Lucy the Margate Elephant lives on

Lucy The Elephant and Lucy’s Beach Grille from the Atlantic Ocean (LucyTheElephant.org)

(This item was first posted in April 2011.  It was updated Jan. 31, 2018)

Lucy the Elephant is one of those places that always brings a smile to every child’s face, no matter what their age.

As with the Wall Drug Store, the world’s largest ball of twine or the Jolly Green Giant–this 65-foot pachyderm is worth flicking on your RV’s blinker and pulling off the road.

First built in the 1880s, Lucy has long been part the colorful Southern Jersey seashore history. She stands proudly on Atlantic Avenue near the Atlantic Ocean just a few minutes from Atlantic City.

The wooden elephant-shaped building was the brain child of wealthy land speculator James V. Lafferty, Jr. He wanted something odd and wonderful to attract visitors and potential buyers to his holdings south of Atlantic City.

The largest elephant in the world, Lucy stands six stories, 60-feet long and 18-feet wide. During her career she is rumored to have been a hotel, real estate office and even a tavern (until, it is said, that drunks nearly burned her down).

Lucy was recognized as a national Historic Landmark in 1976, just in time for the United States’ Bicentennial. Tours of inside Lucy’s belly are fun for the entire family. See details below.

Lucy the Elephant

If you go:
Lucy the Elephant
9200 Atlantic Ave., Margate City, NJ
609.823-6473
URL: LucyTheElephant.org

Hours of Lucy and Gift Shop: 
January-March: Saturday and Sunday, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. (Open Presidents’ Day, Monday, 2/19, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.) 
April: Wednesday-Friday, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.; Saturday-Sunday, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
May-Mid-June: Monday-Friday, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.; Saturday-Sunday, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Mid-June to Labor Day: Monday-Saturday, 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.
September-October: 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.; Saturday-Sunday, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
November-December:  Wednesday-Friday, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.; Saturday-Sunday, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. (Closed on Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day)
Guided tours:  Every 30 minutes top and bottom of hour, lasts about 20 minutes. Final tour of day occurs 30 minutes prior to closing.
Tour Cost: $8, ages 13 and up; $4, ages 3-12; free, under 2. Free to U.S. Military with valid ID.

— Julianne G. Crane
To read more articles about the RV lifestyle by Julianne G Crane, go to RVWheelLife.com

Photos: Courtesy of Lucy the Elephant.org

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