The Ark Encounter: The Ultimate Guide
This Ultimate Guide to the Ark Encounter is your important first step to planning your trip! Trust me because I am a pass holder and frequent visitor to the Ark Encounter and the Creation Museum! I can give you all the details and exclusive tips for your trip to the Ark Encounter that will guarantee the perfect day at this one-of-a-kind experience! So come along and learn about how to make your trip to the Ark Encounter a success with this Ultimate Guide to the Ark Encounter!
This post may contain affiliate links. That means if you click and buy, I make a commission at no cost to you. Please see my full disclosure policy for more details, and thanks for supporting my blog!
What is the Ark Encounter?
Who has not imagined how big the Ark might have looked when we read about it in the Bible? And now, we can see it and even go inside the Ark and experience it for ourselves! The Ark Encounter is a life-size, built according to biblical description, timber replica of Noah’s Ark set in the beautiful rolling hills of Grant County in Kentucky. It is 510 feet long, 85 feet wide, and boasts three indoor levels of exhibits pertaining to the great flood and Noah. The experience continues outside as well, as the Ark Encounter offers dining, ziplining, a zoo, a playground, and more!
With enough to entertain all age groups, this is a great getaway for every curious soul. It has attracted over 10 million visitors–including royalty and celebrities! If you are thinking about seeing the Ark Encounter for yourself, make the jump and start planning now because it is worth it. Fortunately, I can help make everything clear for you in this Ultimate Guide to the Ark Encounter since I am a frequent visitor with my annual pass. Below, I will let you know everything about what to expect, plus some insider tips to make the most of your day there! Trust me, you and your family will remember this trip forever!
Getting There
The Ark Encounter is conveniently located right off the exit of I-75 in Williamstown, KY just 40 minutes south of Cincinnati and 50 minutes north of Lexington. For this excursion, I would advise staying near Cincinnati instead of Lexington so you can visit the sister attraction, The Creation Museum.
If you are flying into Cincinnati, then the airport is located in Northern Kentucky and within a few miles of the Creation Museum too if you plan to visit there also. The Ark Encounter and Creation Museum offers transportation to and from the two attractions on a 45-minute bus ride, so you could visit them both in a day if you would like!
Tickets
You have several options when it comes to tickets and prices. If you feel that the prices seem like too much at first glance, trust me and just go for it. Once you have visited the Ark (and you will more than likely also visit the Creation Museum with a combo ticket or Bouncer Pass option) you will say it was well worth the money. Also keep in mind that kids under 10 are free in 2022, and there is no limit to how many children under the age of 10 that can attend with you! Are you a homeschooling family with 6 kids and all under 10 years old? Great! Finally a family vacation you can afford to take the whole crew on!
- 3-Day Bouncer Pass: this is described as the best value ticket option. It is for ages 11 and up and ranges from $49.95(child ticket) to $99.95 (adult, a separate senior price is available also). This allows for 3 unlimited visits to the Ark and Creation Museum within one week and has additional special parking options.
- Ark and Creation Museum Combo ticket: this is one general admission to each the Ark and Creation Museum–perfect for a whole day at each attraction. This option can adobe purchased and used any day within a one-week period, just like the Bouncer Pass. Prices are $44.95 (11 and up) to $84.95 (adult; senior discount available). This is a great value as well!
- General Admission ticket: your general admission ticket is good to visit on the day of purchasing and ranges from $24.95 (child) to $54.95 (adult, senior pricing available too).
What to Expect
The exhibits on the Ark are very well done and immerse you into the life of Noah and his family, while also displaying life leading up to the flood and creation afterward. They do a great job with all the information posted throughout the Ark to present both commonly known and unknown facts and theories that exist about the flood, Ark, creation, and mankind.
There is also a section devoted to the living quarters of Noah and his family, what their food storage might have looked like, and areas on the Ark devoted to working such as blacksmithing and a kitchen area. Be aware, that as soon as you enter the Ark there is a medium-noise level thunder and storm track being played to give the effect of you entering the Ark as the rains are flooding the earth. Some sensitive visitors might be frightened of this without a heads up, and once you have walked just a few feet inside the attraction then the thunder will not be experienced again throughout the Ark.
Will Kids Enjoy the Exhibits?
I routinely have to snap pictures of signs so I can go back and read them later! There is just so much information to absorb while you are there! And you might think, “Oh, my kids hate reading so they will never do this,” but I see groups of kids that are both young and teens that excitedly gather at these exhibits and read all there is to know. You will hear many “Oh cool!” and “Do you see what this says?!” when you visit.
Kids also love getting to see all the animals in their cages–especially the dinosaurs! And make sure to check out the “Spooky Animal Encounters” room! Little ones might get scared, or be like mine and be scared but wants to go through it over and over and over. It is a dark, short walk through an exhibit with a few minor “scares” like air poofing out at you, drawers ratting because of “animals” inside of them, or the “scary, mean cat” (as my daughter calls him) that appears in the dark and roars.
Here is all you can expect once you reach the Ark Encounter:
- Parking: parking is $15 for standard cars and $20 for oversized vehicles. You pay as you enter the park at a tollbooth. You will notice plenty of campers and RVs parked there, but overnight parking is prohibited.
- Parking lot: once you park your car, head over to the ticket station/bus loading building. There are no restrooms in the parking lot, only port-a-potties, but there are ample bathrooms at the park after you take the 5-minute bus ride to the Answers Center.
- Tickets: you will buy or pick up your tickets from will-call here at the ticket/bus station. There are many different options for tickets or combo tickets so choose whatever is best for you. An exciting detail is that kids under 10 years old get in for free in 2022! Here will you each receive a colored wristband for your entry into the Ark.
- Buses: On some of the buses you can take your stroller right on board with you and on others, you will have to fold it up and place it underneath in storage. There is always someone there to assist you with this. Some buses require you to climb a few steep steps up into the bus, as well.
- The Answers Center: The bus will unload you here at the Answers Center. The center houses the huge conference center, guest services, bathrooms, coffee and snacks, gifts, and books. The Conference center regularly has speakers or events that might interest you so check out their calendar of events!
- The Grounds: Leaving the Answers Center, you walk outside and see the Ark! Feel free to go right into the Ark; however, if you go at the park’s opening, just know that everyone will be going right into the Ark also. We always suggest doing the outdoor activities first because you will have them all to yourselves! Then by the time you are ready to go inside, the crowds will definitely be lighter. We always go in the afternoon and find that everyone has already gone through the Ark and is outside. This is great because we have the inside to ourselves and take as much time as we need. I really hate sharing that tip because I’m selfish and do not want to start sharing an empty Ark with crowds, but there you go!
The playground: Yes, it really is probably the best playground you will ever visit, and no, you will not be the only adult playing and giggling like a little school girl at the playground. Just let go and go have fun with the kids!- The Zoo: We love the zoo! You can walk through the kangaroo exhibit and be right next to a kangaroo! Plus, there are many other animals to see and a petting zoo too! At the zoo is where you find the camel rides. The rides are offered on varied days and weather permitting, so check when you arrive to see if they are being offered. Tickets for the camel rides are $10 and only for under 17 years old, under 200 lbs, and over 36 inches.
- Outdoor adventure course: Ready for a thrill! Enjoy zooming over the gorgeous rolling hills of Kentucky on the ziplines! Having a free-fall! Or tackling an aerial adventure course with Screaming Eagle at the Ark Encounter. Located just outside of the Answers Center. Please read carefully all of the details for this experience so you can make the most of your time. Book in advance to guarantee that you will find a slot for the opportunity on the day you are visiting.
- Bathrooms: I love the Ark Encounter for the number of bathrooms everywhere and the cleanliness of them all. Seriously, always clean. You will never be far from a restroom so don’t worry about little kids who urgently need a potty break. There are also nursing rooms available, and water fountains.
- Stroller/wheelchair/ECV rental: The Ark is very stroller and Wheelchair friendly. We have strolled the park in both a stroller and wheelchair, so I can give you an honest opinion. What is great about the levels of the Ark, is that it is all composed of wide long ramps. My husband didn’t even have trouble pushing himself up and down the ramps at times. I was chasing a 1.5-year-old at the time, not just being mean and making him push himself haha. However, there are elevators also if needed to get you where you need to go inside the Ark. The Bathrooms are also stroller and wheelchair friendly! Very large, and did I mention clean yet?
For more information, take a look at the Ark Encounter because they are always expanding and adding new features!
Where to Eat
The Ark Encounter is where you will spend your day, so it would be best to eat there. We have been many, many times to find that only the buffet, Emzara’s Kitchen, is the only option for dining. Maybe this was because of a pandemic shortage issue and will resolve this year…who knows. But be prepared for that just in case.
On that note, Emzara’s Kitchen is well worth it! Adult prices are $17, kids (5-10) are $9, and 4 and under are free to dine. The kitchen has food-allergy-sensitive options, and has enough on the buffet to please anyone in your group! From mac n cheese and chicken tenders, to pot roast and fish. The buffet also includes a nice salad bar and dessert station. Be aware that the buffet usually closes an hour before the scheduled park closing hour. 
The venues outside are quick-service where you order your food and sit down at a picnic table. There is also an ice cream shop by the playground for hot summer days.
Where to stay
There are a couple of hotels on the same exit, but I probably would not stay at those myself. I suggest driving north for a wide choice of hotels in Cincinnati. This makes sense especially if you plan on also visiting the Creation Museum. Dry Ridge, KY is just a few minutes up I-75 and offers several well-known chain hotels. There is a Hampton Inn and Suites being built behind the Ark’s parking lot and is expected open in 2023. This will definitely always be pretty booked up so plan ahead if you would like to stay there.
If you are bringing your RV or camper, you are welcome to use the parking lot for your rigs. You are in luck, though, for there are a number of campgrounds nearby to take your pick from.
You could always stay in an Airbnb since is a number to choose from in the town of Williamstown!
Other things to do in Cincinnati
You could spend a whole week in Cincinnati for a vacation if you chose to! Options for families with kids or childless adults are nearly endless at any time of the year. Check below for my guides to other places in the area!
