NJ's 'Coolest' Art Destination Is A Giant Fake Elephant, Study Says

There is something fitting about the Garden State landing multiple art installations among the top 50 in all the United States.

Rivers Wall Art, a marketplace and research center, conducted a survey of more than 3,000 voters across multiple geographic locations to find the "Coolest Art Installations in the U.S." to check out in 2025. Both New Jersey sites that made the list were of the "giant" theme, and provide a unique experience to reflect on ones own perspective in a massive world.

Rivers says their survey showed that Americans are more drawn to places where art "feels alive, improvised, or deeply connected to the land it inhabits" rather than secluded works behind a rope. The highest-ranking entry for New Jersey on the list is no stranger to sharing the land with human neighbors.

No. 38: Lucy the Elephant (Margate)

As a National Historic Landmark and 2024's Top Roadside Attraction in America, Lucy has been shining long before Rivers called it cool.

Built in 1881 to bring real estate business to the area, the iconic sculpture is patterned off of an Asian elephant with very large tusks. The design and actual construction, a product of land speculator James V. Lafferty, Jr., cost an estimated $25,000 in 1881 to build. Lafferty would later say this number grew closer to $38,000 upon completion.

Margate, South Atlantic City as it was called during Lucy's beginnings, was a prime real estate location to Lafferty, leading him to place advertisements around the area and in Philadelphia newspapers. There was also a railroad that stopped right beside Lucy, bringing in tourist families to the area.

After undergoing restorations and relocations throughout the years, Lucy is still standing at six stories tall as both a sculpture and building that is open daily for tours. The sculpture is celebrated its 144th birthday on July 19.

No. 49: Grounds for Sculpture (Hamilton)

Hamilton's not-so-hidden gem with traces attracting visitors right outside the Amtrak railroad station nearby is the Grounds for Sculpture.

This 42 acre park invites visitors to explore more than 300 sculptures that are scattered throughout the grounds, and an additional six galleries indoors. Philanthropist and artist Seward Johnson founded the idea that began in 1992 on the land of the former New Jersey State Fairgrounds.

Grounds for Sculpture is a public non-profit organization that relies on support from visitors, patrons, donations and grants to bring in the creations to view.