Quintessential Rocky & Creed Tour of Philadelphia

Seventy-two treads lead art aficionados, exercise enthusiasts and millions of film buffs up to the East Entrance of the Benjamin Franklin Parkway’s esteemed Philadelphia Museum of Art. On any given day, Balboa wannabes jog to the top, raise their fists in the air and, on occasion, belt out Gonna Fly Now. Fun fact: This dolomite staircase has been featured in every Rocky and Creed film except Rocky IV.

Originally commissioned for Rocky III, sculptor A. Thomas Schomberg’s larger-than-life interpretation of the triumphant boxer stands on a stretch of grass just north of the Rocky steps at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Previously located at the Spectrum Arena (now the Wells Fargo Center), the statue was installed at the museum in 2006. Sylvester Stallone himself presided over the rededication ceremony. The statue makes a cameo in Creed and Creed II, and visitors still line up for photographs alongside their hero.

During the famous training scenes in Rocky and Rocky II, Balboa jubilantly jogs past vendors in Philadelphia’s iconic 9th Street Italian Market. In Creed, Adonis also runs through the Italian Market during a monumental scene. Today, butcher shops, produce stands, cheese purveyors — and, in recent decades, taquerias and bistros — comprise the nation’s oldest and largest working outdoor market. Plus, the stretch looks almost exactly the same as it did in 1976.

For more than a century, Esposito’s has been the go-to butcher shop in the Italian Market. While it’s doubtful visitors will be able to practice boxing on a side of beef, they can purchase the high-quality meats and sausages that have made Esposito’s one of Philadelphia’s favorite butcher shops.

Rocky couldn’t resist a trip to Pat’s King of Steaks for an authentic Philadelphia cheesesteak during his training. The famous shop where the cheesesteak was invented more than 80 years ago makes a brief cameo in the original film. The appearance made a huge impact — the spot where Rocky stood is now dedicated with a special plaque.

This circa-1933 South Philly spot stood in as Adrian’s, the restaurant owned and operated by Rocky in Rocky Balboa, Creed and Creed II. In reality, the Victor is known for fine Italian cuisine and a waitstaff who performs operatic arias during every dinner service.

The Passyunk-area outpost of this Philly brunch spot serves up whopping portions of breakfast and lunch favorites to a full house every day of the week. Locals and newcomers love its eco-friendly sensibilities, locally grown produce and menu for staunch meat-eaters and vegans alike. The restaurant makes an appearance in Creed.

One of Philadelphia’s most popular destinations, Independence Hall is notable for birthing our nation and featuring a now-famous park bench hurdled by Rocky during a training scene in Rocky II.

Diehard Philadelphians noticed decades ago that the iconic training runs in the first two Rocky films didn’t exactly follow a logical path. Instead, the routes took him from waterfront to waterfront, spanning Center City, the Italian Market and Penn’s Landing. Today, Penn’s Landing, no longer an industrial tract, is home to pop-up beer gardens, outdoor concerts, new parks and plenty of exercise enthusiasts.

Bianca (Tessa Thompson), the love interest of Adonis Johnson (Michael B. Jordan), performs at this popular 250-person bar, restaurant and performance space in the city’s Fishtown section in Creed. Downstairs, patrons enjoy seasonal American plates, local craft brews and pool. Upstairs, it’s all about the live music.

Bianca performs at this concert venue in the Fishtown neighborhood in Creed II, which portrays her blossoming music career as she deals with degenerative hearing loss.

In the first film, Rocky lived right down the street from the El – or the elevated rail line – in Philadelphia’s Kensington neighborhood. Philadelphia’s elevated rail line is SEPTA’s Market-Frankford El, which transverses the city from the Northeast through Center City to West Philadelphia. At The El Bar – situated, naturally, right underneath the El  – guests can get a little bit of the vibe from Rocky’s neighborhood in the original film. The quasi-dive bar attracts a loyal following, thanks to inexpensive beer and snacks, a pool table, live music and an enormous outdoor patio.

Located in North Philadelphia, this cheesesteak shop — rated best in the city by Playboy magazine — had a star turn in Creed, serving as the go-to spot for Philly’s famous sandwich. In the film, Adonis, who is new to Philly, comes here to get his steak on during his first date with Bianca. He also learns about the word “jawn” — Philly slang for a multi-purpose fill-in-the-blank word — while at the cheesesteak spot. In Creed II, Max’s is where Adonis first hears of boxer Viktor Drago’s challenge for a fight.

East Falls’ historic cemetery is a National Historic Landmark — and the site of three of the series’ most touching moments, when Rocky visits Adrian’s grave in Rocky Balboa, Creed and Creed II. The headstone used in the film was just a prop, but throughout the massive still-active venue, elaborate mausoleums serve as the final resting place for a number of Philadelphia’s wealthiest citizens and celebrities. Self-guided tours are available every day, and special events run year-round.

America’s first zoo is the scene of Rocky and Adrian’s engagement in Rocky II. Rocky memorably proposed in the snow-blanketed zoo in front of the tiger exhibit. Today, tigers and other animals roam freely through Big Cat Crossing, an overhead mesh pathway that’s part of Zoo360, a first-in-the-world system of trails that encourages the animals to explore and travel throughout the zoo.

Note: As of March 20, 2023, Boathouse Row’s iconic lights are undergoing maintenance, and will remain dark through the end of 2023. Read more here.

As spotted in Rocky Balboa, the scenic Boathouse Row on the Schuylkill River attracts runners, walkers, bikers and rollerbladers from around the region. Local boating clubs take great pride in their 19th-century boat houses, which line the Schuylkill River just west of the Philadelphia Museum of Art. At night, lights outline one of the city’s loveliest views.

Serving farm-to-table American cuisine, Jose Garces’ JG Domestic offers delicious lunch and dinner options for travelers passing through 30th Street Station. Bonus: It’s located on the ground floor of the Cira Centre, which was featured in Rocky Balboa.

The Schuylkill Banks Boardwalk is a breathtaking, 2,000-foot-long pathway that extends the Schuylkill River Trail from Locust Street to South Street. The scenic path allows pedestrians, runners and bicyclists to literally walk over the river — and catch some of the best skyline views around. It’s no wonder Adonis trains on the boardwalk during Creed.

Rocky and Adrian contemplated their pending parenthood while walking through Rittenhouse Square in Rocky II. Today, city residents and families continue to gather in the picturesque outdoor space.

A popular spot to grab a pint, Irish Pub provides a classic pub experience in Center City. The casual menu and convivial atmosphere put guests in a very social mood — just like it did for Rocky’s son when he was hanging out with his buddies in Rocky Balboa.

In his celebrated run, Rocky Balboa conquered a 30-mile venture across the city — nearly the equivalent of a 50K! Runners looking to impersonate Rocky who would prefer a less daunting course can try a 5K variation of the route.

Start at 9th Street and Washington Avenue, the heart of the 9th Street Italian Market. This is where Rocky ran to the sounds of cheering fans and scenes of bustling market buyers and sellers. Take Ninth Street north to Spruce Street and then make a left, running along its beautiful, wide sidewalks to 16th Street. Go right on 16th Street and follow it all the way to the Benjamin Franklin Parkway. Continue along the parkway toward the Philadelphia Museum of Art to finish like Rocky did, sprinting up the 72 “Rocky Steps” that lead to the entrance of the museum. Bonus: Run back down the steps to give Rocky Balboa a high five. (Find his statue to the right of the base of the steps).