Exploring Butler County’s Hidden Gem: A Visit to Pyramid Hill’s Outdoor Art Park and Sculpture Museum

This blog post was originally from our 2017 visit, but I’ve just updated it as of April 2023. I made sure to double-check and correct anything that was out of date, but I still recommend that you take a quick peek at the website and social media pages before you go, just to be on the safe side.

Stephen and I recently had the chance to explore the wonders of Butler County, Ohio and discover its hidden gems. One of our absolute favorite stops on the trip was Pyramid Hill, an outdoor art park that’s truly a feast for the senses. Be Prepared to be wowed by the sheer magnitude and artistry of Pyramid Hill’s outdoor art park. With over 80+ monumental outdoor modern and contemporary sculptures by world-renowned artists, it’s no easy feat to pick a favorite. Each sculpture is more impressive than the last, and you’ll find yourself captivated by the incredible creativity and innovation on display.

But Pyramid Hill isn’t just an art park – it’s a sprawling 300-acre nonprofit sculpture park that seamlessly blends art and nature. The rolling hills, meadows, lakes, and hiking trails provide a stunning backdrop for the permanent collection of sculptures.

It’s no surprise that Pyramid Hill is the premier cultural tourist attraction in Butler County, with over 30,000 visitors annually. This unique outdoor art park is the perfect place to experience the intersection of art, culture, education, and nature.

Let’s take a quick look at how Pyramid Hill came to be. It all started when Harry T. Wilks purchased the land in 1987 with the intention of building his home there – which is now famously known as the Pyramid House. This unique structure still stands on the land and is a sight to behold – we’ve never seen anything quite like it! During our visit, the staff mentioned that they’re currently renovating the Pyramid House, and we can’t wait to go back and see the updates. As Wilks acquired more land around the house, he began clearing out space to create roads, hiking trails, and small lakes. His ultimate goal was to preserve the land for future generations, and that’s how the non-profit sculpture park came to be. During your visit to the museum on the property, be sure to check out the room dedicated to Harry – it offers a fascinating glimpse into his life and the remarkable legacy he left behind. We found his story to be truly inspiring and wished we had the chance to meet him.

Embarking on Your Pyramid Hill Adventure: Where to Begin?

Upon arriving at the main entrance, you’ll receive a warm welcome and all the details you need for a successful trip. For the ultimate experience, we suggest heading over to the visitor center first. Here, you can gather valuable information and insider tips that will help you make the most of your visit.

Tip: Take your Pyramid Hill adventure to the next level by downloading their awesome mobile app called ‘Otocast’. You can easily find it in your app store. This amazing app gives you a virtual tour of the park, and takes you on a wild audio journey with the artists at each stop. You’ll get to learn all about the stories and inspiration behind each artwork, and gain a deeper appreciation for the creativity on display. Plus, with the app in your hands, you’ll feel like a total art connoisseur as you wander through the park. So, make sure to download ‘Otocast’ before you set off on your exciting Pyramid Hill expedition!

Pyramid Hill is not just your average art museum – it’s the only one where you can tour around in an Art Cart! What’s an Art Cart, you may ask? It’s basically a golf cart that you can drive around the park to get a closer look at the art. It’s simple, fun, and a great way to see the entire park. While you can also choose to walk or bring your own car, the Art Cart experience takes you on special paths that bring you right up close to the incredible sculptures. So why walk when you can ride in style and see it all with an Art Cart at Pyramid Hill?

He was very excited to drive the golf cart!

Choosing a favorite work of art at Pyramid Hill is no easy feat. With over 80+ monumental outdoor modern and contemporary sculptures by world-renowned artists, each one is more impressive than the last. You’ll find yourself captivated by the incredible creativity and innovation on display, and it’s nearly impossible to pick just one favorite

‘Pier Portal’ by Barry Tinsley
‘Venus and Psyche’ by Bill Barrett
This is art ‘by accident’ if you will. The car is from an accident in the 70s and they weren’t able to get the car out, so here it stays.
‘Wherefore Art Thou’ by Sam McKinney – This was one of my favorite pieces.
The others side of ‘Wherefore Art Thou’ by Sam McKinney. Such emotion.
‘The Cube’ by Tony Rosenthal. This one was very cool. You can walk up to it and actually spin it.
‘Restoration’ by Jim Agard

‘General’ by an Unkown Chinese Artist

As if the park wasn’t amazing enough on its own, there’s also an ancient sculpture museum that’s a total must-see. This fantastic museum opened in 2007 and boasts an incredible collection of Greek, Roman, Etruscan, and Egyptian sculptures dating all the way back to 1550 B.C. We were thrilled to discover this hidden gem and couldn’t wait to explore it. It’s the perfect complement to the outdoor sculptures and adds an extra layer of historical significance to your visit.

We had an absolute blast exploring the park for two hours, and we were left craving for more time. The stunning artwork and enchanting scenery had such a calming effect on us that we didn’t want to leave. Trust me; you don’t want to miss out on this experience. Make sure to add it to your ‘Ohio Bucket List,’ – you won’t find anything else like it!

To make the most of your visit to Pyramid Hill, here are some things to know:

  • Adults: $10.00ย  |ย Children (6 โ€“ 12): $5.00ย  |ย Children (5 and under): FREE
  • Photography Day Pass: $75
    • โ€‹This pass will allow photographer and client(s) into the Park upon purchase.
  • Choose your mode of transportation: park visitors can drive, walk, or take an art cart on the Gallery Loop, which is the main path throughout the park.
    • No bicycles, electric bikes, skateboards, skates, roller blades, hover boards, Segwayโ€™s, golf carts or firearms are allowed on Park grounds.
  • Wear proper footwear: the Gallery Loop is a 1.75 mile walk with several steep hills, so make sure to wear comfortable and sturdy shoes.
  • Take advantage of parking spots: there are several places to stop and park your vehicle along the Gallery Loop, allowing you to explore the park at your own pace.
  • The park can take anywhere from one hour to several trips to explore. The park is a self-guided tour that offers guests the ability to go at their own pace. The monumental sculptures can be seen by car, foot, or ART CART or the length of your stay depends on how much time you spend at each piece. They suggest allowing 3 – 4 hours for your first visit, so as not to miss anything!
  • Pyramid Hill offers snacks and drinks at the Gift Shop located in the Visitor Center. Visitors may bring outside food into the Park but outside alcohol is not permitted. They suggest packing a picnic or stopping by one of Hamilton’s wonderful local restaurants and grab carryout! You can enjoy your meal at one of the Parkโ€™s many stunning vistas including our Overlook Patio. 
  • The sculptures are monumental works of art that can be touched, but climbing on the art can cause damage. They do not allow climbing on the sculptures.
  • All of the sculptures in the Ancient Sculpture Museum are authenticated antiquities.ย 

1763 Hamilton Cleves Road, Hamilton, OH 45013ย 
(513) 868-8336 ย 
Monday through Thursday | 9:00AM โ€“ 5:00PM
Friday through Sunday | 9:00AM โ€“ 8:00PM
Ancient Sculpture Museum: 12:00PM – 5:00PM Daily
Pyramid House: Monday – Thursday 11:00AM – 11:50AM | Friday – Sunday 12:00PM – 5PM
pyramid@pyramidhill.org

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