Planning a trip to the Ark Encounter with kids? Even a half-day visit can be filled with excitement, learning, and family-friendly fun. From exploring the massive ark to interactive exhibits and hands-on activities, there’s plenty to keep children engaged while adults enjoy the impressive sights. This half-day itinerary will help you make the most of your visit, ensuring a memorable and educational experience for the whole family.
On our way to the Red River Gorge Geological Area in Kentucky for a long weekend family getaway, we decided to make a stop at the Ark Encounter in Williamstown, KY—and it did not disappoint! We spent about 4–5 hours exploring the site.
Admission: $64.99 for adults and $31.99 for kids aged 11 and up. Bonus: children 10 and under enter for free!
When you arrive, you pay for parking and either purchase tickets or have your prepaid tickets scanned, then take a shuttle to the visitor center. From there, it’s a short walk to the full-size ark, which is truly awe-inspiring in scale. Inside, the ark’s three levels of exhibits bring the story to life with detailed displays on:
- Animal housing and care
- Human living quarters and food storage
- Biblical background and historical context
Our five kids were fascinated for the first hour, but by the time we reached the top level, they were ready for a break. We snapped a few photos of the displays we couldn’t read in detail and headed outside.
Before exiting, you’ll pass through a massive souvenir shop—a bit of a challenge with little ones! Fortunately, there’s a huge outdoor playground and casual food stands with outdoor seating nearby. The playground was a hit, and the kids loved running around between bites of lunch.
After recharging, we headed to the zoo/petting zoo, which was another highlight. The kids enjoyed walking through the kangaroo exhibit, riding camels, and petting a variety of animals. Their absolute favorite? The zorses and zonkeys—unique zebra/horse/donkey hybrids!
Click here for our full Red River Gorge Kentucky roadtrip itinerary!
