Everything you need to know if you're visiting the Ark Encounter in Kentucky
Kentucky is landlocked, but it does have an ark large enough for any disaster. Hypothetically, it could even handle a worldwide flood.
A five-story museum replica of the biblical Noah's Ark is featured at the Ark Encounter theme park in Grant County, between Cincinnati and Lexington off Interstate 75.
The Christian theme park, whose parent attraction is the Creation Museum in Boone County, Kentucky, opened in 2016, at which time park officials estimated that 1.4 million to 2.4 million people would visit each year.
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The $100 million park was built by Answers in Genesis, a Christian apologetics organization, and showcases Creationist beliefs surrounding the stormy biblical tale.
Although Answers in Genesis did not provide specific numbers about the park's visitors for 2020-2021, Mark Looy, chief compliance officer, said some Saturdays in previous summers saw over 12,000 visitors between both parks. He expects attendance for this summer to surpass those numbers.
Planning to tour the towering attraction? Here's what you should know:
Ark Encounter location
The Ark Encounter is at 1 Ark Encounter Drive, Williamstown, KY 41097. If your GPS does not recognize the address, the Ark Encounter website directs people to use an alternative address: 220 KY Highway 36 West, Williamstown, Kentucky 41097.
The entrance to the Ark Encounter is west of the intersection of Ky. 36 and Interstate 75 (at exit 154).
Directions to the Ark Encounter
From the south
If you’re 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 you’re 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.
Where do I park at the Ark Encounter?
When you arrive, you will be shuttled in buses from the parking area about a mile away to the ark.
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Parking is $15 for standard cars and $20 for oversized vehicles. Parking is available for RVs and motor coaches, but it is not allowed overnight.
Parking starts and ends 30 minutes before each opening and closing.
How much are tickets to the Ark Encounter?
One-day tickets are $54.95 for adults (ages 18-59), $44.95 for seniors (ages 60 and older), $24.95 for youths (ages 11 to 17) 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 (in Eastern time) are:
March 9 – May 27, 2022: Sunday, 1 p.m. to 7 p.m.; Monday to Saturday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
May 28 – August 14, 2022: Sunday, 1 p.m. to 7 p.m.; Monday to Saturday, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
August 15 – November 23, 2022: Sunday, 1 p.m. to 7 p.m.; Monday to Saturday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
November 24, 2022: Closed for Thanksgiving Day
November 25 – December 30, 2022: Sunday 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.; Monday to Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Saturday: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
December 24-25, 2022: Closed for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day
December 31, 2022 – March 7, 2023: Wednesday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; closed Sunday through Tuesday
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.
Noah’s 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 (no steps), however, there is also an elevator tucked away for those who need it.
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Where do I eat at the Ark Encounter?
For those who don’t want to pack a lunch, Emzara’s Kitchen is adjacent to the ark outside the park. The restaurant, named after the traditional Jewish name for Noah’s wife, is buffet-style and prices begin at $8.99 for children 5-10 and go to $16.99 for adults, ages 11-59. Emzara's is open on Sunday from 1 – 6 p.m. and Monday to Saturday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Other dining options include The Village Smokehouse and Southwest Grill alongside snack stands inside the ark. More information about the park's dining options can be found here.
What are the Extreme Zip Lines?
Extreme Zip Lines availability varies and must be checked through the attraction's booking website. . From mid-January to early March, zip lines are mostly available for pre-reservations on Saturdays. Tickets aren't included in the price of Ark Encounter general admission. For the Level 1 zipline course, tickets begin at $59.
There are 24 different zip lines, 10 of which are 1,000 feet long and two of which are around 2,000 feet long.
Zip liners must be at least 8 years old and weigh 75 pounds. There is a maximum weight of 250 pounds for women and 285 pounds for men. Some weight requirements change according to the course.
The Eagle’s Nest Aerial Adventure allows 4-year-old children to participate if they are 70 inches or taller.
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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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.
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.
Reach reporter Sarah Ladd at sladd@gannett.com. Reach Digital Optimization Team leader Bobby Shipman at rshipmaniv@courier-journal.com or at 502-582-7079. Reporter Rae Johnson contributed, follow them on Twitter at @raej_33.
This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Ark Encounter in Kentucky: What to know about Noah's Ark replica
