The steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art are almost as famous as the museum itself, thanks to their iconic place in American pop culture, playing a prominent role in the first instalment of Sylvester Stallone's Rocky films. In the 1976 movie, Stallone's Rocky Balboa runs up the 72 stone steps as part of his training montage for his epic fight against Apollo Creed. The scene is influenced by the actual training routine of boxer Joe Frazier, the former Undefeated, Undisputed Heavyweight Champion of the World, whose autobiography inspired the Rocky character. The sequence is meant to show viewers the protagonist's grit, determination, and triumph, and has become one of the most inspirational movie moments in cinema history.
Scores of visitors flock to the steps every year to recreate the run which has become something of a rite of passage for many tourists coming to Philadelphia. Those who make it to the top of the steps are rewarded with a beautiful panoramic view of the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, with City Hall and the downtown skyline in the distance.
Enjoy a private tour of Philadelphia’s highlights, where you will explore the best of the city of Brotherly Love with your professional guide by car, making several stops along the way to make the most of your visit to one of the oldest cities in America.
On your private driving tour, you will:
Your private tour begins with an easy hotel pick-up in a private vehicle, for those staying in centrally located Philadelphia hotels.
Enjoy an easy drop-off at the first site, where your guide will take you on a poignant journey around the historic sites of the American Revolution, where the seeds of independence were taking root long before a musket shot was fired.
As you walk around Benjamin Franklin and Betsy Ross’s homes, along with the homes of numerous other founders, your guide will colour in the missing details of life in Philadelphia during the period: about the political climate of the time, about the tension and excitement around the city.
You will have the opportunity to see several of the city’s other highlights and recognizable sites, like the LOVE statue, Reading Terminal Market, Rodin’s "The Thinker" and numerous other public sculptures outside the Rodin Museum.
You will also visit Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens with tickets included, which is an immersive mixed-media art environment that is completely covered with mosaics. The creator, Isaiah Zagar, used handmade tiles, bottles, bicycle wheels, mirrors, and international folk art to chronicle his life and influences.
At the end of your tour, your guide will take you back to your hotel or drop you off somewhere central in the city.
The Rocky movies series filming locations were split between Philadelphia, the City of Brotherly Love and Los Angeles, and on this driving tour, you will discover where the most iconic scenes were shot in Philly from the steps of the Art Museum to the Italian Market.
On your private Rocky tour, you will:
The Rocky series became an iconic and inspirational movie collection that has captivated audiences for decades.
On this private driving tour, you’ll visit all of the must-see movie locations from the classic Rocky, and other famous filming sites from other movies in other Philadelphia neighbourhoods.
With Philadelphia as the backdrop of this famous movie, you will drive by the Italian Market, discover South Philly to see the church where Rocky and Adrian married and see the famous Pat’s cheesesteak restaurant. Discover the Front Street Gym where the film scenes took place and climb the famous Rocky Steps at the Philadelphia Museum of Art among the top spots around the city.
Immerse yourself in Rocky Balboa's world and explore some of the movie sites where you will have the chance to relive iconic moments with a mix of nostalgia and excitement for the fans!
Philadelphia is a fascinating city that played a pivotal role in shaping the USA as we know it. Serving as the first ever US capital, its historic buildings tell a wealth of stories about the early years of the Land of Liberty, and it has since become a diverse and modern city that continues to evolve and make a significant impact on American life. For travellers eager to make the most of their time in Philly, our 2-hour private driving tour in a comfortable electric cart offers an immersive and engaging journey through the most iconic sights in the company of a passionate local guide who can tailor the route to your interests.
On this 2-hour electric cart tour, you will:
Discover the heart of Philadelphia on a private two-hour driving tour that brings the city’s most iconic landmarks to life from the comfort of an electric cart. With convenient hotel pick-up in central Philly, this personalised experience offers the perfect crash course for first-time visitors who want to see the sights, hear the stories, and soak in the unique atmosphere, and is also a great option for returning travellers who wish to experience the best the city has to offer.
Your local guide will craft a route tailored to your interests as you explore everything from the colonial charm of Old City to the dynamic pulse of Centre City. Along the way, you’ll pass by the birthplace of American democracy at Independence Hall and catch a glimpse of the famed Liberty Bell, an enduring symbol of freedom and one of America’s most treasured artefacts. You can make your way past the well-preserved historic homes on Elfreth’s Alley, the oldest residential street in the country, and hear tales of revolution and resilience near the Betsy Ross House and Benjamin Franklin’s final resting place.
The tour continues through Philadelphia’s diverse neighbourhoods, including a lively ride through Chinatown and a look at Reading Terminal Market, a foodie favourite with a profound impact on Philadelphia’s celebrated culinary heritage. At the Philadelphia Museum of Art, you will hop out for a quick photo op at the top of the “Rocky Steps,” with the spectacular city skyline behind you. Throughout the ride, you’ll spot some of Philadelphia’s renowned public art, from the colourful mosaics of the Magic Gardens to the iconic LOVE sculpture and the distinctive Friendship Arch.
Whether you're here for history, culture, or just a fun and easy introduction to the City of Brotherly Love, this engaging electric cart tour is your perfect jumping off point. Your guide will be more than happy to recommend plenty of great spots to eat, drink and explore before dropping you off at your hotel or another location of your choosing within the city centre.
Philadelphia at night is a city full of contrast, character, and energy, where colonial charm meets modern nightlife, and illuminated landmarks, buzzing restaurants, and a vibrant arts scene create a distinctive urban vibe after dark. Our private evening tour in a comfortable electric cart is a great way to cruise through the city, showing you the most iconic landmarks all lit up while your local guide shares stories and secrets of the City of Brotherly Love.
On this 1-hour private cart tour, you will:
Experience the charm of Philadelphia after dark on a private 1-hour electric cart tour that brings the city’s most iconic landmarks to life beneath the night sky. With a flexible route tailored to your interests, this evening adventure is the perfect way to get acquainted with the City of Brotherly Love in a fun, relaxed, and memorable way.
Under the sparkling city lights, you’ll cruise through Old City, where charming cobblestoned streets lined with historic buildings set the stage for captivating stories of revolution and resilience from the early days of the United States. Your knowledgeable local driver-guide will bring history to life as you pass Independence Hall, where the Declaration of Independence was signed, and the legendary Liberty Bell, an icon of the American Revolution, which takes on a beautiful serenity after dark. You may also see the spot where Founding Father Benjamin Franklin is buried, the Philadelphia branch of the US Mint, and the Arch Street Meeting House, an important site for the Quakers who founded the city and had a major impact on its development.
After enjoying the quiet beauty of historic neighbourhoods, the tour flows into the vibrant heart of modern Philadelphia. You'll glide through the bustle of Centre City, taking in the glow of skyscrapers and neon-lit restaurants, and wind your way past the famous Reading Terminal Market and the lanterns of Chinatown, where cuisine, culture and community converge. Along the way, your guide will share insights into Philly’s celebrated culinary scene and diverse heritage underpinned by the principles of understanding, compassion and mutual respect envisioned by William Penn himself when he founded the city back in 1682.
You’ll have the chance to stop at the Philadelphia Museum of Art to climb the legendary “Rocky Steps” and take in breathtaking views of the city skyline without the daytime crowds. Throughout the tour, your guide can show off various emblematic pieces that exemplify Philadelphia’s extraordinary public arts scene, from the whimsical mosaics of Magic Gardens to the glowing LOVE Sculpture and other colourful art installations that shine even brighter at night. Your tour will come to a close in the historic Society Hill neighbourhood, where your guide will be happy to recommend some great spots to eat and drink nearby should you wish to experience more of Philadelphia's eclectic nightlife.
Whether you’re looking for history, atmosphere, or just a new way to see the city, this electric cart tour offers a unique and personal evening experience, one that reveals Philadelphia’s beauty, depth, and charm after sunset.
Philadelphia makes for a great getaway all year round, but visiting during the holiday season is a truly special experience. The city embraces the season with twinkling lights, decorated streets, and holiday music floating through historic neighbourhoods. Our private 1-hour evening tour in a comfortable electric cart is a great way to see the most iconic landmarks all lit up while your local guide shares heartwarming stories of the City of Brotherly Love.
On this 1-hour private cart tour, you will:
Experience the distinct charm of Philadelphia during the holiday season on a private 1-hour electric cart tour that brings the city’s most iconic landmarks to life beneath the night sky. With a flexible route tailored to your interests, this evening adventure is the perfect way to enjoy the City of Brotherly Love during the festive season in a fun, relaxed, and memorable way.
As the city lights begin to twinkle, you’ll cruise through the charming streets of Old City, where centuries-old brick buildings and cobblestones set the stage for captivating stories from the early days of the United States. Your local driver-guide will bring history to life as you pass Independence Hall, Old City Hall, and the Liberty Bell, all beautifully illuminated and steeped in significance. You will also have the chance to pass by the final resting place of Benjamin Franklin and catch a glimpse of the US Mint, where many of the nation’s coins are made.
You will then make your way into Chinatown, one of the city’s most vibrant neighbourhoods, where food, culture, and community converge. As you take in the bustling atmosphere and the bright lights, including the iconic Friendship Arch, your guide will share insights into Philly’s celebrated culinary scene and diverse heritage, as well as some of its distinctive holiday traditions. You will cruise past the towering City Hall, with its clock tower all aglow, and feel the festive cheer emanating from the winter markets nearby. Across the street, the famous LOVE statue will catch your attention, with its unmistakable large red letters looking especially beautiful with the addition of Christmas lights.
Your driver can show you some of Philadelphia’s beloved museums all lit up, like the Barnes Foundation, the Franklin Institute and of course the Philadelphia Museum of Art. You will take a moment to stop at this world-renowned art museum, to climb the ‘Rocky Steps’ by night, avoiding the daytime crowds and enjoying one of the most spectacular views of the Philly skyline. Last but certainly not least, your guide will be sure you get a closer look at the picturesque winter scenes in Rittenhouse Square and Washington Square, two of the city’s most treasured corners that truly embrace the festive spirit with their lights and decorations.
By the time your express but sweet tour comes to an end, you’ll have enjoyed an immersive experience of Philadelphia’s history and culture with a festive twist on a carefully curated route around the city that reveals Philadelphia’s beauty, depth, and charm after sunset.
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