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    Eastern State Penitentiary

    4.6 (967 reviews)
    Closed 10:00 am - 5:00 pm

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    Speakeasy
    Christopher B.

    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.

    Outside
    Vijay C.

    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.

    Daniel B.

    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!

    Me in a cell
    Erika S.

    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!

    Courtyard
    Connor L.

    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.

    Amanda B.

    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.

    Very cool audio tour. Place has got to be haunted. I enjoyed this tour a lot.
    Eydie Q.

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

    Rachel B.

    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.

    Eileen Z.

    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

    Life size bar chart exploring race
    Vala R.

    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.

    Mursaul O.

    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.

    Thomas G.

    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

    Laurie V.

    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.

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    2 months ago

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

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    Eastern State Penitentiary Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Eastern State Penitentiary

    Is this site wheelchair or scooter accessible?

    When is the best time of day (Saturdays) to visit while avoiding the crowd?

    I visited just a couple weeks before Christmas during a weekday around 2 pm. Maybe someone else knows about weekend hours, but the prison is so large with wide enough hallways that I can't imagine it would be crowded uncomfortably so. Hope this helps

    Kids 6 years old and under are free?

    Yes! Generally, Eastern State is not recommended for children under the age of 7. The building is in a state of semi-ruin and can pose safety hazards to unattended children. There are also some audio tour stops that contain adult content. (These… Read more

    Is the entire cell block 3 open to the public during the daytime tour?

    I went with my husband and friend a couple of years ago and you could see all of them. You can't walk into any of them. The most famous one, from what I remember, is Al Capone's. They let him decorate it. It's pretty drafty and spooky in there, just… Read more

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

    Review Highlights - Eastern State Penitentiary

    The next day I enjoyed the self guided tour of the prison which is narrated by Steve Buscemi and others.

    Mentioned in 152 reviews

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    Liberty Bell Center

    Liberty Bell Center

    4.2(750 reviews)
    1.8 mi

    The Liberty Bell is widely regarded as an essential landmark for visitors to Philadelphia, given…read moreits historical importance and symbolic significance in early America. The area surrounding the bell is well organized and easy to navigate, situated within Independence National Historical Park. Admission is free, and while lines may form depending on the time of day, they typically move quickly. Security procedures are straightforward, and the overall experience is efficient without feeling rushed. Viewing the Liberty Bell up close is the primary attraction. Although the bell is smaller than some visitors might expect, seeing such an iconic piece of American history in person is impactful. The famous crack naturally draws attention, but the adjacent exhibits effectively explain the bell's history, its evolving symbolism, and how it became associated with freedom and independence over time. One notable aspect of the visit is its brevity. Visitors can comfortably see everything within 20 to 30 minutes. Overall, the Liberty Bell is a worthwhile stop for both those deeply interested in American history and those simply exploring Philadelphia for the day. It remains a simple yet iconic landmark worth seeing at least once.

    This place is very cool! I've been wanting to visit since I saw National Treasure back in the day…read more I was worried though when I arrived and saw a long line outside the venue. However, I saw how quickly it was moving and took a chance. Fairly soon I was in through the doors and finding myself in a small museum that provided details and background about the Liberty Bell. My only complaint was the very start of this area was super congested and would do well to guide people through this area in a way where it's less crowded and people can actually get close to the infographics. Otherwise, the Liberty Bell, small as it is, was well appointed in a mostly glass room, roped off but easy to take pictures of and with, somehow. Definitely enjoyed visiting this piece of history! Oh, and it's FREE!

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    Liberty Bell Center
    Liberty Bell Center
    Liberty Bell Center - Inside

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    Inside

    Edgar Allan Poe House

    Edgar Allan Poe House

    4.3(97 reviews)
    1.3 miSpring Garden

    Small, easy, short touristy trip. Another great free thing to do in the city when you have friends…read moreor family from out of town. I live in Nolibs, so this is an easy walk from my house. Parking is plentiful nearby, too!

    Edgar Allan Poe National Historic Site - Philadelphia, PA…read more Boomsauce Score: BS +++ (Amazing location! now that's boomsauce!) Even mid-renovation, this place hits different. Stepping into Poe's former home is like walking through the pages of Gothic literature. The art installations and that surreal raven sculpture outside? Straight out of a dream--or a fevered poem. It's eerie, poetic, and deeply moving. Though the house is currently closed for a utilities improvement project, you can still feel the weight of history pressing through the walls. Poe lived here during one of his most prolific periods, penning classics like The Black Cat and The Tell-Tale Heart. The cellar even resembles the one described in The Black Cat, adding a deliciously creepy layer to the visit. If you're in Philly, this is a must-visit. It's not just a museum--it's a tribute to the tortured brilliance of one of America's greatest literary minds. And when renovations wrap, it'll be even more hauntingly beautiful. --- Boomsauce Scale | Rating | Meaning |---------|----------------------------------| | B | basura (trash) | | BS | basic (come on! Try harder) | | BS + | better (Yo! That's better) | | BS ++ | best (alright! Alright! Alrightttt!) | | BS +++ | Amazing location! now that's boomsauce! |

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    Edgar Allan Poe House
    Edgar Allan Poe House
    Edgar Allan Poe House

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    The President's House - Entrance

    The President's House

    4.3(11 reviews)
    1.7 mi

    I had an amazing experience at The President's House in Philly. From the moment I arrived,…read moreeverything about the visit felt meaningful, informative, and well done. The site is beautifully presented and offers a powerful look into an important part of American history. The exhibits are engaging and thoughtfully designed, making it easy to learn while still feeling emotionally connected to the stories being told. I really appreciated how the history was presented in a way that was both educational and impactful. The atmosphere is calm and reflective, yet very engaging--you can take your time, read, and truly absorb the significance of the space. It's a must-see if you're visiting Philadelphia or even if you're a local looking to experience the city's history in a deeper way. Overall, it was a memorable and enriching experience, and I'm really glad I took the time to visit. Highly recommend adding The President's House to your Philly itinerary.

    Visiting the President's House site in Philadelphia was unexpectedly powerful. It's just steps from…read morethe Liberty Bell, but the energy there is quieter--more reflective. At first glance, it's a series of open-air stone walls and glass panels, but as I read the stories etched into the displays, it hit me how layered the history really is. This was once home to George Washington and John Adams--but also to nine enslaved people who lived and worked there. The exhibit doesn't shy away from that fact. It honors their names, their stories, and brings humanity to a place often remembered only for power and politics. I stood for a while at the video screens, listening to voices speak the names of those enslaved here. It made the past feel personal and real in a way textbooks never could. A thoughtful, moving site that sticks with you long after you leave.

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    The President's House
    The President's House - Foundation

    Foundation

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    Foundation

    Bartram's Garden - Bartram's Garden

    Bartram's Garden

    4.5(64 reviews)
    3.3 mi

    Came here for a 52 Firsts event during Spring Fest and it ended up being such a fun day. There was…read morea lot going on without feeling overwhelming. Live energy, little activity tables, and a small plant sale that was honestly very tempting. One of the coolest things I learned is that they have what's believed to be the oldest ginkgo tree in both North and South America. That alone made the visit feel a little special. I spent some time walking the trails and made my way around the water too. It's really pretty back there. Lots of flowers in bloom, open space, and quieter areas if you want a break from the crowd. I definitely liked the more shaded, tree-heavy sections the most. Some of the booths were set up fully in the sun and it got a bit intense after a while, so having those cooler, shaded areas made a big difference. Staff were very helpful and the trails are clearly marked, which made it easy to just wander without worrying about getting lost. Only downside is the location can be a little tricky to get to, especially if you're not driving. But once you're there, it's absolutely worth it. Overall just a really enjoyable, laid-back outdoor spot with a lot to explore. I'd come back, especially for another event.

    Had a few hours before my flight and was looking for something to do. I came across this garden…read moreand it was beautiful. Well maintained and relaxing. Plenty of trails and benches. The flowers were gorgeous. You get a nice view of the city from the boat dock and parking area. I spent a few hours here. Great if you're solo or with people.

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    Bartram's Garden - Bartram's Garden

    Bartram's Garden

    Bartram's Garden
    Bartram's Garden - Bartram's Garden -- 2025

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    Bartram's Garden -- 2025

    Eastern State Penitentiary - landmarks - Updated May 2026

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