How long does it take to walk the Museum Mile in Philadelphia?

A leisurely walk takes about 2 to 3 hours. This includes time to admire the outdoor sculptures, take photos at the Rocky Steps, and explore the architecture of the Free Library.

Is the Benjamin Franklin Parkway walk worth it?

Yes, it is one of the most scenic and culturally rich walks in the United States. It offers a unique mix of French-inspired urban design, world-class museums, and the famous 'Rocky' filming locations.

Can I see the Rocky Statue and the steps for free?

Yes, both the Rocky Statue and the famous steps are located outside the Philadelphia Museum of Art and are free to visit 24/7. They are accessible to the public without a museum ticket.

What is the best time to walk the Parkway?

Late afternoon is ideal for the best lighting on the statues and buildings. If you wish to visit the interiors of the Barnes or Rodin, aim for a mid-morning start on a weekday to avoid crowds.

Where can I find the best views of the Philadelphia skyline?

The top of the Philadelphia Museum of Art steps offers the most famous 'Instagram-worthy' view. Looking southeast from the top of the stairs, you get a perfectly framed shot of the Parkway leading to City Hall.

Is the Parkway walk accessible for strollers and wheelchairs?

Generally, yes. The sidewalks are wide and paved with accessible curb cuts. While the main museum steps are not accessible, there are paved ramps and elevators available to reach the museum's upper levels.

How far is the walk from the Rodin Museum to the Art Museum?

It is a short walk of about 0.4 miles (roughly 10 minutes of direct walking). However, the full route from Logan Square to the museum includes many stops that extend the experience.

Zigway - The Guide Follows You

About This Tour

Step into a slice of Paris in the heart of Pennsylvania. This self-guided walk along the Benjamin Franklin Parkway reveals why Philadelphia is often called the 'Athens of America.' Modeled after the Champs-Élysées, this grand boulevard serves as the city's cultural spine, connecting the urban center to the sprawling greenery of Fairmount Park. As you explore independently, you will encounter a stunning concentration of Beaux-Arts architecture, modern masterpieces, and one of the world's most famous sets of stairs. Begin your self-guided adventure at the Rodin Museum, home to one of the largest collections of Auguste Rodin's work outside of France. From there, the route leads you past the striking contemporary architecture of the Barnes Foundation, which houses a legendary collection of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist paintings. This walking route isn't just for art lovers; architecture enthusiasts will marvel at the Parkway Central Library and the Free Library of Philadelphia, designed with the grandeur of 18th-century French palaces in mind. Continuing through Logan Square, you will reach the Swann Memorial Fountain, a sculptural masterpiece that serves as the Parkway's centerpiece. The journey concludes at the monumental Philadelphia Museum of Art, famously known for the 'Rocky Steps.' Whether you are here to admire the Greek Revival facade of the museum or to recreate the iconic cinematic run, this neighborhood stroll offers a perfect blend of history, culture, and scenic views. This is an essential experience for anyone interested in a walking tour Philadelphia style, providing the freedom to linger at your favorite sculpture or gallery without the constraints of a rigid schedule. Discover at your own pace the visionaries who shaped this landscape, from the first prominent African American architect, Julian Abele, to the sculptors whose work defines the city's public spaces.

Highlights

The iconic 'Thinker' sculpture at the Rodin Museum

The world-renowned Impressionist collection at the Barnes Foundation

Beaux-Arts grandeur of the Parkway Central Library

The symbolic sculptures of the Swann Memorial Fountain

Recreating the famous movie run up the 'Rocky Steps'

Panoramic views of the Philadelphia skyline from the Museum of Art

Tour Stops (6)

Rodin Museum

Welcome to one of Philadelphia's most elegant spaces. The Rodin Museum was a gift to the city from movie theater magnate Jules Mastbaum, who wanted to share his passion for the French sculptor Auguste Rodin. As you stand before the entrance, you are greeted by 'The Thinker,' perhaps the most recognizable sculpture in the world. Notice the 'Gates of Hell'—a massive bronze doorway featuring over 180 figures. The museum building itself is a masterpiece of French Classical design, meant to transport you directly to a Parisian garden. This site holds the distinction of being the only dedicated Rodin museum outside of Paris, making it a cornerstone of the Parkway's artistic identity.

Barnes Foundation

The Barnes Foundation represents a fascinating shift from the classical to the contemporary. While the exterior is a modern 'gallery in a garden,' the interior meticulously recreates the original Merion gallery of Dr. Albert Barnes. Look closely at the 'ensembles'—the unique way Barnes displayed his art. He mixed Renoirs and Cézannes with antique door hinges and Navajo rugs to emphasize the universal elements of light, line, and color. The move of this collection to the Parkway was a major moment in Philadelphia's recent history, ensuring these masterpieces remained accessible to the public while providing a stunning architectural contrast to the surrounding historic buildings.

Parkway Central Library

Standing before the Free Library of Philadelphia, you might feel as though you've been transported to the Place de la Concorde in Paris. This Beaux-Arts gem was designed by Horace Trumbauer and Julian Abele. Abele was the first African American graduate of the University of Pennsylvania’s architecture school and the chief designer of the Trumbauer firm. His influence is everywhere on the Parkway. The library's limestone facade and Corinthian columns reflect the 'City Beautiful' movement, which aimed to introduce monumental grandeur into American urban planning. Inside, the library houses rare treasures, including cuneiform tablets and Charles Dickens’s pet raven, Grip.

Swann Memorial Fountain

At the center of Logan Circle sits the Swann Memorial Fountain, an Art Deco masterpiece by Alexander Stirling Calder. The fountain is more than just a beautiful water feature; it is a geographic allegory. The three large bronze figures represent the three main waterways of Philadelphia: the Delaware River (a powerful man), the Schuylkill River (a mature woman), and the Wissahickon Creek (a young girl). In the summer, this is a favorite local spot for cooling off and people-watching. The fountain sits on what was once Logan Square, one of William Penn's original five squares, though it was transformed into a circle to accommodate the Parkway's traffic flow.

Philadelphia Museum of Art Steps

You are now standing at one of the most famous locations in cinematic history. These 72 stone steps gained worldwide fame in the 1976 film 'Rocky.' For many visitors, a self-guided walk of the Parkway isn't complete without the triumphant run to the top. Once you reach the summit, turn around to see one of the best views in the city. The Parkway stretches out before you, perfectly aligned with City Hall's clock tower in the distance. This perspective allows you to truly appreciate the scale of the urban planning that created this grand boulevard, framing the city’s skyline through a lens of classical beauty.

Philadelphia Museum of Art

Capping the end of the Parkway is the 'Parthenon on the Hill.' The Philadelphia Museum of Art is one of the largest and most significant art museums in the United States. Its Greek Revival architecture, complete with colorful polychrome terra cotta figures on the pediment, was another project heavily influenced by Julian Abele. The building is constructed of golden Kasota limestone, which glows during sunset. While the steps are a pop-culture icon, the treasures inside—ranging from a reconstructed Japanese teahouse to Marcel Duchamp’s 'Nude Descending a Staircase'—make this one of the most important cultural institutions in the world. This is the perfect place to end your stroll and perhaps explore the galleries at your own pace.

Frequently Asked Questions

The most iconic route is the Benjamin Franklin Parkway. This self-guided walk starts at the Rodin Museum and follows the boulevard toward the Philadelphia Museum of Art, covering approximately 1 mile of art and architecture.