Deep inside the Memorial Park cemetery in East Memphis, there's a cave. The cave is called the Crystal Shrine Grotto. Walking into the grotto is a little intense. You enter through a little door on the front of the rock.

Ed. Note: This is an old-school post that's now outdated. Check out the up-to-date info (and marvel in the awesome evolution of the Memphis beer scene by reading posts here and here.) Memphis has a lot of great locally produced food, but you should also be aware that the city is home to some excellent locally made beverages.

My scavenger hunt list called for a photo of a live buffalo, and there's only one place in Memphis that has them for the photographing

The Peabody Hotel is the only place in Memphis that you can see live ducks frolicking in an indoor fountain. It might be the only place in the world.

Every morning at 11 a.m., the Duckmaster (yes, that's someone's real job) leads a group of mallards into the lobby of the grand hotel. They walk in a nice orderly line from the elevator to the fountain on a red carpet. Then, the ducks spend the day splashing around in the water before returning to their rooftop Penthouse at 5 p.m.

And yes, you read that right. I did say "penthouse".

It's the Mighty Mississippi, but mini.

There's something wonderful about a half-mile long scale model of the Mississippi River in the Mud Island River Park, which sits in the actual Mississippi River.  

Mud Island River Park functions just like any other city park, so it is open year-round from dawn 'til dusk and is free to enter.

Keep reading for parking/access instructions.