Rocky Steps : info and guided tour

Introduction to Rocky Steps

The Rocky Steps are the large staircase in front of the Philadelphia Museum of Art, at 2600 Benjamin Franklin Parkway in Philadelphia. This flight of steps has become one of the city’s best-known landmarks, both for its location facing the museum and for its immediate association with Philadelphia in popular culture.

The site stands out for its wide view toward downtown and for the open space connecting the staircase to the museum forecourt. The steps themselves are simple, but their layout highlights the building’s monumental architecture and the topography of the area, which is popular with both visitors and locals.

The Rocky Steps are an integral part of the Philadelphia Museum of Art experience, as they mark the main approach to the museum from Benjamin Franklin Parkway. The spot is known for its role in Philadelphia’s visual identity, with clear views over the avenue and the museum’s imposing volumes.

The place is also appreciated as a passage between the city and the museum, in an important cultural district of Philadelphia. Its address, in the museum district, places it at the heart of an urban route where architecture, public space and a museum visit come together naturally.

Discover Philadelphia with a private guide

A private guide can help place the Rocky Steps in the history of the Philadelphia Museum of Art and in Philadelphia’s cultural landscape. They can also explain the site’s architecture, its role in a museum visit and the background that gives meaning to this now-iconic staircase.