Ark Encounter: Visiting Noah's Ark in Kentucky

Of all the stops on our Texas-to-the-Smokies road trip, Kentucky was the quietest leg - and the Ark Encounter was the single most surprising thing we did in America. You crest a hill in the Kentucky countryside and there it is: Noah's Ark, built to the dimensions given in the Bible, seven and a half storeys tall and longer than one and a half football fields. Whatever you believe, the engineering alone is worth the detour.

What the Ark Encounter Actually Is

The Ark Encounter, near Williamstown, Kentucky, between Lexington and Cincinnati, is a full-scale reconstruction of Noah's Ark. The stated dimensions come straight from Genesis - 300 cubits long, which works out to about 510 feet (155 metres) - and the builders took that seriously: it's the largest timber-frame structure in the world, built by Amish craftsmen with traditional joinery.

This is an attraction with a point of view: it's run by the ministry behind the Creation Museum (about 40 minutes away in Petersburg), and the exhibits inside present a young-earth creationist reading of the story. You don't have to share that view to enjoy the visit - I'd describe it as part theme park, part museum, part engineering marvel - but you should know what you're walking into.

First sight through the rainbow arch, with the Ark behind:

The Ark Itself

You queue down a long wooden ramp toward the bow, and the scale keeps growing the whole way - the hull towers over the treeline, and the timber bracing under it looks like something out of a shipyard from another century. Photos genuinely don't capture it; nothing prepares you for walking under the stern.

The full 510-foot length of it:

Inside, the Ark runs three decks of exhibits, and you'll do a lot of stairs (there are lifts if you need them):

• Deck one covers how the cargo could have worked: cages, food storage, water systems, and a section on how the animals could have been fed and cared for
• Deck two is the living quarters and the craftsmanship - the woodworking throughout is extraordinary, from hand-carved doors to the giant central mast
• Deck three holds the large exhibits on the flood story, a small theatre, and the view down through the ship's open spine

The bow towering over the entrance ramp:

Beyond the Ark

Plan more time than just the boat:

• Ararat Ridge Zoo, behind the Ark, with animals from around the world - camels, a sloth, exotic birds - included in admission
• The interactive shows and presentations run on a daily schedule, worth checking on arrival
• The fair-style food - the queue for "corrected" burgers and fries moves faster than it looks, and the porch seating looking up at the Ark is a good rest stop
• Combo tickets bundle the Ark with the Creation Museum; if you have a second day, the museum pairs with it well

Tips From My Visit

• Give it at least half a day. The Ark alone took us the better part of three hours, and the zoo adds more
• Wear comfortable shoes. There's a fair walk from the ticket centre to the Ark itself, plus three decks of stairs inside
• Visit on a weekday if you can. Weekends draw big crowds, and the interior decks get busy
• Check for evening events. The Ark lights up at night during special seasons, and the rainbow-lit hull is a different experience after dark
• Kentucky drives are longer than they look. It sits a good hour from both Lexington and Cincinnati airports, so plan the day around the drive

Plan Your Visit

• Official site: arkencounter.com - tickets, event calendar and combo tickets with the Creation Museum
• Where: 1 Ark Encounter Drive, Williamstown, Kentucky - about an hour from both Lexington and Cincinnati (the drive takes you past Williamstown, the friendly Kentucky town the Ark stands above)
• Entry: one-day admission starts at about $54.99 for adults and $44.99 for seniors (60+), varying by date; children 10 and under are free (still reserve their free ticket), and there are cheaper youth rates
• What's included: the Ark's three decks, the Ararat Ridge Zoo, the daily shows and presentations - parking is extra at $15 for a standard car, and kids' activities like the Fair are included too
• Combo tickets: pairing the Ark with the Creation Museum works out noticeably cheaper than two separate tickets, and multi-day options exist if you want to spread them out

Final Thoughts

I went in curious and came out impressed. However you feel about the message, the Ark Encounter is a genuinely astonishing piece of building - the largest timber structure on Earth, raised by hand in the Kentucky hills - and the day we spent there was one of the most memorable of the whole road trip. Kentucky gets overlooked on American itineraries, and this alone is reason not to skip it.

Planning the same drive? Start with the United States Travel Guide: Tips From an Expat, and keep going with Space Center Houston or the Sazerac House in New Orleans.