Discover Philadelphia wheelchair accessible attractions, things to do, city guides, tours and activities for disabled travelers including the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Read our informative accessibility reviews and ratings of popular Philadelphia attractions and destinations to learn which attractions are wheelchair accessible and wheelchair friendly, as well as which locations Jim recommends should be avoided by travelers in wheelchairs.
The Philadelphia Museum of Art is an art museum originally chartered in 1876 for the Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia. The main museum building was completed in 1928 on Fairmount, a hill located at the northwest end of the Benjamin Franklin Parkway at Eakins Oval. The museum administers collections containing over 240,000 objects including major holdings of European, American and Asian origin. The various classes of artwork include sculpture, paintings, prints, drawings, photographs, armor, and decorative arts. The attendance figure for the museum ranks it among the top one hundred most-visited art museums in the world. The museum is also one of the largest art museums in the world based on gallery space. The Philadelphia Museum of Art administers several annexes including the Rodin Museum (See our Rodin Museum tab).
Besides being known for its architecture and collections, the Philadelphia Museum of Art has in recent decades become known due to the role it played in the Rocky films – Rocky Balboa’s (portrayed by Sylvester Stallone) famous run up the east entrance stairs, informally nicknamed the Rocky Steps.
- City Attraction Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
- Fully Accessible Entry: Yes: Use West Entrance
- Accessible Restrooms Onsite: Yes
- Restrictive Steps: Yes: To Balcony
Jim’s Accessibility Comments:
The West Entrance on Anne d’Harnoncourt Drive is wheelchair accessible. Accessible parking for vehicles displaying the appropriate disability permits is located adjacent to this entrance. There are also accessible parking spaces available in the Museum’s parking garage, which is across the street from this West Entrance.
The “Rocky Steps” are at the East entrance and if you’re dropped off at the East entrance there is a very steep hill to get to the West entry. It’s best to go to the West entrance and then roll through the museum to the top of the steps at the East entrance.
All floors are accessible by elevator.
The Restaurant, Café, and Museum Store are all wheelchair accessible.
WARNING: There is one area of the museum which is not accessible: there are 4 step, then a small landing and another 5 steps to the balcony and balcony cafe. However, book catalogs found on the balcony level can also found in the Museum Store. The main cafeteria is located on the 1st floor and is accessible.
Great museum and very wheelchair accessible!
Philadelphia Travel
