The city has the usual tourist traps, but there are a number of places worth your time. Steel Pier, across from the Taj at Virginia Avenue (tel. 866/386-6659 or 609/345-4893; www.steelpier.com), is Atlantic City's historic amusement pier, with carnival games and rides for the entire family; it's open daily Memorial Day to Labor Day, weekends only Palm Sunday to Memorial Day and again to October. At Gardner's Basin, at the top end of New Hampshire Avenue, is the Ocean Life Center (tel. 609/348-2880; www.oceanlifecenter.com), with eight giant aquariums (including a touch tank), shipwreck artifacts, and more marine-themed fun for the kids. You can't miss the Absecon Lighthouse, 31 S. Rhode Island Ave. (tel. 609/449-1360; www.abseconlighthouse.org), which was built in 1857 and is the tallest in New Jersey. On a clear day, it's worth climbing the 228 steps to the top to get a magnificent view of the Jersey shoreline. The free Atlantic City Historical Museum, New Jersey Avenue and the Boardwalk (tel. 609/344-1943; www.acmuseum.net), offers some interesting insights into the city's history through various exhibits and artifacts (including a larger-than life Mr. Peanut!). Do check out the interesting video that plays continuously in the museum. Another hard-to-miss attraction is in nearby Margate: Lucy the Elephant, 9200 Atlantic Ave. (tel. 609/823-6473; www.lucytheelephant.org), is a 65-ton building built to look like -- yep, you guessed it -- an elephant. Built in 1881 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, this is one of those curious pieces of Americana that you just don't see too much of anymore, so go ahead and take the 30-minute tour of its interior.
