks are very famous and have been on Oprah and Sesame Street! They are so popular they even made it into a Jimmy Buffet song, Math Sux.
Things to know if you are coming to see the Peabody Ducks:
- The ducks march into the lobby at 11 and go home to the rooftop at 5.
- It is FREE!!!
- You will have to pay to park in any area near The Peabody. Leave yourself enough time.
- It will be crowded. But kids generally can come to sit in the front so they see better.
- You can go up to the mezzanine level and get a better view, but you still need to come early.
- Come at least a half hour early if you want to get a decent view.
- You can visit the Duck Palace.
- There are duck souvenirs located in the shops at the Peabody.
- You can book a stay at the Peabody on booking.com.
