Here follows Total Rocky's travel guide to Rocky’s USA. Here you'll find maps and addresses to some of the most famous shooting locations used in the series including those in Pennsylvania, California, New York and Nevada.  

Avid Rocky fan and adventurer Mike Kunda took to the streets of Philly last year to track down some of the more iconic locations used during the 1975 shooting as well as the subsequent films.  Special thanks to photographers Mike Lynaugh and Tom Mishka for their invaluable contributions!


PHILADELPHIA MUSEUM OF ART          [MAP]

2600 Benjamin Franklin Pkwy.

Philadelphia, PA 19130

www.philamuseum.org


To prepare for the big fight, Rocky Balboa began a training regimen of early morning runs through the streets of South Philly that culminated atop the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art. As Rocky finished running up the Museum's 72-step entrance, he raised his arms in triumph - creating one of the most iconic images in cinematic history. Since then, millions of visitors to Philadelphia have climbed the stairs and raised their arms in tribute to Rocky.

At the top of the steps, you'll find the bronzed soles of Sylvester Stallone's Converse sneakers set in the cement, along with an imprint reading "ROCKY". 

This location is perhaps the most famous Rocky spot of all and was used in every film in the series except for Rocky IV.

 


INDEPENDENCE HALL          [MAP]

143 South Third Street
Philadelphia, PA 19106

www.nps.gov/inde/


Located in "Center City", downtown Philly, Independence Hall is often referred to as the birthplace of America.  This historic park houses one of our national treasures - the Liberty Bell.  In Rocky II, the front of the Hall can be seen as Rocky runs through Center City with a group of children.  

Travel Tip:  If you can't make it to Pennsylvania to see the real thing, California also just happens to have a full-scale replica of Independence Hall, complete with a museum and Liberty Bell inside.  This reproduction is located just across the street from Knott's Berry Farm in Buena Park, CA and was actually commissioned by Walter Knott himself in 1966.


THE SPECTRUM ARENA          [MAP]

3601 South Broad St.
Philadelphia, PA 19148-5250

www.comcast-spectacor.com

Since 1967, the Spectrum (now First Union Spectrum) has opened its doors to thousands of events. From major sporting events to landmarks in entertainment history such as Elvis Presley's last live performance and concerts with Luciano Pavarotti and Frank Sinatra, the Spectrum was to Philadelphia as Madison Square Gardens was to New York.

This arena hosted both of the Balboa vs. Creed boxing matches and for years afterward, also was the home of the famous bronze statue of Rocky which has since been relocated.


THE PHILADELPHIA ZOO          [MAP]

3400 West Girard Avenue

Philadelphia, PA 19104

www.philadelphiazoo.org


Referred to as "America's 1st Zoo", the Philadelphia Zoo was featured in Rocky II.  Rocky's proposal to Adrian was shot in front of the zoo's Carnivore House.


ST. THOMAS AQUINAS          [MAP]

1719 Morris Street

Philadelphia, PA 19145


St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic church served as the setting of Rocky and Adrian's quiet wedding.  Located in the Italian District, St. Thomas is still an active parish.


THE ITALIAN MARKET         

South 9th St. & Carpenter

Philadelphia, PA 19147  

Vegetable vendors, butchers, fresh seafood and Italian goodies of all kinds can be found in this legendary district which is part of Rocky's training ground during his daily run through South Philly.  Every merchant on the block has their own Rocky story.  "Chef's Tours" of the street are available for individuals and groups.


MIGHTY MICK’S GYM          [MAP]

2147 N. Front Street

Philadelphia, PA 19122

The dingy façade is still recognizable here, though the area looks quite different now.  The face of Mighty Mick's never actually was a gym of any kind.

Mike's Travel Tip:  "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."

 


J & M TROPICAL FISH          [MAP]

2146 N. Front Street

Philadelphia, PA 19122

The run-down little pet shop where Adrian works was, and still is, an actual pet shop.  In one of the rare occasions during the 1975 production, both the exterior and interior of this building were used in the film.  And although Talia Shire remembers the days spent filming inside as being rather "pungent", this shop is still all the rage among Rocky fans and has been visited by thousands over the years.

Mike's Travel Tip:  "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."

 


ATOMIC HOAGIE SHOP

12th Street and Cantrell Street

Philadelphia, PA 19148

This little shop was the hangout for Marie and the neighborhood kids. 

James' Travel Tip:  "Most internet sources place the "Atomic Hoagie Shop"
where Little Marie used to hang out, in the Kensington area near the gym and pet shop. While the Kensington Mini Mart resembles it, its not the right location.
The real spot is actually in South Philly, 12th and Cantrell to be exact. It looks nothing like it did in the film anymore, but on the next block, Winston Street, is the parking lot where he walked Little Marie across. And on the other side, her house at 1124 Jackson Street."


ROCKY’S APARTMENT          [MAP]

1818 Tusculum St.

Philadelphia, PA 19134-3416

The apartment building is still nearly identical to the way it looked in 1976.  It is now occupied by an elderly lady.  Neighbors say that fans flocked to this location for fifteen years after the original Rocky, standing in the street snapping photographs.  For a few years after that, traffic and interest seemed to die down somewhat, but they say that there has been quite a resurgence in the past few years and the fans are back.

Mike's Travel Tip:  "Driving straight ahead on N. Front St., go roughly two blocks and bear right onto Kensington Ave. Stay under the elevated subway tracks. Go about eleven blocks straight ahead and you'll come to a busy intersection and traffic light.  Drive straight under the underpass, and on your immediate right is Tusculum St. At the end of this block is the apartment building.  Beware - this is a one- way street, so go down one block and turn right.  Then take the first right again onto Ruth St.  Drive to the end and there you'll find Rocky's apartment." 


ADRIAN & PAULIE'S HOUSE          [MAP]

2822 Rosehill Street

Philadelphia, PA 19134-3440

This unassuming neighborhood features the actual home which was used as the front for Adrian and Paulie's house and later as the home which the entire Balboa family shared in Rocky V.  A recent report indicates that the only major difference in the house's exterior today is a new vinyl siding.


LITTLE MARIE'S HOUSE

1124 Jackson Street

Philadelphia, PA 19148

Marie's house as seen in the original Rocky


PAT’S KING OF STEAKS          [MAP]

1237 E. Passyunk Avenue

Philadelphia, PA 19147-5060

www.patskingofsteaks.com

This Philly staple has been beloved by cheesesteak fans since 1930.  This lively eatery is where Tony Gazzo brought Rocky to grab a bite to eat.  Pat's is still going strong today and even boasts a plaque on the cement which reads "On this spot stood Sylvester Stallone filming the great motion picture Rocky. Nov. 21, 1975".


VICTOR CAFE          [MAP

1303 Dickinson St
Philadelphia, PA 19147

(215) 468-3040 | www.victorcafe.com

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 fascade and interior of Rocky Balboa's Italian restaurant titled "Adrian's".


BONWIT TELLER & CO.          [MAP]

SW Corner of S. 17th St. & Chestnut St.

Philadelphia, PA 19013


Once a fashionable department store chain, the exterior of this Philadelphia branch was used in Rocky II as the store where Rocky purchases his black Tiger jacket and a fur coat for Adrian.  In 2000, Bonwit Teller & Co. went out of business for good.


LAUREL HILL CEMETERY          [MAP] 

3822 Ridge Ave. 

East Fairmount Park

Philadelphia, PA 19132

(215) 228-8200

Used as the site of Adrian's grave in Rocky Balboa, this old and revered cemetery is the final resting place of many a famous name - including one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence.


MADISON SQUARE GARDEN          [MAP]

4 Pennsylvania Plaza
New York, NY 10001

www.thegarden.com

Known to most as "The World's Most Famous Arena", MSG has hosted some of the most famous events in sports and entertainment history, including the final match between Rocky Balboa and Clubber Lang in Rocky III.


MAIN STREET GYM          [MAP]

318 S. Main Street

Los Angeles, CA 90013-1319


One of the boxing world’s favored locations in Los Angeles, the old Main Street Gym was once owned by Howard (Howie) Steindler. Steindler, the victim of an unsolved murder in 1977, was a famed boxing manager and is thought to have been the inspiration for Burgess Meredith’s character of Mickey Goldmill.

According to boxing coach Jimmy Gambina, the Main Street Gym doubled as the interior of Mighty Mick’s Gym during the filming of Rocky.

Travel Tip:  This location remains unverified, so if you intend to visit, please double-check your maps!


THE BILTMORE HOTEL          [MAP]

506 South Grand Avenue

Los Angeles, CA 90071-2607

www.milleniumhotels.com

This historic L.A. hotel was used as the exterior façade for Balboa's palatial gym in Rocky III.


THE ROSSLYN HOTEL          [MAP]

112 West 5th Street
Los Angeles, CA 90013

This ancient Los Angeles hotel is seen briefly in Rocky III when the Balboa entourage arrives in California.  You'll recognize its immense cast iron sign sitting atop the building which is located at the corner of 5th Street and Main.


KING EDWARD HOTEL          [MAP]

131 East 5th Street
Los Angeles, CA 90013

Seen immediately following the view of The Rosslyn Hotel in Rocky III is the King Edward Hotel, another historic spot in this seedy district.


MGM GRAND HOTEL & CASINO          [MAP]

3799 Las Vegas Boulevard South
Las Vegas, NV 89109

www.mgmgrand.com

Before this extravagant setting was seen as the backdrop for Apollo's hopeful comeback in Rocky IV, MGM's facilities were used by the production crew a few years earlier.  In 1982, the Garden Arena was engaged for use as an arena in Rocky III

The hotel's famed Ziegfeld Room was transformed into the site of the exhibition match fought between Apollo Creed and Ivan Drago.  From 1974 until early 1979, the Ziegfeld Room hosted NBC's "Dean Martin Celebrity Roast" of stars like Frank Sinatra, Lucille Ball, Jimmy Stewart, John Wayne and many others.

 

 

 

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ATTENTION!

Please keep in mind that a number of locations listed here are actual residences and must be shown the respect and discretion that they deserve by any and all visitors.

Be sure to double-check addresses and maps before venturing out into the cities.

If you've come across a location not listed in this guide, please contact us and we'll add it to the list.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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