Hotel near the Creation Museum — 15 minutes across the river, with free breakfast for the whole family

About 15 minutes. Drive 2 miles to I-275, take it toward Kentucky across the Ohio River, and leave at exit 11 for Petersburg. From there it is a short run on local roads to Bullittsburg Church Road, where the museum sits in a quiet, rural part of Boone County. Your map app will handle the last few turns, and the entrance is signed.

Most visitors assume they need a hotel on the Kentucky side, near the airport. In drive time, though, the Indiana side of the river is just as close, and it puts you near Lawrenceburg's restaurants, the riverfront and, in winter, Perfect North Slopes. Our Google listing shows Greendale as the city, which is the neighboring town along US-50; the address and the drive are the same.

It is also a sensible base if the Ark Encounter is on your list. That attraction is about 45 to 50 minutes south on I-75, so you can do one each day without changing hotels.

The Creation Museum is run by Answers in Genesis and presents the Bible's account of history through walk-through exhibits, dinosaur displays, a planetarium and special-effects theater shows. Outside, botanical gardens with walking paths and a petting zoo give younger kids a break from the indoor galleries.

Most families spend somewhere between half a day and a full day. With little ones, plan the gardens and petting zoo as a mid-visit reset. With teens or adults who like to read every panel, set aside the whole day and eat lunch on site.

The museum and the Ark Encounter are run by the same ministry, and combination tickets for both have been offered. Buy tickets through the Creation Museum's official site, and check current hours and special events there before you go, since schedules change through the year.

Saturdays and summer break bring church groups, school trips and family reunions, and the parking lot can fill by late morning. Arriving close to opening makes the first galleries easier to enjoy. Spring and fall weekdays are usually calmer.

Dress for both indoors and outdoors. The exhibits are climate-controlled, but the gardens mean real walking on paths and slopes, so comfortable shoes matter. Bring a stroller for toddlers if you have one, and pack a light jacket for spring and fall afternoons in the garden.

• Check hours and buy tickets through the museum's official site.
• Ask about combination tickets if you will also visit the Ark Encounter.
• Eat our free hot breakfast first; the museum is in a rural area with few quick food stops.
• Wear comfortable shoes for the garden paths and petting zoo.

Breakfast is the big one. Feeding a family of four before a long day of exhibits adds up fast, and at Express Inn & Suites the hot breakfast is free every morning. It runs until 9:30 AM on weekdays and 10 AM on weekends, so you can eat and still reach the museum near opening time.

Room setup is the other reason. The Two Queen Room sleeps 4, and the Deluxe King Studio Suite, our largest room, pairs a king bed with a sofa bed for 4 guests. The King Studio Suite works for three. Up to 2 kids 18 and under stay free using existing bedding, cribs are free, and connecting rooms are available on request when grandparents come along.

After a day on your feet, the indoor heated pool is open until 9:00 PM, which is usually the last thing the kids want before they fall asleep. Every room has a microwave and mini-fridge, so leftovers from dinner become tomorrow's car snacks.