I'll be honest. I haven't seen all the Rocky movies. But I have run up the Rocky steps so I think that counts.
Rocky Balboa is a character in a film, but with seven movies spanning his fictional live from the mid 1970s to 2006, he seems real. He even has his own Wikipedia page. And Rocky was an everyman from Philadelphia. The city has embraced this representative of their working class.
In 1980, for Rocky III, a larger than life 10 foot tall bronze statue of the man himself was created and later donated to the city by Sylvester Stallone (aka Rocky). It's at the base of the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art. First, take a picture with him, before you're sweaty, then...
RUN UP THE ROCKY STEPS
It's only 72 steps, it's definitely doable and you'll seem many tourists, young and old, jogging up the stairs and pumping their first in the air in a triumphant celebration as they reach the top. In the movie, Rocky climbs the steps to the theme song, Gonna Fly Now. You probably don't recognise the name, but you'll recognise the song. Though, you'll often hear people singing, or now a days pulling up on YouTube, Eye of the Tiger as they run up the stairs.
ROCKY'S APARTMENT
It still looks like it did in the 1970s, a tucked away little brick apartment on E Tusculum Street by Ruth Street. But keep in mind, this is someone's home so we aren't posting the actual address. If you're a true Rocky fan, you'll recognise it!
We all know about the cheesesteak, and this Philly staple seen in the movie is still going strong. There is even a plaque which reads “On this spot stood Sylvester Stallone filming the great motion picture Rocky. Nov. 21, 1975″.
Pat’s have put together a step by step guide on ‘how to order a steak’ situated above the ordering counter. Take a minute to read it before placing an order as there is system.
Parking spots will be few and far between.
Pat’s King of Steaks
1237 E. Passyunk Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19147-5060
MIGHTY MICK'S GYM
The facade will look the same, but Mighty Mick’s never actually was a gym of any kind – the gym scenes were shot in LA. I think it's a Dollar store now!
How to Get There (courtesy of totalrocky.com)
“Start by going down near Penns Landing at the waterfront (The Delaware River). Take North Delaware Ave. until you see Frankford Ave. Take Frankford Ave. straight past E. Girard Ave., keep going 20-30 blocks until you see East Norris St. Take a left or go to the next street that allows you to turn left, then go straight a couple of blocks to North Front St. Then take a right about two blocks and on the right is 2147 N. Front St., Mickey’s Gym.”
“Adrian’s” is a real cafe named Victor Cafe. It opened in 1930s and dedicated the Italian restaurant to opera, Located near the intersection of Dickinson and 13th Streets, this intimate Italian restaurant opened in the 1930′s and quickly became South Philly’s shrine to opera. In January, 2006, Victor’s was outfitted as both the facade and interior of Rocky Balboa’s Italian restaurant titled “Adrian’s”.
Victor Cafe
1303 Dickinson Street
Philadelphia, PA 19147
(215) 468-3040 |
