Lucy the Elephant
- Admission
- $8.50 for adults, $4.00 for children (ages 2-12), under 2 are free. Access to the grounds and gift shop is free.
- Hours
- Open daily during the summer (approx. 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM), with limited weekend-only hours during the off-season.
- Duration
- 45 to 60 minutes
- Parking
- A small free parking lot is available on-site for visitors, with additional metered street parking nearby.
- Access
- The grounds and gift shop are wheelchair accessible, but the interior tour of Lucy requires climbing several flights of steep stairs.
Standing six stories tall along the Jersey Shore, Lucy the Elephant is the oldest surviving roadside attraction in America. Built in 1881 to attract real estate buyers, this wooden elephant has served as a tavern, a home, and even a hotel. Today, visitors can climb inside this National Historic Landmark for panoramic views.
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Commissioned by James V. Lafferty in 1881, Lucy the Elephant is a towering piece of novelty architecture constructed from wood and tin. Lafferty designed Lucy as a spectacular gimmick to lure prospective land buyers to the area, though she would later serve various roles including a summer home and a tavern. Saved from demolition by local citizens in 1970, Lucy has since been meticulously restored and designated a National Historic Landmark.
Visitors can take a guided tour inside the structure, climbing up through her legs into the main carriage on her back, known as the howdah, which offers spectacular 360-degree views of the ocean and the Atlantic City skyline. Inside, the belly of the beast functions as a museum displaying historical artifacts, vintage photographs, and exhibits detailing her long and colorful history.
As the oldest surviving roadside novelty structure in the United States, Lucy remains a beloved icon of Americana. A visit here is a delightful step back in time, capturing the whimsical spirit of late 19th-century beach resort culture.
Ratings
attraction◆ Visitor Tips
- ◆ Take the guided tour to go inside the elephant; you cannot access the interior without a guide.
- ◆ Climb all the way up to the howdah on top for the best ocean views.
- ◆ Check out the gift shop inside the adjacent heritage train car for unique souvenirs.
- ◆ Buy tickets early during peak summer months as tours can sell out quickly.
Heads Up
- ◆ The climb to the top involves a narrow, steep spiral staircase which may be difficult for some visitors.
- ◆ The interior can get quite warm during hot summer days due to limited air conditioning.
Common questions
Can you go inside Lucy the Elephant?
Yes, visitors can go inside the structure by taking a guided tour. The tour takes you up spiral staircases inside her legs to her interior room and then further up to the howdah on her back for views of the ocean and skyline.
Do you need to buy tickets for Lucy the Elephant in advance?
No, tour tickets cannot be purchased online or in advance. They are sold on a first-come, first-served basis at the on-site gift shop on the day of your visit.
Is Lucy the Elephant wheelchair accessible?
No, the structure is not wheelchair accessible. Reaching the interior exhibits and the viewing platform on top requires climbing several flights of narrow, steep spiral stairs.
Where do you park when visiting Lucy the Elephant?
There is a small, free parking lot on-site for visitors, but spaces are limited and fill up quickly during peak hours. If the lot is full, metered and free street parking can be found on the surrounding blocks.