May 17, 2018
Thom Carroll/PhillyVoice
Lucy the Elephant is Margate's most famous landmark. She is six stories tall and listed on the National Park Registry of Historical Landmarks. Tours are available.
Margate City is a far cry from the swampy hinterland it was prior to the arrival of settlers in the early- to mid-19th century, which was well after surrounding Jersey Shore towns had become homes to established communities.
As odd as it may seem, the city's emergence is largely owed to the construction of a wood and tin elephant commissioned by a Philadelphia realtor who wanted to attract land buyers to Absecon Island.
Lucy, originally designed in 1881 as a hotel and restaurant, will turn 135 years old in July. The brainchild of James V. Lafferty, Lucy has weathered countless storms and undergone significant repairs over the years to remain a popular attraction for kids — and it's a National Historic Landmark.
Today, Margate is a great place for outdoors enthusiasts as wells shoppers who want to peruse local goods along Ventnor Avenue and at the Margate Farmers' Market on Amherst Avenue. It's also a mere five miles away from Atlantic City, offering a quiet getaway or perfect place to split a weekend between high-energy and relaxing activities.
All beach visitors 12 years and older are required to have beach tags.
Regular season beach badges are available for $7 until May 31 ($3.50 for seniors 65 and up) and will cost $15 for everyone starting June 1.
Beah tags are available for purchase at Bloom Pavilion (Huntington Avenue and the Beach) seven days a week from 10am-3pm. They can also be bought at the Margate Municipal Building, 9001 Winchester Ave, on Monday through Friday from 9am-4pm.
Margate beaches are lifeguard protected by the Margate City Beach Patrol from Memorial Day through Labor Day, with regular hours of operation between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m.
For additional information on lifeguard scheduling, consult Margate's beach lists or contact the Margate City Beach Patrol (609) 822-2370.
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For sporting types, kayaking and surfing are only permitted at select beaches. Those interested in doing either are encouraged to contact the Margate City Beach Patrol.
Hobie Cat sailing is allowed by permit only.
Animals are prohibited from entering the beach.
Visitors are advised to never enter unprotected beaches. Those beaches that are protected by Margate City Beach Patrol, and their hours, are listed here.
In addition to Community Farmers' Markets and Thrilling Thursdays in July and August, Margate offers a variety of events and recreational activities for people of all ages through the summer months.
This year's annual Beachstock event, a 13-hour celebration of summer, falls on Saturday, June 30. There will also be ceremonies on Memorial Day and Independence.
A running tab of events can be found here, and Downbeach Buzz also is a good reference for things to do in Margate, as well as nearby Ventnor and Longport
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The view north from the Margate Pier via surfline.com | Margate Fishing Pier auto-pan cam | Margate Dairy Bar cam
Margate NJ Official Website | Margate Has More | Lucy the Elephant
