United States
New Jersey (NJ)
Jersey Shore
Margate City
Things to Do in Margate City
Lucy the Elephant
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Lucy the Elephant

See all things to do
See all things to do
Lucy the Elephant
4.5
473 reviews
#1 of 13 things to do in Margate City
Historic Sites • Points of Interest & Landmarks • Architectural Buildings • Monuments & Statues
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Wednesday
11:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Thursday
11:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Friday
11:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
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About
Originally named Elephant Bazaar, this six-story elephant-shaped building was built in 1881 by James V. Lafferty, Jr. in hopes of selling parcels of land located on the beach in Margate, NJ. Over the years, this unique structure has served many purposes -- most notably as a tourist attraction. Today, Lucy the Elephant is recognized as the Oldest Roadside Attraction in America and has been declared a National Historic Landmark. There is no charge to visit the site or to shop in the Gift Shop; however, visitors wishing to go inside the elephant must purchase admission tickets to the Guided Tour. Guided Tours through the elephant structure occur every 45 minutes during business hours. Cost of Admission: $8.50 Adults (ages 13 and up) $4.00 Children (ages 3-12) And don't forget to shop our Gift Shop for all of your elephant-themed items, including one-of-a-kind Lucy the Elephant souvenirs available nowhere else!
Suggested duration
< 1 hour
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Restaurants
70 within 3 miles
Margate Dairy Bar & Burger
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74 within 6 miles
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1.4 miBeaches
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
473 reviews
Excellent
282
Very good
146
Average
34
Poor
5
Terrible
6
JETNJ
Caldwell, NJ143 contributions
The most unique attraction on the Jersey Shore.
Aug 2020
This was built in a time when businessmen/women had imagination and built things to last, ( today it would be a temporary structure made out of aluminum with a fiberglass skin. ) The interior has many historic photos and a video presentation
of Lucy's birth and her restoration, and I'm glad she's being well taken care of by
her historical society. The best part is the view from the Howdah, miles in every
direction.

The only caveat I have is the spiral-ing stair cases to the different levels are
steep and narrow, some visitors commented on how they had problems with steep
stairs, but everyone made it up and down with no problems.

A NJ Treasure that should be enjoyed and supported.
Written September 13, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reed
Orlando, FL1,417 contributions
I love Lucy (the elephant)!
Aug 2021 • Couples
Visiting Lucy the Elephant is a must for any visitor to the Jersey Shore. It’s a unique piece of Americana and roadside attraction history that has stood the test of time (and weather!) to delight visitors to this day. Don’t just stand outside and take photos, take the tour! It’s a short and inexpensive tour but it really is worth it to say you were inside and on top of Lucy! Parking is available and free, but they do monitor it during the summer to make sure people only use it to visit Lucy.
Written November 13, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JG717
Harrisburg, PA654 contributions
Unique Roadside thing to do
Jul 2020
We have been coming to the Atlantic City area for 20+ years and this is the first time we made it to Lucy! We lucked out getting on the last tour of the day. Tour lasted about 30 minutes. Very nicely priced. 2 teens and 2 adults - under $40. Tour guides were informative and had a good pace. We didn't feel rushed. If you wanted to go a little early there were some food places near by, that you could grab a bite/drink and picnic around Lucy's legs. Lucy gift shop on site as well.
Written July 6, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
kbells2
North Bergen, NJ98 contributions
Cute but I don't need to see it again from the inside
Sep 2021
after living in new jersey all these years and hearing about this attraction I decided to see it for myself. All I can say is if you are a large person, you might want to skip this one. Stairs are very narrow and steep. although it has a lot of history and is very cute , it is not worth the 9-10$ charge.
Written October 2, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
mrpesce
Doylestown, PA605 contributions
Worth a quick stop
Apr 2023
We tried to stop last year but the elephant was being refurbished. So we came back and had a cool experience. You will definitely want to take the tour inside to learn the history and see its unique structure. Also, you get the opportunity to go on top the this giant and see the amazing views.
Written April 11, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
mikenginny
Pennsylvania544 contributions
GREAT HISTORY WORTH SEEING... VERY INTERESTING.....
Aug 2021
We finally got to see Lucy after talking about for a few years. We took our bikes from Hard Rock all the way down the boardwalk as far as you can go and then back to Atlantic Avenue to the bike path and got to see her. Nice little restaurant and bar next door with a view of the ocean from the outside deck. We headed over to the bar for a refreshment and then headed over to Lucy. We were greeted by Mike at the entrance and he was very informative and friendly, then we headed into the gift shop for tickets to go inside Lucy. Tours are every 45 minutes or so but they have a few benches on the porch. Our tour started with a overview of the history of Lucy and then we headed inside her leg to climb the stairs to her belly. We seen a short movie and then we headed up to the stairs to the Howdah on her back. What a view from the Howdah on Lucy's back, you can see for miles from all directions.......... It was worth the trip to see her and we would recommend to others.
Written September 1, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
rayej
Clifton, NJ424 contributions
Piece of Nostalgia
Jul 2021
Visiting Lucy was fun. Unfortunately by the time I arrived tours for going inside the elephant were closed for the day. Parking can be difficult around this area and I had to park five blocks away. The area is small but kept clean. Lucy is steps away from the beach. This is a fun thing for visitor's at any age. There is a restaurant/bar next door.
Written August 17, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
LiketoeatCincinnati
Cincinnati, OH2,499 contributions
Very Cute Attraction
Jun 2021 • Couples
The tour takes about thirty minutes and runs every half hour or forty five minutes. The tour is very nice but you do have to climb very narrow and windy stairs, so keep that in mind. It is a large and very cute attraction. Parking is limited but free for the tour.
Written June 18, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Courtney W
Willow Grove, PA194 contributions
Quirky Attraction
Jun 2019
I had wanted to visit Lucy for quite sometime after seeing signs on the drive to OCNJ for years. My boyfriend and I finally made the trip in May 2019. I recommend taking the tour so you can see the inside of Lucy and even the view from the howdah on top. I made a pressed penny in the gift shop and we spent time taking pictures of Lucy from the street, parking lot and even surrounding beach.
Written May 20, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rachel P
Collinsville, IL769 contributions
A tarp is over her for renovation
Dec 2021 • Family
Please read! I did not see in any review that a tarp was over her. I saw scaffolding was around her but thought that was ok to go out of our way to still see her. Greatly disappointed when we got there and could see nothing. Wish someone would have told us- updated website. They hope to have her visual by the end of 2022. Gift shop is open so I assume that is why the website does not tell you she can not be seen.
Written December 20, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Lucy the Elephant (Margate City) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go

Frequently Asked Questions about Lucy the Elephant
Lucy the Elephant is open:
  • Wed - Fri 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM
  • Sat - Sun 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Lucy the Elephant Information

Excellent Reviews

281

Very Good Reviews

146

Lucy the Elephant Photos

399