Lucy the Elephant
A six-story wooden elephant-shaped building completed in 1881. It is a U.S. National Historic Landmark, and you can enter the belly and climb to the observation deck on its back.
Lucy the Elephant stands by Margate Beach, just south of Atlantic City. Built in 1881 by real estate developer James Lafferty to attract buyers, it is about 20 meters tall. It is the oldest surviving roadside attraction in the United States and is listed as a National Historic Landmark. Visits must be guided. You enter the elephant’s belly through a spiral staircase in one of the hind legs, see exhibits on Lucy’s history, and finally climb to the “howdah” observation deck on the back to look out over the beach. There is an admission fee, and the tour takes about 30 to 45 minutes. It is about 15 minutes by car from Atlantic City, or you can ride a bike along the seafront.
Opening hours
Approx. 10:00-17:00 (extended in summer; winter weekends only; check website)
Nearby sights
- Ocean City Boardwalk
- Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall
- Atlantic City Boardwalk
- Tanger Outlets The Walk
- Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa
- Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City
- Steel Pier
- Atlantic City Aquarium & Historic Gardner's Basin