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    Ark Encounter

    4.2 (741 reviews)
    Closed 9:00 am - 6:30 pm
    Updated 3 months ago

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    Jan K.

    There is a lot of floors to cover... Actual dimensions of Noah ark... very interesting... Noah, his wife, sons, and their wives each had over 200 animals to feed and care for...living quarters for the family'...it was comfortable space... Plenty of parking... eating places inside the park... and of course plenty of souvenirs to buy....

    Another viewpoint.
    Ben T.

    It's hard to explain The Ark Envounter. Just go and check it out. But...fair warning....there is some walking and if someone is not as durable on their feet then they will likely get worn out. We opted to spend $45 and get a small battery scooter. It was the best $45 I could have spent for my wife. I used it a little bit also. Things are slightly commercialized inside the Ark. But it still gave a very interesting perspective of how things were probably arranged. Good history!!

    The entrance of the Ark
    Janice J.

    This a very enchanting and biblical place. You alway read about Noah Ark, but to be walking on makeshift replica of his boat, so spiritual. The entire venue from start to finish is an amazing experience. If you have not visited this place you are missing out. Some of the exhibits are so realistic and lifelike. Such an amazing place to visit with your church or just a family vacation.

    Nikki F.

    My 15 year old and I enjoyed our visit. The process flow moved orderly and quickly. We definitely got our walking steps in. I appreciate that they depicted diversity with Noah and his family. Most places, movies, books do not do this. The depiction of dinosaurs were little off to me but nevertheless, I found the experience good. It was a little expensive. We enjoyed the outside zoo area. We did the VR experience too. This was ok but you can definitely skip this. When we got ready to leave, busses were readily available to take us back to the parking lot.

    Arc
    SkyTalkDoc J.

    The boat is worth it- all major cultures have a flood story- it's neat to see how this would have played out- the "preachy" factor was less here than at creation museum. There was just enough entertainment and education.

    Birthday present from my Sis!
    Michelle D.

    WOW the ark at the Ark Encounter, in Williamstown, Kentucky, was massive! The pictures do not do it justice. It was created to the same specifications of the Ark in the Bible. We went the Tuesday after Labor Day which was wonderful as there were no crowds and hardly any children since school recently started back. Don't get me wrong, I love kids, but it added to the peaceful experience. I suggest buying all your tickets online as you will save some money. We parked in the lot and caught a bus up the hill to the ark. We bypassed the Answer Center and grabbed some pics of the ark as there weren't many people there yet. Then we headed to the virtual reality theater, Truth Traveler. If you purchase your tickets online you must see the attraction before 1:00 PM. We walked right in and were seated immediately. The virtual show lasted roughly 10 minutes and included large bursts of air blowing on you and the seat moved a little. But you aren't strapped in so don't worry. We both enjoyed the show! Our next stop was the ark. Leading up to the ark stop at each monument to see the creation story both written and carved on stones. You start on the ground level and walk up ramps to each deck. Each deck, except the ground level, has restrooms and a water fountain. The exhibits were nice and there were two theaters on two decks. Lastly we checked out the zoo which included a sloth, camel, alpaca, anteater, and several other animals and birds. Don't forget to walk into the kangaroo and wallaby exhibit. Get up close and personal with these animals. But don't get too close LOL. Everyone working at the park truly seemed to love their job and were willing to offer help when needed. I highly recommend taking the time to experience the Ark Encounter!

    Brigitte L.

    This was an absolute amazing experience! You literally don't imagine how big the Ark really is until you experience this. Parking is $15 and fills up fast. We had to park a ways out but wasn't a bad walk to the front. Recommend getting your ticket online before you go because then you won't have to stand in 2 different lines. When you arrive and after you get your tickets and go thru security you'll board a bus that takes you to the Ark. it's probably about a 5-7 minute drive. Not long at all. Not only is there the Ark experience but they also have the zoo and a carousel and a virtual reality experience. There are a few eateries around also. FYI that if you get the combo ticket for the Creation Museum and the Ark that the drive from the Ark to the museum is 45 minutes. We didn't have time to go to the museum so that part of our ticket was a waste. But we really enjoyed the Ark. it's a lot of walking.

    This is about the extent of animals you'll see in the arc. Huge display for two tiny sculptures.
    Jason M.

    This was super over crowded. The ark itself was cool until you got in and realized it was a few animal statues scattered among 3 whole floors. There were exhibits but they all were too full to even experience and read the information which is what it all was. All just reading huge plaques. The price of all of this was outrageous. And then you have to buy everything on top of the ticket. No photo should be $30 a piece. This place is just taking advantage of family's, believers, and the elderly. The zoo part of it all was cool but It's not something you can't see anywhere else for less money and a better experience. Please don't waste your time and just go to church instead.

    stork
    Janet T.

    Highly recommend but plan on a long visit with lots of walking. We attended on Labor Day weekend on a Sunday. After parking, we stood in a long line, to progress to another line to take the bus to the event center. The first building is called the event center with a coffee stand, snack stand, bookstore, and theater. There are a few different times of the day that different videos are shown. They are educational and explanatory. I would recommend them. From the event center there is a bit of a walk to get to the entrance of the ark. Along the path are some informational pillars and small animal cages. There is a point you can stop for a nice picture of the ark. Entering under the ark there is an area for very long lines, we did stand in line to get in but thankfully they weren't that backed up. Inside the ark: there are lots of exhibit/dioramas to visit and read. It appears that on each level (of 3 levels) there are short videos to watch. Some areas were backed up with lines. There wasn't much interaction to the exhibits. Some were based on fact, some on speculation. We ate dinner at the buffet. It was full with diners but it never felt busy. The food was fresh, tasty, and we enjoyed the offerings. You enter in to the salad bar and sides, then continue to the entree stations. It was easy to fill our plate and run out of room. There is a small dessert area, and two ample drink stations. Plates, silverware, and cups are all disposable. After our meal and towards the closing time, we walked through the zoo area. While I would say it was a small zoo, it is very enjoyable. Some of the sections didn't have animals but those that we saw were interesting. Note - Sunday hours are shorter than other days and we didn't feel we had enough time to experience everything. We wanted to be able to eat dinner so we had to rush through part of the second floor and the entire third floor of the ark.

    Ethan H.

    WOW. This place was INCREDIBLE, so many things you learn and find out about the ark. This isn't just something to gaze upon. 3 stories, 4D VR headset experience, and a ZOO. was not expecting all of this. I had a great time and learned a ton, would definitely recommend visiting if you're near by!!

    Ark Model
    Michael K.

    There's not much you cannot say about the Ark. It is a must for anyone. I have read the story of Noah more than 100 maybe even 1000 times, I never understood the staggering scope of the immensity and detail that four men accomplished with the help and guidance of God. You will never know, until you step next to the Ark. Think US Navy Aircraft Carrier and your getting close.

    Leslie A.

    We only did the ark and the gift shop. There is also a zoo that is included with your ticket but it was so hot we didn't go. Everything thing was clean. Everyone was helpful and nice Beautiful craftsmanship throughout. Lots of information

    Nazia C.

    Super cool experience. It's a biblical replica of the ark. It's massive and so impressive. Parking is $15 and from there you walk to the ticket center which then takes you on a short bus ride to the ark experience. Children under 10 are free. Inside the ark is a representation of what it would have been like during that time. You'll see so many different animal kinds (in pairs) and how they would've been housed and fed. You also see how Noah and his family would have lived and grew food to sustain themselves. There's clean restrooms inside and some snack stations on each level.

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    Page 1 of 19

    Ark Encounter Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Ark Encounter

    May i bring my own roller walker?

    Yes

    Is it air conditioned?

    Yes!

    How much time do people usually spend here?

    Hi Jason, We recommend planning at least 5-6 hours to tour the Ark Encounter. Here's a comprehensive answer:… 

    Anyone remember the 3D Portrait mini figure place in the Arc where you could have your portraits made and they sent you your sandstone figures by mail? I’m desperately looking to replace one of my children that was broken. The Arc wasn’t any help.

    We went there on March 21, 2025 looking for the 3D photo place but apparently it's no longer a feature.

    We are planning to visit the Ark September 5. We are 83 and 82. What is the charge and do we buy the tickets in advance or at the door?

    that depends. If you are going to the also to the Creation Museum then it's best to buy the combo tickets. Because they are even cheaper. Plus being a senior citizen, I too received a senior citizen discount. I was glad that we purchase them online… 

    Is all of the ark encounter wheel chair accessible?

    Yes! Absolutely! Based on our experience though, you need to be confident! Run people over if you have to. We got pushed to the side a lot.

    What months of the year do they operate? Open in Oct?

    They are open year round but they have summer and winter hours. You can look on the website or call to find out the hours for October. The outside part such as zip lines, might be seasonal.

    Discount tickets available anywhere(Groupon, Kroger, etc)?

    https://save.couponsatcheckout.net/arkencounter.com This link has several discounts for days of the… 

    What is the difference between Ark Encounter and the encounter museum?

    Do you mean the ark encounter vs. the creation museum? If so, the ark encounter is much bigger and gives basically all of the same information as the creation museum (and much more). If you are choosing between the two, definitely go to the ark… 

    Are scooters available for rent?

    Absolutely, get there early to ensure you get one $35 for the day, good quality equipment. They have light duty and heavy duty scooters $35 is heavy duty. Good equipment and excellent maintenance.

    Is there an elevator to the different floors of the ark?

    Yes, The whole attraction is very user-friendly.

    Is it handicap accessible?

    Hello- Yes, it is accessible.

    When is the best day/time to visit?

    Weekdays are less busy and of course off peak times of the year. I went during the day which I think is best to be able to see the size of the Ark! I only visited the Ark. Allow yourself 3+ hours or 2 days to experience everything.

    Can you see the ark from the road without having to pay to go inside? Don’t have time to go in it this trip just want to see the size from outside.

    Yes, you can see it from the road or parking lot.

    What is the average duration of visit?

    Our family spent 6 hours, which included lunch. Our kids, 10, 8 & 7 (boys) were captivated by every floor. Take your time, read, listen and enjoy. If you have a time constraint, postpone your visit.

    How much does it cost to get in to the Ark?

    depends- one day- $40 Adult… 

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    Review Highlights - Ark Encounter

    I went with my group to Williamstown Kentucky to see the Ark encounter which is a life-size replica of Noah's Ark.

    Mentioned in 144 reviews

    Read more highlights

    Creation Museum

    Creation Museum

    4.0
    (331 reviews)
    33.4 mi

    I'd give it a thousand stars if I could…read more Absolutely INCREDIBLE!!!!! I had such an amazing time. So much evidence for the Creation Account. I always believed it but now things that I wondered about are answered. So many things to disprove evolution at every turn. The 4d presentations are a little cheesy but good for kids, but the planetarium was phenomenal. I found myself gasping in awe several times during the Created Cosmos presentation. It was a very humbling experience to realize that out of all of the trillions of planets and stars, God chose this crazy, messed up world and sent his Son to die for us. He didn't start over somewhere else. He chose US! They have an entire section dedicated to a baby's journey in the womb which was awesome. There were some panels and screens discussing abortion and references to sexual activity in that section so maybe that one's not for curious kiddos. There was a hall full of butterflies and beetles on display, dinosaur bones, and a hall with panels with some fascinating Bible facts. It was a truly wonderful experience. I could not recommend it higher.

    So much new stuff since first visit years ago. Visitor center staff was so nice helping w/ our…read morelarge group tickets. The mini zoo has some great rare animals joy at many regular zoos. The grounds w/ the pond, gardens, bridges etc are really nice. We ate outside at their picnic area which was convenient. The museum is very modern w/ great info, exhibits, and overwhelming supports for the creation. There's multiple video halls for watching short movies & a cool 4-D theater about the 7 days.

    Photos
    Our guided tour guide
    Our guided tour guide
    The Flood
    The Flood
    Engaging on Every Level

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    Engaging on Every Level
    Bluegrass Railroad Museum

    Bluegrass Railroad Museum

    4.3
    (19 reviews)
    41.4 mi

    I was very underwhelmed. I had seen this as a must see on a FB "must see" KY road trips. We decided…read moreto surprise my parents and do a family trip. I do not feel there was really "anything" to this. But I must admit, I may be a bit tainted because I have been on other much more interactive train ride. That being said. The gentleman who gave details and shared historical tidbits was very knowledgeable.

    Looking for something new to do on Labor Day weekend (also our Anniversary weekend), my wife ran…read moreacross the Bluegrass Railroad Museum. We've always loved doing things that are train-related, so this was an easy decision. Riding the train? Even better, as I've always loved train travel. They have the coach, first class, and the new open-air cars. Those looked awesome, but since it was our anniversary weekend we were looking for a bit more. "A bit more" meant we got to rid in The Cab with the engineers! It was a totally awesome experience, sitting, literally, at the front of the train with the guys making the thing go. As I recall the engineers were Robert and Steve, and were really nice guys. They were funny and informative, and it was cool to see the "behind the scenes" while the train was in motion. The Cab wasn't as big as I expected it to be and the controls weren't really high-tech, then again this was a pretty vintage engine. It was fun as we heard them calling out commands and statuses to each other and with the conductor at the rear of the train. The scenery along the way is beautiful. Horse farms and rolling fields make for post-card ready photographs, and the limestone cuts along the way make you realize just how much work went into getting the track built back during the civil war. We were also told that, while the railroad ties are replaced very 25 years, the iron rails are still the original rails that were laid back then. Once we got to the end of the track we ended up at the Kentucky River, which was seriously cool. While it's no longer viable for river crossings it's still an awesome thing to see. We stopped there for about 15 minutes to take pictures and to take in the scenery. Back on board the train and now the Engine is pushing the train from the rear and the engineers and conductor continued their calls, making sure things were moving safely. Once back at the station it was time to disembark and visit the museum and gift shop, which doubles as the ticket booth. They have a nice array of souvenirs to chose from for anyone at any age. The museum is a bit on the small side compared to others we've been to, but at the same time it's perfectly sized for their operation. There is also a model train exhibit in one of the stationary rail cars, and a few other cars to check out on the grounds. We really enjoyed our visit and train ride - especially riding in The Cab - and we'll be back again. Looking at other reviews it makes absolutely no sense why someone would give this a 1-star rating because it was, in every sense, and absolutely awesome experience.

    Photos
    The Engine
    The Engine
    Bored faces
    Bored faces
    Inside one of the Coach cars.

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    Inside one of the Coach cars.
    Mary Todd Lincoln House

    Mary Todd Lincoln House

    4.6
    (39 reviews)
    40.1 mi

    If you are even remotely interested in American history, presidential families, or powerful women…read moreahead of their time, stop scrolling and just go. The Mary Todd Lincoln House is a beautifully preserved window into the early life of a complex First Lady and the turbulent times she lived through. We opted for the guided tour, and it was absolutely the right choice. Phillip was our guide, and he didn't just recite facts. He gave perspective. Thoughtful, objective, and deeply knowledgeable, he handled the complicated dynamics of a slave-owning border state with grace and clarity. He was also incredibly kind in his portrayal of Mary Todd Lincoln, helping us see her not as a caricature, but as a layered, resilient, and deeply human figure. Each room is meticulously curated. Not every item was original to the Todd or Lincoln families, but everything was period appropriate and helped tell the story. The artifacts weren't just on display. They became part of the narrative, which made it all the more engaging. What surprised me most was how much the visit made me reflect on grief ... her profound losses, her perseverance, and the emotional weight she carried as First Lady during the Civil War. It gave me a new respect for her. And even better? My wife, who is not a big history buff, was the one who suggested we go, and she loved it. That says a lot. The whole tour ran a little over an hour and was the perfect pace. Despite the unseasonably hot June day, the air conditioning kept us comfortable, and the staff were welcoming from start to finish. Bonus points for the gift shop, it's small, but full of genuinely cool and thoughtful items. Well worth the money. Perfect for history buffs, curious minds, and even the skeptics. Educational, immersive, and honest. This isn't just a house. It is a home full of stories. And thanks to Phillip, we walked out with a deeper understanding of the people and times that shaped a presidency and a nation.

    We wanted to prove to ourselves that we were capable of doing something besides bourbon in…read moreLexington LOL, so we stopped here for a historical fix and were glad we did. For $15 each we could wander through the rooms as long as we didn't touch anything or sit on anything. No guided tour in the morning but there was someone downstairs who cheerily answered our questions. There's a small gift shop. Small but very pretty garden. And everything is nicely air conditioned. Parking lot is small and tight, with overflow parking available next door.

    Photos
    Mary Todd Lincoln House
    Mary Todd Lincoln House
    Mary Todd Lincoln House

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    Hyde Park Mushroom House

    Hyde Park Mushroom House

    4.8
    (18 reviews)
    36.4 mi

    Fairytale-like house [Cincinnati OH]…read more We couldn't just drive-by this whimsical house without stopping and doing a double take... and staring. This is the Mushroom House in the Hyde Park neighborhood of Cincinnati. The amount of detail is really breathtaking: circular steel steps, deck rails of wood shingles, stained glass windows, tiled ceilings... of course, I had to snap some pics. How often do we come to Cin City. The original owner/builder by the name of Terry Brown has passed away in 2008. The house is currently not on the market and occupied as a private residence as of 2021. Here are the deets in Zillow: 1 beds, 1 baths, 1,260 sq-ft. If you are curious about the inside of the home you can click on this link and watch it on YouTube: https://youtu.be/pVUFwH9Q6fk Review #3885

    If you're passing through Cincinnati you have to stop by the Mushroom House. This is the most…read moreunique real house I have ever seen. It is a relatively young house, when it comes to house age. It was started to get built by architect Terry Brown in 1992 and completed in 2006. Terry Brown him self resided in it until his passing in 2008. This house looks like a mushroom from a certain angle, and like an owl from another. It is a fairytale house in the real world. There's so much fine detail, there's no wonder it had taken this genius man 14 years to complete this artistic masterpiece of a home. The spiral orange stair case was chained off not allowing access to the public. There was a car parked in the driveway as well as a surveillance camera. They also had a "no trespassing" sign. The land around, although very minimal is very well groomed and well kept. Something tells me there are people who currently reside here. I don't know how I would feel about living in a home that gets so much attention and that is always being photographed. The Mushroom House is a must see in Cincinnati. Use your fairytale imagination to guide you inside. Happy travels!

    Photos
    08.31.25 the detail is amazing: circular steel steps, deck rails of wood shingles, stained glass windows, tiled ceilings...
    08.31.25 the detail is amazing: circular steel steps, deck rails of wood shingles, stained glass windows, tiled ceilings...
    It has an eye
    It has an eye
    The stairs were closed off

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    The stairs were closed off

    Ark Encounter - museums - Updated August 2026

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