“You have to go!”
That’s what I kept hearing whenever the Creation Museum and Ark Encounter came up in conversation. Friends raved about them, online reviews were glowing, and they seemed to top nearly every list of Christian destinations to visit.
But I still had questions.
Were they really worth the 10-hour drive for my husband and I? Would children enjoy them, or were they better suited for adults? How much time should we plan? What did I need to know before we arrived?
My husband and I packed up the van and headed to northern Kentucky to find out for ourselves. Here’s what we learned—and what I wish someone had told me before we went.
Getting to the Creation Museum and Ark Encounter
The Creation Museum and Ark Encounter are located in northern Kentucky, about 40 minutes apart. The Creation Museum sits just a few miles from the Cincinnati International Airport, making it an easy destination if you’re flying instead of driving.
As we drove to the Creation Museum, we joked that our Maps must be wrong because it felt like we were leaving everything behind. Don’t worry—that simply means you’re getting close!
Where to Stay
Since we began our trip at the Creation Museum, we spent our first two nights in Florence, Kentucky. Florence has plenty of hotels and restaurants located right off the interstate, making it a convenient home base between the sites. Hotels near the airport are another great option if you’d like to be even closer to the Creation Museum.
After spending the day at the Ark Encounter, we stayed in Dry Ridge getting us closer to our next southern stop. It’s only a few minutes north of the Ark, and during our search, hotel prices were noticeably less expensive than those right beside the Ark.
Tickets: Is the 3-Day Flex Combo Worth It?
Before leaving home, several people recommended purchasing the 3-Day Flex Combo Ticket for the Creation Museum and Ark Encounter. The Flex Combo gives you unlimited admission to both attractions during your three-day window, allowing you to visit either location more than once if you’d like. We also purchased the discounted Flex Combo Parking Pass, which covered parking at both attractions.
I ordered everything online before our trip. Looking back, it wasn’t absolutely necessary because the ticket lines were very short when we visited in mid-June. Even so, having everything purchased ahead of time made arriving much easier. Did we need 3-days to fully grasp both places? Keep reading.
Which Should You Visit First?
Everything I read and heard recommended visiting the Creation Museum before the Ark Encounter, and after experiencing both, I completely agree.
The Creation Museum lays the biblical foundation that helps many of the exhibits inside the Ark make more sense. There is even a small Ark exhibit inside the museum that whets your appetite for what you’ll experience at the other site. By the time we reached the Ark Encounter, we appreciated it much more because of everything we had already learned.
Visiting the Creation Museum
Before we ever stepped inside the museum, we were struck by how beautiful the grounds were. Honestly, pictures don’t do it justice. Since temperatures were cooler in the morning, we decided to explore outside first—a decision I’d absolutely recommend as the Museum is typically less busy during the afternoon.
Just to the right of the Welcome Center you’ll find the Eden Teaching Center, which includes the Creation Zoo, a stage for presentations, a playground, refreshments, and the Butterfly House (an additional fee). My favorite part of the Teaching Center was the Plants of the Bible Conservatory.
Walking through the greenhouse was surprisingly meaningful. The conservatory is filled with plants mentioned throughout Scripture, each labeled with information and Bible references. Seeing olive trees, papyrus, fig trees, and many other biblical plants gave me a much richer picture of passages I’ve read for years.
Afterward, we wandered through the Botanical Gardens.
Did I mention the grounds are gorgeous?
Walking around Eden Lake, across the bridges, and along the peaceful boardwalk felt like Eden. In fact, after spending hours inside the museum, we returned outside just to enjoy another leisurely walk before leaving.
What to Expect Inside the Creation Museum
We visited on a Monday in mid-June. Although the entrance area was busy, the crowds spread out quickly as visitors moved through the exhibits.
One thing that surprised me most was just how much there is to read. There is an incredible amount of information throughout the museum. Display after display explains biblical history, science, archaeology, and theology. Some exhibits also include videos playing on repeat.
Because my husband and I weren’t traveling with children, we took our time reading nearly everything. Well, everything I could understand. Some of it was way over my head! If you’re someone who enjoys reading every display, plan far more time than you think you’ll need.
One thing I wish I had brought was a pair of noise-canceling earbuds. Between the videos, conversations, and general activity around us, I found it difficult to fully concentrate on some of the heavier reading displays. Earbuds would have made reading much easier.
Family-Friendly Exhibits
After the opening exhibits, the museum changes. Visitors enter a beautiful Garden of Eden display that feels peaceful and inviting. Children will likely enjoy walking through this area, and many exhibits include lifelike animatronics that help bring the displays to life. There are Flood exhibits, dinosaur displays, and the Fearfully and Wonderfully Made exhibit.
The exhibit on human development beautifully illustrates Psalm 139 by showing how God knits each person together in the womb. Depending on your child’s age, it could lead to some wonderful family conversations, so be prepared for questions! Read How Do I Talk to My Child about Sex
Presentations?
Based on recommendations from others, we attended one of the museum presentations. Ours lasted an hour and, to be honest, wasn’t our favorite.
That said, I’ve heard wonderful things about many of the other presentations, so I still recommend checking the daily schedule. If one interests you, give it a try. And if it’s not what you expected, don’t feel bad about quietly leaving and spending your time elsewhere. The one we attended was geared more toward adults than families with children.
How Much Time Do You Need?
We spent about five hours at the Creation Museum and felt like we experienced nearly everything included with our tickets.
If you’re someone who enjoys reading displays instead of simply walking through them, I would recommend setting aside most of a day rather than trying to squeeze everything into 2-3 hours.
That evening we enjoyed dinner at one of our favorite restaurants, The Cheesecake Factory, before heading back to our hotel in Florence and getting ready for the Ark Encounter the next morning.
More to Come
Join us next week for Part 2 which will cover the Ark Encounter, including what surprised me most, whether it’s good for children, practical tips, and what I wish I had known before walking through the doors.
And if you are looking for more vacation tips, check out these posts:
- Family Vacation Tips
- How to Have Successful Family Vacations
- I’m Giving You Permission Not to Go on a Family Vacation This Year
- 16 Tips for a Successful Hotel Stay
Appreciate your review. Just wanted to note that with the new variable pricing that started in May, your tickets would have been more expensive if purchased onsite (unless you went on a June weekend which would have been the peak price anyway).
Laurie – Thank you for sharing this tip. Sounds like it is important to check onsite pricing vs online pricing. –heidi