Ark Encounter Group Tour

From Butler County, Ohio to Williamstown, Kentucky

Embark on an exciting and enriching group tour that explores Butler County, Ohio, culminating in a visit to the remarkable Ark Encounter in Williamstown, Kentucky. This thoughtfully crafted itinerary takes travelers to the attractions and scenic beauty of Butler County, from its historic landmarks to its vibrant local culture. This tour offers a seamless blend of local charm and historical grandeur, promising a memorable and educational adventure for all.

Day 1

Upon arrival in Butler County, explore Jungle Jim's International Market, your first stop in Butler County, and find a unique item (or several) from the over 180,000 international products in the 6.5 acre store. Get a behind-the-scenes tour of the foodie wonderland to learn its unique history while making stops to sample goodies, then it's on to your own shopping excursion! Exclusive activities include a foodie scavenger hunt.

Head to Liberty Township to explore Liberty Center. More than just a mall, Liberty Center unites shopping with an eclectic range of dining options, nationwide chains and local boutiques, exciting events, and entertainment venues. This stop could be one of two adventures for your travelers: let your travelers explore on their own, or dine around and finish with a flower bouquet-making class at Running on Blooms, paired with delicious scoops of local Cincinnati favorite, Graeter's Ice Cream!

Day 2

Start your morning with donuts! Since its inception in 2016, over 37,000 people from all 50 states and 24 countries have completed Ohio's first and only Donut Trail, as seen in publications like “Food & Wine,” and “National Geographic,” among others. Overnight groups will get the opportunity to decorate their own donut, or receive a complimentary Donut Trail Welcome Reception if you book your overnight stay through Travel Butler County. Come experience the Donut Trail the Butler County way!

Head to Williamstown, Kentucky to experience the Ark Encounter, featuring a full-size Noah's Ark, built according to the dimensions given in the Bible. Spanning 510 feet long, 85 feet wide, and 51 feet high, this modern engineering marvel amazes visitors of all ages. Ark Encounter is situated in Grant County, Kentucky, halfway between Cincinnati and Lexington.

_{^{Photo Credit : Ark Encounter}}

Day 3

Spend the morning at Pyramid Hill Sculpture Park & Museum, featuring over 300 acres of beautiful natural scenery and monumental art in nature. The park's scenic setting provides a peaceful getaway, perfect for a walk, picnic, and art-gazing. Pyramid Hill Sculpture Park also has rotating art exhibitions and ancient Greek, Roman, Syrian, and Egyptian antiquities dating back to 1550 BC displayed inside the Pyramid House, located in the center of Pyramid Hill Sculpture Park.

Head across the Great Miami River and step inside the Benninghofen House. This historic home showcases a Victorian Era lifestyle, including all the furnishings and decor appropriate for a late 19th century home. The Butler County Historical Society operates out of this historic home and can provide an in-depth look of what life was like during the height of the industrial period. The Butler County Historical Society can also feature the Soldiers & Sailors Monument in Downtown Hamilton with a possible step-on guide!

_{^{Photo Credit : Butler County Historical Society}}

Wrap up day three at Spooky Nook Champion Mill to experience Petals & Wicks, a local candle bar where you can pour your own fragrance, mix the wax, and create your own custom label. Petals & Wicks can help you create your own custom blend from over 100 different scents, so that when you leave the shop, you'll have more than just a custom product, but a beautiful keepsake that will remind you of your trip to Butler County. This location can accommodate groups of all sizes!

Day 4

After breakfast, head to BeauVerre Riordan Studio and tour the oldest continually operating stained glass studio in the country. Located in a historic building in the heart of Middletown, BeauVerre Riordan specializes in stained, beveled, etched, painted, and fused glass. The artists are on-hand for demonstrations and a featured gallery contains one-of-a-kind glassware pieces. If you want to take home a piece of stained glass art, sign up for one of their classes!

End your journey at the gorgeous Sorg Opera House, which has been welcoming guests for various performances and spectacles since 1891. Formerly home to some of the finest opera artists from around the world, the newly restored opera house has welcomed performing groups, cultural events, and so much more! Depending on the Sorg Opera House schedule, we can plan your group visit around an event.