9 Philly Spots Every ‘Rocky’ Fan Must Visit
Rocky fans, unite. The City of Brotherly Love is synonymous with the title character of Rocky Balboa, played by Sylvester Stallone. Today, several sites across the city are a must-visit for…
Rocky fans, unite. The City of Brotherly Love is synonymous with the title character of Rocky Balboa, played by Sylvester Stallone. Today, several sites across the city are a must-visit for Rocky film fans.
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1. Rocky Steps
The 72 steps at the Philadelphia Museum of Art, where Rocky's training triumph is iconically portrayed in the film, feature Stallone's Converse sneaker prints and crowds reenacting the run.
2. Rocky Statue
This bronze statue, erected in 1982 near the museum steps, remains a major pilgrimage site. It's connected to a new Philadelphia Museum of Art exhibition coming in April called "Rising Up: Rocky and the Making of Monuments." The statue will move indoors for the exhibit, after which it will be moved to the top of the Art Museum steps.
3. Rocky's Rowhouse
Rocky's East Tusculum Street residence in Kensington is actually a private home that fans still photograph.
4. Laurel Hill Cemetery
Rocky visits the grave of his wife, Adrian, at Laurel Hill Cemetery in the 2006 Rocky Balboa film. Today, visitors can see Adrian's grave prop and Adrian's brother Paulie's grave prop near the main front gate.
5. South Ninth Street Italian Market
This bustling market is featured in the films. It's where Rocky jogs and greets vendors; today, it's a diverse market with vendors from various ethnic backgrounds.
6. Pat's King of Steaks
The iconic Philadelphia cheesesteak spot is briefly seen in the films. The spot where Rocky stood in the movie is commemorated with a plaque on the wall.
7. Mighty Mick's Gym
The exterior of this fictional gym in the film sits at a Kensington corner building that now houses Lost Time Brewing Co. Boxing gloves painted on the structure's wall are a subtle nod to the film.
8. The Philadelphia Zoo
In Rocky II, Rocky proposes to Adrian during a snow-filled scene at the Philadelphia Zoo. The zoo is home to approximately 2,000 animals and was among the first zoos in the country when it opened in 1874. The Rocky II proposal scene was shot in front of what was previously the “Carnivore House” (it's now “Big Cat Falls”).
9. The Victor Café
It's called Adrian's Restaurant in Rocky Balboa, but The Victor's Café is an Italian spot in South Philadelphia that features opera performances. You, too, can visit the restaurant to indulge in Rocky history — complete with Italian food and live opera music.
