LOCATION: Center City, South Philadelphia and East Falls

TRANSPORTATION: On foot or by trolley, taxi or car

DURATION: Two nights and two days

After captivating the hearts of millions of film fans, Rocky Balboa is about to score a TKO on Broadway. The musical production of Rocky das Musical delighted critics in Hamburg, Germany, and now it's crossing the Atlantic, bringing the fictional character who is so synonymous with Philadelphia to New York City. The stage production closely follows the original movie plot, inspiring fans to explore the boxer's beloved city of Philadelphia. Here's a two-day, two night itinerary that features highlights of the Academy-Award winning film, its five sequels and the play:

NIGHT ONE:
Having fun and living like a legend—that's what this weekend is all about, right? Don't waste any time getting the festivities started. After checking into your hotel, walk or catch a cab to the Irish Pub in the Rittenhouse Square area. The casual menu and convivial atmosphere will put you in a very social mood—just like it did for Rocky's son when he was hanging out with his buddies in Rocky Balboa, the sixth installment of the movie franchise.

DAY ONE:
Rocky knows how to have a good time, but he's also serious about staying in shape. Start your day with a morning jog along the waterfront at Penn's Landing, which was on the route of Rocky's training runs. If the Independence Seaport Museum had been there during the original film, maybe Rocky would have taken up a whole new career. You can spend hours watching the master boat builders handcraft wooden boats. But don't linger too long. Jog up Chestnut Street to Independence Hall, where our star boxer leaped across a park bench in Rocky II.

When it's time to refuel, head to the famous Italian Market. During the early flicks, Rocky was too focused on his training runs through the nation's oldest and largest working outdoor market to sample the homemade goodies, fresh produce and flavorful cheeses. But you'll want to hit Sabrina's Café. The brunch menu featuring stuffed French toast, frittatas and fresh-baked breads is a knockout.

Be sure to save room for dessert. One of Isgro's fresh-made cannolis will satisfy your sweet tooth as you stroll through the dozens of vendors and shops that line the street. And while you won't be able to go in the back and use the hanging meats as punching bags like Rocky did, you'd be remiss not to stop into one of the neighborhoods famous butcher shops, including D'Angelo Bros., Cannuli's Quality Meats and Poultry, Esposito's and Hollywood Meat Market—wonderful throwbacks to another time.

After brunch, pick up a City Pass at one of seven participating locations, then hop on a Philadelphia Trolley Works trolley (included in the pass) for a ride to the Philadelphia Zoo, the scene of Rocky and Adrian's engagement in Rocky II. Here you can follow the apes, chimps, goats and other animals as they roam the elevated open-air trail systems that wind through America's oldest zoo.

NIGHT TWO:
Time for dinner! The Italian-inspired menu at the Victor Cafe in the heart of South Philly—which makes an appearance in Rocky Balboa as Adrian's, our hero's restaurant—hits just the right note. So does the waitstaff. Many are classically trained singers who break out into operatic arias as the muse hits them.

DAY TWO:
This is the day. Those famous steps are waiting for you. But you'll need some energy to get through the challenges ahead. Make your way to the Cira Centre, an architectural landmark where Rocky's son worked in Rocky Balboa and in real-life the site of the largest-ever architectural video game display, according to Guinness World Records. Once there, pop inside celebrity chef's Jose Garces' JG Domestic. While Rocky might have opted for their freshly squeezed juices—the kale/spinach/cucumber/apple and the beet/ginger/lemon/carrot/pear combos are just two of the options—you can grab an early lunch or pick up a freshly mixed berry, banana or mango smoothie.

Now it's time for those steps. As you make your way along the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, just as Rocky once did, to the Philadelphia Museum of Art, you'll pass The Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University, The Franklin Institute, the Barnes Foundation and the Rodin Museum. (Be sure to stop by these treasure-filled spots later.) Right now, your eyes are on those steps. Before making your dash to the top, snap a photo with the Rocky statue to the right of the steps. Then, the climb begins. When you get to the top of the stairs, pump your fists in the air and take in the view. The skyline has grown so much since the 1976 flick that you might not even recognize it. Once you take in the view, step inside to admire one of the world's great art collections. Then, head to Boathouse Row, shown in Rocky Balboa, for a stroll, bike or blade down this active and beautiful stretch of city that borders the Schuylkill River.

As you wind your way along Kelly Drive, you'll come to historic Laurel Hill Cemetery, site of one of the series' most touching moments—when Rocky sits in a folding chair and visits Adrian's grave in Rocky Balboa. Although the headstone used in the film was just a prop, the elaborate mausoleums serve as the final resting place for a number of Philadelphia's wealthiest citizens and celebrities. Tours take place on the first Friday of each month, and special events run year-round.

Now that you've worked up an appetite, it's time for your reward. Rocky couldn't resist a trip to Pat's King of Steaks for an authentic Philadelphia cheesesteak during his training, and neither should you. The famous shop where the cheesesteak was invented more than 80 years ago makes a brief cameo in the original film. To order like a native, you need to tell the order taker what kind of cheese you want and if you want onions. For example, if you want Cheez Whiz and onions, ask for a “Whiz with.” It's pretty much a mandatory part of any Rocky tribute in Philadelphia.

ADDRESS BOOK

Irish Pub
2007 Walnut Street
(215) 568-5603, irishpubphilly.com

Penn's Landing
Columbus Boulevard
(215) 928-8801, delawareriverwaterfront.com

Independence Seaport Museum
211 S. Columbus Boulevard at Walnut Street
(215) 925-5439, phillyseaport.org

Independence Hall
5th & Chestnut Streets
(215) 965-2305, nps.gov/inde

Italian Market
9th & Christian Streets
phillyitalianmarket.com

Sabrina's Cafe
910 Christian Street
(215) 574-1599, sabrinascafe.com

Isgro Pasticceria
1009 Christian Street
(215) 923-3092, bestcannoli.com

D'Angelo Bros.
909 S. 9th Street
(215) 923-5637, dangelobros.com

Cannuli's Quality Meats and Poultry
937-39 S. 9th Street
(215) 922-2988, cannulismeats.com

A. Esposito Inc.
1001 S. 9th Street
(215) 922-2659, espositosmeats.com

Hollywood Meat Market
1039 S. 9th Street
(215) 627-2453, hollywoodmeatmarket.com

City Pass
(888) 330-5008, citypass.com

Philadelphia Zoo
3400 W. Girard Avenue
(215) 243-1100, philadelphiazoo.org

Victor Cafe
1303 Dickinson Street
(215) 468-3040, victorcafe.com

Cira Centre
2929 Arch Street
ciracentre.com

JG Domestic
2929 Arch Street
(215) 222-2363, jgdomestic.com

Philadelphia Museum of Art
26th Street & Benjamin Franklin Parkway
(215) 763-8100, philamuseum.org

The Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University
1900 Benjamin Franklin Parkway
(215) 299-1000, ansp.org

The Franklin Institute
222 N. 20th Street
(215) 448-1200, fi.edu

Rodin Museum
2151 Benjamin Franklin Parkway
(215) 763-8100, rodinmuseum.org

Boathouse Row
Kelly Drive
boathouserow.org

Laurel Hill Cemetery
3822 Ridge Avenue
(215) 228-8200, thelaurelhillcemetery.org

Pat's King of Steaks
1237 E. Passyunk Avenue
(215) 468-1546, patskingofsteaks.com

Visit Philadelphia™, formerly known as Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation, makes Philadelphia and The Countryside® a premier destination through marketing and image building that increases the number of visitors, the number of nights they stay and the number of things they do in the five-county area.

Greater Philadelphia's official visitor website and blog, visitphilly.com and uwishunu.com make up the most-visited website network out of the 10 biggest U.S. cities. Visitors can explore things to do, upcoming events, themed itineraries and hotel packages. Compelling photography and videos, interactive maps and detailed visitor information make the sites effective trip-planning tools. Along with Visit Philly social media channels, the online platforms communicate directly with consumers. Travelers can also call and stop into the Independence Visitor Center for additional information and tickets.

• Donna Schorr, (215) 599-0782