The Top Fun and Unusual Things to Do in Memphis, Tennessee

The Peabody is a grand hotel in downtown Memphis with an eccentric tradition: it keeps and parades pet ducks. The practice started in the 1930s when a general manager, drunk after returning from a hunting trip, put the creatures in a fountain. A circus trainer came along and taught them how to parade along a red carpet. Now the hotel shows them off twice a day, at 11am and 5pm, when they march to and from the fountain. For the rest of the day, they live in a duck palace on the roof, which you can also visit.

In 2016, the Old Dominick Distillery reopened in Memphis after a 150-year hiatus, marking the first time whiskey has legally been distilled in the city since prohibition. Sure, the distillery makes excellent whiskey and gin, but a lot of places do that. What’s really special about this place is that it has recreated hundred-year-old drinks by reverse-engineering dusty bottles found in the attic. Don’t miss the Memphis Toddy made this way. Order one at the bar and then head to the rooftop, which has beautiful views of downtown Memphis and the Mississippi River.

Shelby Farms Park is one of the largest urban parks in the United States. (It’s more than five times the size of Central Park!) Inside is a plethora of fun and nature-filled activities for the entire family. There is a buffalo herd that roams freely on 50 acres (20ha) of land. At the Outback, a 100-acre (40ha) dog park, pets can roam off leash, swimming and playing in multiple lakes. There are playgrounds, splash pads, boating rentals, zip lining facilities and even stables with horses to ride. Start your visit at the state-of-the-art welcome center that teaches you about the park and all its opportunities.