Roadside Cincinnati
Cincinnati’s I-275 loop is more than just a beltway encircling the Queen City—it’s a gateway to some of the region's quirkiest, most intriguing roadside attractions. Whether you're a local rediscovering the hidden gems in your own backyard or a tourist looking to explore beyond the usual sights, this loop is packed with surprises. From giant sculptures to historic oddities, these stops offer a fun and often unexpected glimpse into the character and creativity that define Cincinnati and its surrounding areas. Let’s take a look at what’s within this transportation loop. You can follow along with the journey on the map below.
Notre Dame Cathedral Replica, Big Stained Glass Window
Located at 1140 Madison Ave. in Covington, KY, the Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption is a smaller-scale replica of Paris's Notre-Dame Cathedral, featuring impressive stained-glass windows and intricate architecture.
Tiny Church - Monte Casino Chapel
Situated on the campus of Thomas More College in Crestview Hills, KY, this chapel, built in 1878 by Benedictine monks, was once dubbed the "Smallest Church in the World" by Ripley's Believe It or Not.
Flying Saucer House - Futuro
Found at 224 Wright St. in Covington, KY, this unique residence is a prefabricated home designed in 1968 by Finnish architect Matti Suuronen, resembling a silver flying saucer perched on a hillside.
Vent Haven: Ventriloquist Museum
Located at 33 W. Maple Ave. in Fort Mitchell, KY, Vent Haven is the world's only museum dedicated to ventriloquism, housing a vast collection of ventriloquist figures and memorabilia.
Cincinnati's Winged Pigs
At 727 E. Pete Rose Way in Cincinnati, OH, near the entrance to Sawyer Point Park, these whimsical statues celebrate the city's heritage as "Porkopolis," a major center for hog processing in the 19th century.
American Sign Museum
Located at 1330 Monmouth St. in Cincinnati, OH, this museum showcases a diverse collection of vintage and contemporary signs, highlighting the art and history of signage in America.
Martha - Passenger Pigeon Memorial Hut
Found at 3400 Vine St. in Cincinnati, OH, this memorial at the Cincinnati Zoo honors Martha, the last known passenger pigeon, who died in captivity in 1914.
Purple People Bridge
Connecting Newport, KY, and Cincinnati, OH, this pedestrian bridge offers scenic views of the Ohio River and is a popular spot for walking and cycling.
Two-Headed Calf, Shrunken Head
Located at 1600 Montague Rd. in Covington, KY, this attraction features oddities and curiosities, including a two-headed calf and a shrunken head, appealing to those interested in the unusual.
Creation Museum
Situated at 2800 Bullittsburg Church Rd. in Petersburg, KY, this museum presents exhibits on creationism, offering a perspective on the origins of life and the universe based on biblical accounts.
Giant Indian Sign
Located at 7505 Vine St. in Cincinnati, OH, this iconic sign, known as the "Big Indian," has been a landmark since the 1950s, originally commissioned by Walter E. Schott for his car dealership
Greater Cincinnati Police Museum
Found at 308 Reading Rd. in Cincinnati, OH, this museum is dedicated to preserving and showcasing the history of law enforcement in the Greater Cincinnati area, offering exhibits and artifacts related to local police departments.
Charlie Taft, Robot Son of President Taft
Located at 2038 Auburn Ave. in Cincinnati, OH, this animatronic figure of Charlie Phelps Taft, son of President William Howard Taft, shares stories about his family and life, providing an engaging historical insight.
Mushroom House
Situated at 3331 Erie Ave. in Cincinnati, OH, this whimsical residence, designed by architect Terry Brown, features a unique, organic design resembling a mushroom, attracting visitors for its architectural curiosity.
Gravity Hill
Found on Ridgeway Court in Covington, KY, this optical illusion creates the appearance of cars rolling uphill when placed in neutral, offering a perplexing experience for visitors.
Replica of Jesus's Tomb
Located at 699 Edgecliff St. in Covington, KY, this site features a reproduction of the tomb where Jesus was laid to rest, serving as a place of interest for religious and historical enthusiasts.
Large Cougar Statue
Situated at 8100 Vine St. in Cincinnati, OH, this prominent statue of a cougar stands as a notable landmark, reflecting the local wildlife and artistic expression.
Union Terminal - Comic Book Hall Of Justice
Located at 1301 Western Ave. in Cincinnati, OH, this historic train station, known as Union Terminal, served as the inspiration for the Hall of Justice in the DC Comics universe.
Lucky Cat Museum
Situated at 2511 Essex Place in Cincinnati, OH, this museum houses a collection of "Maneki Neko" or lucky cat figurines, showcasing various designs and cultural significance.
Pancakes and Pigs Sculpture of Goodness
Located at 4381 Reading Rd. in Cincinnati, OH, this vibrant sculpture features a stack of pancakes topped with pig figures, celebrating the city's nickname, "Porkopolis." It's situated outside a historic restaurant that has been serving patrons since 1941.
Metrobot
Standing at 6th and Walnut Streets in Cincinnati, OH, Metrobot is a 27-foot-tall electronic sculpture created by artist Nam June Paik in 1988. Equipped with interactive screens and a head resembling a TV set, it was refurbished in 2014 and now resides in front of the Contemporary Arts Center.
Sculpture of Big Rare Books
Situated at 800 Vine St. in Cincinnati, OH, this artwork by Michael Frasca, dedicated in 1990, showcases a stack of oversized ceramic tile books. Originally part of a fountain, the sculpture was restored in 2024 and now stands as a prominent feature near the Main Library.
Triceracopter
Housed at the University of Cincinnati's Langsam Library, Triceracopter is a monumental sculpture created by Pat Renick in 1976. Constructed on the frame of a Vietnam-era Army helicopter, it symbolizes the hope for the obsolescence of war.
Mr. Dynamite: James Brown Mural
Found at 1437 Main St. in Cincinnati's Over-the-Rhine neighborhood, this expansive mural honors the legendary musician James Brown, who recorded for Cincinnati-based King Records. Created by artist Jenny Ustick and completed in 2015, it captures Brown's dynamic energy and significant influence on music.
Psychedelic Mural: Neil Armstrong and E.T.
Located on Walnut St. in Cincinnati, OH, this vibrant mural blends images of astronaut Neil Armstrong and the iconic extraterrestrial, E.T., set against a psychedelic backdrop, showcasing the city's artistic flair.
Mural: George Washington in Drag
At 3025 Colerain Ave. in Cincinnati, OH, this unconventional mural depicts George Washington dressed in drag, reflecting contemporary artistic interpretations and community engagement.
Toys Mural
Found at 23 W. Court St. in Cincinnati, OH, this mural showcases a collection of oversized toy figures, reflecting the city's playful spirit and dedication to public art.
Stone Dollhouse Grave
Located at 4500 Foley Rd. in Cincinnati, OH, this unique grave marker is designed to resemble a stone dollhouse, serving as a poignant and artistic tribute in the cemetery.
Frisch's Mainliner Big Boy Museum
Located at 5760 Wooster Pike in Cincinnati, Ohio, this museum is dedicated to the history of Frisch's Big Boy restaurants. It features retro-restored Mainliner signs and offers a photo opportunity with a Big Boy statue.
Lincoln Statue Loved by Teddy
Situated at 501 E. 4th St. in Cincinnati, Ohio, this 11-foot-tall bronze statue of Abraham Lincoln was sculpted by George Grey Barnard and dedicated in 1917. It was a favorite of President Theodore Roosevelt.
12-Foot-Tall Pinocchio
Standing at 953 Eden Park Drive in Cincinnati, Ohio, this bronze sculpture by artist Jim Dine depicts a larger-than-life Pinocchio. It was installed in 2007 in front of the Cincinnati Art Museum.
Fred Baur, Buried In Pringles Can
At 2145 Compton Rd. in Cincinnati, Ohio, the grave of Fredric J. Baur, inventor of the Pringles can, honors his request to have some of his ashes buried in a Pringles can. Baur was a chemist who specialized in food storage research and development for Procter & Gamble in Cincinnati.
Sit with Redlegs
Located at 100 Joe Nuxhall Way in Cincinnati, Ohio, this interactive statue features Redlegs, the Cincinnati Reds mascot, offering a fun photo opportunity for fans. It's situated outside Great American Ball Park.
Big Bourbon Bottle
Found at 319 W. 4th St. in Covington, Kentucky, this large-scale sculpture celebrates the region's rich bourbon heritage.
Artist Holds Painting of Wife
Located at 109 W. Pike St. in Covington, Kentucky, this artwork depicts an artist holding a painting of his wife, showcasing the city's appreciation for public art.
Birthplace of the Filet-o-Fish Sandwich
At 5425 W. North Bend Rd. in Cincinnati, Ohio, this McDonald's restaurant is recognized as the birthplace of the Filet-o-Fish sandwich, created in 1962 by franchise owner Lou Groen.
Crosley Field Footprint
Located at 1805 Dalton Ave. in Cincinnati, Ohio, this site marks the former location of Crosley Field, the historic ballpark of the Cincinnati Reds from 1912 to 1970.
Whether you're out for a Sunday drive or on a mission to visit every last one of these attractions, the I-275 loop offers plenty of opportunities to experience something unique. These stops, each with its own story, capture the spirit of Cincinnati—full of history, art, and a bit of whimsy. Next time you’re cruising around the loop, why not pull over and explore one (or ten) of these offbeat treasures? You might just find a new favorite spot in the process!