A Life-Size Ark You Can Walk Through
Nothing prepares you for the sheer scale: 510 feet long, 85 feet wide, and 51 feet high.
Three expansive decks host immersive exhibits—from realistic animal “kinds” to scenes of Noah's family life—that blend storytelling with apologetics. Ark Encounter
Trip Highlights We Still Talk About
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The Ramp Reveal – Approaching the hull on the curved entry ramp framed our first full view; phones were out before we stepped inside.
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Deck 2 Food Hall – Surprisingly good barbecue and ample seating made lunch hassle-free.
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Ararat Ridge Zoo – Camel rides and exotic animals kept younger travelers engaged after touring the Ark.
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Evening Rainbow Lights – Post-sunset LEDs transform the Ark into a technicolor landmark—worth staying after dark.
2025 Planning Tips
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Budget for Parking & Tickets – Admission is now $64.99 per adult (ages 18–59); parking runs $15 per vehicle. Buy online to skip the gate queue. Ark Encounter
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Leverage Special Days – Mothers ride free the Saturday before Mother's Day; veterans enter free on 11 November. Ark Encounter
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Beat the Crowds – Winter weekdays remain the quietest; we walked straight in on a February Friday. Redeeming Family
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Pair with Creation Museum – Block one extra day; the museum sits ~45 minutes north in Petersburg and enriches the Ark narrative. Practical Travel Concepts
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Stay Nearby – Williamstown is small; most visitors lodge in Dry Ridge (7 mi) or Cincinnati suburbs (~45 mi). See hotel picks below.
Mini-Itinerary (Ideal Long Weekend)
Day 1 – Drive in, check into hotel, dinner in Dry Ridge.
Day 2 – Full Ark Encounter day (open 9 a.m.–7 p.m.), stay for night lighting.
Day 3 – Creation Museum morning, then head home or explore downtown Cincinnati.
From My Travel Notes
We actually made it this time!
Last week, we had a family trip to Cane's because we mistakenly thought the Ark was at the Creation Museum.
I call it the Ark Experience, because moving around it - and in it - really is an experience!
It is also an encounter, because no matter what you believe or think about this thing, it really does cause you to think.
We all enjoyed it and look forward to visiting it again.
Oh yeah...I took pictures of the "Spooky Jesus" (formerly known as "Touchdiwn Jesus" before lightning struck it...so I'm told) on the way back home.
- Taurus
