A new theme park shaped like the Noah’s Ark named ‘Ark Encounter’ is pulling global tourists in large numbers. This attraction is in Williamstown, Kentucky. More than 300,000 tourists have visited the Ark since it was opened nine weeks ago. Its sister attraction, the Creation Museum has also witnessed increased tourist visit.
Answers in Genesis (AiG) operating this attraction says that visitors from far off states like Texas or California are often coming in large numbers to visit the park and this is boosting tourism in Kentucky largely. International tourists are also dropping in every day. The summers have seen more than 7,000 visitors a day, who are in awe seeing the ark’s size.
AiG hopes for bigger crowd during the Fall. Local businesses are also happy with this rise in tourism. Local eateries, restaurants and hotels are seeing greater attendance. Not only tourists, journalists and media personnel from various countries are also flocking in large numbers.
The Ark Encounter was built based on biblical references and is seven stories high with 510 feet in length. It’s the largest timber-frame and freestanding structure in the world, already being labeled as the ‘eighth wonder’. Over 1.4 million tourists are expected to visit within a year. Along with this Ark, the theme park has other attractions like Ararat Ridge Zoo, zip lines, live entertainment, a 1,500-seat themed restaurant (which might be the largest restaurant in the US) and fair-trade shopping. The theme park is open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and noon to 8 p.m. on Sundays. One can buy tickets online at the theme park’s site or get it onsite.
