Rocky Steps
Amusement Park Famous Philadelphia museum steps from Rocky films
The wide steps leading to the Philadelphia Museum of Art are a city landmark made famous by the Rocky films; visitors climb them for photos, skyline views and access to the museum and Benjamin Franklin Parkway.
The Rocky Steps are the exterior staircase leading to the main entrance of the Philadelphia Museum of Art in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The set of steps became an iconic cultural landmark after being featured in the 1976 film Rocky.
The staircase comprises 72 steps that rise from the Benjamin Franklin Parkway up to the museum facade; many visitors climb them for the view back toward the city and to recreate the film’s finale. The open plaza at the top offers clear sightlines to the Parkway, Fairmount, and Center City skyline.
The steps were constructed as part of the museum building and its site; the association with the Rocky films has turned them into a frequent photo stop and informal exercise site. A bronze statue of the movie character Rocky stands near the base of the steps and is a common photo point.
Sited on the west end of the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, the staircase fronts the museum building and provides pedestrian access from the public spaces below in central Philadelphia.
- Step count: There are 72 steps leading from the plaza up to the museum entrance, a number that is widely cited in guidebooks and by visitors.
- Visiting tip: best times for smaller crowds are early morning and weekdays, when the plaza is less busy and photographs are easier to take.
How to Get to Rocky Steps #
The Rocky Steps are on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, adjacent to the Philadelphia Museum of Art. From Center City Philadelphia, it’s a 15-25 minute walk or a short SEPTA bus ride (various routes along the Parkway). The nearest subway stop is 15th Street, with shuttle or a 15-20 minute walk to the museum.
Tips for Visiting Rocky Steps #
- Come early morning for the best light and fewer people on the plaza; late afternoon also has beautiful, slanted light.
- Combine a climb of the steps with a visit inside the Philadelphia Museum of Art (entrance on Benjamin Franklin Parkway) to compare the tourist spectacle with the museum's quieter galleries.
- Don't miss the small bronze plaque at the base of the steps noting Sylvester Stallone's run - an oddly modern pilgrimage marker.
Best Time to Visit Rocky Steps #
The steps are accessible year-round; spring through early autumn offers the most comfortable visiting conditions, while winter provides fewer crowds but colder weather.
Weather & Climate near Rocky Steps #
Rocky Steps's climate is classified as Humid Subtropical - Humid Subtropical climate with hot summers (peaking in July) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -4°C to 31°C. Abundant rainfall (1123 mm/year), wettest in July, distributed fairly evenly throughout the year.
January
January is the coolest month with highs of 5°C and lows of -4°C. Regular rainfall (89 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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February
February is cold with highs of 6°C and lows of -3°C. Moderate rainfall (71 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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March
March is cold with highs of 12°C and lows of 1°C. Regular rainfall (99 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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April
April is cool with highs of 18°C and lows of 6°C. Regular rainfall (95 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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May
May is cool with highs of 24°C and lows of 12°C. Significant rainfall (105 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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June
June is mild with highs of 29°C and lows of 17°C. Regular rainfall (91 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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July
July is the warmest month with highs of 31°C and lows of 20°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (113 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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August
August is warm with highs of 30°C and lows of 19°C. Significant rainfall (108 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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September
September is mild with highs of 26°C and lows of 15°C. Regular rainfall (99 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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October
October is cool with highs of 20°C and lows of 8°C. Moderate rainfall (76 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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November
November is cold with highs of 14°C and lows of 3°C. Regular rainfall (88 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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December
December is cold with highs of 8°C and lows of -2°C. Regular rainfall (89 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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