Philadelphia pairs Rocky's famous museum steps with Always Sunny hangouts and a deep bench of film and television history.
Philadelphia is a top screen-tourism city. The Rocky Steps at the Philadelphia Museum of Art remain free to climb at any hour, and It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia used real South Philly streets and stadiums. The Greater Philadelphia Film Office has supported productions across five counties since 1992, drawing films from The Sixth Sense to Knock at the Cabin.
Few American cities have a single image as powerful as Rocky Balboa running up the 72 steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Since the original film in 1976, that scene has drawn visitors to the museum's east entrance around the clock, and it anchors a screen-tourism scene that reaches far beyond one franchise.
Television has done just as much for the city. It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia has filmed at the Italian Market, Penn's Landing, and both major sports stadiums since 2005, while Abbott Elementary, Mare of Easttown, and Silver Linings Playbook have showcased Philadelphia neighborhoods and the surrounding Pennsylvania countryside.
The production list below spans nearly five decades. Rocky, Rocky II, and Rocky III established the city on film, and later projects kept coming: The Sixth Sense in 1999, Philadelphia in 1993, Silver Linings Playbook in 2012, Mare of Easttown in 2021, Hustle in 2022, and Knock at the Cabin in 2023. On television, It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia and Abbott Elementary continue to put real Philadelphia locations on screen.
| Title | Year | Type | What was filmed here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rocky | 1976 | Film | Training montage and Rocky Steps run |
| Rocky II | 1979 | Film | Rocky Steps and Philadelphia locations |
| Rocky III | 1982 | Film | Rocky Steps and statue scenes |
| It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia | 2005-present | TV | Italian Market, various South Philly exteriors, opening credits landmarks |
| Silver Linings Playbook | 2012 | Film | Philadelphia neighborhoods and landmarks |
| Mare of Easttown | 2021 | TV | Southeastern Pennsylvania locations |
| Hustle | 2022 | Film | Philadelphia area |
| The Sixth Sense | 1999 | Film | Various Philadelphia sites by M. Night Shyamalan |
| Abbott Elementary | 2021-present | TV | Philadelphia school and neighborhood scenes |
| Philadelphia | 1993 | Film | City Hall and other locations |
| Fresh Prince of Bel-Air | 1990-1996 | TV | West Philadelphia playgrounds and streets |
| Knock at the Cabin | 2023 | Film | Philadelphia region |
6 locations. The map loads when it scrolls into view.
Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors
Pennsylvania, Philadelphia Free to see
Filmed here: Iconic training run up the 72 steps and victory pose
The 72 steps in front of the museum appeared in Rocky, Rocky II, and Rocky III, most famously in the 1976 training montage and victory pose. The steps are public and free to climb at any hour. A Rocky statue stands at the base or top depending on current placement, and it remains one of the city's most photographed spots.
Pennsylvania, Philadelphia Free to see
Filmed here: Mac and Dennis apartment exterior above Anthony's Italian Coffee House; market scenes
The Mac and Dennis apartment exterior sits above Anthony's Italian Coffee House in this active market, which also appeared in Rocky's training montage. The market is public and visitable, with plenty of food options. The apartments above are private residences, so visitors should keep that in mind while photographing.
Pennsylvania, Philadelphia Ticketed
Filmed here: Opening credits and Eagles-related episodes
Home of the Philadelphia Eagles, this stadium appears in the It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia opening credits and in Eagles-related episodes. Access is ticketed, on game days or through stadium tours when the venue is not otherwise in use. It sits in the South Philadelphia sports complex alongside Citizens Bank Park.
Pennsylvania, Philadelphia Ticketed
Filmed here: World Series Defense episode parking lot scenes
The Phillies stadium hosted parking lot scenes in the Always Sunny World Series Defense episode. Like its neighbor Lincoln Financial Field, access requires a ticket, either for a game or a stadium tour. Sports fans can combine both venues in a single visit to the sports complex.
Pennsylvania, Philadelphia Free to see
Filmed here: Opening credits waterfront scenes
This waterfront park on the Delaware River provided the waterfront scenes in the It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia opening credits. Access is free, making it an easy add-on to a walk through Old City. The esplanade views across the river are a draw in their own right.
Pennsylvania, Philadelphia Free to see
Filmed here: Street-level market scenes in training montage
This historic outdoor market appears in Rocky's street-level training montage scenes. It sits at the same coordinates as the Italian Market listing above and remains a vibrant, working market. Visitors can walk it freely, sample food, and catch the same street energy captured on film in 1976.
Philadelphia does not have a studio backlot open to the public, but two points of interest fill the gap. The Greater Philadelphia Film Office, at 1515 Arch Street on the 11th floor, is the official film commission serving Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, and Philadelphia counties. It offers no public tour but has generated over $8 billion in economic impact since 1992 and administers support including a 25% Film Production Tax Credit for productions spending at least 60% of budget in Pennsylvania. Mac's Tavern at 226 Market Street is the bar inspired by It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia and a natural fan stop near actual filming areas.
Three guided options cover the two franchises that define Philadelphia on screen. One walking tour concentrates on Always Sunny locations in South Philadelphia, while two private driving tours focus on Rocky territory, differing in length, price, and format. All three carry strong ratings from past guests.
Philadelphia: Half-Day Private Rocky Movie Locations Tour
The deepest option at 695 dollars: a half-day private tour of Rocky movie locations with a flawless 5 rating from 134 reviews, giving screen fans the most time on site.
Yo! A Private Rocky Balboa Driving Tour of Philadelphia
A private driving tour built around Rocky Balboa's Philadelphia, priced at 595 dollars and rated 4.9 across 112 reviews, covering the city by car with a dedicated guide.
South Philadelphia: Its Always Sunny Walking Tour
A 39 dollar walking tour of South Philadelphia Always Sunny locations, rated a perfect 5 from 16 reviews, and the most affordable way to see the Italian Market and nearby exteriors on foot.
Yes. The 72 steps in front of the Philadelphia Museum of Art are public and free to climb 24 hours a day. The Rocky statue at the base or top, depending on current placement, is also free to photograph.
The exterior, above Anthony's Italian Coffee House at the Italian Market on 9th Street, is visible from the public street. The apartment itself is a private residence, so visitors should view it from outside and be respectful.
Lincoln Financial Field, home of the Eagles, appears in the opening credits and Eagles-related episodes. Citizens Bank Park hosted the World Series Defense parking lot scenes. Both require tickets, for games or tours.
Guided options range from 39 dollars for a walking tour of Always Sunny locations to 695 dollars for a half-day private Rocky tour. A private Rocky driving tour sits between them at 595 dollars.
Pennsylvania offers a 25% Film Production Tax Credit for productions spending at least 60% of their budget in the state. The Greater Philadelphia Film Office also assists with permits, location facilitation, and incentives, and has generated over $8 billion in economic impact since 1992.
The list includes Philadelphia, The Sixth Sense, Silver Linings Playbook, Hustle, and Knock at the Cabin, plus the series Mare of Easttown and Abbott Elementary, all of which used Philadelphia and southeastern Pennsylvania locations.
Philadelphia rewards both casual fans and completists. The Rocky Steps and Penn's Landing cost nothing, the Italian Market pairs sightseeing with lunch, and a guided tour adds context no map can match. Check stadium tour availability in advance, respect the private homes above the market, and leave time for the city's food between locations.
Before You Go
The tours travellers book most for Philadelphia.
