7 Tips For Visiting Pyramid Hill Sculpture Park

Make the most of your Pyramid Hill Sculpture Park & Museum visit with these helpful tips. 

Intriguing sculptures dot the hillsides as shady trees entice guests to enjoy a leisurely picnic under their branches. Pyramid Hill Sculpture Park is a hidden gem combining art and nature in one incredible outdoor gallery in Hamilton, Ohio.

The Ancient Sculpture Museum transports guests to faraway lands as exotic antiquities bring history to life. Stroll through lush gardens or lace up your hiking boots to explore the Park’s many trails.

We dive into what to expect and share seven things you want to take advantage of during your Pyramid Hill Sculpture Park & Museum visit.

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History Of Pyramid Hill Sculpture Park & Museum

Pyramid Hill Sculpture Park is located within the Traditional Homelands of the Myaamia (Miami) and Saawanooki (Shawnee) Peoples. Fortified Hill Earthwork at Pyramid Hill is a testament to the depth of time Indigenous Peoples have lived in and stewarded the landscape.

Harry T. Wilks founded Pyramid Hill Sculpture Park. He purchased 40 acres of land in 1987 to build his home, The Pyramid House, and slowly began acquiring more of the neighboring land. To preserve the land for future generations, Harry created a nonprofit sculpture park that would be accessible to the public by combining nature’s beauty with artwork.

Fortified Hill

The 2,000-year-old Hopewell cultural site, Fortified Hill, was purchased and donated to Pyramid Hill by the Harry T. Wilks Family Foundation in 2019. The site is currently closed to the public as they are preparing the site for the public with hiking trails and educational signage.

Getting To Pyramid Hill Sculpture Park

Address: 1763 Hamilton Cleves Road, Hamilton, OH 45013

Tucked away in Butler County, Ohio, Pyramid Hill Sculpture Park is a destination for all art and nature enthusiasts. Most visitors will venture on I-275 to HWY 27, then take OH-128 N to Pyramid Hill. The entrance does sneak up on you, so slow down as you approach to prevent turning around.

If you are looking for a more secluded picnic spot, pop a blanket down under one of the many shade trees while enjoying the breeze off the rolling hills.

Park Hours:

Monday through Thursday | 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Friday through Sunday | 9:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.

Ancient Sculpture Museum: 12:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Daily

Pyramid House: Monday – Thursday 11:00 a.m. – 11:50 a.m. | Friday – Sunday 12:00 p.m. – 5 p.m.

Admission: 

Members | FREE

Adults: $10.00 | Children (6 – 12): $5.00 | Children (5 and under): FREE

Student Membership: Purchase upon arrival *Membership will be $10 and is valid for one year. Must present student ID when purchasing.

There are a variety of membership levels for guests to choose with a household membership starting at $55. If you consider visiting more than once a year, check out all the benefits of being a member.

Know Before You Go

Using the visitors center as a springboard, work your way around the Sculpture Park using the map as your guide to discover all the fabulous pieces throughout the Park.

Whether you are bringing the children or going on a date night, we share a few tips to help you plan out your day:

• There are two types of roads, one for cars and one for golf carts. The Gallery Loop takes you through the main parts of the Park, with parking lots in popular areas.
•     Bring sunscreen and bug spray.
•  There is no climbing allowed on the sculptures.
•  Scoop out the Pioneer house dating to the 1820s with an unusual arched ceiling that can be found on the grounds. Be sure to peer inside this historic building.
•  Download the mobile app (Otocast) from the app store, take a virtual tour of the Park, and hear audio from the artists. 
•  Pets are welcome but must remain on a leash.
• Scan a QR code on your map to learn more about the artists and sculptures.

Don’t Miss The Ancient Sculpture Museum

Sculptures have become a fundamental part in understanding ancient cultures. They give insight into how ancient civilizations thrived and often recount a story of its era. Browsing the vast collection of ancient sculptures found at the Ancient Sculpture Museum, visitors can marvel at the Roman Marble Mosaic Panel from the area of Antioch, a Limestone Head of a Royal Sphinx, and a Syrian Limestone Head.

Rotating contemporary exhibitions at the museum makes a great addition to the museum. The current exhibition is Coral Beliefs, a solo exhibition created by Jill Krutick, which is on display at the Ancient Sculpture Museum. Coral Beliefs will immerse visitors in the stunning colors, textures, and energy of some of the world’s most remote and fragile areas – coral reefs. Krutick’s scuba diving experiences inspired this 84.5-foot collection in this captivating biosphere.

Planning Tip: The museum is free with admission into the Park and has ample parking in the nearby lot.

Picnic With A View At Overlook Patio

Acres of woodlands surround over 100 sculptures, so pack your picnic basket to dine at one of the most scenic spots in the Park. The overlook Patio yields a commanding view of the Park, with monumental outdoor sculptures in the distance. This ranks up there as one of the best picnic spots in the Cincinnati area.

The Overlook Patio is my favorite spot in the Park. I love watching my daughter run in the field while the fountain from the nearby pond makes water dance in the air. Ask your children what they see in the sculptures; their answer may surprise you.

Planning Tip: The patio is a short walk behind the sculpture “Cincinnati Story,” and has tables and chairs.

Rent An Art Cart

Explore the 300 acre sculpture park in a new way by zipping around on an Art Cart. Art Carts are golf carts that can accommodate up to 4 people and can be rented out at the visitor center.

Art Carts can also venture on designated trails where cars are prohibited, allowing guests with limited mobility to see many sculptures up close that they otherwise couldn’t.

The most popular way to see the museum is by doing the Gallery Loop, which is the main pather throughout the Park. The loop is 1.75 miles, with many guests exploring the Park on foot via the Gallery Loop. Therefore, use caution while on the Gallery Loop and maintain vigilance for guests walking the Park.

Kids will love hopping on the Art Cart as you navigate the Park. If you ask my daughter, it is the ONLY way to see the Park!

Art Cart Rental Prices as of 2023:

Members: $15 for the first hour/$10 for each additional hour.

Non Members: $25 for the first hour/ $20 for each additional hour.

Tour The Pyramid House

Built-in 1992, the Pyramid House was the dream home of lawyer Harry Wilks. The underground home was designed by Harry, featuring a pyramid that is made of three layers of glass that reflect ultraviolet light.

Guests will marvel at the symmetrical design of Wilks’ house, which includes 12-foot by 40-foot hallways leading in and out of the house. Wilks acquired an impressive amount of Egyptian antiquities that were displayed in the home but were later moved to the sculpture museum gallery.

Planning Tip: Visitors can take a self-guided tour of the Pyramid House from noon-5 p.m. Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, and 11–11:45 a.m. Mondays through Thursdays. The tours are free for park members and included in park admission for the public.

Come During The Holidays

Experience one of the best drive-through holiday light displays in southwest Ohio by experiencing the Journey Borealis. A magical transformation happens as the Park becomes a winter wonderland of twinkling lights.

Add this heartwarming, family-friendly event to your holiday bucket list.

Planning Tip: Journey Borealis is one of the few Cincinnati light shows open on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day. No public bathroom is available, so ensure your family has taken care of business before starting this adventure.

Check Out The Seasonal Events

Numerous special events happen yearly, including summer programs for the whole family. Kids will love participating in the summer series featuring unique themes of art and nature, while educational workshops are offered yearly.

Stretch out with a Yoga in Nature class or learn more about the Park with a scenic Garden Tour. All of Pyramid Hill’s events can be found on their website.

Buy Wine and Beer from The Gift Shop

While the Park encourages guests to bring picnics, bringing outside alcohol is prohibited. Guests can purchase wine, sparkling wine, imported/craft beer, soft drinks, and snacks at the Visitor Center. The Visitor Center also is home to the gift shop!

Take advantage of this fun family adventure, a true Cincinnati Hidden Gem! On the hunt for more great ideas, check out these related posts:

19 Unique Things To Do In Cincinnati 

A Guide To Exploring Downtown Hamilton, OH 

35 Fun Things to Do With Kids In Cincinnati 

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