By Jeanni Ritchie
I played “Mrs. Noah” in our church’s children’s choir production of Get On Board, Children when I was in the 5th grade. I can still remember the lines of my solo — an exasperated matriarch cleaning up after her husband, her children, and two of every animal in the kingdom.
“I sometimes start to feel that I’m the keeper of a zoo,” I’d sung, imagining what it would really be like to live on an ark. I don’t think my imagination had even come close until I climbed up onto the replica at the Ark Encounter in Williamstown, Kentucky.
It was massive.
The Ark Encounter is one of those places where the Bible comes to life. Visitors board a bus from the ticket booth and ride across the property before stepping off to face the Ark itself.
From the moment it rises against the landscape, the scale alone is striking. Built to the full biblical dimensions of Noah’s Ark, the structure stretches the length of one and a half football fields and houses three expansive decks of exhibits.
Inside, the experience unfolds thoughtfully and intentionally. Three full decks stretch from one end of the Ark to the other, filled with immersive displays that explore animal care, food storage, living quarters, ancient shipbuilding techniques, and the cultural and historical context of the biblical Flood. Exhibits also examine Noah’s family, the ancient world, flood geology, and the Ice Age — all presented in a way that invites curiosity and inspires awe rather than overwhelming the visitor.
Deck One begins as the Flood is just starting. Guests navigate through food-storage areas and animal enclosures while learning how thousands of animals could have been housed, fed, and cared for. Practical questions — spacing, ventilation, waste management, and animal “kinds” — are addressed head-on with clear explanations and visual models.
Deck Two opens with a short film examining the pre-Flood world before guiding visitors through additional exhibits focused on life before and during the Flood. One of the most striking moments on this level is standing in front of the Door of the Ark — a quiet but powerful visual that underscores both provision and finality.
Deck Three explores the family living quarters onboard the Ark and considers how the cultural richness of the ancient world may have been reflected in their design and daily life. This level also includes exhibits on flood geology and post-Flood events, along with a special Museum of the Bible exhibit that rounds out the experience with added historical and biblical context.
One exhibit in particular stood out to me: “Help Me Understand.” It addresses some of the most difficult questions surrounding suffering, justice, and the Flood — topics often skimmed over or avoided altogether. The presentation was thoughtful, compassionate, and quietly moving, offering space for reflection rather than easy answers.
Children are far from an afterthought here. Interactive exhibits, kid-focused learning areas, and hands-on elements are woven throughout the Ark, making the experience accessible and engaging for younger visitors without diluting the depth for adults.
Beyond the Ark itself, the grounds open into an entire village of experiences. Ararat Ridge Zoo, Noah’s Village, a family playground, live stages, restaurants, and even a zip line tower rising nearly as high as the Ark itself make it clear this is more than a single attraction — it’s a full-day destination. I rode the carousel, experienced the Truth Traveler virtual reality ride, explored the gift shops, and simply took my time soaking in the atmosphere.
The Ark Encounter isn’t something you rush through. It’s a place that invites you to slow down, look closely, ask hard questions, and leave with a deeper understanding — not just of the story of Noah, but of faith, obedience, and the magnitude of what that story represents.
Jeanni Ritchie is a travel writer from Central Louisiana. She can be reached at jeanniritchie54@gmail.com.
