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Margate City, New Jersey: Lucy the Elephant

Unique, multi-story 19th century building open for tours. "The only elephant you can go into and come out of alive." A total renovation of her exterior was completed in Dec. 2022.

Visitor Tips and News About Lucy the Elephant

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Lucy the Elephant.

Lucy the Elephant

Lucy the Elephant has reopened to the public after 15 months and a $2.4 million renovation. Her exterior and much of her wooden framework have been completely replaced.

[Catie, 01/23/2023]

Lucy the Elephant.

Lucy the Elephant

Lucy the Elephant, towering tourist landmark south of Atlantic City, was struck by a bolt of lightning over the July 4th weekend, causing many thousands of dollars of damage to electrical systems in the hollow giant animal. She had been clobbered before, in 2006, by another lightning storm that damaged her howdah. According to the Courier-Post, lightning rods installed after that jolt may have helped save her from more damage this time.

She's a big target, but also seems more accident prone in her old age (BTW, born in 1881). In 2009, a wind-ravaged party tent damaged her posterior, requiring a costly repair.

[RoadsideAmerica.com Team, 07/07/2011]

Lucy with tail.

Lucy the Elephant

Shutterbugs may want to travel to Margate City to get a once-in-a-lifetime shot of Lucy the Elephant without her tail. The 65-foot-long appendage was damaged in a freak storm in 2009, but it took until now for it to be removed for repair. The large hole in Lucy's bottom makes for an interesting visual study, and it should be plugged soon. This is the only time that Lucy has ever been without a tail, and the structure's owners expect to have it reattached by Memorial Day -- or at the latest by July 20, 2011, which will be Lucy's 130th birthday.

The prolonged wrangling over the tail's repair costs has reportedly prompted Lloyd's of London to end its insurance coverage of Lucy.

[RoadsideAmerica.com Team, 03/25/2011]

Lucy the Elephant.

Lucy the Elephant

Lucy may be on view 24 hours a day, but to visit the gift shop during April be sure to stop by Wed.- Fri. 11-4 or on the weekend from 10-5. Or visit lucytheelephant.org for hours [later in the year]. The old girl's lookin' good though!

[Tatyana Jula, 04/25/2010]
After A Rough 124, Lucy Prepares For 125

Lucy the Elephant in Margate, New Jersey, "the only elephant that you can go into and come out of alive," will celebrate its 125th birthday on July 20.

...

[07/15/2006] Complete News Story

Lucy the Elephant

Address:
9200 Atlantic Ave., Margate City, NJ
Directions:
On the beach side of Atlantic Ave. at Decatur Ave.
Hours:
Summer M-Sa 10-8, Su 10-5. First tour 10:15. Fewer hours and days off-season. (Call to verify) Local health policies may affect hours and access.
Phone:
609-823-6473
Admission:
Adults $8.50
RA Rates:
The Best
Save to My Sights

Nearby Offbeat Places

Smiley Face Water TowerSmiley Face Water Tower, Longport, NJ - < 1 mi.
Atlantic City's First Resident, Buried in a Traffic CircleAtlantic City's First Resident, Buried in a Traffic Circle, Northfield, NJ - 4 mi.
Grave of Rex the Wonder DogGrave of Rex the Wonder Dog, Linwood, NJ - 4 mi.
In the region:
Cookie Jar House: A-Bomb Proof, Glendora, NJ - 47 mi.

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