If you have driven through northern Kentucky on Interstate 75, you may have seen it from the highway: a huge, dark, wooden ship rising out of the hills near Williamstown. This is the Ark Encounter, a full-size, walk-through attraction built to represent the ark described in the Biblical story of Noah. We made the trip to see it for ourselves, and we want to share what we found.
A quick note before we start. The Ark Encounter was created by Answers in Genesis, a ministry that presents the story of Noah and the Flood from a literal, Biblical point of view. Visitors come from many backgrounds and beliefs, and people have a wide range of opinions about the attraction and what it teaches. This article is not here to argue for or against any of that. Our goal is simple: the exhibit exists, it is enormous, and we visited, so here is a look at what it is like to walk through.
How big is it?
According to the park, the ark is about 510 feet long, 85 feet wide and 51 feet high, built to the dimensions given in the Book of Genesis. It opened to the public on July 7, 2016, and sits on the grounds along with parking, a restaurant, gardens and a zoo. Standing next to the hull, the first thing that hits you is simply the scale. It looks like a ship that has been parked on a Kentucky hillside.
Inside: timber, lanterns and long corridors
Inside, the ark is built on three decks, and much of it is exposed timber. Heavy beams, wooden railings and warm lantern-style lighting give the space a hand-built feel. The long walkways make it easy to see why the park says it is one of the largest timber-frame structures in the world.
Food, water and supplies
A good part of the exhibit imagines the day-to-day logistics of a very long voyage. Racks of clay jars, storage areas for food and water, and displays about feeding and caring for animals show how the designers pictured the ark running.
The animal exhibits
Along the decks, wooden pens hold life-sized animal models, each with a sign. The signs group animals into what the exhibit calls “kinds,” such as the pig kind, the bear kind and the sloth kind, and explain how the park thinks these groups relate to the animals we know today. Many families will enjoy simply looking at the models and the detail that went into the pens.
What we took away
Whatever your own beliefs, the Ark Encounter is a significant piece of construction and a major attraction in our region, and it draws visitors from across the country. Some visitors come for faith, some for the architecture, and some just for a family day trip. Others visit with questions or disagreements about what is presented, and that is part of the conversation too.
If you are thinking about going, plan for a full day, wear comfortable shoes, and check the park’s official website for current hours, pricing and parking details before you leave. We took far more photos than fit in one article, so look for more from our visit in the coming days.
Have you been to the Ark Encounter? We would love to hear what you thought. Share your experience with us on our Facebook and Instagram pages.
