Philadelphia Museum of Art
| Type | Art museum |
|---|---|
| Address | 2600 Benjamin Franklin Parkway |
| Map | View on Google Maps |
| Neighborhood | Fairmount |
| Phone | (215) 763-8100 |
| Website | Official site |
| Established | 1876 |
| Founder | City of Philadelphia |
| Admission | Pay-what-you-wish first Sunday and Friday evenings |
| Hours | Mon, Thu-Sun 10 AM - 5 PM; Fri until 8:45 PM |
The Philadelphia Museum of Art stands as one of the largest and most significant art museums in the United States. You'll find it at 2600 Benjamin Franklin Parkway in Philadelphia. Its Greek Revival building, finished in 1928, crowns Fairmount Hill where the Benjamin Franklin Parkway terminates, creating a striking visual gateway that anchors the whole ceremonial boulevard running from the museum down to City Hall.[1]
But the museum's fame rests just as heavily on its 72 stone entrance steps. Known worldwide as the "Rocky Steps" after the 1976 film Rocky, they've become iconic in their own right. The steps and the nearby Rocky statue draw up to 4 million visitors annually, all eager to recreate Sylvester Stallone's legendary training run.
The permanent collection holds over 240,000 objects spanning 2,000 years of creative achievement. One admission ticket gets you into the main building, the Rodin Museum, the Perelman Building, and the museum's two historic houses in Fairmount Park.
The Rocky Steps and Statue
The 72 Steps
Seventy-two stone steps lead up to the East entrance. They became world famous after that 1976 film, where Sylvester Stallone's character Rocky Balboa runs them as part of his training montage, pumping his fists triumphantly at the top.[2]
Bill Conti's "Gonna Fly Now" accompanies the scene. That moment became one of cinema's most iconic sequences. Today thousands of visitors recreate the run daily, turning it into a quintessential Philadelphia experience.
Rocky Statue Location
The Rocky statue sits at the bottom of the Rocky Steps. It's positioned at ground level on the east side of the museum. Since 2006, it's occupied this permanent spot, and you'll typically find a steady stream of visitors waiting to photograph themselves with the bronze figure.
A. Thomas Schomberg created this 8.5-foot bronze sculpture in 1980 for the film Rocky III (1982). Sylvester Stallone donated it to the city after filming wrapped. Its placement sparked debate over the years. Art purists contended it didn't belong near a world-class museum, while Rocky fans saw it as a beloved symbol of Philadelphia.
Visiting the Steps and Statue
Running the Rocky Steps and posing with the statue? Completely free. Both occupy outdoor public space and stay accessible around the clock. You don't need a museum ticket to run the steps or visit the statue.
Tips for visiting:
- Early mornings and weekdays see fewer crowds
- The view from the top sweeps down the Benjamin Franklin Parkway to City Hall and it's spectacular
- Photos with the statue sometimes involve waiting in a line during peak hours
- The steps get slippery when wet
Visiting the Museum
Hours
| Day | Hours |
|---|---|
| Monday | 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM |
| Tuesday | Closed |
| Wednesday | Closed |
| Thursday | 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM |
| Friday | 10:00 AM - 8:45 PM |
| Saturday | 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM |
| Sunday | 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM |
The museum shuts down on Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, and July 4th.
Extended hours typically run from December 26 through January 5.
Admission
Prices change from time to time. For current ticket costs, hit up philamuseum.org or call (215) 763-8100.
General Admission Includes:
- Access to the main building galleries
- Access to the Perelman Building
- Access to the Rodin Museum
- Access to historic houses Mount Pleasant and Cedar Grove (seasonal)
- Ticket valid for two consecutive days
Discounts Available:
- Youth 18 and under: Free
- Students with valid ID: Reduced price
- Seniors 65+: Reduced price
- PA ACCESS/EBT cardholders: Free for up to 4 adults
- Military (active duty and families): Free Memorial Day through Labor Day
Free Admission Days
Several free and reduced-price opportunities exist throughout the year.[3]
Regular Free/Pay-What-You-Wish Days:
- First Sunday of each month: Pay-what-you-wish admission
- Friday evenings: Pay-what-you-wish admission (10 AM - 8:45 PM)
Other Free Admission Programs:
- Youth 18 and under: Always free
- Bank of America cardholders: Free first full weekend of each month
- Blue Star Museums: Free for active military Memorial Day through Labor Day
- Wawa Welcome America: Free days June 19 - July 4 (varies annually)
Rodin Museum Access
Your Philadelphia Museum of Art ticket includes same-day admission to the Rodin Museum. It's located nearby at 2151 Benjamin Franklin Parkway.
This museum houses the largest collection of Auguste Rodin's sculptures anywhere outside Paris. You'll find casts of "The Thinker," "The Burghers of Calais," and "The Gates of Hell" here. It's a short walk from the main building along the Parkway.
Your ticket also covers the Perelman Building (modern and contemporary art, photography, and costumes) plus the historic houses Mount Pleasant and Cedar Grove in Fairmount Park.
The Collection
Collection Highlights
Over 240,000 objects spanning 2,000 years of human creativity fill the museum. It's particularly strong in several areas.
European Art
- Medieval and Renaissance art
- Impressionist and Post-Impressionist paintings, including works by Monet, Renoir, Cézanne, and Van Gogh
- Marcel Duchamp collection, one of the world's most comprehensive
American Art
- Colonial and Federal period paintings and decorative arts
- Works by Thomas Eakins, Mary Cassatt, and the Pennsylvania Impressionists
- Important Philadelphia-made furniture and silver
Asian Art
- Chinese paintings, ceramics, and decorative arts
- Japanese art including woodblock prints
- South Asian sculpture
Decorative Arts and Period Rooms
- More than 80 period rooms and architectural installations
- Complete interiors from European and American homes, temples, and palaces
- Philadelphia furniture and decorative arts
Modern and Contemporary Art
- Marcel Duchamp's "Nude Descending a Staircase"
- Works by Picasso, Dalí, Warhol, and contemporary artists
- Photography collection
Arms and Armor
- One of the finest collections in America
- European and Asian armor and weapons
Visit Duration
This place is huge. Plan your time accordingly.
- Quick highlights visit: 2-3 hours
- Comprehensive visit: 4-5 hours
- Full exploration: 6+ hours or multiple visits
About 200 galleries spread across multiple buildings. Most people can't see everything in one day. Focus on 2-3 collections that really interest you.
Recommendations:
- Pick up a map at the entrance
- Identify which collection areas matter most to you
- Take breaks in the cafes or on outdoor terraces
- Two-day tickets make return visits worthwhile
Photography Policy
Non-flash photography is allowed in most galleries for personal, non-commercial use. Some temporary exhibitions may ban it though, so check the signage at exhibition entrances.
Photography Guidelines:
- No flash photography
- No tripods or selfie sticks
- No commercial or professional photography without permission
- Respect other visitors' space
History and Architecture
The museum traces back to the 1876 Centennial Exposition, where Memorial Hall served as the art gallery. Architects Horace Trumbauer and the firm of Zantzinger, Borie and Medary designed the current building in Greek Revival style, echoing classical temples.
Work started in 1919 and opened to the public in 1928. Minnesota dolomite faces the exterior, chosen for its warm golden glow at sunset. The main building contains roughly 200 galleries with over 400,000 square feet of space.
Frank Gehry designed a major renovation and expansion completed in 2021. The project carved out new underground galleries and public spaces while respecting the historic building's original character.
Nearby Attractions
The Philadelphia Museum of Art anchors a whole cultural district along the Benjamin Franklin Parkway.
- Rodin Museum - Included with PMA admission
- Barnes Foundation - Post-Impressionist collection
- Franklin Institute - Science museum
- Academy of Natural Sciences - Natural history museum
- Fairmount Park - The nation's largest urban park system
See Also
References
- ↑ "The Rocky Statue and the Rocky Steps". Visit Philadelphia. Retrieved December 22, 2025
- ↑ "Rocky Steps". Wikipedia. Retrieved December 22, 2025
- ↑ "When you can get into Philadelphia's best museums for free". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved December 22, 2025