The Bizarre Roadside Attractions in Atlantic City You Have to See to Believe
Atlantic City is known for its casinos and boardwalk, but the real surprises sit off to the side. Step away from the tables and you’ll find giant animals, forgotten relics, and odd tributes tucked into corners of the city. These may not be polished attractions, but they are strange markers of Atlantic City’s past that keep visitors curious.
Lucy the Elephant
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Lucy the Elephant, standing six stories high, has watched over Margate since 1881 and has now become a National Historic Landmark. Visitors can tour the rooms inside her belly and climb to a small howdah at the top for coastal views.
Ripley’s Believe It or Not!
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The now-closed Ripley’s museum once greeted visitors with a building façade that looked like it was collapsing mid-quake. Inside, things got stranger: shrunken heads, a lock of George Washington’s hair, and a wooden miniature castle filled with tiny rooms.
Miss America Crowns You
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This sculpture of Miss America was installed on the Boardwalk in 2014 and invites passersby to literally step into the crown. It’s a larger-than-life bronze with extended arms holding a tiara at just the right selfie height.
Bert Parks Singing Statue
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A bronze likeness of Bert Parks, the longtime Miss America host, stands near the Boardwalk. Step close and motion sensors trigger his voice belting out “There She Is, Miss America.” The gimmick is simple, but it turns a static statue into a small performance, catching visitors off guard and cementing Parks’ tie to the city’s pageant history.
Steel Pier’s Diving Horse History
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Steel Pier is now packed with rides and food stalls, but its legacy includes one of Atlantic City’s strangest past attractions: the diving horse. Horses and riders would plunge from a high platform into a pool below. The act ended due to safety concerns, but older visitors still recall it.
Absecon Lighthouse
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New Jersey’s tallest lighthouse, standing 171 feet, invites visitors to climb all 228 steps to the top. The lighthouse staff often offer historical context and warm encouragement throughout the climb. The panoramic views at the top remain the true reward for those who make it.
Atlantic City Aquarium’s Shark Tank
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The aquarium reopened in March 2025 after a long closure, adding six new touch tanks to its lineup. A second-floor exhibit promised small sharks by early summer, but delays in stocking the tanks kept that section closed into mid-year. Visitors still find plenty to see, though the sharks remain the most anticipated draw.
Storybook Land’s Miniature Nostalgia
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It is located about 20 minutes outside the city in Egg Harbor Township. The park features nursery rhyme scenes with mechanical characters still operating on creaky motors. It’s geared toward kids but attracts plenty of adults chasing nostalgia.
New Jersey Korean War Memorial
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The New Jersey Korean War Veterans Memorial honors the state’s service members with evocative artwork. Its centerpiece is a 12-foot “Mourning Soldier” sculpture clutching fallen comrades’ dog tags, set against a black granite wall with an eternal flame.
Playground Pier’s Empty Luxury
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What was once a high-end shopping mall by Caesars now echoes Atlantic City’s more ambitious retail dreams. Louis Vuitton and Gucci signs still hang, but foot traffic is low, and some floors remain nearly silent. Visitors can still sit on beach chairs inside, facing massive windows with ocean views.
The Diving Bell at Gardner’s Basin
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The diving bell serves as a relic of Atlantic City’s amusement past. It once dropped visitors into the ocean to view marine life through portholes. Today, it’s landlocked and rusting, but its presence sparks curiosity.
Knife and Fork Inn’s Old-School Luxury
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The Knife and Fork Inn opened in 1912 and was originally a private men’s club. Now, it operates as an upscale steakhouse, but its roadside presence feels like something from a different era. The building looks out of place among nearby structures, with a red tile roof and castle-like tower.
Metal Mr. Peanut Statue
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A bronze statue of Mr. Peanut once sat on a bench at Kennedy Plaza to mark Planters’ centennial and the mascot’s 90th birthday. It was later moved to the Arts Center on Garden Pier, but was removed after vandalism.
Chicken Bone Beach
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What was once a gathering place for Black beachgoers, Chicken Bone Beach now marks cultural history masked by simple sands. Once forgotten, it’s being recognized today for its role in Atlantic City’s social tapestry.
Atlantic City’s First Slot Machine
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When Resorts Casino opened in 1978 as Atlantic City’s first legal casino, it introduced the city’s first wave of slot machines. Resorts still highlights its pioneering role in New Jersey’s casino history, though the specific first machine is not on public display.