How much does Lucy the Elephant cost?

Adult admission is $10. Children under 3 free

What are the hours for Lucy the Elephant?

Lucy the Elephant is open Year-round. Weekdays: 10am - 5pm. Weekends: 10am - 5pm. Extended summer hours (10am-8pm). Tours run every 30 minutes. Last tour 30 min before close.

Does Lucy the Elephant offer guided tours?

Yes, Lucy the Elephant offers guided tours.

🏛️

Lucy the Elephant

Walk through America's oldest roadside attraction! 6-story elephant, National Historic Landmark since 1881, 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

💡 Book tours online during peak summer season - tours fill up quickly

💡 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

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