Lucy the Elephant
📍 Margate City, New Jersey
“As you stand beneath the towering, whimsical frame of Lucy the Elephant, you can't help but feel a sense of wonder wash over you. The sun glints off her weathered exterior, and stories of her past echo in the salty breeze, inviting you to step inside and explore the secrets of Margate City's beloved giant. With each creaking step, you uncover the layers of history wrapped in the laughter of children and the awe of countless visitors before you.”
Built in 1881 as a real estate gimmick, Lucy is a six-story, tin-skinned elephant standing on the New Jersey shore. You enter through her hind legs, climb a spiral staircase inside her body, and emerge onto a howdah on her back with sweeping ocean views. She's the oldest surviving example of novelty architecture in America, survived three owners and multiple restoration campaigns.
Explorer Tip
Don't forget to climb up to Lucy's observation deck for a panoramic view of the Atlantic Ocean!