Kentucky's Horse Country & Ark Encounter

Kentucky's Horse Country & Ark Encounter

Monday, April 20 - Sunday, April 26, 2026

 

Take a journey with us into the heart of Kentucky's horse country. See where the country's most awarded horses are raised, trained, and retired, as well as taking in a race of your own! We'll also take an unforgettable trip to see the Ark Encounter & Creation Museum. The Creation Museum and Ark Encounter are operated by the Christian organization Answers in Genesis, which promotes a literal interpretation of the Genesis creation narrative in the Bible. Regardless of your beliefs, you will find these museums full of thought-provoking ideas and exhibits.

 

DAY 1 - We'll fly from Boston to Cincinnati, OH. Check into our hotel, the Holiday Inn, Cincinnati River, and enjoy an included dinner at Hofbrauhaus. (D)

 

DAY 2 - The state-of-the-art Creation Museum promotes a literal interpretation of the Genesis creation narrative in the Bible. The museum allows you to venture through biblical history, as you explore the stunning Garden of Eden, Noah's Ark, and the Tower of Babel. Finish your tour by watching the theater production, The Last Adam. We will take a one hour guided tour of St Mary's Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption, inspired by the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris. You'll have a chance to get lunch at the museum before we return to our hotel. This evening, we'll enjoy a sunset dinner cruise on the Ohio River. (B,D)

 

DAY 3 - Today, we'll visit the Ark Encounter, an attraction that features a full-size Noah's Ark, built according to the dimensions given in the Bible, 510 feet long, 85 feet wide, and 51 feet high. Scores of exhibits about the flood, Noah, and the animals are designed to answer your questions about the biblical account of Noah's Ark. At the park's Ararat Ridge Zoo, you can visit animals from around the world like Tibetan yaks, kangaroos, and ostriches. You'll enjoy an included lunch before we depart the Ark Encounter. Tonight, you'll have the evening on your own to explore the Cincinnati Riverfront, or take a shuttle into the downtown. (B,L)

 

DAY 4 - We'll start our day with a visit to the Old Friends Farm, where race horses retire when their racing and breeding days are over. We'll take a guided walking tour to get an upclose look at these race horses and learn about their lives and careers. Then, we'll enjoy a one-hour guided tram tour through America's first and (the world's largest) Toyota manufacturing facility. The Toyota tour offers an up-close look at the world-renowned Toyota Production System where cars are being assembled while they glide around the plant on the conveyor system. After our tour, we'll visit the charming downtown of Georgetown for lunch and shopping before departing for Lexington, the horse capital of the world. We'll check into our historic, equestrian hotel, the Campbell House. You'll have the evening on your own to grab dinner at the hotel's renowned restaurant, a member of the bourbon trail and local hub for guided tastings, pairings and flights, or visit Lexington's vibrant downtown. (B)

 

DAY 5 - We will explore Kentucky's beautiful horse country today, beginning with a behind-the-scenes tour at the Thoroughbred Center to learn about the daily care of thoroughbreds, and how they are trained for racing. You'll watch morning workouts, see horses up close at track side, in the paddocks and barns, and visit with professionals who will answer your questions. Then, enjoy a delicious lunch at Claudia Sanders Dinner House, served in an elegant, Southern Colonial style building where Colonel Sanders began his restaurant business. No trip to Kentucky would be complete without a visit to Evan Williams Bourbon Experience. We'll take a tour of their distillery and enjoy a tasting of their bourbons. We'll check into our hotel, the Hilton Garden Inn, Louisville Downtown, just steps from Louisville's bustling entertainment district, Fourth Street Live! You'll have the evening on your own to explore this lively city. (B, L)

 

DAY 6 - Today, we'll start our day with a guided bus tour of Louisville, then continue our look at horse country with a visit to Churchill Downs. Take an in-depth look at this famous racetrack on our 30-minute guided historic walking tour. We'll visit the Kentucky Derby Museum to see "The Greatest Race," which is projected larger-than-life in one of the world's only 360°, 4K high-resolution theaters - it's sure to make your heart race. We'll explore two floors of interactive exhibits about the history of the race and the traditions that have transformed the race into what it is today. You'll have time to enjoy lunch on your own in downtown Louisville and stop by the hotel before we're off to the races! We have tickets to the opening night races of Derby Week! You'll enjoy reserved seating for the race, along with an included dinner. (B,D)

 

DAY 7 -Fly from Louisville back to Boston, and return to Cape Cod. 

 

$ 2,349 per person, double occupancy, $2,814 single occ.

Flight Times & Pricing TBA

Package Includes:

Three nights in Cincinnati, OH

one night in Lexington, KY

two nights in Louisville, KY

seven breakfasts, two lunch, three dinners

Creation Museum

the Ark Encounter

tour of the Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption

Cruise on the Ohio River

Toyota Factory tram tour

Old Friends Farm Tour

Thoroughbred Center Farm

Tour & Tasting at Evan Williams Experience

Tour of Churchill Downs

the Kentucky Derby Museum

Tickets to a Derby week race at Churchill Downs

 

 

Flight Times & Pricing TBA

 

Payment & Cancellations:

Deposit: $ 100 land deposit is required to reserve the tour

Balance is due: 90 days prior to departure

Cancellation prior to January 20: no penalty

Cancellations January 20 and beyond: no refund for land package

Insurance is available and recommended for this tour

Ark Encounter Kentucky Derby Museum Holiday Inn Cincinnati Riverfront Campbell House Hilton Garden Inn Louisville Downtown