I remember that, before we left our home for our vacation, I wanted to see a variety of attractions in Memphis. After I reviewed the Peabody Hotel website, I told my partner that I had to see their marching ducks. I told her that I read that the hotel had these ducks living in their own penthouse in the hotel and were world-famous. She thought I was nuts when I told her this. She then asked me, "What wonderful thing did they do in order to be rewarded with a penthouse?" And then I told her that, since the 1930s, the ducks (of course, not the same ones) have taken an escorted elevator ride daily to march on a red carpet and then dive in to the hotel lobby’s marble fountain (at 11am and 5pm). Lucky for me, she is a wannabe Crocodile Hunter and said that we could attend this festivity.
Well, when we went to the Peabody Hotel to view the marching ducks, we discovered the hotel lobby was filled. From what I read, this was not uncommon, since the ducks had avid fans. Therefore, we didn’t think too much about it. And then, an elderly person told my partner that everyone was waiting for Neil to come out of the elevator. As a result, she told me that Neil had to be the handler of the ducks. But then we noticed a lot of big men coming up and down the elevators and the crowd kept pushing more toward the elevators. Then, as we anxiously waited for Neil and his ducks to waddle out of the elevator, the elevator door finally opened and there was Neil, but not Neil the duck handler - the pop star Neil Diamond (he was playing in Memphis that night)! I thought we were going to faint. We then quickly shot off a picture and then I sheepishly said, "Where are my ducks?" Then they did soon follow. I guess you could say Neil Diamond opened for them.
The ducks were delightful. They followed the handler who carried a handler stick and waddled down a red carpet to their fountain at the hotel.
This is a very family-fun attraction. It is not only for children, but also for the young at heart. In addition, it does not cost anything to view them. Therefore, I highly recommend taking your family to this attraction. But get there early - not only to see the ducks, as you never know who you might see at the Peabody Hotel.