Lucy the Elephant
4.6(3.3K)google
4.7(104)yelp
KidsOutdoorPhoto SpotCity LandmarkWorld RecordMust-SeeQuirkyGuided TourHistoric BuildingSculptureCoast
Overview
Lucy the Elephant is a six-story elephant-shaped wood frame and tin clad building, constructed in 1882 by James V. Lafferty in Margate City, New Jersey. Lucy was built with the purpose of promoting real estate sales and attracting tourists to the area. Today, Lucy remains the oldest surviving roadside tourist attraction in America.
Practical Info
Mon10:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Tue10:00 AM– 8:00 PM
Wed10:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Thu10:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Fri10:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Sat10:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Sun10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Suggested Duration1.5-2 hours
Best TimeMay through September offers spectacular weather for climbing this legendary 1881 architectural marvel (closed during winter freeze). Standing six stories tall as America's oldest surviving example of novelty zoomorphic architecture, visiting between 2:30 PM and 5:32 PM is ideal; full daytime sun highlights the hand-painted wooden skin and massive custom windows perfectly.
Getting TherePerfectly positioned anchoring the coastline at 9200 Atlantic Ave, Margate City. Drive southwest from downtown Atlantic City directly along Atlantic Avenue for approximately 5 miles through Ventnor, and the colossal timber elephant structure will sit prominently on your right shoulder. The designated private tourist plot hosts its own striped paved lot.
Travel Tips
- Park grounds and the gift shop feature free admission, but climbing inside the 6-story structure requires on-site purchase of timed guided tours running every 45 minutes; online booking is unavailable.
- The interior cavity is tightly confined and lacks mechanical cooling, causing extreme greenhouse heat in July and August; individuals with claustrophobia or heat sensitivity should secure the 11:00 opening slots.
- The small on-site surface lot fills instantly and completely bars high-clearance RVs or towed trailers; if saturated, drivers must immediately redirect to metered spaces along Atlantic Ave.
Reviews
Positive
- As America's oldest surviving roadside novelty landmark, this 6-story wooden elephant structure delivers massive visual impact and historical whim.
- The 30-minute guided tour is highly engaging, letting you step deep inside the elephant's belly to learn its legendary tales via vintage photos.
- Climbing into the howdah on her back rewards you with a photogenic 360-degree view overlooking the Atlantic beach and Margate City.
- Following a multi-million dollar restoration, her exterior is spotless; the gift shop offers adorable, high-value exclusive souvenirs.
Heads up
- The interior spaces are very tight and cramped; the spiral wooden stairs are narrow, making tours hot and overcrowded during peak hours.
- Preserving its historic wooden structure, there is no elevator; it is entirely inaccessible to wheelchairs, strollers, or frail guests.
- Viewing from outside is free, but mandatory interior tour tickets rise yearly; some feel the value is low for such a short indoor walk.
- The on-site parking lot is tiny; on summer weekends during peak beach season, it maxes out, forcing long searches in residential streets.