Tips for Visiting the Ark Encounter and Creation Museum
If you’re planning a faith-based family trip or group outing, the Ark Encounter and Creation Museum are two must-see destinations in Northern Kentucky! Whether you’re going with a youth group, school, or just your family, these attractions offer a memorable and meaningful experience. My family and I traveled with a group and our time was so rich!
To make the most of your visit, consider purchasing a multi-day pass that covers both locations and includes parking. (NOTE: it is always important to double check this option and availability when you book your own trip!) The Ark Encounter and Creation Museum are about 45 minutes apart by car, so doing them on separate days allows for a more relaxed and enjoyable pace, especially if you are traveling with children – they will be able to get more out of the trip than if it’s all in one day.
Why Travel with a Group Makes a Difference
Visiting with a group—whether it’s friends, a church group, or extended family—can add so much to the experience. With over 25 people in our group, we naturally moved slower through the exhibits, which gave us more time to talk, reflect, and enjoy the journey together. If you’re going as a smaller family or couple, your pace could be quicker and you will likely cover more in shorter period of time. That in mind, I encourage you to plan for some additional nearby activities, sight-seeing, or exploration to be included in your visit.
What to Expect at the Ark Encounter
The Ark Encounter is a life-sized replica of Noah’s Ark, as described in the Bible. This amazing structure is truly awe-inspiring, both in size and detail. The interior features exhibits that explore the biblical account and provide biblical history, animal care, and life aboard the ark. It’s easy to spend several hours walking through each level, reading displays, and watching short educational videos throughout the ship.
Here are the highlights we discovered as we ‘encountered’ the ark…
If you have some people who really like to read details and plaques at museum, I’d have them start on the 3rd floor as you walk through the petting zoo. It can take a long time to read everything on the 3rd floor so I wish I had known that ahead. Small kids or friends that don’t love doing a lot of reading may feel bored after a bit on the 3rd floor of the ark. (I loved seeing the rooms for Noah and his family on the 3rd floor though.)
Seeing the 1st and 2nd floor with how they set it up to house all the animals and food was so interesting. Reading about how they got to the numbers that they did, etc, was interesting, too. We all loved the gift shops. The mom’s loved the jewelry, kids loved the toys and clothing, and dad’s loved the Christmas ornaments. lol
Our kids loved the VR “ride” next to the carousel, too. Their iced coffee was so good and we ate lunch in the large restaurant just outside of the ark, but didn’t love it. It was buffet style and just ok in our opinion.
After we finished at the Ark, we stopped by this Mexican restaurant (3 minutes from the ark) and they were able to fit us in with no wait. It was so delicious.
Where to Stay Between the Two Attractions
During our visit, my family stayed at the Home2 Suites by Hilton in Florence, KY (7570 Woodspoint Dr). We found this location ideal, situated about halfway between the Ark Encounter and the Creation Museum. Plus, it is conveniently located near casual dining spots and fast food options to oblige a variety of eating wishes and needs. The hotel was clean, family-friendly, and offered a complimentary breakfast each morning. If you are traveling with pets, the hotel is fully accommodating.
Highlights from the Creation Museum
Day 2 was our visit to the Creation Museum. We were hopeful to explore the botanical gardens on the property; however, the rain kept our exploration mostly indoors. Fortunately, the museum itself is packed with engaging exhibits, from life-size biblical displays to planetarium shows, and more. Our time was still wonderful and full, and thankfully, I was able to snag a quick picture before the rain took over!
I enjoyed the live teaching and reptile show the most because so much of the museum was reading plaques. John enjoyed reading through everything though. They did have a cool area inside with a creation display that I liked.
A couple of things to note:
- This museum is geared more toward teens and adults than it is toward younger children, so be sure to plan your travels with that in mind.
- While in the area, you should also check out Smale Riverfront Park, Top Golf, Taste of Belgium, and Starlight Donut Lab.
Final Thoughts on Visiting the Ark Encounter and Creation Museum
Whether you’re traveling as a family or with a larger group, making this visit is well worth it, and I highly recommend going on this trip at least once! We found it beautifully inspiring and accordingly educational. I am so glad my family and I had the opportunity to go!
Design Inspiration: A Kid’s Room with a Biblical Adventure Theme
I love to be inspired by the places I visit. My creativity goes into overdrive! From this visit, I am dreaming up designs for a child’s room that echo the wonder of the Ark Encounter. Think gentle animal prints, wood textures, sets of two, and soft blues and neutrals to evoke the feel of the ark. A hand-painted mural or wallpaper could make a bold statement and faith-filled touches could delicately adorn the room!
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Happy FunCycling Friends,
Sarah ;)
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