Okay, he's a fictional character lionized in the middle of a city so steeped in actual history but it's still hard not to be inspired by the visage of Rocky Balboa -- a whole cloth creation of eventual Best Picture Oscar winner Sylvester Stallone that rings as true this Independence Day as it did upon release during the Bicentennial in 1976. Rocky was a great film that moved me back in the day and is still an annual watch on my holiday calendar. A nobody has-been takes on the anointed Boxing Industrial Complex Champion of Apollo Creed (a brilliant Carl Weathers) and fights him to a noble guts and glory 15 round "defeat" in name only. Still a classic worth remembering, fictional or not. Five stars. read more

Is it super cliché to run the Rocky Steps? Maybe. Is it still fun and will it leave you feeling like a champion? Absolutely. *cue the Rocky training montage music* The timeless film franchise inspired by actual boxer Joe Frazier who ran the steps of the art museum has made this one of the most popular spots for tourists in the city. Worth arriving early if you want an iconic photo with your fists raised in triumph. Even after arriving early in the morning, a crowd formed in less than 10 minutes to get their photo next to the Rocky statue. The steps aren't too steep and not too numerous, so most able-bodied folks can at least walk the steps. Child #3 was not yet 2 years old and he made it up. Slower than his siblings, but still. While there are some ramps on the sides, it doesn't seem that any of them go the whole way up or down, so if you have a stroller or wheelchair, you might struggle getting there. As of this writing, the "original" Rocky statue is in the museum and the similar one at the top of the steps is on loan from the man himself, Sylvester Stallone. Yo, Adrian! I DID IT! read more

Rocky Steps - Child #3 decided to run/crawl up the stairs too! - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

I could have run up the stairs but I didn't want too embarrass everybody walking! This is a through and through tourist site and glad we were able to stop by! read more

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It was very clean even woth it being crowded. There was a lady taking pictures on your phone for a donation. My younger self was so excited to see the statute. read more

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You can literally just walk up wait in line and get your picture with your phone. No need to pay anyone anything to do it plus there is another rocky statue on the right side on the lower part of the steps check that one out as well read more

Rocky Steps - Rocky - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

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Every single time I hear the 1976 hit song, "Gonna Fly Now" (by Bill Conti), I think of the Rocky movies. Truth be told is that I've seen these movies many, many times (as a child and now as an adult). And this has inspired me (and thousands of other dedicated Rocky fans) to check out the "Rocky Steps". This landmark may not be a big deal for some but for me, it is about dedication, perseverance, and giving it all you got while facing obstacles and challenges that life throws at you on a regular basis. Way before this was even named the Rocky Steps, it is the focal point of where the Philadelphia Museum of Art is located at 2600 Benjamin Franklin Parkway in the Art Museum District of Philadelphia, PA. And if you watch the Rocky films (1976, 1979, 1982, 1985, 1990, 2006) as well as the spinoff Creed films, you will witness these steps at one point in those movies. They were usually during the time Rocky begins his rigorous and intense physical training against his opponents (Apollo Creed, Clubber Lang, etc.). During my visit, I came during the late afternoon on Friday 10/10/2025 at around 5:30pm. Keep in mind that parking is quite limited out here and be cautious that some of these areas require some type of payment. Otherwise, it is easier to get here by public transit, rideshare, or the classic way, by running here lol. We were fortunate to find a parking spot relatively close to this area and made the short walk to the bottom of the steps. The entire 72-steps (from top to bottom) took me just under a minute to run up as I was pretty out of breath when I got to the top. The best part is that when you reach the top of the steps, there is a 10-foot bronze statue of Rocky Balboa/Sylvester Stallone that is the exact one that is in the films. I also wanted to add that the view overlooking the Philadelphia skyline and City Hall is absolutely epic as it shows why this is the City of Brotherly Love and home to the best cheesesteaks. And to those die hard nitpickers, there is not one but TWO statues! The original is at the base of the Art Museum steps and a second, identical one owned by Sylvester Stallone that was temporarily placed at the top of the steps but is now back at the bottom. All in all, this was one of my favorite places to visit and if you're an avid Rocky fan, you will absolutely love the history, scenery, and surroundings. My rating, a unanimous five stars. read more

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Picture this...a boxer in training running up several steps and posing at the top! Oh...that's just the movie being filmed in Philly by the character, Rocky Balboa! IYKYK! read more

Love to come here during warm weather to enjoy the beautiful view of the city. As this is my first year living in Philly, I can't wait to go more times. Going back behind the rocky steps, there's beautiful views and areas to walk. Also a good workout spot read more

Rocky Steps - The steps - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Step Off Steps famously made by the training scene montage in the film "Rocky." There's seventy-two steps in all, but they're honestly like half-steps so running up them was a breeze even for someone of my prodigious girth. Despite the lack of a challenge, it was still fun and definitely worth doing if you're in the area or just visiting the Art Museum. read more

Rocky Steps - Rocky Steps at the Philly Art Museum - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Only issue is finding parking besides that it gets a little packed so you might have to fall in line to take pictures

Inspirational on multiple levels - - - - - - - - November, 2025 Visit We were in town for a family baby shower and arrived early to sightsee in Philly. This trip we picked the Rocky steps... we were able to watch some of the movie on the flight; I fast forward to Rocky's scene running across Philly, culminating at the steps to the Philadelphia Art Museum just before deplaning. With that inspiration, when we arrived, our daughter and I raced to the top and were greeted by mom/wife and brother/son for a family photo at the top. The view from there, looking up Benjamin Franklin Parkway, from the George Washington Statue, past all the international flags and art museums, looking toward the park, at the far end, where you can see the iconic LoVE statue... is fantastic. It's great that the city had this statue cast and made it accessible to all. Thank you, Philadelphia & the Art Museum ----- ----- ----- read more

Definitely some where you have to visit when you're in Philly. Iconic statue. I remember I came here years ago and then years after they moved the statue to the bottom of the stairs. A prize on this trip back they are back on the top where they belong. We don't live in Philly. We live in Las Vegas, but when we're in town, we always take a trip to see the statue. read more

Rocky Steps - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Yes, we ran up the stairs. Yes, we hummed the song. Yes, it was everything. The museum is gorgeous and the view from the top is even better. They even have a tiny Rocky gift shop at the bottom, and it's just... joy. Pure Rocky joy. Felt like we were in a movie. read more

Rocky Steps - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Free to the public, it's the steps of the art museum. Up to the statue is half way but all the way to the museum is about 100 steps, not bad. Race a friend or family member up. read more

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I'm sorry the rest of philadelphia, but this is what we all came here for. Yes I know the cheese steak is high on the list but then that also is a matter of which place do you go to, who has the best, when it comes to a tourist destination, this doesn't have competition. I will tell you that the hard decision for you to make is what to do first? Do you go to the rocky statue? Or do you run the steps first, well I guess also decide if you're going to hit the gift shop. read more

Quick stop, take a picture and hum the Rocky theme in your head! Worth the time to run up those stairs!

If you didn't run up the steps, then were you really here? I thought it was cute that there were some kids training at the bottom of the steps - some future Rockys indeed! Adults, kids, everyone can have fun going up the steps. Make sure your soundtrack is ready! read more

When visiting Philly you have to visit the Rocky steps and statue at the museum Glad we did as it's was featured in the rocky movie. I'll be back read more

Rocky Steps - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

It's worth a look if you are a Loco tourist who loves running the stairs made famous by Rocky Balboa. It was a cold windy December day and there was only a few people there when we went so photo ops were great. read more

Rocky Steps - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

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A week ago, I was about as big a fan of the Rocky Franchise as most of you reading this are. I had seen some of the movies 10+ years ago and knew the theme music, "Eye of the Tiger," and a few quotes like "Yo, Adrian!" and "He's not gettin beat, he's gettin mad!" Essentially, I knew just enough to get by in a conversation involving pop culture without looking like a fool. I came to the Rocky Steps honestly just to check off a box and say that I did it. It's a 2.5 mile walk from my girlfriend's place, and as we were approaching the steps I pulled up the famous scene of Rocky running to them for a quick refresher, as I should probably know at least a little bit about what I am about to see ahahaha. Inspiration hit me like a piano falling on Wile E Coyote's head. Straight to the DOME. It was a mix of so many things in the clip: the music slowly building, Rocky running in the Chuck Taylors, the dead sprint along the Schuylkill River, the grey sweatsuit, running with frickin BRICKS in his hands all just perfectly combined to have me more inspired than I've been in a long time. I think it really was the bricks in his hands that got me, that's just such a savage move. I've been fiending to get my hands on some bricks for my runs now...if you have any loose bricks laying around bang my line!! I went from thinking there is no way I'm going to take a video of me running the steps because I'm Mr. Cool Guy to taking 4 videos because the first 3 didn't look good enough ahahahaha. The view is so vast and stunning that there was a freshly married couple taking their wedding pictures here fresh out the chapel ahaha. It put me in a purely reflective and contemplative state. I can see why Rock ran here, it had to have helped him visualize ripping Apollo Creed's head off. When I get passionate about something like this, I can't help but swan dive down the rabbit hole. We obviously went straight home and watched Rocky. Before Rocky, Stallone only had 1 major role in a small film, Lords of Flatbush, that had a budget of $380,000. He wrote the Rocky script in 3 days after watching Muhammad Ali fight Chuck Wepner, where Wepner was TKOd in the 15th round in a fight where nobody gave him a chance to make it that far. Sound familiar? Wepner later sued him ahahaha man that's savage. Stallone shopped the script around to multiple studios, being offered up to $350,000 for the rights. He turned them down because the studios wanted an A-lister, including Burt Reynolds, to play Rocky. Stallone refused, as he wanted to play the lead ahahah what a BEAST. In today's money, $350k is worth over $2m dollars. He turned down a BAG because he believed in himself so much, talk about an all time double down lol.... and it's not like he was swimming in it back then. Rocky ended up having a budget of under $1m and earning $225m at the box office. This ended up being a worldwide percentage return of over 11,000%. Talk about a double down paying off lmaaaoooo. My poor girlfriend has had to deal with me, every few minutes, saying "Ayyoo Adrian!!" in the thick Italian accent of someone who has last a lot of brain cells due to getting punched in the head repeatedly. This trip went from me going to just check a box off to me taking a kickboxing class this morning because I am so flooded with inspiration. THANK YOU ROCK! IF I'M BETTING ON MYSELF I COMPLETELY DOUBLE DOWN! IG @jnov_ Tiktok @jnov__ read more

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Evening Visit to the Iconic Rocky Statue I stopped by the Rocky statue outside the Philadelphia Museum of Art around 8:00 PM for an evening walk. Normally, there's a long line during the day to snap a photo with the statue, but coming at night meant no wait--I had it all to myself. After that, I climbed the famous "Rocky Steps." By my count, it took 109 steps to reach the top. It's a fun mini workout with a great view of the city skyline once you get there. If you're looking to avoid crowds and get a peaceful moment at this Philly landmark, the evening is a perfect time to go. read more

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Really crowded but great views of the city and the art museum. There was also a nice park to walk around. Fun to run up the steps. They aren't as big as they seem in he movie though so they are doable running read more

Rocky Steps - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

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Rocky Steps are a great place to see the area below. I was there for the Philadelphia Marathon in 2009 because my daughter ran. You can forget about me running up the steps. I did walk up to take photos of the building details and the landscaping and sculptures below. After all these years it's hard to remember the details. I'm glad I have these few photos taken November 21, 2009. I definitely recommend you visit and be sure to see the Rocky Statue. My photo with the Rocky Statue is in my profile photos. Definitely great memories of my daughter running the marathon too. Major accomplishment.... read more

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Review #1100 I have been a huge fan of the "Rocky" movies since I was a little boy. Those are movies that I can watch over and over again and never get sick of them. I love the underdog theme and find them very inspirational. I run competitive runs about ten times a year and listen to the Rocky soundtrack every run that I do. The music gives me that extra burst of energy that I need to finish my race. So whenever I visit Philly, running up the "Rocky Steps" is a must for me. The 72 stone steps lead up to the Philadelphia Museum of Art. If you have never been, it is a beautiful museum with an amazing collection of art. I highly recommend checking it out if you are ever in town. Anytime you visit the Rocky Steps, there are always people running up and down them. In the movies, Sylvester Stallone's character Rocky Balboa runs up these steps as part of his training for his boxing matches. Back in the day, a bronze Rocky statue was once situated at the top of the steps during the filming of Rocky III. That statue was moved to the bottom of the steps and stands there today. Now there is a bronze inlay with Rocky's sneaker imprint on it at the top that you can check out. The Rocky Steps is one of Philly's biggest tourist attractions. The view from the top of the steps is amazing. You can see Philadelphia's City Hall and the city's skyline from the top. The Rocky Balboa character has become symbolic of the city of Philadelphia since the original 1976 Oscar winning movie came out. If you watch the closing credits of the 2006 "Rocky Balboa" movie (the final one), they have footage of multiple people running up the steps that have been inspired by the movies over the years. A book called "Rocky Stories: Tales of Love, Hope, and Happiness at America's Most Famous Steps" was published in 2006. It captures stories of several people who have ran up these steps that were inspired by Rocky Balboa's story. read more

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Historic place to visit. A must go for tourists. Also, great work out if you go up and down them. Very hard to miss too. read more

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I thought this was a cool experience, enjoying a piece of cinematic history in a way that lets you live the moment. It was fun watching many generations of visitors taking these steps and knowing they were all hearing the same music I was in our heads. The challenge of the steps in the 80 degree weather, blazing sun and the heat resonating from the steps. Reaching there halfway point and knowing you where almost there but not sure if you wanted this short little moment of memories to end, reaching the top and feeling the triumph, turning to see the city of brotherly love and raising your arms, hearing yourself utter "Adrian, we did it". Then you realize everyone is watching you and most are doing the same thing. This commiseration and sharing of a fun "one and done" moment with total strangers and how much of a smile it can bring to your face was worth the effort and kicking your embarrassment in the ass so you can do it. Run the stairs, do it. read more

Rocky Steps - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

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Cool to run up them and high five whoever you are with! After, take a picture to the right of them with the statue. A must-do in Philly! read more

Rocky Steps - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

You can not come to Philly and not run the iconic Rocky Steps. My family and I came on a drizzly, wet day and everyone thought driving by and seeing it was enough. Nope, not for me! I had to jog up and do the the whole jumping around with my arms up like the greatest boxer of all time Rocky Balboa. The 72 steps leading up to the top didn't look crazy at first, but it was a nice workout and I definitely had to catch my breath and take my time coming back down. I would totally do it again if in the area! read more

Rocky Steps - Top of the steps - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

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The line to take the iconic Rocky picture with the statue was so long we just took the statue's picture. It was fun doing the run up the stairs. Someone at the top asked to take our picture and then kept asking for tips. He also got in the way of our own pictures while trying to be 'helpful.' read more

Rocky Steps - The steps - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

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I loved walking and running up these stairs. Great work out and fun times. If you are ever in the area, you need to add this to your list as it's a great location and a great view. read more

Rocky Steps - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

As a fan of the Rocky and Crees franchises, when I was in Philly, this was a can't miss photo opportunity. The Rocky Statue is actually located at the foot of the Philadelphia Museum of Art steps at the end of the Benjamin Franklin driveway. It is easy to locate and reach, being a 20 or so minute walk from the Philly city centre. If you get there at a quiet time, you will be able to pose in front of the statue and take all the shots you want. At other times it can be busy and you might have to queue. Most people then go on to run up the art gallery steps (72 steps), and, for those that make it to the top with dignity, they leap and jump around in true Rocky style. This can be both entertaining and amusing as it is open to all age groups, and some people bound up the steps with ease, whilst others falter. Don't take it too seriously. It's a bit of fun. All in all, it was a great experience. read more

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Felt like a winner heading up these iconic steps! Such a fun spot, everyone's into it. Even though it was an extremely hot day you saw people recreating the Rocky scene and running up as fast as they could! Just a fun atmosphere and the views were beautiful. Bonus, there's also a Rocky statue next to it that you can take picture with. Of course there's a line but if you're a die hard fan, this is a must. Extra bonus, people are selling water like crazy. Also a few ice cream trucks are lined up. Because it was so hot out, one of the ice creams I got already melted in the truck so I got another for free! Just goes to show how Philly takes care of each other here. All around a great destination to stop by! read more

Rocky Steps - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

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Out of the handful of times I've visited Philly, this was my first time stopping at this site. We arrived early, one weekday morning just to get some pictures. There was no nearby parking, so we illegally parked right on the side for the few minutes we were there. Thinking we beat the crowds, we were shocked how many tourists were already at the site, lol. There were a few people exercising in a group or individually. The site is huge enough for you to enjoy your time and get those nice photo shots. The views were beautiful and the area was very clean. Just like everyone else, we left the stairs area and walked around the area to the Rocky Statue and took a few pics. It was a cool and free experience to do at least once. lol read more

Yep, ya gotta do it when you're in Philadelphia. Ya gotta run up the stairs like the champion Rocky Balboa, preferably in sweats and Converse, and jump up and down once you've reached the top. The Rocky Steps is just that place tourists and perhaps, locals exercising, come to in Philly. The Rocky Steps is located in front of the main entrance of the Philadelphia Museum of Art. At the top of the steps, you get a great view of the city, which is reason enough to climb the flight of stairs, if you're not doing it just to do it like so many others. But if you're doing it to find your inner Rocky like I did, you will not be the only one to do so. No need to be embarrassed. There were tons of people on a Saturday when I visited who did the same exact thing: played the Rocky theme song, ran up the stairs and jumped up and down, with arms overhead, as if we were about to be in the biggest fight of our lives. No regrets! Yes, if you're visiting Philly this is a tourist trap and I'm sure the art employees get annoyed by all the Rocky runners. But it's a cool spot to check out if you're in the area and you will get a great workout with the amount of stairs you have to run up, which is why it won't be surprising to find people actually getting their fitness on here. It was fun! read more

Rocky Steps - From the Bottom - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

What can I say that everyone else here hasn't. If you're a fan of the movie Rocky or a boxer (like my boyfriend) this is, of course, a must see attraction in Philly. While the statue itself has been moved, it's still fun to take pictures with. When we went, there was actually a line and even a vendor selling shirts and hats. The steps themselves are at the base of the museum but they're tall and once at the top there's a beautiful view of the city. Again, if you're a rocky fan, you definitely need to run up those stairs.. and we both did. It was fun! read more

I found it funny that the steps has its own spot on yelp. I actually like coming here every couple years to watch the sunrise. I've lived in Philly for over 25 years and to be honest, the spot feels more like home to me than any other place in the city read more

It was a must!!! Beautiful architecture and statues around the steps. The climb was lovely. Below the steps, there's a statue of Rocky Balboa you can take a pic with. Recommend for the beautiful sight oh Philly. read more

Rocky Steps - What a sight! - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

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Was fun and quick to get up the stairs and take that epic movie pic with the statue. The wait wasn't as long as I expected and it went by really quick read more

So I was very excited to visit and run up these steps when we got to Philly. It was raining that day we went and cold out but made the best of it. It took me literally 15 seconds to run up them. In the movie they made it seem like it was bunch of steps but it wasn't . 72 steps to be exact and I think 5 sets of 12 steps. When I got to the top the statue wasn't even up there it was at the bottom. Other then that it was something to cross of my bucket list. read more

Rocky Steps - Rocky steps from the bottom - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Can you visit Philly and not visit the "Rocky Steps"?!?!?! I mean, you could but why would you want to? I was in town because yet another marathon of mine was canceled but I decided with this one I'd still spend the weekend in the area since I'd already booked the trip. Many runners still decided to run the course or some of it, which I later discovered when many of them ended their run here. I guess I've been living under a rock because I would have totally liked to have done that. Instead I went around town exploring and instead of running a marathon I ran up the stairs for 30 seconds and called it an "experience". I mean, you've gotta do it! It's pretty mandatory. Can't wait to return next year and actually run the marathon, what an incredible city. And I'm not dropping the ball on packing that grey hoodie like Yuko mentioned, smart smart smart!!! Have fun peeps! and... if you're wondering if I went to the Rocky statue and posed beside it, Of course I did! read more

Rocky Steps - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

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