The Ark Encounter: A Journey Through History and Faith
The Ark Encounter, located in Williamstown, Kentucky, is a massive, awe-inspiring attraction that brings the biblical story of Noah’s Ark to life. This monumental replica of the Ark, based on the account in the Book of Genesis, serves as a unique blend of faith, history, and education.
Have you ever got lost in a book? I love it when this happens because your imagination runs wild as everything plays out in your head. What if you can take one of the bible stories you heard as a kid and walk through a scene of the story like it is part of your reality? Well, the Ark Encounter does just that.
Williamstown Kentucky is the perfect getaway weekend. Hampton Inn & Suites Williamstown Ark Encounter will give you the prime spot for a place to stay.
My son and I bought the combo ticket to experience the Ark exhibit and the creation museum. Tickets can be purchased in advance. There are often discounts or combo packages available. Which includes The Ark Encounter and the nearby Creation Museum.
You will start your visit to the Ark by hopping on a shuttle that will bring you to the entrance of the exhibit. You will walk through the rainbow symbolizing God’s promise to us that He will never flood the entire earth again. Look then ahead and see the Ark in front of you on the other side.
Virtual Experience
We curved off to the left after passing the rainbow and paid to do a virtual reality experience called, The Truth Traveler’s A Flood of Reality. This is an immersive 4k virtual reality experience that feels like you are taking a ride back into the past. Experience the building of Noah’s Ark, the flood, inside the ark with all the animals and much more. It is a great opening to the start of your day. It got my son excited to walk through the Arc exhibit. This is an additional cost and it was $15 for adults and $10 for kids when we went.
If the virtual reality experience is something you are interested in, I would recommend right upon your arrival going over and booking your time slot. We were lucky enough to get in right away, but slots book up fast throughout the day. There is no option as of right now to purchase online before your arrival. So once you get in the park head on over and grab those tickets.
Aerial Adventure
Which brings me to Screaming Eagle Aerial Adventures that is found on the premises. I was told by a friend that I could walk right up and get put on the next slot but that was not the case. The morning of our visit there were no available slots left and the entire day was booked. It was a huge disappointment to my son and it looked very neat. Good thing is, learn from my mistake and book a zip line canopy tour or a eagles nest ariel adventure ahead of time on their website which I have linked.
The Ark Exhibit
The Ark exhibit is something I personally would love to go back to do just by myself and spend hours reading everything in the Ark exhibit. My son and I both took some time at most of the spots but as we got more into the ark exhibit, Carson started getting a bit antsy. It is a lot of reading but that is the neatest part. The exhibit broke down every detail. It was descriptive and left you with a thorough understanding of what all took place.
Inside the Ark, visitors will find a series of exhibits designed to bring to life the biblical narrative and highlight the role of animals, human survival, and the importance of God’s plan. The exhibits focus on various themes, such as the logistics of housing and caring for the animals, the engineering marvel of the Ark itself, and the moral and spiritual lessons of Noah’s story.
One of the highlights of the Ark Encounter is its animal exhibits. The Ark is said to have carried two of each kind of animal, and the exhibits inside explore how Noah could have managed such an immense task. Interactive displays illustrate the potential ways Noah might have cared for the animals, and visitors can view realistic representations of these creatures in the Ark’s stalls.
The Ark’s middle and top decks contain exhibits that focus on the moral and spiritual aspects of the biblical account. Visitors are encouraged to reflect on the story of Noah’s faith, obedience, and the covenant between God and mankind, as well as the significance of the flood in the context of biblical teachings.
So in summary, The Ark has 3 decks to explore
- Deck 1: You walk through a storage area and learn about the animals.
- Deck 2 focuses on the world before the flood, animal concerns and how God might have prepared Noah for the task that lies ahead.
- Deck 3 shows a possibility of how Noah and his family lived on the boat, flood geology, post flood events and a special bible exhibit.
Where to Eat
I bet after seeing all the food options on the third deck you’re starting to hear your stomach growl. So head on over to a number of eating options. My son and I personally ate at Emzara’s Kitchen which is buffet style but there are outside food venues to choose from such as the village smokehouse and the southwest grill but packing a picnic in a backpack to eat is always a great option too.
After a good meal with your stomach full and ready to go, take a walk around the outdoor exhibits. Included in your Ark admission is the Ararat Ridge Zoo, Children’s Zoo, Kangaroo Walkabout, animal shows and the Carousel ride. For an additional fee you can ride a camel or do a meet and greet with a camel. This is a great chance to meet a variety of different animals and hear biblical teachings on the animal kingdom.
Gift Shop
On your way out, check out the gift shop. I love doing puzzles. I picked up an ark puzzle on the way out to enjoy doing once we got home. My son will sit down and help me after I get a puzzle going but he doesn’t enjoy the first initial grind of starting a new puzzle. His favorite part though is when I save the very last piece of the puzzle for him to connect. Who doesn’t love that part?
This is a full day of experiences, education, and fun! But as I said, you can make a weekend here. The ark exhibit is just one day! There are some ideas below for a full weekend of activities, exploration and great times.
My son and I did the Ark and the Creation Museum in one day but my sister did the longer weekend here and added on some of the adventures below which they absolutely loved. Plus, giving yourself an extra day or two you don’t feel rushed and can take your time and enjoy each moment to the fullest.
This last picture is from inside the Creation Museum
What to do on day two and 3 for a long weekend?
–Creation Museum: You can buy a combo ticket with your Ark exhibit (this is what we did) or buy separate
– Newport Aquarium is such a fun and exciting educational experience.
– Take a cruise on the Ohio River with BB Riverboats
–Where to stay? Hampton Inn & Suites Williamstown Ark Encounter
Continued Adventures in Kentucky
Adventures in Kentucky flows like its mighty rivers from baseball, to underground experiences, to rugged cliffs and natural bridge formations. If you have an adventurous soul, keep reading about our other adventures in Kentucky below.
Carson and I often love driving throughout a single state, hitting multiple destinations within. We do this because we like to see the transitions of environment, scenery and pace change.
We appreciate each transition in its own unique wonder which often leads to thrilling adventures and a diversity of experiences. Kentucky delivered in every direction we went and left us completely captivated by its charm.
Check out our other adventures in Kentucky
- Crystal Kayak Glow Tour at SUP Kentucky: Explore an Underground Cavern in a Unique Light
- Rock Climbing Adventures with Southeast Mountain Guides: A Complete Guide
- Hyatt Regency Louisville: Ultimate Comfort and Convenience for Your Stay
- Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory: Everything You Need to Know
- Louisville Mega Cavern Zip Lining: An Ultimate Underground Adventure
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