Instead of taking a long, one-week, vacation, this past summer our family did two extended weekends away.  Our first trip was to Cincinnati and Kentucky.  The first day held a Cardinals versus Reds game at the Great American Ballpark, in the over ninety-degree heat.  Even though it was hot, the Cardinals beat the Reds with a final score of twelve to eleven, and since we are Redbird fans, the evening was awesome.

          Day two of our weekend vacation meant indoor air-conditioning and the Creation Museum, both of which I was excited to experience.  My husband and I had the privilege of visiting the museum a few years after it opened in 2007.  However, this was the first visit for our fourteen-year-old son, and parents know experiencing things through the eyes of your child is priceless.  Whether you are planning to visit for the first time, or you have been before, this list will provide you with the terrific tips for making the most of your time there.  You can also find our top ten tips for visiting the Creation Museum’s sister attraction, The Ark, here. 

          The Creation Museum highlights our amazing Creator and is a must-see attraction for anyone interested in exploring a visual representation of the book of Genesis, and the history of the world.  Located in Petersburg, Kentucky, make plans to experience this state-of-the-art facility, where millions of people have been impacted by the way the Bible comes to life!

          10.  DO THE 4-D SHOW.  Right after you enter the museum, the 4-D theater is on the right.  Our son wanted to do this half hour show first thing.  A clock outside the theater counts down until the next viewing.  The workers give you 3-D glasses to wear once inside, and there is a caution given for people who are sensitive to flashing lights or are prone to seizures.  The 4-D elements are water and wind.  We were one of the last guests to enter, so we had to sit on the end of a front aisle.  We didn’t feel any water but children next to us did.  We did feel bursts of air during those thematic parts.  It was an incredible show on the six days of creation, and we think it’s a must see for everyone who visits the museum.
 
          9.  LISTEN TO THE GUEST LECTURE.  Georgia Purdom was the staff lecturer of the day, and we listened to her hour-long presentation after we finished the 4-D show.  If you’ve never heard any of the speakers from Answers in Genesis, they offer fantastic presentations answering tough questions in easily understandable language.  I’ve heard the material before, and it still was interesting to me!  Click Here to watch her talk:  youtu.be/yt0LdAtNLe0

          8.  STOP FOR FUDGE.  Our family loves chocolate, and our fourteen-year-old couldn’t resist Uncle Leroy’s fudge shop, right outside the lecture hall.  They carry many different varieties, including mint chocolate, buckeye, and maple pecan.  We settled for a half-pound of plain chocolate, and it was delicious.

          7. WALK THE GROUNDS.  The botanical gardens are beautiful and offer over one mile of paved walking trails.  You can stroll through a butterfly garden, wobble along a suspension bridge, or take a selfie by a small waterfall.  It was an abnormally hot day, in the mid-nineties, and there was enough shade, so it was not unbearable.  The gardens are meticulously maintained and easy to navigate. 

          6.  ENJOY EXCELLENT EATING OPTIONS.  For lunch we ate at Noah’s Café, which is located on the top floor, inside the museum.  They have hot items like paninis, cheeseburgers, and chicken, or cold sandwiches, such as wraps, chicken salad, and more.  There is a small salad bar, fresh fruit, and yogurt as well.  Another eating spot, the Palm Café, is located downstairs, and it had pizza.  We also stopped at the Noah’s Coffee (which is next to Noah’s Café), where we all had ice cream before we left.
 
          5.  PICK FROM PLENTY OF PICNIC SPOTS.  While our hot day didn’t warrant weather for outdoor eating, there are plenty of picnic spots with long tables available.  If you have young children, you could eat lunch outdoors and then enjoy the new playground.  These are in close proximity to each other on the grounds.
 
          4.  ESTIMATE AT LEAST AN HOUR FOR THE 7 C’s EXHIBIT.  Whether you’re looking to visualize what Adam and Eve may have looked like, see an animatronic dinosaur, or compare differences between the evolutionary story and Biblical history, the 7 C’s exhibit is the place to go!  It will take about an hour to walk through it quickly.  Plan for more time, if you want to stop and read the information more thoroughly.
 
          3.  GET A PARKING PASS.  When you exit the gated museum, you will need to have a parking pass.  You can get them at the Creation Museum Admissions or Guest Services.  Estimate $5.00 for a standard vehicle and $10.00 for an oversized vehicle.
 
          2.  ZIPLINERS SHOULD GET A RESERVATION.  One of the many side attractions at the museum is ziplining.  If you want to do one of the many different packages of ziplining courses, the museum recommends you make a reservation in advance.  If you call 859-586-3568 the Screaming Raptor Ziplining service line will ask you to leave a message, if they don’t answer.
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          1.  SEE THE SHOW AT THE PLANETARIUM!    Hands down, the most impactful experience for all of us, this time at the museum, was seeing the Created Cosmos at the Stargazer’s Planetarium.  There are two shows to choose from, the one we saw, or Aliens: Fact or Fiction.  The shows are 23 minutes long, and separate tickets are required.  We had a lifetime membership pass, which included the $9.00 per person cost of the show.  The thirty-foot-diameter dome helps simulate a space-like experience, and the content of the show humbled us, making us feel the awe and wonder of our amazing God.