Planning Your Visit To The Ark Encounter And The Creation Museum
I frequently share news about the Ark Encounter and the Creation Museum on my blog, social media platforms, and when I am speaking around the country and abroad. We want people from all over the world to visit the two leading Christian themed attractions in the world and be equipped and encouraged by the message of biblical authority and the gospel. So maybe youve heard about both attractions before, and youre wanting to visit us in Northern Kentucky, but you still have a few planning questions. Well, here are answers to the most common questions I get asked by individuals and families planning their visit.
How long should we spend?
One of the most asked questions Ive received is, How long should we spend at the Ark Encounter and Creation Museum?
Because there is so much to do at each attraction, we have introduced an additional free option for you . Paid ticket holders to the Ark Encounter and the Creation Museum may request a free Explore More pass to the attraction they visited. This enables them to return and explore the many features most guests cannot do in just one day . The Explore More day excludes walking through the exhibits, which you would do during your first visit. Find out all the details about this generous option at ArkEncounter.com/tickets or CreationMuseum.org/tickets.
We hope to see you soon! Learn more at ArkEncounter.com/events and CreationMuseum.org/events.
Thanks for stopping by and thanks for praying,Ken
Toured Outside The Creation Museum
We toured the botanical gardens, the koi pond, the rain forest, and the Eden Animal Experience.
We thought the animal experience was a little small, but the one at the Ark Encounter did not disappoint. It makes sense though, that the outdoor experiences at the Creation Museum focus on plant life more and the Ark Encounter incorporates more animals.
There was a playground where we could hear the squeals and laughter of children, but we did not visit it. We did relax under one of the three pavilions provided. The instrumental music playing over the sound system combined with a gentle breeze and the beauty of our surroundings refreshed us.
The trails were immaculately maintained and everything was colorful and beautiful. One thing to note, not all of the trails are wheelchair accessible, but most are.
Kentucky Road Trip Series
At 510 feet long, 85 feet wide, and 51 feet high the Ark is the largest timber-frame structure in the world. Wow, that is big! It is even more awe-inspiring in person. When we heard that Answers in Genesis was building a replica we immediately put the Ark Encounter on our bucket list. Im happy to say that after our Kentucky road trip we were able to check that off of our list.
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How Much Are Tickets To The Ark Encounter
One-day tickets are $54.95 for adults , $44.95 for seniors , $24.95 for youths and children under 10 are free in 2022.
The park offers different combo ticket options as well, including three-day and annual passes that offer special parking options and one that includes admission to the Creation Museum. Additional ticket information can be found here.
What Are The Ark Encounter Hours
The hours change based on when you visit. The hours posted on their website are:
- May 28 August 14, 2022: Sunday, 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. Monday to Saturday, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Information for the encounter’s 2022 extended Christmas hours and events can be found here.
What should I wear?
Masks and other facial coverings are optional for guests while on park grounds.
Noahs Ark as described by the Bible was huge, and the replica is no different, so wear comfortable shoes. The ark is almost two football fields long and has three decks of exploration not including attractions surrounding the museum.
Expect to take at least three to four hours to get through the ark’s exhibits. Long, wheelchair accessible ramps connect each deck , however, there is also an elevator tucked away for those who need it.
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Half Price Tickets To Creation Museum In Kentucky
November 17 by Cassie
Here is a great and RARE deal! Grab half price tickets to the Creation Museum in Kentucky from JBDollar Stretcher daily deal site. You do not need to be local to get this deal, but if you are planning to go to the Creation Museum, then you might want to grab your tickets for cheaper now!
We have been wanting and planning to go sometime soon and cant wait until we get to go .
Have you gone to the Creation Museum yet? How is it?
Is There Wifi At The Ark Encounter
From dinosaurs to bears to the pre-flood Earth, the Ark Encounter museum has three floors of snap-worthy exhibits spanning its interior. Don’t let your battery die before you finish the tour. Bring an extra battery and don’t worry about using up your data plan there is free WiFi.
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Free Parking Grounds Access At Ark Encounter Creation Museum For Residents Of Nearby Counties
In a show of civic appreciation, Answers in Genesis and its popular themed attractions are reaching out to their neighbors with a special offer. Residents of seven Kentucky counties and one Indiana county can now park free through 2020 and, at no charge, tour the grounds of the internationally renowned Ark Encounter and Creation Museum.
The counties in Northern Kentucky are: Grant , Boone , Kenton, Campbell, Pendleton, Gallatin, and Owen and, in Indiana, Dearborn County .
They will be able to purchase meals at the attractions. There will be the normal ticket cost to enter the Creation Museum and the Ark to view their exhibits.
Our neighbors in Northern Kentucky and southern Indiana have been such a blessing to us over the years, Ken Ham, CEO of Answers in Genesis and founder of the attractions, said.In return, we want to offer them free access to the grounds of our theme parks, which are attractions in their own right. Its another way for us to say thank you to them. Also, most of my talks and the presentations given by AiGs other speakers in the large new Answers Center near the Ark can be attended at no charge. To make it even more welcoming to our neighbors, well throw in free parking at both attractions.
The Creation Museum in Petersburg
The Botanical Gardens at the Creation Museum
More about the free Christmas events can be found at www.ArkEncounter.com and www.CreationMuseum.org.
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Illumination Within The Ark
The windowovercast skya few hundred footcandlesover4000 footcandles
The high levels interior illumination experienced in modern classrooms and factories are unnecessary. Many lab animals are kept at low levels of illumination on the order of 18-37 footcandles, and a considerable number of animals can be kept in total darkness. For this reason, the minimal level of illumination within the Ark was probably dictated by human needs. Thus, an illumination of twenty footcandles is sufficient for public areas with dark surroundings. Areas of rough-seeing tasks require only five footcandles, and the same number is adequate for open corridors and store rooms. Print can be read easily at an illumination down to 1 footcandle. (Woodmorappe, p. 42
Artificial lighting could have eliminated possible hazards from fire. Fireflies have been collected in the Far East since antiquity. In fairly recent times, Chinese and Japanese who could not afford to buy fuel or candles would gather fireflies in a bag to make a lantern from which to read. During World War II the Japanese raised luminous bacteria for purposes of illumination during air-raid blackouts.
There are many references to luminous gems in ancient literature, along with apocryphal accounts of luminous pearls being used in the Ark. These descriptions may refer to some fluorspars which light upon being scratched, or else to phosphors.
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Bring A Group To The Creation Museum
Groups enjoy discounted rates as well as specialized assistance for check-in and ticketing. Creation Museum group discounts cannot be combined with any other discounts or offers. A group requires a minimum of 15 paying guests.
In order to ensure that space is available for your group of 15 or more paying guests, reservations are required 21 days in advance. A deposit of $100 is due at the time of booking. The deposit is refundable if the order is cancelled 21 or more days before your visit . Full payment, in one transaction, is due 21 days prior to the date of visit. Tickets added within 21 days of your scheduled visit must be paid for with a credit card at the time they are reserved.
If the required payments are not received by their due date, the reservation will be automatically cancelled.
When youre ready to make your group reservation, fill out the form below or call us at 582-4253 and press 4. Please have the following information ready:
- Contact information
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Is The Ark Encounter Ok For A Public School Field Trip
There’s been some controversy on this. In January 2019, letters were sent to 1,000 Kentucky public school districts from Freedom From Religion Foundation.
The letters stated that fields trips to the attraction were unconstitutional because they exposed a “captive audience of impressionable students” to Christian ideology.
Part of the controversy is that the Answers in Genesis ministry asserts that the Earth was created 6,000 years ago over the course of a few days and their museums show humans and dinosaurs living side by side.
The U.S. Geological Survey asserts, on the other hand, that dinosaurs went extinct nearly 65 million years before people appeared on Earth.
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Tickets Parking Planetarium Shows Schedule
Tickets arent exactly cheap especially to the Ark. There arent any ways to get stellar deals. Just buy the combo ticket and enjoy your trip.
At the Creation Museum you have the opportunity to buy tickets to two different Planetarium shows . We talked to the gentleman at the ticket counter and he recommended that we not buy tickets this trip. The material would be way over the kids heads. We decided to listen to his advice and it worked out well. On a trip when the kids are older wed maybe get them. If you decide to purchase Planetarium ticket purchase when you first arrive or risk them being sold out!
When you purchase a ticket for The Creation Museum it is a two day ticket.
This is how we planned our visits:
- Day 1: Creation Museum
- Day 2: Ark Encounter
- Day 3: Creation Museum at opening for a few hours
We were very happy with that decision and would do it again that way. I also heard from other people that planned their visit in that order and liked it as well.
Both places were less busy after lunch. The majority of the tour buses seemed to arrive at opening and left early afternoon.
You will have to pay for parking at both parks.
$5 parking at the Creation Museum$10 parking at the Ark Encounter
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Time For More Adventure
Choose one of the following fun, family-friendly destinations in Cincinnati :
- Harriot Beecher Stowe House ~ 2950 Gilbert Ave, Cincinnati, OH 45206
- National Underground Railroad Freedom Center ~ 50 East Freedom Way Cincinnati, Ohio 45202
- Houdinis Room Excape ~ 9309 Montgomery Road, Cincinnati OH
- Full Throttle Indoor Karting ~ 11725 Commons Drive, Cincinnati, OH
- Childrens Museum ~ 1301 Western Ave, Cincinnati, OH 45203
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Buy Your Tickets And Book Your Hotel On Arkencountercom
Were excited to announce that you can now purchase your tickets to visit the Ark Encounter and book your hotel reservations on one siteright here on ArkEncounter.com! Choose from a variety of vetted hotels conveniently located near our life-size Noahs Ark and our sister attraction, the Creation Museum, and receive a special rate when you book through our site.
Once you purchase your Ark Encounter tickets and book your hotel, start getting excited for your visit! Here are just a few aspects of your trip to look forward to:
Directions To The Ark Encounter
From the south
If youre driving northbound on I-75, take exit 154 toward Owenton/Williamstown. Turn left off the exit ramp onto Ky. 36 and travel 0.3 mile to arrive at the Ark Encounter parking lot on the left.
From the north
If youre driving southbound on I-75, take exit 154 toward Owenton/Williamstown. Turn right off the exit ramp and travel 0.2 mile to arrive at the Ark Encounter parking lot on the left.
You can find more detailed directions at arkencounter.com/directions.
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The Flood Lawsuit Over Rain
The Ark Encounter may have been built to model a biblical boat that survived worldwide floods, but the replica was not as immune as the biblical version.
In May 2019, the owner of the Kentucky attraction sued for rain damage after five insurance companies would not cover the $1 million in damage to its access road caused by heavy rains.
The Ark Encounter and Allied World Assurance Company later wrote they have settled the case and said they would file an Agreed Order of Dismissal within 45 days.
The Boys Taking A Break For Their Games On Their Phone At One Of The Many Benches To Rest On
9. Be prepared to take your picture when you board the ark. You can purchase your family picture when you exit the ark through the gift shop. Take a look at the items in the gift shop. I loved the gift shop!
10. Dont forget the extra activities outside of the ark! Kids will love the Ararat Ridge Zoo that is free with admission. See and learn about animals from around the world, such as yaks, emus, kangaroos, and lizards. Some are available for petting. You can also pay extra for donkey or camel rides. If that isnt your thing, soar 17 stories high at speeds up to 50mph on the zip lines!
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Encounter The Worlds Largest Christian Music Festival
With your annual combo pass, youll be able to enjoy special events such as 40 Days and 40 Nights of Gospel Music at the Ark Encounter. Multiple concerts daily feature award-winning artists like The Isaacs, Ernie Haase & Signature Sound, Lynda Randle, Karen Peck & New River, Brian Free & Assurance, and many more favorites. Youll also hear from speakers such as Ken Ham, Dr. David Jeremiah, Dr. Jerry Vines, Dr. Johnny Hunt, Dr. Robert Jeffress, Dr. Tim Hill, and more.
The daily 40 Days and 40 Nights concerts are included with your annual combo pass or general admission to the Ark Encounter. So, if you visit between August 2 and September 10, you can enjoy whatever concert is taking place that day at no extra cost to you!
Purchase your annual combo pass now and start taking advantage of all that your pass has to offer today!
Group Tour To The Ark Encounter & Creation Museum Ky & Oh By Bus
Featuring a lifesized replica of Noahs Ark!
This package includes:
- 3 Nights Lodging
- 3 Breakfasts
- 3 Dinners, including a Riverboat Dinner Cruise and a German Dinner with Entertainment at the Hofbrauhaus
- Admission to the Ark Encounter
- Admission to the Creation Museum
- Guided Tour of Cincinnati
- All Taxes and Meal Gratuities
- 2 Comps Per Bus of 40 or more
Options:
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Bounce Between The Creation Museum And Ark Encounter With New Pass Options
Were excited to announce a whole new way to experience everything the Creation Museum and the Ark Encounter offerand this new option is available just in time for your spring or summer vacation plans! These attractions offer world-class exhibits, beautiful grounds, hands-on family programs, presentations, concerts, animal encounters, zoo animals, playgrounds, and so much more.*
With all there is to experience at the museum and the life-size Noahs Ark, families have trouble fitting everything into just two days . So we are now offering a new pass to join our other ticketing options.
Will You Need A Place To Stay
If you need a place to stay when you visit, you can book your hotel while your purchase your Bouncer Pass on CreationMuseum.org! Choose from a variety of vetted hotels conveniently located near the Creation Museum and the Ark Encounter, and receive a special rate when you book through our site.
Were excited for this new ticketing option that will help families experience even more of what the worlds leading Christian-themed attractions have to offer. Plan your visit today at CreationMuseum.org or ArkEncounter.com.
*Some experiences are an additional charge.
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Visiting The Creation Museum And Ark Encounter
The Ark Encounter and Creation Museum are both one-of-a-kind stops located in northern Kentucky. The Creation Museum and Ark Encounter are owned by the same Christian organization, Answers in Genesis . The two attractions are approximately 45 minutes away from each other.
Each location provides something different. The Ark Encounter is home to a life-size ark where you can learn more about the famous story where Noah built a gigantic boat and saved his family and all of the animals from a 40-day flood that re-shaped the world. The Creation Museum is full of exhibits to compare the Creation vs. Evolution theories and provides reasons why they believe that Creation theory is correct. I recommend setting aside at least 4-6 hours at each site to be able to fully take in the exhibits. Both sites are frequently busy.
Regardless of your religious beliefs, I believe everyone should visit a place like this at least once so you can educate yourself about a different religion, culture, and belief system. If you are a Christian, then these stops will provide a unique opportunity to see some of the Bible stories that you are familiar with in a new way. If you dont believe in Christianity, then a stop like this can help you understand those who believe in it a little better.
If you are interested in more one of kind experiences, take a look at our Unique Places in Kentucky post.
