The Peabody has been the grandest hotel in Memphis since it opened in its current form in 1925, and it remains the social centre of downtown. The lobby — high ceilings, Italian marble fountain, carved woodwork — is worth seeing on its own, and the twice-daily duck march draws a crowd of tourists and regulars at 11am and 5pm every day. The Duckmaster, an actual job title, leads five North American mallards along a red carpet to Sousa marches.
Beyond the ducks, the Peabody is a genuine piece of Memphis architecture and history. The Skyway ballroom on the top floor has hosted everyone from Tommy Dorsey to Elvis. The Peabody Rooftop Bar is a good spot for drinks above the city. You don't need to be a guest to visit the lobby or the bar; the lobby is essentially a public space.