If you walk into a five-star lobby and see a red carpet, you usually expect a celebrity or maybe a high-end wedding party. In Memphis, you get ducks. Specifically, five North American mallards who honestly have better job security and more discipline than most people I know. People call it the hotel with ducks Memphis, but the locals just call it The Peabody. It’s weird. It’s flashy. It’s incredibly Southern.
Most folks think this is some high-concept marketing ploy dreamed up by a modern PR firm. Actually, it started because two guys got a little too deep into some Tennessee sippin' whiskey in 1933. Frank Schutt, the General Manager at the time, and his friend Chip Barwick had just come back from a hunting trip in Arkansas. They thought it would be hilarious to put their live decoy ducks in the ornate lobby fountain.
They were right. People loved it.
The Duckmaster is a Real Job Title
Imagine having "Duckmaster" on your LinkedIn profile. Since 1940, when Edward Pembroke—a former circus animal trainer—took the job, there has been a dedicated staff member whose entire existence revolves around the care and coordination of these birds. This isn't just a guy who throws bread. In fact, never throw bread at these ducks. It’s bad for them.
The current Duckmaster (and there have been very few in the hotel's long history) wears a bright red coat with gold epaulets. It looks like something out of a Wes Anderson movie. Every single day at 11 a.m., the Duckmaster leads the five mallards from their $200,000 rooftop "Duck Palace" down the elevator. They march across the red carpet to the marble fountain. Then, at 5 p.m. sharp, they do the whole thing in reverse.
It's a short walk. Maybe thirty seconds? But the crowd starts gathering an hour early. You have to get there by 10:15 a.m. if you want a spot by the railing. Otherwise, you’re just looking at the back of a tourist’s head while John Philip Sousa’s "King Cotton March" blares over the speakers.
Why the Ducks Live Better Than You
The rooftop Duck Palace is made of granite and glass. It has a tiny fountain and a grassy area. These birds aren't pets, though. They are raised by a local farmer and only "work" at the hotel for three months. After their ninety-day residency, they are retired back to the farm to live as wild ducks.
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This is a key part of the ethics here. You can't keep a wild animal in a lobby forever. By rotating them out, the hotel ensures the birds don't get too habituated to humans, though they certainly seem to enjoy the paparazzi.
The Hotel with Ducks Memphis: Beyond the Fountain
If you’re staying at the hotel with ducks Memphis, you’re staying in a piece of history that dates back to 1869 (the original building) and 1925 (the current one). It's the "Mississippi Delta's living room." You can feel the weight of the history in the dark wood and the heavy drapes. It’s grand. It’s a bit moody.
But let’s talk about the food. Or rather, what you won't find on the menu.
You will never find duck on any menu at The Peabody. Not at Chez Philippe, the high-end French restaurant, and not at the Capriccio Grill. It’s been a rule for decades. It would be pretty awkward to eat a confit leg while the "honorable" cousins are splashing around thirty feet away. Instead, go for the Jack Daniel’s chocolate cake. It’s heavy, rich, and feels very Tennessee.
Dealing with the Crowds
Honestly? The march can be chaotic. If you have kids, try to get them a spot right against the red carpet ropes. The Duckmaster usually tries to keep the front row clear for the "honorary Duckmasters"—often kids who get to hold the brass-headed cane.
If you hate crowds, don't go to the 5 p.m. march. It's way more crowded than the morning one because people are already there for cocktail hour. The lobby bar is famous for its Mint Juleps, but good luck getting a seat after 4:15 p.m. on a Saturday.
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What Most People Get Wrong About the Tradition
A common misconception is that these are the same ducks year-round. They aren't. Another is that you can pet them. Please, don't. They are still wild animals, and the Duckmaster will politely but firmly tell you to back off if you try to pull a feather for a souvenir.
There's also the "Duck Walk" vs. the "Duck March." Everyone uses the terms interchangeably, but "The Peabody Duck March" is the official trademarked name. It sounds more regal, doesn't it?
The Architecture of a Legend
The fountain itself is carved from a single piece of travertine marble. It was shipped from Italy. When the ducks aren't there—say, at 8 p.m.—the lobby transforms into a sophisticated lounge. It’s one of the best places in the city for people-watching. You’ll see blues musicians, businessmen, and wedding parties all mingling in the same space.
Staying at The Peabody
If you’re booking a room, ask for one on a higher floor. The hotel is located right in the heart of downtown Memphis, near Beale Street. It can get loud.
- Pro Tip: Head to the roof even when it's not "duck time." The views of the Mississippi River and the Memphis bridge (which lights up at night) are spectacular.
- The History: Check out the small museum displays on the mezzanine level. They have old photos of the hotel through the decades, including the time Elvis Presley signed his first major recording contract in the lobby.
- The Vibe: It’s "Old South" luxury. Think heavy furniture and formal service. If you want a minimalist, modern boutique hotel, this isn't it.
Practical Advice for Your Visit
- Parking: It’s expensive. Use the parking garage attached to the hotel, but expect to pay city rates. Or just Uber if you’re staying elsewhere.
- Timing: For the 11 a.m. march, arrive at the lobby by 10:20 a.m.
- Photos: Use a fast shutter speed. Ducks move surprisingly quickly when they see water.
- The Bar: Order the "Peabody Peach" if you want something refreshing that isn't a heavy bourbon drink.
The Cultural Impact of the Memphis Ducks
It sounds silly to say five ducks changed a city’s tourism, but they did. The Peabody was struggling in the 1970s, even closing for a while. When it reopened in 1981, the ducks were the centerpiece of the rebranding. They represent a specific kind of Memphis eccentricity—a mix of high class and "wait, what?"
Other hotels have tried to copy it. There was a hotel in Orlando that had ducks for a while (The Peabody Orlando, though it's now a Hyatt), but the Memphis original is the only one that feels authentic. It’s tied to the Delta mud and the river.
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Actionable Next Steps for Travelers
If you are planning a trip to see the hotel with ducks Memphis, start by checking the hotel's event calendar. Occasionally, the march is moved or altered for private events, though it's rare.
First, book your lunch reservations at the Capriccio Grill for 11:30 a.m. This allows you to watch the morning march and then immediately sit down for a meal without fighting the departing crowd for a table.
Second, if you aren't staying at the hotel, take the trolley. The Main Street Trolley stops just a couple of blocks away. It costs next to nothing and saves you the headache of downtown one-way streets.
Finally, make time to visit the Peabody Pastry Shop. They make white chocolate ducks that are actually delicious and far more edible than the ones in the fountain. It’s the standard souvenir, and for good reason.
Don't just watch the march and leave. Take ten minutes to walk up to the mezzanine and look down at the lobby. The perspective from above gives you a much better view of the fountain's detail and the sheer scale of the crowd that gathers for five little birds. It’s a spectacle that shouldn't work in 2026, yet it remains the most iconic thing to do in Memphis outside of visiting Graceland.