Sometimes the best road trips don’t require traveling very far. Less than two hours from Columbus, you’ll find one of Ohio’s most unique combinations in and near Hamilton: a peaceful outdoor sculpture park followed by one of the most outrageous grocery stores in the country. My nephew Gabriel and I spent the morning wandering through art mixed with nature at Pyramid Hill Sculpture Park in Hamilton. Then we headed a few miles south to Jungle Jim’s International Market, where browsing the aisles becomes an adventure of its own. If you’re looking for an easy day trip that’s a little different, this itinerary is hard to beat.
Pyramid Hill Sculpture Park
Our first stop of the day was Pyramid Hill Sculpture Park in Hamilton, Ohio, one of the most unique outdoor museums in the Midwest. The 300-acre property was once the private estate of businessman and philanthropist Harry T. Wilks. You’ll know you’ve arrived because you are greeted by a large sculpture right off the main road.
History of Pyramid Hill
Before it became an outdoor art museum, Pyramid Hill began as Harry Wilks’ vision for a golf course. After purchasing the first 40 acres, Wilks reshaped the landscape, creating the rolling hills and many of the ponds that visitors still enjoy today. As his interest in collecting large-scale sculpture grew, so did the property. He eventually expanded the estate by several hundred acres, replacing fairways with works of art. In 1997, that vision officially became Pyramid Hill Sculpture Park.
Exploring Pyramid Hill
One of the things that makes Pyramid Hill so accessible is that you can explore it in several different ways. We chose to walk the main loop, which let us take our time and appreciate both the sculptures and the scenery. If you’d rather cover more ground more quickly, you’re welcome to drive the park’s winding roads, stopping whenever a sculpture catches your eye. For an even more memorable experience, visitors can rent one of the park’s electric Art Carts, which make it easy to explore the expansive grounds while enjoying the fresh air. No matter how you choose to get around, the park encourages you to slow down, explore at your own pace, and discover each artwork in its natural setting.
We explored the sculpture garden on foot, wandering the walking paths and taking our time with the artwork. More than 80 large-scale sculptures are scattered throughout the landscape, creating an experience that feels part art museum and part nature preserve. We spent more than three hours exploring the grounds, and it never felt repetitive. The main paved walking loop is about 1.7 miles long, winding through grassy hills, around peaceful ponds, and beneath shady trees. Additional hiking trails allow visitors to venture even farther into the property.
One feature I especially appreciated was the QR codes placed throughout the park. Rather than simply displaying the title and artist, many of the codes provided additional information about the sculptures, giving us a deeper understanding of the pieces. One installation even included a musical composition that we could listen to while admiring the artwork, creating a truly unique and immersive experience.
One of my favorite details was learning that many of the artists were invited to choose where their sculptures would be placed. Knowing that made the experience even more meaningful, as each piece felt thoughtfully connected to its surroundings rather than simply placed along a path. And the style of the art really varied. Some were carved from massive blocks of stone. Others were made from metal, like the trompe l’oeil sculpture below- a horse that looks like it was made from driftwood but is actually steel. Another of my favorites was made from recycled tires.
Ancient Sculpture Museum
After exploring the outdoor galleries, we visited the Ancient Sculpture Museum, which is housed inside the former home of the park’s founder. The home has been transformed into a museum featuring an impressive collection of Greek, Roman, Egyptian, Etruscan, and Syrian antiquities. I especially enjoyed touring the home. Visiting houses designed by Frank Lloyd Wright is another one of my favorite road trip- and blog topics. The home was built into a hillside and features amazing windows, including a glass pyramid-shaped roof over the living room.
We also stopped at another museum on the property. The Gallery Museum gives visitors an opportunity to browse additional contemporary artwork.. It makes the visit feel like much more than just a sculpture park. The park also hosts weddings and special events in this space.
We ended up spending more than three hours at Pyramid Hill, and honestly, we could have stayed even longer. Between the outdoor sculptures, the scenic walking paths, and the two museums, there was far more to see than we expected. Whether you’re an art enthusiast or simply looking for a peaceful place to spend an afternoon, Pyramid Hill makes for a unique and worthwhile stop on a southwest Ohio road trip.
The park is also dog-friendly, making it a great outing for visitors traveling with their four-legged companions. Admission is just $10 for adults, with an additional fee if you’d like to rent an Art Cart. They also offer memberships. It was an experience that exceeded our expectations and a great way to spend time surrounded by both art and nature.
Jungle Jim’s International Market
After a relatively peaceful morning surrounded by art and nature, our next stop couldn’t have been more different. We headed just 15 minutes up the road to Jungle Jim’s International Market. Jungle Jim’s is part grocery store, part tourist attraction, and part theme park. Even if you don’t need groceries, it’s worth visiting just to experience the sheer scale and creativity of the place. But I don’t think there’s any way you’re leaving empty handed.
The store is enormous, with themed sections, quirky decorations, and unexpected surprises around nearly every corner. Animatronic displays, oversized props, and colorful signs make it feel more like an attraction than a supermarket. One moment you’re walking beneath a monorail, and the next you’re browsing shelves filled with foods from around the world.
What to buy in Jungle Jim’s
One of the highlights is the international section, where you can explore products from dozens of countries. Whether you’re searching for a favorite snack from a past trip (I’m looking at you, Orangina from France), looking to try a new ingredient, or simply curious about what people eat around the world, it’s easy to spend far longer here than you planned. But it’s well organized by country, and just fun to walk around and explore! As someone who loves to travel, I especially enjoyed recognizing products from places I’ve visited and discovering new ones I’d never seen before. My nephew and I picked up a few ingredients for some experimental cooking.
Jungle Jim’s also features an incredible selection of fresh produce, sooo many delicious cheeses, baked goods, hot sauces, spices, candies, and beverages. There are even specialty departments devoted to coffee, olive oils, butter, candy, honey and more. I appreciate that they have sections just for gluten-free and vegetarian options.
One area that gets very busy is the international wines and beers as well as a liquor department. They even have bars where you can grab a beer or cocktail to enjoy while you shop.
No matter what you’re shopping for, you’ll probably find more options than you ever imagined. Whether you leave with a cart full of groceries or just a few unique snacks, Jungle Jim’s is an experience in itself. It’s the perfect complement to a visit to Pyramid Hill, turning an already fun day trip into one that’s both relaxing and wonderfully quirky. Just be prepared to spend several hours at the store, and it can get VERY busy.
Final Thoughts
I love finding places that surprise me, and this day trip did exactly that. Make sure to add Pyramid Hill and Jungle Jim’s to your Ohio bucket list. I have a feeling you’ll leave smiling- and probably with a few unusual snacks in your bags. I’d love to hear your suggestions for quirky, out-of-the-ordinary places to visit. And if you love visiting fun outdoor spaces, can I suggest Schnormeier Garden or Kingwood Center. Catch you soon!
-Catching Katie
