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 is one of the largest and most important art museums in the United States, located at 2600 Benjamin Franklin Parkway in Philadelphia. The museum's Greek Revival building, completed in 1928, sits atop Fairmount Hill at the terminus of the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, serving as a dramatic visual anchor for the parkway's ceremonial boulevard connecting the museum to City Hall.[1]
The museum is perhaps equally famous for its 72 stone entrance steps, known worldwide as the "Rocky Steps" after appearing in the 1976 film Rocky. The steps and the nearby Rocky statue have become Philadelphia's most visited tourist attraction, drawing up to 4 million visitors annually who recreate Sylvester Stallone's iconic training run.
The museum's permanent collection includes over 240,000 objects spanning 2,000 years of creative achievement. A single admission ticket also grants access to the Rodin Museum, the Perelman Building, and the museum's two historic houses in Fairmount Park.
The Rocky Steps and Statue
The 72 Steps
The Rocky Steps consist of 72 stone steps leading up to the East entrance of the Philadelphia Museum of Art. The steps gained worldwide fame after appearing in the 1976 film Rocky, where Sylvester Stallone's character Rocky Balboa runs up them as part of his training montage, triumphantly raising his fists at the top.[2]
The scene, scored to Bill Conti's "Gonna Fly Now," has become one of the most iconic moments in film history. Today, thousands of visitors recreate the run daily, making it a quintessential Philadelphia experience.
Rocky Statue Location
The Rocky statue is located at the bottom of the Rocky Steps, at ground level on the east side of the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Since 2006, the statue has occupied this permanent location, and there is typically a steady stream of visitors waiting to photograph themselves with the bronze figure.
The 8.5-foot bronze sculpture was created by artist A. Thomas Schomberg in 1980 for the film Rocky III (1982). After filming, Sylvester Stallone donated the statue to the City of Philadelphia. Its placement has been controversial over the years—art purists argued it didn't belong near a world-class art museum, while Rocky fans considered it a beloved symbol of the city.
Visiting the Steps and Statue
Yes, running up the Rocky Steps and taking photos with the Rocky statue are completely free. The steps are outdoor public space and accessible 24 hours a day. You do not need a museum ticket to run the steps or visit the statue.
Tips for visiting:
- Early mornings and weekdays are less crowded
- The view from the top is spectacular, looking down the Benjamin Franklin Parkway to City Hall
- Photos with the statue may require waiting in a brief line during peak hours
- The steps can be 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 is closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, and July 4th.
Extended Holiday Hours: The museum typically offers extended hours between December 26 and January 5.
Admission
Admission prices are subject to change. For current ticket prices, visit the museum's website at 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
The Philadelphia Museum of Art offers several free and reduced-price admission opportunities:[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
Yes, your Philadelphia Museum of Art ticket includes same-day admission to the Rodin Museum, located nearby on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway at 2151 Benjamin Franklin Parkway.
The Rodin Museum houses the largest collection of Auguste Rodin's sculptures outside Paris, including casts of "The Thinker," "The Burghers of Calais," and "The Gates of Hell." The museum is a short walk from the main building along the Parkway.
Your ticket also includes the Perelman Building (modern and contemporary art, photography, and costumes) and the historic houses Mount Pleasant and Cedar Grove in Fairmount Park.
The Collection
Collection Highlights
The Philadelphia Museum of Art's collection includes over 240,000 objects spanning 2,000 years of human creativity. The museum is particularly renowned for its holdings 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 holdings of 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
The museum is vast—plan accordingly:
- Quick highlights visit: 2-3 hours
- Comprehensive visit: 4-5 hours
- Full exploration: 6+ hours (or multiple visits)
The museum covers approximately 200 galleries across multiple buildings. Most visitors cannot see everything in a single visit. Consider focusing on specific collections or using the museum's suggested tour routes.
Recommendations:
- Pick up a map at the entrance
- Identify 2-3 collection areas that interest you most
- Take breaks in the museum's cafes or on the outdoor terraces
- Return visits are worthwhile—use your two-day ticket
Photography Policy
Yes, non-flash photography is permitted in most galleries for personal, non-commercial use. Some temporary exhibitions may prohibit photography; check 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 Philadelphia Museum of Art traces its origins to the 1876 Centennial Exposition, where Memorial Hall served as the art gallery. The current building was designed by architects Horace Trumbauer and the firm of Zantzinger, Borie and Medary in a Greek Revival style echoing classical temples.
Construction began in 1919 and the museum opened in 1928. The building is faced with Minnesota dolomite, chosen for its warm golden color that glows in the setting sun. The main building contains approximately 200 galleries with over 400,000 square feet of exhibition space.
A major renovation and expansion project, designed by Frank Gehry, was completed in 2021. The project created new underground galleries and public spaces while preserving the historic building's character.
Nearby Attractions
The Philadelphia Museum of Art anchors a 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