The Peabody Ducks
The Peabody Ducks
4
11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
About
Located in Downtown Memphis, the historic luxury hotel, The Peabody Memphis, is probably best known for the Peabody Ducks. The custom first started in the 1930s as a joke by the Peabody’s General Manager, but the mallard ducks grew so popular that they became a permanent fixture, and have even been featured on television and magazines. Each morning, visitors can watch as the ducks march across a red carpet to the hotel fountain before heading back to their rooftop “Royal Duck Palace." For a truly immersive experience, you can reserve the family package for additional perks and exclusive memorabilia. – Tripadvisor
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- Jackie HOakville, Canada103 contributionsAdorable!Such fun to experience! The red carpet is rolled out then the ducks come running out of the elevator following the path to the fountain where they hop in for the day. It is such a fun thing to see. They are adorable . If you are in Memphis, you must plan your day around the ducks!Visited September 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 18 September 2023
- dan N5 contributionsMust see, even if you can't make to the duck parade.We were unable to make it for the duck parade from the elevator. But we did go to the hotel in early afternoon as they swim in the fountain until they return to their rooftop home. Enjoyed a drink from the bar and sat in the beautiful fountain area, listen to the grand piano. We did some shopping at the hotel and admired the architecture. Went up to the next level and took some pictures of fountain area and ceiling. Took the elevator up to the roof for a great view of the city and see the outside of the duck's grand palace. Walked around the backside of the duck palace to see inside the duck's sun porch.Thank you for sharing your experience. We do recommend arriving 30-40 minutes early to the Duck March - as it can get very crowded. So happy to hear that you were able to explore the hotel. We also offer the Duckmaster's History tour daily at 11:30 am. Tickets are $10 and can be purchase at the front desk.Written 2 January 2024This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.Visited September 2023Travelled with familyWritten 18 September 2023
- SRQScottieGlasgow, United Kingdom1,686 contributionsFun diversion in a beautiful settingBest view was from the mezzanine floor, but get there early to secure a seat. The ducks sure waddle fast from the elevator but on the day we visited one went a bit astray and had to be retrieved from behind the bar area so that was a fun incident. The surroundings are beautiful too and it was a nice way to spend 30 minutes or so relaxing.Agreed, we always recommend arriving 30-40 minutes early to catch the entire show. The Duck March happens daily at 11am and 5pm.Written 2 January 2024This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.Visited September 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 23 September 2023
- taxsom2Smithville, Indiana87 contributionsDo not miss this!The Duck March at the Peabody Hotel was one of the highlights of our stay in Memphis. Even the teen boys thoroughly enjoyed it and would agree it was a highlight. The Duckmaster is awesome and so friendly—he does a great job of pumping up the crowd for the pomp and circumstance of this adorable event.Visited March 2024Travelled with familyWritten 15 March 2024
- Ruthie K13 contributionsPeabody Memphis ,TnGreat old glamorous hotel. I loved everything about it. The hotel decor is beautiful & the staff is very friendly. We loved hearing the duck master tell the historic the Peabody ducks. It was a blast seeing them march out & ride the elevator up to the roof to their duck palace. The view from the roof is awesome, especially the view of the river front. This is a must see landmark!Visited March 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 28 March 2024
- mharnois123045Mount Laurel, New Jersey36 contributionsDon't miss the ducks!Very cool experience. the 'Duck Master' told us about the history of the ducks and how they came to be as they are and the hotel. you are also allowed to go up to the roof and visit the ducks in their 'Duck Palace' when events are not being held. I will recommend watching from the Mezzanine. preferably from the spot right over the fountain as you will get the best view of the duck march. You will need to be there very early as people will sit there and wait. When we went, the seats were open but by the time we got up the elevator, the spots were taken. We sat at another section and it was no problem. But your view will be blocked by people down on the ground floor. Either way, it's a cool experience to witness. The Duck Master is very engaging and the ducks are adorable.Visited March 2024Travelled with friendsWritten 4 April 2024
- keeney8467Beckley, West Virginia26 contributionsBEST THING TO DO IN MEMPHIS!!This is the most wonderful, ridiculous, fabulous thing to do in Memphis! And it’s totally free! (Although I recommend getting there early to get a seat in the bar.) Be sure to go up to the roof to visit the Duck House. The ducks always make my day!Visited April 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 4 April 2024
- Linda PMassachusetts498 contributionsLucky DucksWe were staying at the Peabody so were able to see the ducks often. But the whole parading of the ducks at 11:00am to the fountain and at 5:00pm back to their luxury living on the rooftop house was quite the affair. The duck master conducts this well choreographed parade incorporating some young fans to help out. Get there very early because people stake out their spots, the mezzanine is the perfect spot you are high enough to get a good sight line. Be sure to go to the rooftop to see the ducks palatial palace LOL!!!!Visited April 2024Travelled with familyWritten 23 April 2024
- MstqMI1,291 contributionsDuck walkOn our tour of Memphis, we stopped at the Peabody to watch the duck walk. We were there early enough to be able to see quite well. But the duck master's presentation was WAY too long and couldn't understand most of it. It was fun to see the ducks waddle to the fountain but that didn't take long. I'm glad we did it just to say we did but I wouldn't recommend going out of your way to see it.Visited April 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 27 April 2024
- GhostRyder5104 contributionsDon't skip the PeabodyThis is a nice stop if you're around Beale St. The Hotel is something to see and the Duck thing still draws a crowd, the Hotel is very inviting. Be sure to go to the roof for the view. I almost skipped it glad we didn't.Visited April 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 1 May 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.0
6,395 reviews
Excellent
3,306
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904
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228
Terrible
117
Art F
Palm Coast, FL44 contributions
Jan 2020
You simply have to see them to understand! A most amazing display of live ducks in the Peabody lobby and fountain. They are tame and you can go right up to them. They seem to revel in the attention and their surroundings. The duck master was a masterful speaker who gave a very entertaining history of the ducks. We were there for 5 leaving and 11 coming down from the roof. Yes, they march all the way and take the elevator down. The talk is about 10 minutes and the duck march is less than a minute so don't be late. Find a good view of the red carpet. You will be very sorry if you miss this!
Written 17 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Debra D
Muscatine, IA233 contributions
Feb 2020 • Couples
You do need to see the Peabody ducks, but you need to take the tour of the Peabody, as well! Every day, the ducks (four hens and one lucky drake) walk the "red carpet" to/from the Peabody Hotel lobby fountain with the help of their "duckmaster" at 11 am and 5 pm.
First of all, Kenon, the "Peabody duckmaster" was the best tour guide that we've ever had for any tour and we've taken a lot of them! He was very knowledgeable on the history of the Peabody Hotel and the famous Peabody ducks, as well as giving us some great Memphis history, as well. Most of all, though, it was easy to see that he loves his job. We would highly recommend this tour-- especially if your tour guide will be Kenon!
First of all, Kenon, the "Peabody duckmaster" was the best tour guide that we've ever had for any tour and we've taken a lot of them! He was very knowledgeable on the history of the Peabody Hotel and the famous Peabody ducks, as well as giving us some great Memphis history, as well. Most of all, though, it was easy to see that he loves his job. We would highly recommend this tour-- especially if your tour guide will be Kenon!
Written 16 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
California_momofsix
Fairfield1,123 contributions
Jul 2020
My compliments to the Peabody-- where the Mississippi delta begins. The lobby of this old hotel is just beautiful but what really set our experience apart were the people that work there and of course the ducks.
Full disclosure, we didn't stay at the Peabody and only walked in to see the duck march. I was worried this would be awkward. Quite the opposite, we were treated with much consideration as if we were famous guests. We arrived early and the duckmaster's assistant visited with my teenage daughters and made all of us feel so welcome. When he discovered that they were really excited about the ducks, he promised them that they could sit right at the edge of the red carpet the ducks walk on. After rolling out the carpet, he remembered to call them to the front, even though quite a crowd had gathered and they are not little kids anymore.
Once the duckmaster arrived, he put on a whole production that included audience participation. All of the kids received a beautiful quilted duck sticker to wear (and some of the adults did, too). The duckmaster was very entertaining and even managed to teach some history.
The ducks were adorable and walked by inches from us, right into the elevator.
I would recommend arriving about 20-30 minutes early for a good spot. It gets crowded right before it starts.
Seriously, the ducks and their caregivers are great ambassadors for the Peabody hotel. We are now considering staying there or at least eating there during our next visit to Memphis. Great fun for the young and the young at heart.
Full disclosure, we didn't stay at the Peabody and only walked in to see the duck march. I was worried this would be awkward. Quite the opposite, we were treated with much consideration as if we were famous guests. We arrived early and the duckmaster's assistant visited with my teenage daughters and made all of us feel so welcome. When he discovered that they were really excited about the ducks, he promised them that they could sit right at the edge of the red carpet the ducks walk on. After rolling out the carpet, he remembered to call them to the front, even though quite a crowd had gathered and they are not little kids anymore.
Once the duckmaster arrived, he put on a whole production that included audience participation. All of the kids received a beautiful quilted duck sticker to wear (and some of the adults did, too). The duckmaster was very entertaining and even managed to teach some history.
The ducks were adorable and walked by inches from us, right into the elevator.
I would recommend arriving about 20-30 minutes early for a good spot. It gets crowded right before it starts.
Seriously, the ducks and their caregivers are great ambassadors for the Peabody hotel. We are now considering staying there or at least eating there during our next visit to Memphis. Great fun for the young and the young at heart.
Written 14 September 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jim S
Nerja, Spain168 contributions
Mar 2020
Had it not been for our curiosity about the famous ducks we would never have realised what a wonderful interior the Peabody Hotel has. Worth a visit just to sit in the luxury of the main bar and have a drink. The ducks do their thing at 6pm but you need to get yourself a good vantage point at about 5pm as so many people want to see the event - which is all over in about five minutes once it gets started.
Written 19 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jmc8080
Kansas City, MO39 contributions
Sept 2020
We came on a day when it was raining a little. Combined with covid it was fairly empty. We were able to sit at a table not 5 feet from the fountain. The Duck Master is really the star of the show. He comes out early and visits with the people before they start the "show". He is the 8th(?) Duck Master in the 80+ years they have had the ducks. When they start they go through the history of the ducks and give you insight as to how they are kept. (By the way no duck served in their hotel.)When they come down you have about 10 seconds to see them as they go from the elevator to the fountain. It is a fun hour or so to take a break and see this gorgeous place. I do recommend it!
Written 5 October 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
01leanne01
Brisbane, Australia8 contributions
Nov 2019
We had a great time visiting The Peabody, we sat and had morning tea and waited for the ducks, we were told how the ducks began at The Peabody. We didn’t know that the ducks have been there since 1930 and performing everyday since then. Well worth the experience.
Written 12 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Andrea P
Toronto, Canada32 contributions
Jan 2020
Visit the Peabody Hotel at either 11am or 5pm to witness an 80 year old tradition of the Duck March. About 6 ducks spend their day swimming in the fountain in the lobby bar and twice per day they are escorted by the Duck Marshall to walk the red carpet and ride the elevator to their home on the roof. Not to be missed! FYI, drinks are pricey here, but it was a nice treat in the late afternoon. We arrived at 4:30 and the place was packed, so we took our drinks to the second floor and watched the show from there.
Written 27 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Richard19651965
Murray, KY252 contributions
Jan 2020
Okay, the ceremony of the ducks leaving the fountain and getting on the elevator is going to seem cheesy if you've never seen it...but you gotta see it at least once. It's simple, sweet, and doesn't take long. It's also free.
They do this daily at 5 o'clock, with the narrator and ringmaster giving a great detailed account of how this tradition came to be. You better arrive by 4 p.m. though, if you want to get a good seat. Arrive early, order a beer, and enjoy
They do this daily at 5 o'clock, with the narrator and ringmaster giving a great detailed account of how this tradition came to be. You better arrive by 4 p.m. though, if you want to get a good seat. Arrive early, order a beer, and enjoy
Written 21 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
janiewa
Punta Gorda, FL520 contributions
Oct 2020
This was the first attraction we visited upon arriving in Memphis and were glad that we did. Kenon, the Duck Master, did a great job of explaining to us how he came to be Duck Master, where the ducks come from, how they are trained and where they live (upstairs in the penthouse Duck Palace). When the show begins, he tells the history of this attraction and then lets the ducks do their thing. We had cocktails before the show and had a nice time enjoying the ambiance of this beautiful lobby. We visited some of the surrounding stores and then went upstairs to the penthouse roof for a view out over the city. This is a cute, campy sight but so fun and photo-worthy that it should not be missed.
Written 18 October 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Barry E
Green Valley, AZ146 contributions
Sept 2020 • Couples
The Peabody was a great place to stay. The duck trainer tells a long but interesting story about tje ducks origins then recuits a kid to help march the ducks to the elevator. Then the ducks a finally allowed to go it takes 30 seconds to march to the elevator. Worth it if your staying there.
Written 6 October 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi, we only do a rooftop bar on (some) Friday and Saturday nights. Please visit our website > Peabody Happenings to see upcoming dates!
Written 22 September 2022
I just read someone's recent review stating that you have to be a hotel guest in order to see the duck parade???
Written 11 November 2021
We walked right in the front door and sat at the bar. We were there probably around 4:30. If you do not drink, just mill around, 2nd floor also offers a great view too!
Written 13 November 2021
Do you always have to be a guest at the peabody in order to see the ducks? Or is this due to covid?
Written 12 May 2021
Correction- I said the hotel is a public establishment which is wrong. It is a private place of business which contains other private businesses where people come and go and the hotel can restrict entry, I suppose if they so choose for any reason. I can understand if you called and asked you might be told the show was only for registered guests, to keep the crowds down, but if you don't ask and just show up and blend in, I would be surprised if anyone asked you to prove you were a guest at the hotel. We were not guests of the Hotel, and no one asked us if we were We even used the Peabody restroom and dried our hands on monogrammed paper towels.
Written 12 November 2021
I think that we will be there at 5:00 so we could see the ducks leave. However, I am not sure we want to stay until 11:00 the next morning to see them come in. Is the 5:00 event as much fun as the 11am one? I loved the 11am entrance and will have my children with me this time. Thank you
Written 13 July 2020
In response to those inquiries: to assure finding a spot within view of the Duck March ceremony, arrive at 10:15am or 4:15pm. There could be 3 to 400 there to see it by 10:30 or 4:30.
Written 11 February 2019
Absolutely! They will rope off the area the ducks march down, and are quite strict about it. Children can sit on the floor in front of the rope. You can also go up on the balcony, and view from up there. However, if it is your first time, I highly recommend getting there early, to be on the floor. Be sure to go up on the roof! Hope this helps. ENJOY!
Written 12 February 2019
In response to those inquiries: to assure finding a spot within view of the Duck March ceremony, arrive at 10:15am or 4:15pm. There could be 3 to 400 there to see it by 10:30 or 4:30.
Written 11 February 2019
If you arrive early enough to get a seat at the bar, they make sure no one stands in front of you so you can still see. Otherwise, I'd go for the balcony.
Written 12 February 2019
Ik heb een foutje emaakt hoe kan ik dit aanpassen? Mijn review over de eenden van het Peabody hotel moet 5 sterren krijgen.
Written 2 October 2018
Ik ben dit zelf. Ik wil dat Tripadvisor dit aanpast.
Written 3 October 2018
I believe it is free. We didn't see them march, but walked right into the hotel lobby, saw them swimming in the fountain, spoke with the duck master, and took the elevator up to the duck palace, which was really just going to the top of the hotel. We were in and out in 15 minutes :)
Written 13 April 2018
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