Ark Encounter
4.7(41K)google
4.2(735)yelp
FamilyEducationalInteractiveMust-See
Overview
Ark Encounter is a Christian theme park that opened in Williamstown, Kentucky, United States, in 2016. The centerpiece of the park is a large representation of Noah's Ark, based on the Genesis flood narrative contained in the Bible. It is 510 feet (155.4 m) long, 85 feet (25.9 m) wide, and 51 feet (15.5 m) high.
Practical Info
Mon9:00 AM – 6:30 PM
Tue9:00 AM – 6:30 PM
Wed9:00 AM – 6:30 PM
Thu9:00 AM – 6:30 PM
Fri9:00 AM – 6:30 PM
Sat9:00 AM – 6:30 PM
Sun1:00 – 6:30 PM
Suggested Duration4-7 hours
Best TimeSummer (June-August) for pristine outdoor strolling or late December for the spectacular multi-colored holiday light trail displays. As the world's largest timber-frame structure built to Biblical proportions, entering the secondary safety screening line by 8:45 AM on a mid-week morning (Tuesday-Thursday) is critical; sunrise rays strike the 510-foot-long pine-plank hull beautifully before massive cross-country church buses arrive.
Getting TherePerfectly positioned at 1 Ark Encounter Dr, Williamstown. Driven access is exceptionally fast and simple as the attraction directly anchors the Interstate 75 freeway corridor; speed south from Cincinnati for 40 minutes to Exit 154 and follow the explicit mega-signage. The world-class site operates a multi-acre, paid surface lot from which mandatory air-conditioned shuttle buses ferry guests straight to the ark structure.
Travel Tips
- Direct vehicle access to the Ark structure is blocked; park at the centralized lot off I-75 and board the mandatory venue shuttle.
- The 510-foot three-deck structure lacks midway exits; renting an electric mobility scooter (ECV) at the entrance ticket window is highly advised.
- Ararat Ridge Zoo animal feedings and Truth Traveler VR experiences require secondary individual ticket purchases outside general admission.
Reviews
Positive
- Built to full biblical dimensions entirely from wood, the massive Noah's Ark offers unparalleled visual awe, with exquisite carpentry that leaves you amazed.
- The interior features three levels of grand exhibit spaces, using realistic animal models, light effects, and detailed documentation for an immersive look at life on the Ark.
- The ancillary facilities are modern and complete, offering high-standard mobility scooters for rent and ample public restrooms that are kept spotlessly clean.
- In addition to the Ark, the grounds include the Ararat Ridge Zoo and a zipline course, making it perfectly suited for a full-day family trip with small children.
Heads up
- Admission combined with parking is very expensive, and prices at the massive buffet and gift shops are steep, creating a high-expense theme park with disputed value.
- Due to its immense popularity, queues are severe on weekends and holidays; lines for tickets, shuttles, and indoor viewing are consistently packed and crowded.
- The core exhibits strictly promote Young Earth Creationism with heavy religious preaching, which might cause conceptual conflicts for non-believing visitors.
- Taking the park's shuttle bus from the massive parking lot to the Ark entrance is mandatory; during peak hours, insufficient shuttles mean long waits under the blazing sun.