The Ark Encounter, Kentucky- 2026

Ark Encounter - Williamstown, Kentucky.

When we arrived, we quickly realized this was not going to be a quick stop. We waited in line for about an hour before we even made it onto the shuttle bus that takes visitors from the parking area up to the Ark.

Once we finally boarded the bus, we drove about a mile through the property toward the main attraction. And then, as the Ark came into view, you really understand why they make you take the bus up there. It is massive.

The Ark Encounter is a full-size reconstruction based on the dimensions given in Genesis: 510 feet long, 85 feet wide and 51 feet high. It opened to the public on July 7, 2016, and is seven stories high and recognized by Ark Encounter as the world’s largest timber-frame structure. Seeing it in person after reading about it is completely different.

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Walking Through Noah’s Ark

The Ark itself has three main decks, and walking through them feels like walking through the story of Noah.

Rather than simply being a giant replica that you walk around and take pictures of, the inside is filled with detailed exhibits showing what life aboard the Ark may have looked like.

The first deck focuses heavily on the animals, storage, food and the practical side of caring for so many animals. There are cages, food-storage areas and exhibits explaining how the Ark could have been organized.

The second deck takes you further into the story, with exhibits about the pre-Flood world, Noah, the animals and the construction of the Ark.

The third deck focuses more on Noah and his family. There are living quarters, a kitchen, workshop areas and other scenes showing how the family may have lived during their time aboard the Ark.

One of the things I found really interesting was that the exhibits distinguish between what is actually stated in Scripture and what the designers had to imagine. Since the Bible doesn’t give details about things like exactly what Noah’s family wore, what their bedrooms looked like or what their daily routines were, some of those details were created using artistic interpretation.

The entire experience takes you through the story of Noah, his family, the animals, the Flood and what happened afterward.

©️victoriaam

How the Ark Was Built

The actual construction of the Ark Encounter is fascinating too.

The project was the vision of Ken Ham, founder of Answers in Genesis, the organization that also operates the Creation Museum. Construction began in 2014, with the goal of creating a life-size Ark based on the biblical dimensions in Genesis.

The structure was built using enormous timber beams, with Amish craftsmen involved in the construction. Some of the center beams are nearly 10 feet around. The finished Ark measures 510 feet long ; about one and a half football fields and the entire structure is about 125,000 square feet inside.

Ark Encounter officially opened on July 7, 2016, a date chosen to correspond with Genesis 7:7.

Today, the Ark is part of a much larger attraction covering hundreds of acres, with the Ark as the centerpiece.

Ararat Ridge Zoo

After walking through the Ark, we explored the Ararat Ridge Zoo, which is included with admission to the park.

This was another part of the visit that I wasn’t expecting to enjoy as much as I did. There were animals throughout the grounds, including camels, kangaroos, wallabies and other animals.

We were able to walk through the Kangaroo Walkabout, where the kangaroos and wallabies were right around us. It was such a cool experience seeing them up close.

We also saw the camels and, completely unexpectedly, spotted bald eagles during our time at the park.

The zoo is designed to fit into the overall biblical theme of the attraction, with animal encounters and exhibits explaining the park’s perspective on animals and Noah’s responsibility to care for them.

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📖 The Connection to the Museum of the Bible

Something else I found interesting was seeing a Museum of the Bible exhibit inside the Ark.

The two attractions aren’t owned or created by the same organization. Ark Encounter is operated by Answers in Genesis, while Museum of the Bible in Washington, D.C., was established by the Green family and opened in 2017.

However, there is a connection through the exhibit inside the Ark. The third deck includes a special Museum of the Bible exhibit as part of the larger collection of biblical-history displays.

So throughout the Ark, you’re not only walking through the story of Noah but you’re also seeing exhibits that look at the Bible, its history and its impact.

A Full Day of History

By the time we finished walking through all three levels of the Ark and exploring the zoo, we had spent a good portion of the day there.

There was so much to see that it didn’t really feel like a traditional museum. You were constantly moving through different rooms, exhibits and scenes, learning something new around every corner.

For us, it was especially meaningful because our faith is such an important part of our family, and getting to experience the story of Noah in such a visual and immersive way was something we won’t forget.

©️victoriaam