Step Aboard the 510-Foot Ark and Explore Faith, Adventure and Innovation at Williamstown’s Ark Encounter.

September 26th, 2025

I ‘Noah’ must see location in Kentucky.

In Williamstown, Kentucky, there is a destination unlike anywhere else. A place that took one of the most beloved and well-known stories of the Bible and brought it back to life with precise details. At first glance, seeing the Ark is almost so daunting that it literally takes your breath away. We are talking about a massive, Biblically full-sized 510 feet long, 85 feet wide, and 51 feet high with multiple inner levels.

The Ark itself, though, is so much more than just a story. It is a symbol of the perseverance of life through the power of our Almighty God. The Ark Encounter kept its integrity while displaying it in full view to draw millions of visitors to The One who created the waters, called up the flood waters, and drew them back.

I first visited the Ark Encounter over ten years ago when they were still in the process of developing everything around it. That which I loved even then was now made so, so much better. For starters, there is now a huge building called the Answers Center. In this building, you will find a large Gift Shop, some food options, and the main 2,500-seat Answers Center Auditorium. Here, throughout the day, you will find various speakers, worship concerts, and even live-action films/performances that are not to be missed.

What they’ve added for the kiddos and the extent of it, is truly remarkable to say the least. The Ark Encounter has a wonderful themed indoor Carousel ride. A must-see Virtual Reality Experience from Truth Travel, where you can go back in time to check out the Ark and Noah’s world as if you were really there first-hand.

Remarkably, what really blew me away was their new family playground. Of course, I wasn’t there for playgrounds, but this one was one of the best and most advanced playgrounds I’ve ever been to. It had a fast, roller-coaster-style Zipline swing, some really fun, steep slides, and so many amazing climbing structures. For the toddler crowd, there were tunnels, musical equipment, a ‘whale’ of a climbing hill, little houses, and so much more to explore.

If the playground Zipline wasn’t enough of a thrill for you, the Ark Encounter also has a Screaming Eagle Zip Line and Aerial Course. Overlooking the Ark from above, you reach speeds up to 50mph as you soar from tower to tower and even get to experience a free fall from one of them.

Behind the Ark is the impressive Ararat Ridge Zoo. Along with seeing multiple animals from around the world, you can add so much more to your time here. In this Zoo, you can enter an enclosure and pet some kangaroos, as well as a full petting zoo with goats. You can sign up for an animal encounter, like getting some one-on-one time with sloths or snakes. For only a few dollars, you can also feed a camel.

The colossal Ark has three main floors to check out and explore. It is a well of limitless information on Noah’s life, the animals, the Ark, and the Bible from around the world, where the story comes from. You get to walk through the different Biblical decades that preceded the flood to the pivotal Cross and the message of Jesus.

In the underbelly of the Ark, there is a large Gift Shop that you could spend an hour exploring. Alongside all of the trinkets, clothing, books, and decorations were also jumbo-sized cookies and some amazing coffee. In the middle of the Gift Shop, you could see them making some homemade fudge that’s rather hard to avoid.

At the Ark Encounter, if it were only the Ark to go see, then it would be enough, but now it is so much more. The Ark Encounter is a theme park to spend the whole day taking it all in. They have made this place applicable to every age and physical ability. I always say that anything that leads you to God is a good thing, and the Ark Encounter does this in the most enjoyable way. To expand on your visit, you can purchase a combo ticket and add on the Creation Museum as well.