Kids Still Free in 2025

Some families tell me they come to the Ark and Creation Museum every year because their children learn and understand more each time as they grow in spiritual maturity. Some tell me they come multiple times a year because their family is impacted by such family-friendly, God-honoring facilities.

Oftentimes, when families return, they are thrilled to see upgrades and additions as the attractions continue to expand. For instance, when you come to the Ark Encounter and Creation Museum this year, here are some changes you will experience.

Creation Museum

We have opened a new expanded zoo with an outdoor stage for live animal programs. Several new animals have taken residence at the Creation Zoo since its expansion—including a king vulture, a giant anteater, and baby coatis.

We also constructed a stunning conservatory as part of our spectacular botanical gardens. The Plants of the Bible Conservatory is the largest conservatory in Kentucky and consists of four large glass greenhouses—all with different climates: tropical, subtropical, Mediterranean, and arid. As far as we can ascertain, this is the only conservatory in the world that specifically exhibits the plants of the Bible.

There is also a big construction project underway where we are expanding the museum to include a large new restaurant and lobby area. This should be open later in the year.

Ark Encounter

Several residents were added to our Ark zoo in the last year as well, and people especially love our new bald eagle. Our zoo staff, after a very complicated and detailed process, were given special permits to house a bald eagle to exhibit and use in educational programs—and what a beautiful eagle this is! What a privilege for our Ararat Ridge Zoo to house this wonderful bird (who has a wing problem, preventing his release into the wild).

Also, we have expanded our Children’s Zoo, and you can now check out the Vet Lab where our veterinarian and technicians help take care of our animals. A massive construction project is underway here at the Ark too. This consists of a new shuttle bus drop-off area, welcome center, and Jerusalem building—which will house what I believe will be the most stunning and archaeologically up-to-date model of first-century Jerusalem in the world. The Welcome Center is set to open later this year, and the Jerusalem building will open in late 2026.

And at both attractions, you may notice things in the exhibits that you don’t remember from last time. That may be because our design staff continually upgrade and add to various exhibits throughout the year.

We hope you visit us this year and enjoy all of these new additions and upgrades. And don’t forget—kids 10 and under get in free!

Plan now to bring your family, friends, and church to Northern Kentucky to visit the two leading Christian themed attractions in the world.

Thanks for stopping by and praying,
Ken