Rocky steps scene walk – Photo supplied by Derek Phillip Au
| Start/Finish | Category | Distance | Estimated Walking Time |
| City Hall / Girard Ave & 31st tram stop | History and Architecture, Popular Culture | 3.6 km | 55 min* |
Summary
Starting at City Hall this walk passes some of Philadelphia’s most iconic sites such as Logan Square and the Rocky Statue at Philadelphia’s Museum of Art before finishing near Lemon Hill Park.
Public transport
Catch the train to 15th St station or City Hall. Ends near Girard Ave & 31st tram stop. The tram passes Girard Metro station.
Directions
Starting Point – Dilworth Park
This Rocky steps scene walk starts in Dilworth Park outside City Hall. To get there, catch the metro to City Hall or 15th St Station. City Hall is the seat of the municipal government of Philadelphia. Built using brick, white marble and limestone it was the world’s tallest habitable building upon its completion in 1894.
From Dilworth Park cross N 15th St and walk in an westerly direction along John F Kennedy Blvd. At the pedestrian crossing turn up N 16th St, travelling in a northerly direction past Love Park. At the north western corner of Love Park cross the road and walk in a north westerly direction along Benjamin Franklin Parkway.
Further up Benjamin Franklin Parkway is Logan Square. Cross the road and enter the traffic circle, passing the Swann Memorial fountain, an art deco fountain located in the centre of Logan Square. The fountain is named after Doctor Wilson Swann, founder of the Philadelphia Fountain Society. Logan Square is a well known location in Philadelphia and during warmer months you will often see children playing in the fountain.
Logan Square
Image : Swann Fountain, photo supplied by Ken Thomas
From the fountain walk past the Shakespeare Memorial and continue up Benjamin Franklin Parkway, utilising the tree lined footpath that travels in a north westerly direction. At the end of Benjamin Franklin Parkway, turn left on to the Binswanger Triangle and cut through the middle of the Oval, an island plaza bordered by Spring Garden St and Eakins Oval.
Walk through the Oval and then around Ericisson fountain. Take the pedestrian walkway across Spring Garden St to the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Established in 1876 the museum has a collection of more than 240,000 objects including major holdings of European, American and Asian origin. You may notice the building from the ‘Rocky’ movie, where Rocky runs up the steps of the building with the movie theme song being played in the background. Check out the scene on Youtube if you want to get inspired!
Near the museum steps is the ‘Rocky Statue’, which commemorates the movie scene. Walk past the rocky statue and continue down Kelly Drive. Further down Kelly Drive turn right up Sedgley Drive and walk in a northerly direction.
Finish – Girard & 31st tram stop
At the intersection of Poplar Drive and Sedgley Drive continue north up Poplar Drive until you get to W Girard Ave. Turn right here and walk to the Girard Ave & 31st Tram Stop, where the journey ends. To get home you can catch the tram to Girard Metro station, which will take you back to City Hall.
Rocky steps scene walk – GPX file
To access to the GPX file for this walk click on the download button below.
Information on GPX files and how to import them into Google maps on your phone can be found here.
Rocky steps scene walk – Map
Start – City Hall
- City Hall
- Swann Memorial Fountain/ Logan Square
- Shakespeare Memorial
- Rocky Statue
- Philadelphia Museum of Art
- Fountain of Sea Horses
Finish – Girard Ave & 31st Tram Stop
