Is the Creation Museum worth it? Will your kids enjoy visiting this museum in Petersburg, Kentucky? Should you visit the Creation Museum when you are in the area going to the Ark Encounter? I will share our family experience and let you know if we felt like the Creation Museum was worth the cost.
WHAT IS THE CREATION MUSEUM?
You may not have heard of the Creation Museum. I didn't know about it until I began researching our trip to Kentucky to visit the Ark Encounter. The Creation Museum opened back in 2007 and was founded by Bill Ham.
This is a huge museum at over 75,000 square feet. A facility that allows you to venture through biblical history by seeing stunning exhibits and learning about the Bible and the world through a chronological retelling of biblical history. Guests step back in time, beginning with Creation, and fast-forward to Christ´s return.
The purpose of the museum is to bring the Bible to life for guests and this is a Christian evangelistic outreach.
WHAT IS THE COST OF THE CREATION MUSEUM?
If you are trying to decide if the Creation Museum is worth it…you will be looking at the cost perspective as one consideration.
At the time of our visit (July 2021) here was the cost breakdown:
| Adult (ages 18–59) | $39.95 |
| Senior (ages 60+) | $34.95 |
| Youth (ages 11–17) | $24.95 |
| Children (ages 5-10) | FREE |
| 4 and under | FREE |
They have been running a special that children 10 and under are free during 2021. I am not sure if that deal will continue after 2021 or not.
As you can see the admission prices for the Creation Museum are not cheap. It will get costly for larger families unless your children are 10 and under.
We visited both the Creation Museum and the Ark Encounter during our vacation so we saved a little money by getting combination tickets. Here is the cost for combo tickets:
- Adult (ages 18–59): $79.95
- Senior (ages 60+): $69.95
- Youth (ages 11–17): $44.95
- Children (ages 5-10): FREE
- 4 and under: FREE
Don't forget about parking. It does cost extra and was $10 when we went.
WHAT ACTIVITES ARE OFFERED AT THE CREATION MUSEUM?
There are several activities offered at the Creation Museum. I will list the different options and then go into more detail about some activities in the sections below.
- Exhibits: There are many exhibits to visit. These can take a LOT of time depending on if you like to read each and every plaque and sign as you go along. Some of these will be boring for children who can't read.
- Shows: there are free shows each day. Typically there will be 2 different free shows offered. One will probably be in 4D.
- Stargazer Planetarium: There is a huge planetarium with a 30-foot-diameter tilted dome. Learn about how the night sky actually confirms the Bible truths. This does cost extra and we didn't do it while we were there. It is $9 for adults and $6 for kids.
- Botanical Gardens: the outdoor areas of the Creation Museum are truly breathtaking. I could have spent all my time just walking around the gardens. The trails are paved and it is a calming area.
- Adventure Tours: The property also offers zip line and canopy tours. There is a aerial challenge park also. These adventures all cost EXTRA. My youngest was very excited to do the zip line, but was under weight. So be sure to check on the weight requirements before your kids get excited. 🙁
- Eden Animal Experience: There is a small zoo type area outdoors. At select times some animals can be touched in the petting area. It isn't a very big area and we didn't really spend much time in the animal experience. They do offer daily animal shows with a zoo keeper so you can get up close and learn more about specific animals.
- Mining Sluice: There is a mining sluice outdoors near the animal experience. This one is for gemstones and does some teaching about geology. It does cost extra and we didn't participate in this because we have done this sort of activity before at other places.
- Playground: They have a nice large playground that my youngest daughter really enjoyed. I wish it offered more seating for parents who are there watching their kids play.
HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO GO THROUGH THE CREATION MUSEUM?
The Creation Museum is a big place and can easily take you all day if you want to do it all in-depth.
We stayed for probably around 4 or 5 hours and definitely didn't do everything.
If you are wondering how long it will take to go through the Creation Museum…the answer is…it depends on your family. To really look at every exhibit and read all the information and see the free shows…you will need at least a 1/2 day.
We had to wait in line for 45 minutes to see the 4D “In Six Days” show (which was very good!). This added a lot of time to our day.
We didn't do any of the extra activities that cost more money. We also went through many exhibits fairly quickly because they were boring for the kids.
I did enjoy spending quite a bit of time wandering around the botanical gardens before we left.
WILL CHILDREN ENJOY THE CREATION MUSEUM?
I feel like younger children will become easily bored at the Creation Museum unless they are spending the time on the playground or at the animal experience.
Most of the exhibits are way over a child's head because the information is very scientific. Honestly…a lot of it was over my head, LOL.
Yes, some of the exhibits have animatronics and kids will like that, but it isn't going to keep their attention for long. Here are some areas exhibits that kids may enjoy:
- Garden of Eden exhibit: This is a walk through exhibit with life size scenes depicting Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden and original sin and the fall from grace. It is a high quality area and nice to see the story laid out.
- Children who love dinosaurs will like seeing the Allosaurus skeleton. It is very big and is a world-class dinosaur skeleton.
- Most kids will enjoy the 4D In Six Days show in the theater. It is a good show about how God created the world.
- The Dragon Hall Bookstore will draw kids in because it has a lot of dinosaur and dragon themed items for sale.
CAN YOU EAT AT THE CREATION MUSEUM?
There are some food venues at the Creation Museum. We did not eat at the museum when we visited other than to get a drink. Here are the food options:
- Noah's Cafe: This is a large indoor eating area that is well decorated and offers plenty of seating. They have burgers, sandwiches and salads. There are also gluten-free and vegetarian options here.
- Noah's Coffee & Ice Cream: If you want coffee, ice cream and hot tea then this is the place to go. It is right next to Noah's Cafe.
- Terrace Grill: The Terrace Grill is outside and offers burgers, hot dogs and other concession type snacks. It was not open while we were there.
- Palm Cafe: This is on the lower level and is currently closed. Not sure when it will reopen.
- Uncle Leroy's Fudge: You can get sweets upstairs near Noah's Cafe or downstairs in the Legacy Store area.
IS THE CREATION MUSEUM WORTH IT?
Now that you have read all about it…you may be able to answer the question of, is the creation museum worth it?
It is a very nice facility. I love that they are educating people about the truth of the Bible and the truth of how the world came to be. I already believe the Bible and don't question any of the creation vs. evolution theories.
For me, the Creation Museum was kind of boring. I don't like to read scientific information for the most part. My kids didn't really love it. I honestly don't know that the Creation Museum was worth the money.
BUT…that doesn't mean you won't love it. Each person is different and many people really enjoy the Creation Museum.
I hope this helped you as you plan your trip! Be sure to check out some other family travel posts while you are here:
- Is the Ark Encounter Fun for Kids?
- Why We Loved Our Disney Travel Agent
- Fun Places to Take Young Kids in Las Vegas
- Is the Titanic Museum Good for Kids?
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