Lucy the Elephant in Atlantic City

Lucy the Elephant is the oldest roadside attraction in America, a 6-story, one-of-a-kind monument and designated historical site in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Designed most similarly to an Asian elephant, Lucy the Elephant is more commonly referred to as female despite having male-only tusks.

To go inside the elephant and up to its observation deck, you'll need to purchase admission tickets for a guided tour, where you'll get unique views of Atlantic City’s skyline, the beach, the area now known as Margate City, and the Atlantic Ocean. Viewing of the novelty structure usually takes less than an hour, with tours occurring approximately every half hour.

Lucy the Elephant in Atlantic City - one of the highlights of 13 Best Family Things to Do in Atlantic City (Read all about Atlantic City here)

photo by Acroterion (CC BY-SA 4.0) modified

What are the highlights of Lucy the Elephant in Atlantic City?

The eye-catching “zoo-morphic” architecture was originally called Elephant Bazaar and was built by James V. Lafferty with the intent of boosting real estate sales and drawing tourists to the area. It was constructed in 1881 with wood and tin sheeting 5 miles south of Atlantic City. Lucy the Elephant became known as such in 1902, named by new owner Anton Gertzen’s daughter-in-law Sophia Gertzen.

While the elephant withstood many disasters, it eventually fell into a state of disrepair and took a citizen-formed Save Lucy Committee to fund its reconstruction and manage its ongoing care. Lucy the Elephant was finally protected as a historical site in 1976.

photo by Navya Sriramaneni (CC BY-SA 4.0) modified

What else is good to know about Lucy the Elephant in Atlantic City?

Admission hours may change according to the season or special events. Sales often run around the holidays. There is a gift shop nearby for souvenir toys similar to Lucy the Elephant, which does not require an admission ticket for entry.

Close attractions to the elephant include the Margate Historical Society Museum and the Ocean City Boardwalk. The Margate Historical Society Museum consists of artefacts revealing how Margate City was established on the beaches of New Jersey. The Ocean City Boardwalk is home to family-friendly forms of entertainment and leisure, with pizza parlours, ice cream stands, and pop-up stores on its shores.

photo by FirozAnsari (CC BY-SA 4.0) modified

Location: 9200 Atlantic Ave, Margate City, NJ 08402, USA

Phone: +1 609-823-6473

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