An amazing experience in Philidelphia that should not be missed. There's a ton to see here along with some great and informative tours. We learned a lot about one of the world's first modern prison systems and it's legacy and effects on the world. The tour guides and docents were fantastic and have a lot of knowledge and stories to share. The audio tour was great especially hearing literally from former guards and inmates it's very interesting. There is a lot to see here so plan accordingly! There is nearby street parking available and parking lots as well I'm sure. You can book tickets and experiences in advance to make sure you are able to attend. Our tour guide Sammy was especially great and had a passion for the history of this place. Definitely would visit again and must visit when here in the city! read more

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We saw this was one of the top rated attractions in the Philly area so we visited on a Monday morning (it's closed on Tuesdays). With our reciprocal museum membership we got free admission. We opted for the self guided tour with their audio headsets. The guide is very informative and if you listened to all of the recording it is 4 hours long! We did the main tour and listed to a few extras. We were there a bit over one hour. Overall it was very interesting and we learned alot about not only this prison but life in this first of a kind place. The place is pretty creepy. It is great that a group has stepped up to save this important piece of history! read more

Super interesting and kind of spooky in a good way. Can't imagine having to be retained there. read more

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Well known prison that housed Al Capone and many other "famous" criminals. Working in a women's prison myself, I had to come visit a grand scale prison as such. Call me crazy... We came for the "summer night" tour, which wasn't what was expected as it seemed to be the same as a day tour. We definitely needed longer than 3 hours to explore the whole prison in its full capacity, as this place is HUGE. Definitely an eerie vibe with a lot to learn. read more

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I've found myself at the Eastern State Penitentiary for one of their summer "Wednesday Nights". The theme was all about escapism and resistance. They had a speaker that spoke about climbing the penitentiary wall, scavenger hunt, and of course what I came here for was the beer garden. I didn't realize this place was used for more than just fright nights for Halloween. It's a museum with which you can walk the grounds and relax in the courtyards. Some nights which we discovered, they open up speakeasys. We had to do a mini scavenger hunt to discover the "passcode". Then enjoyed some brews. Unique summer experience. read more

Eastern State Penitentiary - Speakeasy - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

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Very fascinating historic penitentiary. I came here with my wife on a guided tour on June 3, 2024 and every place we saw and he stopped was very unique. While it seems harsh for now, it was quite humane for the time. Having visited multiple correctional facilities myself it was quite interesting to see the history here read more

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What a fun experience visiting an old, defunct prison that is now a museum. Once housed Al Capone and an escape from here was the inspiration for Shawshank Redemption. The audio tour, voiced by Steve buscemi, made it fun to walk through. They say it's haunted and would be fun to check this place when they do a Halloween event. read more

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Almost didn't include this on our itinerary and it ended up being one of our favorite stops of the trip. So much to explore in this still semi-abandoned prison, with a wonderful audio tour narrated by Steve Buscemi and so much to see beyond the audio tour itself - from an escape tunnel in one cell to a synagogue in another part of the complex to a great courtyard exhibition on mass incarceration in the US. Definitely budget a few hours for your visit - we extended our time here beyond what we had planned for and still felt like we had to rush a bit towards the end to keep our day on track. A really interesting and eye-opening place to visit! read more

Eastern State Penitentiary - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Came here for Labor Day. I didn't know what to expect but was happy that we came! They give you a headset and you have an audio tour that you can enjoy at your own pace. I learned so much about the jail, rehabilitation process and the differences in the prisons. I got lots of good pictures and would love to come back for Halloween! read more

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The Eastern State Penitentiary was well worth the visit. We used the Go City pass for entrance and it went smoothly. The staff was very helpful and friendly, my wife left her phone in the theater room and someone turned it into the staff and they promptly returned it. I really enjoyed the tour at your own pace experience and the guide devices were super simple to use. They did a great job of restoring aspects to original to get a sense of how it evolved over time. Wish I would've taken more pictures but was enjoying the tour too much to think about it. The place is a fortress and looks the part. Definitely worth a visit while in Philly. read more

Eastern State Penitentiary - Courtyard - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

This has been on my bucket list for as long as I can remember. The experience was amazing and one I will never forget. The headphones that tell you stories as you wander around really take the tour to the point you can litterally picture what it was like. If you are in the area I highly recommend stopping. The gift shop is nice but it's rather small. The area isn't great. We saw a man defecate right outside the enterance. Keep an eye on your surroundings. read more

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What a unique and interesting place. Lots of cool stories of inmates and their crimes. Had a cool yet macabre vibe. read more

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We really enjoyed touring Eastern State Penitentiary. The self-guided audio tour was super succinct and interesting. It gave just the right amount of information, and then there were plenty more things to explore afterwards. Some parts of the prison were creepy, but it was mostly very interesting history. They do a Halloween night in the fall that I've heard is a lot of fun. read more

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Went for Halloween and it was such a scary but fun time! Cheaper online and well worth the few hours of time spent there The staff are all dressed in costume and stay in character. There are areas for buying some snacks and drinks, make smores and take pictures read more

Eastern State Penitentiary - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

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So cool! We did the audio tour & there was so much to learn and listen to. All very fascinating.

A unique, historic place to visit in a nice, walkable neighborhood. The audio tour is easily digestible and fun to follow along with as you walk through the penitentiary. I also enjoy the optional, but free (included in ticket price) in-person tours. I did the one about medicine and got an interesting lesson on how tuberculosis was managed and we even got to see an example of an operating room that they would use. I also particularly liked the exhibit they had on incarceration rates in the U.S. Of note, they also have some fun haunted houses around Halloween time! read more

A go to when visitors come into Philly. such history at this ruin/museum and great to roam round and learn about all the interesting history. highly recommend ! read more

Interesting exhibit and thoughtful exhibition of past and present prison system. This particular prison was built and kept prisoners in quiet solitude to encourage reflection. This practice was eventually discontinued. This prison operated until 1970. Tour guide is well-done narrated by Steve Buscemi with added commentary by former prisoners and guards. There is a lot to see, we were there about 90 minutes - but could have spent 2 hours. read more

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Very interesting and educational to walk around the audio guides that you been issued from the beginning of your self guided tour. I am amazing over 100 different few minutes long topics and explanations and walking through and showing you all kind of interesting things and the fun facts definitely worth to stop.The price is $23 , they also have kids and citizens discount. read more

We took the guided tour. Sammy was a knowledgeable and friendly guide. The tour was excellent. My one complaint is that it was from a bleeding heart liberal perspective. It left you with no hope for our country when it comes to prison rehab and I know that's not true. The answer to most of societies ailments is the last thing people will consider-- Jesus read more

The tour at ESP is phenomenal and highly recommended for all history buffs. One of the top 3 tours we took while visiting Philly this year. It ends with a lot of exhibits to really bring home the impact and state of the prison industrial complex in modern day America. read more

Wow what an interesting place!!!!!! Cannot believe people lived in those little tiny cells for years, or decades? The tenacity of the human spirit able to endure so much suffering. I also was taken aback by children being held there, and how being homeless, unwed, black was illegal back then. read more

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Eastern State Penitentiary was a must visit for me after I discovered it some time ago thanks to Teena S, a yelper from Winnetka, who I am connected with on the platform. I made it a priority to visit it as part of my birthday get-a-way to the city of Philadelphia since my interest in it was so high. Prior to visiting I did myself a favor by not viewing too many pictures and YouTube content shared online to have a better initial impression of what I would encounter. A cool fact about Eastern State is that it was once the most famous and expensive prison in the world. And from 1829 to 1971, it has held nearly 85,000 people over its history including bank robber "Slick Willie" Sutton and "Scarface" Al Capone. I must say that it was its history pertaining to Al Capone what gravitated me towards it being that Al Capone has such an intriguing history in the city of Chicago, where I reside. Features of the prison in movies, and music I took a liking to were the feature of it in 1995 film Twelve Monkeys which used it as the setting for a mental hospital. And the 1985 music video by Tina Turner 'One of the Living' which was filmed inside of the prison. Watching the music video gave me chills in anticipation of this visit. When mentioning the penitentiary to my coworkers, I got no reactions whatsoever from them which made me chuckle and get overly excited in anticipation. I imagine deep down they thought I was a total nutcase but trust me I am far from that. To allow myself opportunities to take pictures plus hear about the history of the museum, I purchased a ticket for the guide-led tour & discussion which also included audio tour, mini tours, exhibits, & artist installations. If you plan to choose that option, I do recommend purchasing your ticket over a week out from your visit, or you might be subjected to picking a different tour date. I purchased my ticket six days in advance, but keep in mind that if you are visiting when the temperatures are appropriate then it might be harder to get a ticket. As for my visit, I got chills as the Lyft driver pulled up to the penitentiary which appeared like a dark castle. Its mystic made me wonder what it was like living within this brick structure. Unfortunately for me, it was a rainy day on the day of my tour of the penitentiary. The tour itself started underneath a tent within the penitentiary, with our tour guide who did his best during the tour at keeping us within dry areas and out of the rain. It was encouraged by our guide to not touch the walls, or it might crumble because the prison has been open for over 140 years. The outer wall of the prison is 30 feet tall, and it was designed to make people think about their action's day to day that were living in Philadelphia. Inside, it was to instill penitents or true regret for one's actions and make them think about what they did to land within the walls and what they can do to change once they re-enter society. Inside each cell, there was only one person per cell which was 8 x 13 feet in length. Per, our tour guide, the cell for United States standards is relatively large; and prisoners were in their cell for 23 hours per day. Connected to the back of their cells were exercise rooms accessible 2 times a day for only 30 minutes. If proven ready for rehabilitation prisoners were able to practice trades inside of their rooms, so that they would have skills once they re-entered society. Al Capone, a notorious gangster who rose to power in Prohibition-era Chicago was at Eastern State in 1929, where he spent 7 months. Capone was traveling home and while in Philadelphia, he went to see a movie. Once people noticed that it was Capone, the police were alerted, and he was arrested after the movie along with his bodyguard. Capone was also arrested for a concealed carry of unlicensed guns. Our guide showed us a representation of what Capone's cell may have looked like, next to what is believed to be his cell, which was empty. There was an article posted from August 21, 1929, by the Philadelphia's Public Ledger that inspired the belief that Capone received luxurious accommodations while at Eastern State. In the article written, Capone gives a description of his cell that was located in 'Park Avenue', an area reserved for high-profile prisoners in Eastern State. Post the tour, I loved having the audio device because it gave me the chance to hear more stories about inmates who were in this prison. The tour guide is well narrated by Steve Buscemi with added commentary by former prisoners and guards. One of the audio stories I enjoyed was one of George Norman, who fought to save his wife from slavery. His actions led to his own imprisonment at Eastern State. Visiting the Eastern State Penitentiary was indeed a memorable experience for me. And with the tour being part of my birthday, it makes it more special. I definitely recommend visiting if you are into historic sites. ~ Be obsessively grateful. ~ Thomas G read more

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We were there for the Halloween Nights event. Had zero interest in the haunted house aspect, but more interest in the cocktails and Al Capone's cell and the historical tours. We opted for a VIP pass because that was the only way to get to Al Capone's cell and it also came with two cocktails. The one cocktail had zero alcohol. It was supposed to be hot apple cider with bourbon. It was lukewarm cider with no booze. Kind of a letdown. The event seemed to be really well-done other than that. I am glad we didn't want to do the manufactured haunts, because those lines were long. The costumed actors were fantastic and they did a great job with the make-up and sets. We also paid an extra $12 for the flashlight tour, which was great, albeit there were too many people in there all at once. That ticket really should have been included in the VIP package. We got there at 9 and we were really rushing to do everything, because most things closed at 10:30 or earlier. I can't imagine how rushed we would have felt had we been doing the haunted houses. All of my minor complaints aside, this is just a beautiful piece of urban history. Although what happened inside the walls may have not been too "beautiful", the historic preservation is what attracts me to this type of venue. I am intrigued and will return again for a day tour. I have so may more questions....(Why did they allow Al Capone to decorate his cell? What kind of treatment did the inmates get? How many people died here? Why did it close down? Who was the dog that is pictured on all the merch?) I had been to Pennhurst earlier that day and it was interesting to compare and contrast, but I had a full-blown history tour there. I'll be back. read more

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What a terrific time we had here! Didn't know what to expect, but was pleasantly surprised! Perfect for a group with kids - I have a 13 and 15 year old and they were entertained with the audio and the back stories of the inmates. Takes about 2 to 2 1/2 hours to get through so make sure you give yourself enough time. Definitely a must do while you're in Philly! read more

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I saw this while looking up things to do in Philadelphia and immediately added it to the to-do list during one of my upcoming trips. I decided to go on an early Sunday afternoon. There is lots of street parking available in the immediate area...but its probably best to stick to the main streets (Fairmount and Corinthian Avenues...). Once you get into the side residential streets, the signs there mention "permit" which made me a bit nervous. I know some neighborhoods require residential permits to park on the streets and I didn't want to take the chance. Admission prices were $21 for adults and $17 for childen. Children under 6 are free. (Online prices...not sure if was more at the ticket window) After entering the front, you pick up your audio device. A small device with headphones that you can select various numbers marked throughout the penitentiary that will tell you a bit about that area or exhibit. I hope at some point, they would offer an app or online guide where you can use your own phone and earphones for this...the device provided is very dated and comes with wired over the head headphones which can get in the way if you are carrying items, a camera for example. The penitentiary itself was great. While the audio device was cumbersome at times, the information provided throughout the self-tour was impressive. It is very well-paced and guides you through the main areas before letting you know the formal tour is over and your are free to explore. There are many smaller areas and exhibits throughout the penitentiary with wonderful little details about prison life at that time. A must for any history or architect buff. One of the larger areas is the prison yard which leads into an indoor exhibit focusing on the impact of prison reform and overall effectiveness of the various prison philosophy. I like how they included something relevant to modern-times and its impact on today's society. It really stresse that we, as a nation, can do a lot better. I usually get through museums pretty quick...reading the exhibits while taking lots of photos. This took me about 2 hours to get through most of the areas. There were certain areas I was less interesting in that I didn't read or listen to the entire description. So give yourself time if you plan to see everything...also wear comfortable shoes as there is quite a bit of walking. There is a small gift shop toward the end of the tour with clothes, mugs, books...etc...what you'd expect to find in most gift shops. There is also a bathroom trailer as you exit...very clean actually. All staff I encountered were friendly and polite. As for children...some older children may be interested in the history and stories of the prison...but there really isn't much "to-do" for younger children. The entire tour is on one level throughout the cell blocks, prison yard and other sub-areas...there arent any stairs except for one view from the upper cell block level. The penitentiary is in walkable distance to the Philadelphia Museum of Art, Rocky Statue and Steps and surrounding park. There are also some nice eating options along Fairmount Avenue which leads right into the park...not a bad idea to make a day trip to include the penitentiary, food stop and park. read more

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Many years ago my dear friend Gina and I watched an episode of Ghost Adventures set at Eastern State Penitentiary and said we wanted to go and this year for my birthday she got tickets and off to Philly we went! The place is amazing, you get the sense of wonder at the size of it before you even walk through the gates. They give you an audio device and a pair of headphones and you can hear narration as you go (some of it by Steve Buscemi!) basically you input the number you see on signs and the narration will tell you about that particular area. We mostly kept it off as we were talking to each other but would turn it on to get some insight from time to time. They have free guided tours of different areas that meet in the center but we were mostly on our own and that was how we wanted it. The history of the place is so interesting and walking in the actual cells you can really feel the despair that surrounded this place. The horrors those mighty stone walls have seen. The museum seems to be kind of shying away and embracing the spooky stuff at the same time. They emphasize on the website that paranormal equipment is not allowed as they want to focus on the history and future of prison system in America yet they do a haunted halloween...guess you gotta get the money somehow. As for us and paranormal we didnt see anything but my friend had an app on her friend that is supposed to take emf readings letting spirits communicate. We got the word "choke" and a few steps later saw a picture of an inmate being choked by a guard.... So not sure if that was a spirit or not but we really loved the place and very much enjoyed our visit. read more

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While I cannot vouch for this site having any lingering specters, I can say for certain that it is an extremely interesting piece of American history. It is truly haunting to learn about the ideas of our predecessors, and how terrifyingly they acted in the deterioration of the human psyche. Our ancestors would shudder if they realized the impact of their antiquated views. While we have come so far in some aspects of our penal system, we are far from where we should be. The reality is that today there are far more incarcerated than ever before, but I digress. The beginning of our prison system starts here. read more

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While traveling to Philadelphia, we were recommended to come visit Eastern State Penitentiary. This historical site offered a lot of learning opportunities, through audio tours, different exhibits and installations, as well as having workers posted through out the campus to answer any and all questions you might have! We opted to come in the evening for their summer night hours. They don't let you in before 6, which is when their evening hours start, so don't come too early. There was a lot nearby with plenty of parking, and the prices to park were very reasonable. It is a large campus so make sure to wear comfortable shoes too! These buildings were full of information and history! I would highly recommend coming to check it out if given the opportunity. read more

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This was such a unique way to spend an evening. My friend and I opted to do the nighttime tour and used the headphones. The penitentiary was much larger than I thought it would be but was so interesting. You could follow along with the tour on the headphones and it would tell you which way to go, when to stop, etc. There was so much history to see and learn about and there was a definite chill in the air. A super cool experience and I highly recommend checking it out if you can. read more

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It's a hot summer! So we went to the Summer Nights program to try to avoid the heat of the day but also check out this important landmark. The Summer Nights program does not provide the Steve Buscemi audio tour, but it does include a variety of special short tours led by museum staff. We got to enjoy a tour regarding the role of music in the museum. They were also offering tours on journalism at the prison and sports and recreation. This museum is really unique in that it's housed in the sprawling, landmark - so there is a lot of scope for what they can do. Right now the exhibits tend to land in 3 categories, the history of the Penitentiary and those who were incarcerated/worked or lived there. The history of incarceration and the current state of incarceration in the US and around the world, and art created by inmates, and those personally connected to inmates that relate to their incarceration. Due to the Summer Nights program we also got to enjoy some beer, music (Justin Griggs sang a mean Purple Rain) and trivia in the prison recreation yard. I wish I knew which Triple Bottom IPA I ordered because it was delicious and I would love to experience that again. All around, a really neat experience. I would love to visit again, either for the normal day tour or another event like this. read more

Delightful staff during the day, knowledgeable tour guides, and fun but respectful (especially to me dog) around Halloween (I live locally so I'm by there everyday). Tour is definitely worth your time and the Halloween events are always changing read more

Blown away by the experience at Eastern State, and feel super lucky to have this community gem in my backyard! Once the weather turns, I am looking forward to attending many of their summer events like movies and yoga in the courtyard, and of course swinging by their Halloween nights in October. If you're visiting or live in Philly and never taken the tour, I think it is one of the coolest cultural attractions in town. Steve Buscemi narrates the audio tour (hilarious and delightful surprise) and the entire thing was engaging and easy to follow. The effort that went into maintaining the site as a "living ruin" astounds me, and there is a lot of haunting beauty to be found at every turn. I attended on a chilly day and still had a great time, just be sure to bundle up and dress for the weather. The incarceration exhibit at the end of the audio tour was also so well put together and really did a great job bringing context to the landmark itself and what's changed and what hasn't over time. Grateful this amazing and well-photographed institution exists and looking forward to my next visit! read more

Eastern State Penitentiary - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

The prison was designed to inspire penitence, or true regret, in prisoners through "confinement in solitude with labor." It quickly became one of the most expensive and most copied buildings in the United States.  The prison is known for its grand architecture and strict discipline. It became the model for all prisons.  The prison is now a museum and offers public tours. Visitors are provided with an MP3 player and headphones that guide them through the prison and its history. The prison also hosts an annual haunted house... read more

Eastern State Penitentiary - Outside of penitentiary - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

We were there on halloween, and it was so cool! There were very cool scenery, made-up actors, and good food. It's definitely worth going there for Halloween read more

Eastern State Penitentiary - Cool decoration - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

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One of the most impactful museums I have ever visited in my life. It's heavy and extremely well curated. The audio tour, narrated by a surprise celebrity, is perfectly calibrated! read more

Such a unique museum built on history and kept alive with art! The history of it is interesting, and also the modern questions of mass incarceration. It gives you a lot to think about, and a great space to have open conversation if you choose to visit with someone. The self-guided tour is an introverts dream. It allows you to go at your own speed and choose where you explore. The archives they put together with the voices really make the place come alive. (Spoiler alert: This place is haunted for sure). read more

Eastern State Pen is definitely an unusual and unique attraction to visit. There's lots of history within those walls. The audio tour was very helpful in navigating the cell blocks while telling the stories of inmates, guards and the origin of the jail. It was really cool to be able to walk the grounds of a building that was opened in the 1800's. Towards the end, some of the jail cells were repurposed into art exhibit. Plan to spend 1-2 hours there! read more

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Must visit if you plan a trip to Philadelphia $23 per person The site is well maintained. We had a good time Walking distance from rocky statue If you are thirsty after the visit stop by the bar across the street! It was fun! read more

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Eastern State Penitentiary had been on our list of local places to visit for quite sometime. Finally, on a Saturday in September we found the time. The penitentiary is open for daytime tours every day from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm, which is what we took. They also offer Night Tours. We thoroughly enjoyed the experience. As part of admission, we received an audio headset. This is what truly made the tour. It guided us through the penitentiary with narration of all the important sites and the prisons history. This audio guide contained a main tour route, plus additional stops for more detailed information. The Penitentiary was in use from 1829 until 1971. It's currently a U.S. National Historic Landmark. read more

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