There’s a 14-Foot Light Bulb Atop a Tower in New Jersey and It’s Worth the Detour

Some roadside attractions are so impressive and absolutely worth a visit. We will plan our trips just so that we can witness them for ourselves. For instance, who wouldn’t want to see Lucy the Elephant, the world’s largest elephant? After all, built in 1881, the massive structure in Margate City, New Jersey, is the oldest roadside attraction in the U.S. 

It’s safe to say that Lucy has been responsible for folks like us, who make pit stops on our journeys. While not as famous as Lucy, there is another oversized oddity in New Jersey that belongs on your list. The World’s Largest Light Bulb Sculpture is right here in the Garden State. And it’s the perfect detour while driving along the New Jersey Turnpike, or you can see it if you plan a day trip to Edison State Park. 

Fun Fact: At 17 feet tall, the world’s largest lightbulb is in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The art project was installed in 2021. Before that, we had the tallest one in Jersey. But have no worries, the second largest light bulb found at the Thomas Edison Memorial Tower and Menlo Park Museum is even more impressive. 

The 14-foot relic, weighing eight tons, is perched on top of a 118-foot-tall tower, and it illuminates spectacularly at night. Between the tower and the bulb, this roadside attraction in Edison, New Jersey, was declared the World’s Largest Light Bulb Sculpture.   

Whether you’re a history buff or you want a cool picture for your Instagram, a stop at the Thomas Edison Memorial Museum belongs on your list. As you can guess from the name, the museum is the site of the workshop where Thomas Edison created his inventions. Built in 1938, the gigantic tower is located inside Edison State Park. The landmark includes a small museum with old relics and inventions, educational plaques, a memorial, serene gardens, and, of course, the soaring tower. 

Some years ago, the museum and tower got a much-needed upgrade. The museum reopened in 2012, and the tower in 2015. The Art Deco concrete landmark stands tall over the quaint Menlo Park community and is a true hidden gem in New Jersey. Both the light bulb and the monument are kept lit at dusk, a reminder of Edison’s legacy. 

Tours are offered and are great for history buffs, science enthusiasts, and kids who will enjoy learning about Edison’s inventions. The coolest part of the tour is entering the tower and listening to 120-year-old phonographs, another one of Edison’s innovations. Tour dates happen on Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and Monday. It’s recommended to book in advance online.

If this is a detour on your road trip and you don’t have time to tour the historical site, it’s an ideal spot to relax, snap some cool pics, and stroll around for a bit. If you ask me, it will be a welcoming change of pace before hopping on the highway to sit in Jersey’s traffic. So, whether you enjoy history, science, or you’re searching for your next road trip detour through the state, I highly recommend carving out 30 minutes to witness this iconic monument. Be sure to visit the Thomas Edison Center website to learn more about this unique landmark. 

What do you think about the World’s Largest Light Bulb Sculpture? Have you ever witnessed it for yourself? If you've never been before, take a road trip soon and add these fun road trip ideas in New Jersey to your list. I bet you’ll fall in love with more hidden gems in the state.