Williamstown offers a slower lifestyle with a lake and attractions
Williamstown is a small Kentucky city and tourist destination between Cincinnati and Lexington . Since 2016, people have come here to visit the Ark Encounter, a theme park where the centerpiece is a massive timber structure intended to be a life-size replica of Noah’s Ark from the Bible. The ark anchors a larger campus with other attractions like a zoo, zipline park and virtual reality theater. The area also has Williamstown Lake, which offers recreational activities and waterfront living. Despite the visiting crowds, Williamstown is still a rural community of about 4,000 people. “If they’re moving to Williamstown, they’re looking to get closer to the lake or the ark,” says Cherish Jessup, a Realtor with eXp Realty. “This is the getaway zone. They’re looking for the country life and a slower pace.”
Housing includes ranch-style homes, Queen Annes and new bi-levels
Homes in the Williamstown area are along narrow, two-lane roads that wind across rolling landscapes. While there are a few dense subdivisions, some homes are surrounded by acres of open land. Near the lake, some private docks provide direct access to the water. The lake also draws vacationers and part-time residents. “There are a lot of people who have cabins down there. They Airbnb them, but that’s also where they hang out on the weekends,” says Kyle Art, a Realtor with Re/Max Victory and Affiliates.
The area has ranch-style homes and a string of new bi-levels with two-car garages. The community also has manufactured homes, Queen Annes, Craftsman bungalows and a few luxury lodge-style homes. Size, acreage and condition affect costs, and most homes sell from $170,000 to $490,000. Some homes that are about 3,000 square feet or more run between $580,000 and $920,000.
Williamstown Lake and the ark are leading destinations
Williamstown Lake is one of the area’s leading outdoor destinations. It spans over 300 acres and has nearly 30 miles of forest-lined shores. The lake's access points include the Williamstown Marina, which many use to launch kayaks, sport boats and pontoons. “That’s the biggest thing to do. Williamstown Lake and the ark,” Art says. The attractions on the ark’s three decks include exhibits imagining the living quarters. Visitors may then go to the Ararat Ridge Zoo, where kangaroos roam and handlers let the public interact with animals like snakes, lizards and owls. The city’s other recreational spots include the Starlight Roller Rink.
Local restaurants offer pizzas, lakefront dining and a buffet
The city’s few restaurants include Edwardo’s Pizza, a locally owned institution that makes several of its items from scratch. Edwardo’s has various specialty and dessert pizzas, lets patrons build their own pies and offers other options like hoagie steak sandwiches and cheeseburgers. Edwardo’s also hosts two live music shows a week between the spring and summer. The Williamstown Marina has Dockside Pizza & Pub, which serves more warm pies, beers, cocktails and live music by the lake. After visiting the ark, many may stop for a meal at Emzara’s Buffet. The restaurant’s decor includes taxidermied mounts of elk and antelope. In neighboring Dry Ridge , Walmart is an option for retail and grocery shopping.
Christmas at the Ark Encounter is an annual tradition
City events include the annual Christmas at the Ark Encounter, which runs from late November to early January. The event includes a holiday lights display and several free and paid activities at the various venues around the ark.
Most students attend Williamstown schools
Most students can attend Williamstown Independent Schools, which gets a B-minus from Niche. The elementary school hosts community events like Grandparents Day in September, which includes stage performances by students. Grant County Schools covers the areas outside the city and gets a C.
Commuters get on I-75 to quickly travel to Cincinnati and Lexington
Interstate 75 passes through the city, providing commuters a quick route to the region’s larger cities. Williamstown is 40 miles south of Cincinnati and 45 miles north of Lexington. The Cincinnati area has the Cincinnati & Northern Kentucky International Airport, which is where many in Williamstown go for commercial flights. Residents don’t need to travel far for medical care as Williamstown has the St. Elizabeth Healthcare Grant Hospital.
