You see them on Instagram long before you actually see them in person. Those staggered, white concrete tiers cutting into the lush green hillside of Eden Park. It’s the Art Climb steps at CAM (Cincinnati Art Museum), and honestly, if you haven’t felt your quads burning halfway up the third flight, have you even really visited Cincinnati?
It’s more than just a staircase. It’s a massive, multi-million dollar architectural middle finger to the idea that museums should be stuffy, hidden boxes. For decades, the Cincinnati Art Museum sat on top of its hill, looking gorgeous but feeling sort of... unreachable? If you didn’t have a car, getting from the bus stop on Gilbert Avenue up to the front doors was a legitimate hike through grass and mud.
The Art Climb changed that.
Why the Art Climb steps at CAM actually exist
Most people think this was just a "beautification" project. It wasn't. It was about solving a massive accessibility headache. Before the Art Climb steps at CAM opened in 2020, the museum was physically disconnected from the neighborhood of Walnut Hills. You could see the museum from the street, but you couldn't easily get to it.
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The project cost roughly $5 million. That sounds like a lot for stairs. But when you look at the engineering—the 164 steps, the lighting, the landing pads for massive sculptures—it starts to make sense. The museum worked with the city and Emersion DESIGN to create something that functioned as a sidewalk, a gym, and an outdoor gallery all at once.
It's a "pedestrian bridge" without the bridge part.
The layout you'll encounter
When you start at the bottom—right at the intersection of Gilbert Avenue and Eden Park Drive—you’re looking at a climb that gains about 16 stories in elevation. It's steep.
The design is intentional. The stairs aren't a straight shot. They zig-zag. They offer landings. This isn't just to catch your breath; it’s designed to force your eyes toward the art. You’ll see concrete "plinths" along the way. These are heavy-duty pads built to hold rotating sculptures from the museum’s collection.
The workout culture nobody expected
The museum probably knew people would walk the steps. They probably didn't realize the Art Climb steps at CAM would become the city's unofficial outdoor CrossFit gym.
On any given Tuesday at 6:00 PM, you’ll see people doing sprint repeats. You’ll see high school athletes lunging up the tiers. You’ll see yoga mats spread out on the landings. It has this weird, wonderful energy where high-brow art meets high-intensity interval training.
Actually, it’s kinda cool. You have a bronze sculpture by Chakaia Booker—Lush Life, with its complex patterns of recycled tires—sitting right next to a guy dripping sweat in a Bengals jersey. It democratizes the space. You don't have to whisper here like you do inside the Great Hall.
The Art you'll see (if you aren't staring at your feet)
Let's talk about the actual "Art" in Art Climb. The museum doesn't just throw random statues out there. The pieces are curated to handle the Ohio weather, which, as we know, can go from a blizzard to 90-degree humidity in the span of a week.
- Chakaia Booker: Her work is iconic. She uses salvaged rubber tires. It’s gritty. It fits the urban-park vibe perfectly.
- Tony Rosenthal: You might recognize the style—geometric, bold, usually black or primary colors.
- Rotating Pieces: The museum treats the Art Climb like a dynamic gallery. This means the sculpture you saw six months ago might be gone, replaced by something new that changes the silhouette of the hill.
The lighting is another thing. At night, the Art Climb steps at CAM glow. The LEDs are embedded into the handrails and the underside of the steps. It doesn't just look "safe"—it looks like a scene from a sci-fi movie. It’s one of the few places in the city that feels more alive after the sun goes down.
A few things to keep in mind before you go
If you’re planning to tackle the steps, don't just wing it.
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First, parking is a bit of a puzzle. You can park at the top in the museum's main lot (which is free, by the way), but then you’re walking down first. If you want the full "climb" experience, you have to find street parking near the Gilbert Avenue entrance.
Second, the weather. Those white concrete steps reflect heat like crazy in July. If it’s mid-afternoon and 90 degrees, you’re going to bake. Go early or go at dusk. Conversely, in the winter, the museum is pretty good about clearing snow, but concrete can get slick.
Third, the view. People focus so much on the stairs that they forget to turn around. As you get higher, the view of the surrounding hills and the glimpses of the skyline are some of the best in Cincinnati.
The bigger picture of urban design
The Art Climb steps at CAM represents a shift in how Cincinnati views its public spaces. We spent decades building things for cars. The Art Climb is for humans. It links the museum to the 1-2-3-4-5 bus lines. It links the museum to the residents of Walnut Hills who can now walk to a world-class institution without needing a SUV.
It’s part of a larger "Cultural District" plan. The goal is to make the entire area around the museum, the Playhouse in the Park, and the Krohn Conservatory feel like one giant, walkable campus.
Honestly, the stairs were just the beginning.
What to do after the climb
Once you reach the top, you’re at the museum's back door.
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- Go inside: The Cincinnati Art Museum is free. Every day. You have no excuse.
- Hit the Terrace: The courtyard inside is a great place to cool down.
- Explore Eden Park: You’re already there. Walk over to Mirror Lake or the Twin Lakes overlook.
The Art Climb steps at CAM isn't just a staircase. It’s a bridge between the grit of the city and the quiet of the gallery. It’s a place where you can be an athlete, an art critic, or just someone trying to get a decent photo of the sunset.
Actionable Insights for Your Visit
- Footwear matters: Leave the flip-flops at home. The steps have a textured surface for grip, which is great for safety but can be rough on flimsy shoes.
- Hydration: There are no water fountains on the stairs themselves. Carry a bottle, especially if you’re doing more than one lap.
- Check the Calendar: The museum often hosts "Art Climb" specific events, including guided tours and fitness classes. Check their official social media before you head out.
- Photography: If you're looking for the "clean" shot without crowds, Tuesday mornings or weekday evenings are your best bet. The lighting at the "blue hour" (just after sunset) is the sweet spot for the LED handrails.
- Accessibility: While the steps are the main attraction, there is an accessible path nearby, but the Art Climb itself is, by nature, a series of stairs. If you have mobility concerns, the museum's main entrance remains the primary accessible route.
The Art Climb has successfully turned a literal barrier into a destination. Whether you’re there for the art, the sweat, or the view, it’s a rare example of urban infrastructure that actually makes the city feel more human.