Philadelphia Museum of Art

State: Pennsylvania. Type: art museum at 2600 Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Philadelphia, PA 19130. Chartered 1876 for the Centennial Exposition; opened May 10, 1877 as the Pennsylvania Museum and School of Industrial Art. Main Beaux-Arts building on Fairmount completed 1928. Collection of over 240,000 objects across more than 200 galleries. Famous for the 'Rocky Steps' at the east entrance.

The Philadelphia Museum of Art is one of the largest art museums in the United States, holding a collection of more than 240,000 objects spanning European, American and Asian art across more than 200 galleries. Chartered in 1876 in connection with Philadelphia's Centennial Exposition, the institution formally opened in 1877 and moved into its current Beaux-Arts building atop Fairmount, at the end of the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, when that structure was completed in 1928. The building's classical Greek temple-style columns and its eastern entrance staircase became internationally famous after the 1976 film Rocky, in which Sylvester Stallone's character trains by running up the steps; a bronze Rocky statue, commissioned in 1980 and placed in 1982, has since been relocated near the base of the stairs. In late 2025 the museum briefly rebranded as "Philadelphia Art Museum" before reversing the change by February 2026 and restoring its original name.

The museum's main building sits at 2600 Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Philadelphia, PA 19130, atop Fairmount at the northwestern terminus of the parkway, within Philadelphia's Fairmount Park system. It anchors the cultural corridor connecting Center City to the wider park.

Philadelphia has hot, humid summers (often mid-80s to low 90s Fahrenheit) and cold winters with occasional snow, with milder spring and fall conditions. Because nearly all galleries are indoors and climate-controlled, weather has limited impact on a museum visit itself, though it affects comfort for walking the Rocky Steps and surrounding parkway.

Weekdays, particularly the Monday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday 10 a.m.-5 p.m. slots or the extended Friday evening hours (10 a.m.-8:45 p.m.), tend to be less crowded than weekends; the museum is closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays as of research. Visitors should also check for special event closures around the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, which can affect access and parking during large public events.

The museum was originally chartered in 1876 in connection with Philadelphia's Centennial Exposition and opened to the public on May 10, 1877, as the Pennsylvania Museum and School of Industrial Art. It moved into its now-iconic Beaux-Arts building on Fairmount, at the terminus of the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, upon that structure's completion in 1928; the building features classical Greek temple columns and an incomplete set of eight decorative pediments, of which only one, C. Paul Jennewein's 1933 polychrome terra-cotta "Western Civilization," was ever finished. The museum's east entrance staircase became world-famous after appearing in the 1976 film Rocky, and a bronze statue of the fictional boxer, commissioned in 1980 and installed in 1982, has since been relocated near the foot of the steps after debate over its placement. In October 2025 the museum briefly rebranded itself as "Philadelphia Art Museum" to appeal to younger audiences, reversing the change by February 2026 and restoring the original Philadelphia Museum of Art name.

Visitors explore the museum's collection across more than 200 galleries covering European, American and Asian art, sculpture, prints, photography, armor and decorative arts. Guided tour options include Impressionism-focused tours, a Rocky-themed tour, a general highlights overview, and shorter 30-minute tours, per the museum's own visitor information. Many visitors also run up (or photograph) the famous 'Rocky Steps' at the east entrance and pose with the nearby bronze Rocky statue before or after touring the galleries.

The main Beaux-Arts building on Fairmount houses the bulk of the museum's 240,000-plus object collection. The east entrance steps, the 'Rocky Steps,' and the adjacent bronze Rocky statue are among the most-photographed features on the grounds. The building's single completed pediment, 'Western Civilization' by C. Paul Jennewein, is a notable architectural detail above the museum's colonnade.

The museum sits at the northwestern end of the Benjamin Franklin Parkway in Philadelphia, reachable by SEPTA bus or the Philadelphia Phlash tourist trolley from Center City, or by car with on-site parking available (parking details listed on the museum's campus page). Philadelphia International Airport connects to Center City via SEPTA regional rail, from which a further local transit connection or rideshare reaches the museum.

As of research, the museum was open Monday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Friday from 10 a.m. to 8:45 p.m. (extended evening hours); it was closed Tuesday and Wednesday. Confirm current hours on philamuseum.org before visiting, since the museum notes possible road closures and detours around the parkway during public events.

The museum's official visitor page directs guests to its ticketing page for current admission prices rather than listing specific fees; check philamuseum.org/visit for up-to-date general admission pricing before your visit.

Given the collection spans more than 200 galleries, most visitors plan at least two to three hours to see highlights, with a full day possible for those wanting to explore in depth or take a guided tour.

The Benjamin Franklin Parkway corridor and neighboring Center City and Fairmount neighborhoods offer a range of hotel options within a short drive or transit ride of the museum, spanning budget to upscale properties; specific hotel names were not confirmed in the sources used for this entry.

The museum has on-site dining and shopping options, per its visitor information, and the surrounding Fairmount and Center City neighborhoods add a broader range of casual and sit-down restaurants within a short walk or drive; specific restaurant names beyond the museum's own on-site dining were not confirmed in the sources used.

The Benjamin Franklin Parkway connects the museum to other Center City cultural institutions, and Fairmount Park's wider trail and green space network borders the museum grounds. The historic district around Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell lies a short drive or transit ride away in downtown Philadelphia.

Philadelphia International Airport, linked to Center City via SEPTA regional rail, is the region's main air gateway. SEPTA bus routes and the Philadelphia Phlash tourist trolley connect Center City to the museum directly along the Benjamin Franklin Parkway.

As with any major urban museum and park corridor, keep valuables secure and be mindful of vehicle traffic when crossing the Benjamin Franklin Parkway near the Rocky Steps. Check for event-related road closures or detours before driving to the museum, since the parkway periodically hosts large public events. For any emergency, dial 911.

Comfortable shoes are useful both inside the museum's many galleries and for climbing the Rocky Steps outside. A camera or phone is popular for photos at the steps and statue, and checking the museum's current event calendar before arrival can help avoid parkway closures.

Because the museum closes on Tuesdays and Wednesdays as of research, plan a visit for one of its open days, and consider the Friday evening hours (until 8:45 p.m.) for a less crowded visit. Checking philamuseum.org for current road closures around the parkway is worthwhile before driving in, especially during large public events. Booking a themed guided tour in advance, such as the Impressionism or Rocky tour, can add context beyond a self-guided walk-through.

Dial 911 for any emergency. For general visitor questions, the Philadelphia Museum of Art can be reached at 215-763-8100, per its official visitor information.

Philadelphia Museum of Art - https://philamuseum.org/visit

This section is being updated and will be available shortly.

This section is being updated and will be available shortly.

This section is being updated and will be available shortly.