In July 2025, our family decided to take a road trip from Wisconsin to visit the Ark Encounter and Creation Museum in Kentucky.
Below is a basic itinerary, some tips, and answers to frequently asked questions about our trip.
Visit Mid-Week if You Can
I know not everyone has the flexibility to go during the week, but if you can, it’s a lot less crowded compared to the weekends. We talked to quite a few families who gave us this advice from their own experience.
We went Tuesday-Thursday and neither the Creation Museum nor the Ark Encounter were crowded.
Also, there was always a shuttle bus ready to take us to and from the parking lot at the Ark Encounter. This saved us from spending a lot of time standing in lines.
Spread It Over 2-3 Days if You Can
Take your time! There is a lot of information to take in.
If you want to explore the Ark Encounter and the Creation Museum, spread it over at least two days, three if you can.
Because we were going to spend around 7 hours driving down on Tuesday and driving home on Thursday, we decided to purchase the 3-Day Bounce Pass, so we could get 1.25 days at the Ark Encounter and .5 day at the Creation Museum and not have to drive late at night.
Plenty of people only have one day to visit the Ark, and if that’s your case, work with what you have!
Below is what our 3-day visit to the Ark Encounter and Creation Museum looked like.
Our 3-Day Ark Encounter & Creation Museum Itinerary
Tuesday Late Afternoon
We arrived at the Ark Encounter around 4:30 and stayed a couple of hours. We got our bearrings and completed the first deck of the Ark and part of the second deck.
We also checked out the playground, and the kids rode on the carousel.
Tuesday Evening
We went to check in at our AirBnb, which was only 7 minutes from the Ark Encounter.
(There’s more about where we stayed below.)
Wednesday Morning
After eating breakfast, we got to the Ark Encounter right before it opened around 9:00 AM. We stayed until about 3:00 PM.
We zoomed up to the second deck where we had left off (picture below was one of our favorites), then finished exploring the rest of the second and third deck exhibits.
We headed back to the Answers Center to get coffee (this line was pretty long when we first arrived, but by waiting a couple of hours, there was no line).
Next, we headed to the Ararat Ridge Zoo, Junior’s Zoo Adventure, and walked through the kangaroo and wallaby path.
The animals were just chilling. While we were able to hang out near them, we weren’t able to pet any.
Wednesday Afternoon
Around 12:30 PM, we filled up for our biggest meal of the day at Emzara’s Buffet, which came highly recommended from other guests.
It was busy, but there was plenty of good food to eat, and being inside was a nice break from the July heat.
Next, we went back to the Ararat Ridge Zoo for a “Creature Feature,” which was about a very interesting African porcupine.
After that, we headed to the playground. We left around 3:30 PM as everyone was hot, tired, and full of information!
Wednesday Evening
That evening, we relaxed at our AirBnb, made dinner, went for a walk around the grounds, played at the playground, played cards, and read books.
Thursday Morning
We packed up and checked out of our AirBnb. Then we left around 8:00 AM to make the 45-minute drive to the Creation Museum (it also opens at 9:00 AM).
After walking by the lovely gardens, we got coffee and explored the museum.
We watched a short but cool 10-minute 4D show (Encounter the Wonder), then explored the kids’ dinosaur and insect areas.
We headed outside and walked through the Plants of the Bible Conservatory, Farmyard, and Wallaby Walkabout.
Thursday Afternoon
Around noon, we left the Creation Museum. We could have stayed a lot longer and read a lot more, but it was a very hot July day, and the kids were tuckered and had information overload.
So we began our 7-hour drive home, which allowed us to get home before dark.
Buy Parking Ahead of Time
You need to pay for parking, but we saved time by purchasing this ahead of time. You can either show it on your phone or print it out.
Tip: I printed and put all my important documents for a trip (tickets, AirBnB info, etc) in a brightly-colored envelope, that way it is easier to find when you need it!
(Don’t mind the children’s coconut oil fingerprints…)
Wear Comfortable Walking Shoes
There is a lot of walking, so make sure everyone in the family has their most comfortable walking shoes!
If you have littles, consider a stroller.
Read about Noah and the Ark Beforehand
A few nights before we left, we started reading The True Story of Noah’s Ark. We brought it along and finished it Tuesday evening.
It was great to have some fresh background information and be able to connect the dots to some of what we had read and seen at the Ark Encounter.
Read or Watch about Creation before the Ark
We were lucky to have a friend who let us borrow a DVD about the Creation Museum. This gave our kids a heads up on what to expect, since I didn’t know much about that museum beforehand.
You could also read about the creation from Genesis or a children’s Bible before going to the Creation Museum.
Where Did We Stay?
We stayed at a small lodge at Eden Reserve in Williamstown, Kentucky. We opted for this over a hotel because it offered 3 separate sleeping areas, 2 full bathrooms, a full kitchen, and was a short drive from the Ark. There were no shared walls with anyone else, which allowed for more privacy and better sleep.
If you woke in the night, you could hear the hum of the highway, and we had to call for help with our check-in code, but other than those two minor things, it was a great little place to stay.
A friend stayed and recommended this cabin for an unplugged stay (no TV or wi-fi) about 20 minutes from the Ark.
Another friend recommended the Hilton Garden Inn in Florence, Kentucky, which was about 30-35 minutes from the Ark and about 25 minutes from the Creation Museum.
Were You Able to Pet a Wallaby?
Yes!
We were all able to pet a couple of wallabies at the Creation Museum because they have a tortoise in there who kept the wallabies moving. It was comical.
We were not able to pet any at the Ark Encounter.
Is Emzara’s Buffet Allergy-Friendly?
When we visited the Ark Encounter, we were not managing food allergies anymore. You can read more about how that changed by focusing on gut health a couple of years ago.
I noticed when we were at the buffet, there was a tag that labeled Allergens for each (or most) food items, which makes it a little easier when managing food allergies.
Of course, at a buffet and eating out anywhere, there is risk for cross-contamination or mislabeling, so only you can weigh the pros and cons of eating out with your food allergies. Here is more information about dining with food allergies at the Ark Encounter.
Family Tip: Let Your Kids Navigate with the Map
A friendly reminder to let your kids navigate with the map! This is an essential life skill that we sometimes forget to teach as parents. After you’ve gotten your bearings, let your kiddos take turns reading the map and leading your group somewhere.
Family Tip: Let Your Kids Help Plan Your Day
When you check into both places, you will receive a Map & Guide as well as a Schedule of the specific programs running that day. If your kids are old enough, let your kids choose an activity (or a few) besides the main attraction to experience.
Whether it’s an animal program, tour, worship experience, video, or speaker, consider letting your children have a say in your day.
Reflect Afterwards
Remember to reflect as a family afterwards about your favorite part(s) and something(s) you were surprised by and learned. This can open the door for fruitful discussion.
Are there Extra Costs for Things?
There are extra opportunities for experiences and things at both places, but there’s plenty to do without them, in my opinion.
Some of the experiences that cost extra are:
- ziplines (Ark Encounter and Creation Museum)
- camel rides (Ark Encounter)
- feeding camel (Ark Encounter)
- virtual reality show (Ark Encounter)
- fossil find (Ark Encounter)
- planetarium (Creation Museum)
- butterfly house (Creation Museum)
Of course, food, drinks, and souvenirs will cost extra.
Take Advantage of Discounts
The Ark Encounter offers discounts for:
- Kids 10 and under are free (as of 2025)
- Military
- Mothers on Mother’s Day
- Fathers on Father’s Day
- Former and Active Duty Military on Veterans Day
- Local Ultimate Family Bouncer Pass for families in certain Kentucky and Indiana counties
Visit this page to learn more about discounts and specials.
Travel Essentials for Us
Some of our travel must-haves include:
- Wristbands for motion sickness – the kids use these from Amazon
- Audiobooks! We use a Yoto Mini and borrow Playaways from the library.
- Essential oils or supplements for digestion – we used doTERRA’s DigestZen roller after the buffet since we don’t eat out often
- Peppermint beadlets, essential oil, or gum for nausea or alertness in the afternoon – this is the gum we use and these are the beadlets we use
- Glutathione patches by Lifewave – for detox and liver support
- Snack boxes
- Car organizer with a trash bag
- Refillable water bottles & spring water
- Books, activity books, and games – the kids used Rush Hour and Uno
- Coffee & Protein – My favorite mushroom coffee & protein with collagen powder
- Electrolytes! These were such a help since it was about 85-90 degrees and sunny when we went.
- FocusAid for the driver! We like the Kiwi Strawberry.
Related Posts
- Tips for Elementary Homeschooling while Traveling
- How Homeschoolers Can Enjoy Great Wolf Lodge without Breaking the Bank
- Great Chapter Books for Girls in Grade School
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