The Ark Encounter

Well, we went on a semi-vacation, y’all. A few weeks ago we packed some suitcases, and everyone piled into a small SUV at 4AM. We drove all day, with a few stops here and there. And one little detour to visit the largest Bass Pro in the USA. Because let's be honest, how could a car full of hunting and fishing enthusiasts NOT stop? However, the ultimate destination was Williamstown, Kentucky and we made it there in about 16 hours. The townhouse we were staying in was very decent, and after settling in, everyone quickly explored the game room downstairs. However, we did get there pretty late, so we kept that to a minimum. The real adventure for us would be the next day. So, after a few hours, we got everyone ready for bed. Now the house we were staying at was only 5 miles down the road from the Ark. Since we had gotten in so late we ended up having a late start to the day. It was closing in on 10:00 by the time everyone was showered, dressed, and fed. Once everyone was ready we were off to start on our adventure! 

While the weather wasn’t anywhere near as hot as it has been in Texas, it was still in the mid-80s. Thankfully, we got there a little before 11 AM and the forecast called for a partly cloudy morning. As we made our way, you could catch a glimpse of the Ark from the road. And it was huge! I expected it to be big, but I didn’t realize just how big. Parking was a breeze, and the ticket lines moved very quickly. Then everyone was handed a map and an insert with all of the information for exhibits and short presentations. And as soon as we had our bracelets we were directed to a different area where the shuttle buses came to pick us up. The wait time here was probably 8-10 minutes. The buses run continuously and they had quite a few of them going back and forth so it didn’t take long for them to get back around to pick up/drop off another group.

Now, I won’t bore you with too many details, but let me just say that “The Ark Encounter” was an experience. From the minute you step off of the bus all the way until you board back on to leave. They have a lot of activities, exhibits, films, and short presentations. There’s a VR building that you can visit as well, which is really cool. But honestly, my favorite part was just being there. Walking into this massive boat - I mean it was huge. Learning about how it was built. The animals that were on board. Walking through some of the Bible, and then learning about how there are very similar accounts of what happened in every single country. There was so much to take in, and I still don’t think we had enough time to cover it all. Often, I found myself just standing there in awe of it all. And it was beautiful!

Tickets prices are: Adults 18-59 ($49.95), Youth 11-17 ($24.95), and Kids 10 and under are currently free. They do offer senior discounts as well as combo passes and annual passes. And while that may seem pricey upfront, it really wasn't bad considering everything that they offer. However, there are a lot of other extras that they offer which do cost an additional fee. There is more than one gift shop, a few outside vendors in order to grab a snack, and even an all-you-can-eat buffet-style restaurant. There was also a small bakery and coffee shop. They have a small zoo, a children’s playground, and a fossil find area. They have zip-lining, and camel rides for the kids as well. In total, we spent about 5 hours there, and this includes the VR experience as well as dinner at “Emzara’s Kitchen” which is located on the grounds right outside of the Ark. And we spent a little over $400 on a family of three (tickets & food included).

So, if the Ark is something you’ve been wanting to go see and visit, do it! I can’t stress that enough. It’s a wonderful experience. And while we didn’t have time to visit there is also a Creation Museum, about a 45-minute drive away which you can get combo tickets for if you have the time to visit. I feel like that was our mistake, not getting there early enough to make the extra trip to visit the museum. Now, a few tips would be to pack light for the day, get there early, and wear comfortable shoes. There’s a lot of walking involved. Also, if you tend to get cold easily, wear a light jacket or cardigan because they keep it nice and cool inside. If you have small children I definitely recommend bringing a stroller, and honestly eating there at the restaurant is probably the best thing you can do. They had a whole range of options and everyone in our party was satisfied. Even the picky eaters. We had kids ranging in age from 7 to 11, and they all expressed a lot of excitement throughout our day there. Most importantly though, just take your time and enjoy it!