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Lucy the Elephant

Walk through America's oldest roadside attraction! 6-story elephant built in 1881, a National Historic Landmark since 1976, with ocean views from the howdah.

historic site

About Lucy the Elephant

Lucy the Elephant is a six-story elephant-shaped building and one of the oldest surviving roadside attractions in America. Built in 1881 by inventor James V. Lafferty Jr. as a real estate gimmick, she's now a National Historic Landmark and the only elephant you can walk through at the Jersey Shore. Tours take you inside Lucy's belly, up her spiral staircase through exhibits on her 140+ year history, and onto the howdah observation deck with panoramic ocean views where visitors often spot dolphins in summer.

Highlights

National Historic Landmark since 1976

65 feet tall (6 stories), weighing 90 tons

Only surviving elephant building of 3 built by Lafferty

Howdah observation deck with 360° ocean views

Saved from demolition in 1970 by grassroots campaign

$2 million restoration completed in 2022

Nearly 1 million pieces of lumber in construction

America's oldest surviving roadside attraction

Collections & Exhibits

Victorian-era artifactsOriginal construction photographsHistoric postcards and memorabiliaSave Lucy Committee archivesRenovation documentation

Features

guided toursobservation deckgift shopphoto opportunitieshistoric landmarkocean viewsspiral staircasevictorian architecturebeach adjacentdolphin watching

Visiting Tips

Arrive 10-15 minutes before your tour time to check in at the gift shop

Best photos from across Atlantic Avenue in the morning light

Climb to the howdah for 360-degree ocean views

Check for special events like Sunrise Yoga and Lucy Lights (winter)

Combine with free Margate beach right next door

The spiral staircase has 22 steps - wear comfortable shoes

Sunset tours offer spectacular views from the observation deck

Bring binoculars to spot dolphins from the howdah

The gift shop has unique Lucy souvenirs found nowhere else

Best For

familieshistory buffsphotographersquirky attractionsroadside americanaarchitecture fans

Visitor Info

Admission: General Admission: $10 adult / $6 childChildren under 3 free
Hours: Year-roundWeekdays: 10am - 5pmWeekends: 10am - 5pmExtended summer hours (10am-8pm). Tours run every 30 minutes. Last tour 30 min before close.
Time Needed: 30-45 minutes
Address: 9200 Atlantic Avenue, Margate City, NJ 08402
Phone: 609-823-6473
Website: Official Website →
Tours: Guided tours available