Where was Rocky filmed?

After the fight, Rocky (Sylvester Stallone) finds his way home in the chilly, dimly lit night, traversing the littered streets of Frankford Avenue in the crime-infested Kensington neighborhood. He reaches his tiny single-room apartment on a side street, where he attends to his pet turtles, Cuff and Link. He picks up a can of turtle food and rehearses a line about it to his reflection in the mirror. Looking at a childhood photo of himself, he fetches some ice from the freezer to soothe the cut inflicted by Spider Rico (Pedro Lovell) before settling down on his bed. This opening scene was shot on location at 1818 East Tusculum Street in north Philadelphia. The exterior of this building dates back to 1920 when it was owned by Eleanor O'Hey, who was only reimbursed $50 for its use during filming due to its low-budget production. Visitors wanting to relive this iconic Rocky moment can take the metro service from the 15th St Station stop to Huntingdon Station. Once at the station, they can walk about 4 minutes straight onto East Tusculum Street until they reach number 1818. Once there, it won’t be challenging to recognize this landmark location, which has become part of Philadelphia's film history.

Rocky (Sylvester Stallone) heads to the Lucky 7 Tavern for a couple of beers, where he encounters his closest friend and Adrian's elder brother, Paulie Pennino (Burt Young), venting his frustration in the restroom after a mirror has been shattered. When Rocky mentions Adrian Pennino (Talia Shire), Paulie harshly retorts, labeling her a loser who can't fend for herself. However, noticing Adrian's reclusive nature, Paulie suggests that Rocky ask her out on a date. Agreeing to the proposition, Rocky decides to pursue it. This iconic scene was filmed at 2800 Ormes St in Philadelphia, known as Thompson’s on the Hill before 1970. At that time, Arlene Brian owned the tavern, which would later become The King’s Inn, before being demolished in the 1980s. Although fans cannot see the interior of this place, they can capture the beauty of its exterior through photography. You can take a bus or a metro train to reach this destination. It will take approximately 30 minutes to get there from the city center. If you're coming from Somerset Station, it's just a short 5-minute walk to the location.

Taking Paulie's (Burt Young) suggestion, Rocky (Sylvester Stallone) takes Adrian (Talia Shire) to the local ice rink. They find it deserted, and the caretaker (George Memmoli) informs them it's closed for the evening. Undeterred, Rocky persuades him with a $10 bribe, securing the rink exclusively for themselves for ten minutes. As Adrian skates, Rocky jogs alongside her, sharing stories about his past fights and their significance to him. The scene where Rocky and Adrian visit the ice rink is a significant and memorable part of the film. It's a deeply romantic and symbolically rich moment, marking their transition from disparate worlds to a shared, beautiful space. Fans can recall the iconic line from this scene: (Adrian) “Aren’t you skating? (Rocky) “No, it’s kinda bad for the ankles.” During filming, the ice skating rink was set at 500 Broadway in Santa Monica, California. The building was put on the market in 2018 and ultimately demolished in 2019. Still, if you're looking for a similar experience, the Santa Monica Bodybuilding Center is just a few minutes drive away. This small gym was where Sylvester Stallone trained for years up through filming Rambo 3. The most convenient option to reach this destination is by private car. Considering traffic conditions, it will take approximately 30 minutes from downtown Los Angeles. However, there is also a public transportation option available. You can take the Metro E line heading towards downtown Santa Monica. From there, it's just a short 3-minute walk to the site.

Rocky (Sylvester Stallone) begins training with Mickey (Burgess Meredith). During a session, two girls enter the gym asking for Rocky's autograph. Mick, however, brusquely turns them away, cautioning Rocky that "women weaken legs" and advising him to steer clear of "the pet shop dame," referring to Adrian (Talia Shire). When Rocky expresses his fondness for her, Mick retorts, suggesting that if he is so obsessed, he should let her be his trainer, implying that women can hinder his training. Taking a moment to consider, Rocky concedes to Mick's advice and pledges to refrain from distractions. The iconic Mick's gym from the film was shot at 2147 N Front St in Philadelphia. The weathered red brick exterior remains recognizable, though the surrounding area has changed over time, appearing even more deteriorated. Contrary to its on-screen depiction, the building used for Mighty Mick’s boxing gym has never been real. All indoor scenes were filmed in Los Angeles at the Main Street Gym, a known sanctuary for boxers, which has since been demolished. If you want to experience this iconic location today, you can drive or walk down North Front Street until you get to 2147 - just look for the red brick façade. This area has seen some changes since 1976. However, if you close your eyes and imagine only what Rocky saw when he walked through those doors, you will be able to appreciate this location for all its historical value.

The scene in Rocky is a timeless classic, symbolizing dedication, hard work, and resilience. In it, viewers see an exhausted yet determined Rocky Balboa (Sylvester Stallone) as he runs up the Philadelphia Museum of Art steps. The iconic music playing in the background (Gonna Fly Now) helps create a decisive moment referenced and parodied countless times since its release. The iconic 68-step staircase where Rocky Balboa trained is located towards the northwest, leading up to the Philadelphia Museum of Art at the intersection of Benjamin Franklin Parkway and 26th Street. Once you reach the top of these steps, turn around and take in the panoramic view of the Benjamin Franklin Parkway stretching back towards the downtown skyline, which now boasts a greater number of skyscrapers than were present in 1976. You can depart from 30th Street Station, Suburban Station, Logan Square, or Broad-Ridge Spur to get to this location. Once you arrive, head north along Benjamin Franklin Parkway until 26th Street. Here, you will find the famous steps synonymous with success and perseverance.

The battle occurs on New Year's Day, with Apollo Creed (Carl Weathers) making a theatrical entrance impersonating George Washington and Uncle Sam. Exploiting his arrogance, Rocky (Sylvester Stallone) manages to floor him in the first round. The fight stretches to its maximum limit of fifteen rounds, witnessing both fighters endure numerous injuries. When the final bell tolls, the fighters find themselves in a mutual embrace, vowing that there will be no subsequent rematch. Rocky then calls out multiple times for Adrian (Talia Shire), prompting her to rush toward the ring. Meanwhile, Paulie (Burt Young) cleverly diverts the attention of the security, enabling her smooth entry into the ring. The Grand Olympic Auditorium was used for the iconic boxing scenes from Rocky and Raging Bull (1980) and Million Dollar Baby (2004). It was initially built for the 1932 Olympics, although it now serves as a Korean church and no longer hosts boxing events. Those looking to visit this iconic location today can find it at 1801 South Grand Avenue at Olympic Boulevard in Los Angeles' downtown district. It is accessible by public transport and private car.