tour eastern state penitentiary

Purchase Tickets

• Eastern State Penitentiary
• Halloween Nights

• Directions & Parking

America's Most Historic Prison

Eastern State Penitentiary was once the most famous and expensive prison in the world, but stands today in ruin, a haunting world of crumbling cellblocks and empty guard towers. Its vaulted, sky-lit cells held nearly 85,000 people over its long history, including bank robber "Slick Willie" Sutton and "Scarface" Al Capone.

May 13, 1:00 pm ET

Policing in america: navigating the 4th amendment, stop and frisk, and civil rights.

Join us for this free, virtual program, part of our  Justice 101  series, which examines the history of the justice system in America & its impact on our society, citizens, & world.

Plan Your Visit

Eastern State Penitentiary Historic Site is currently open Wednesday through Monday from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm. We are closed on Tuesdays and on the following holidays: Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day.

Revisit the past. Rethink the future.

Become a member.

Members support the work we do every day and receive exclusive benefits like free daytime admission, invitations to members-only experiences, special discounts, and more!

April 27, 2024, 11:00 am – 11:45 am

Asl guide-led tour and discussion, collaboratory for justice education.

The   Collaboratory for Justice Education at Eastern State Penitentiary Historic Site   is a dynamic community of dedicated and enthusiastic people with a shared passion for justice education committed to generating innovative solutions for understanding intricate societal issues.

Make a Gift

Eastern State Penitentiary is a 501(c)3 nonprofit. Help us preserve this National Historic Landmark and promote our mission to interpret the legacy of criminal justice reform in America through a diverse slate of programming and initiatives.

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa. Do eiusmod. Exc amet,

• visitPA.com
• Hospitality Jobs

Type To Search

Eastern State Penitentiary

The radical nineteenth-century prison designed to create social change...

Copied to Clipboard

Location & Contact:

• 2027 Fairmount Avenue Philadelphia, PA 19130
• (215) 236-3300
• Visit Website

When Eastern State Penitentiary opened in 1829, spectators from around the world marveled at its grand architecture and radical philosophy.

The experiment, to reform criminals through strict isolation other than daily visits from the warden and guards, soon became a model for prison design worldwide.

Once built, it was the most expensive construction in the United States at the time.

After 142 years in use, Eastern State finally closed its doors as a prison in 1971. It has since been named a National Historic Landmark.

An estimated 300 prisons on four continents used Eastern’s distinctive “wagon-wheel” floor plan as a blueprint.

Located in the Fairmount section of Philadelphia, Eastern State Penitentiary remains one of the most famous prisons in the world, with a list of former inmates that includes bank robber “Slick Willie” Sutton and legendary gangster Al Capone.

In its day, Eastern State set the standard for penal reform, with its soaring, castle-like Gothic architecture and its founders’ Quaker-inspired belief that solitary confinement could help reform criminals. An estimated 300 prisons on four continents used Eastern’s distinctive “wagon-wheel” floor plan as a blueprint.

Today, tours offer a glimpse of life inside the prison’s historic cell blocks through exhibits like Al Capone’s restored 19th-century cell, stories of inmate escapes, and critically acclaimed art installations.

Events & More

Each year, Eastern State hosts Terror Behind the Walls , one of the region’s most anticipated Halloween haunted houses.

Designed with a high-startle factor, the terrifying attraction includes Hollywood-quality special effects and lighting, digital sound, animatronic creatures and custom props. More than 200 performers help instill fear in all who dare to enter.

Zombies roam the former prison during Terror Behind the Walls, the popular annual haunted house at Eastern State Penitentiary.   — Photo by M. Edlow for Visit Philadelphia

Admission & Info

General admission tickets i nclude “The Voices of Eastern State” audio tour, hands-on interactive experiences, history exhibits and artist installations.

If space is available on the day of your visit, you may also reserve a spot at the admissions desk for a guided group tour and discussion at no additional cost.

Visit Official Website

Tours at the penitentiary offer a glimpse at life inside the prison’s historic cell blocks.   — Photo by R. Kennedy for Visit Philadelphia

• Museums & Attractions
• Philadelphia Neighborhoods
• Public Art & Architecture

The Perfect Hotel Package for an Easy Philly Escape

The  Visit Philly Overnight Package — booked more than 190,000 times since 2001 — comes with free hotel parking (worth up to $100 in Center City Philadelphia), overnight hotel accommodations and choose-your-own-adventure perks.

Stay in Touch

Visiting Eastern State Penitentiary: Philly’s Haunting Abandoned Prison

Not far from Center City, it’s hard to miss the towering, castle-like structure right on Fairmount Avenue. Or is it more like a fortress? Either way, the high walls and slit windows of Eastern State Penitentiary call attention to themselves along the street that is otherwise lined with restaurants. It is an imposing building. And that’s by design.

The self-guided tour we took is a walk through the history of the world’s first penitentiary and a look at the stories of people who were imprisoned here. Opened in 1829, this hulking structure housed an experiment—rather than punishment, would penitence through isolation change prisoners?

Nearly 200 years later, this ambitious prison that was once one of the largest and most expensive buildings in the United States is a preserved ruin. It housed inmates until 1971 and was abandoned for 20 years before it began to take shape as a museum. During those decades, walls cracked, ceilings collapsed, and plants grew inside. It’s still the same today.

This unusual place is a popular site for its history, significance, and the intriguing stories behind its walls. Now a National Historic Landmark, it showcases an important and bleak phase in American history. As photographers, we enjoy it for the remarkable, eerie scenery that always seems to change no matter how many times we visit.

Self-guided tour

From the moment we stepped into Cell Block 1 for the first time, we got a feel for what isolation really meant. Each cell has only a skylight and a small hole for receiving food. The corridor of single cells seemed to stretch almost infinitely. That, too, is by design.

Architecturally, this structure is historically significant. It has seven cellblocks radiating from a central rotunda, a first in a building of incarceration. The design enhanced security and control for the guards and added to the prisoners’ isolation. Ultimately—as actor Steve Buscemi narrated for us on the audio guide—over 300 prisons all over the world followed in Eastern State’s footsteps by adopting its design and concept of isolation.

As we passed through the corridors, we heard narrations of prisoners recounting their lives in the institution. They talked about the effects of isolation and survival in such a grim place. Many prisoners passed the time with the Bible they were given (they were supposed to be penitent, after all) and engaged in jobs like weaving and shoe-making.

The prisoners’ lives were severe. They were barred from meeting relatives or friends. Even talking to the guards was restricted. Many spent years without meeting a soul. Guards also tried to keep inmates from understanding the building’s layout, so they were hooded when they left their cells. The harsh conditions continued for 80 years and led to lots of stories.

Listening to the narration, we stopped along the way to photograph the ruined cells. The natural light casts shadows throughout the abandoned spaces and on overturned furniture. The crumbling walls, wide-open yards, and plants growing in spaces where they normally wouldn’t make for intriguing scenery.

There are 10 main stops on the audio tour with dozens more to choose from based on your interests. Topics range from religion in prison to escaping to experiences in the barber shop.

In stark contrast to the dilapidated cells, Eastern State has a recreation of the cell that belonged to one of its most famous inmates, gangster Al Capone . He was imprisoned for the first time for having a concealed weapon and was given a grand cell right inside the main entrance.

Capone’s cell had a cigar stand, radio, and an additional bed for his cellmate. On the tour, his recreated cell gives a glimpse of his 8-month stint here in the 1920s. It is located in the “Park Avenue” section of the prison and is a favorite on the tour for its realistic looks.

The cellblock tour ends at the yard. You might want to take a break here for fresh air before visiting other sections of the prison. We enjoy sitting on the park benches that are added during the summer.

There are two more sites of interest – the morgue and death row. The morgue looks gloomy, but it’s death row that receives more attention. No execution was conducted at the penitentiary, but death row inmates were held here before their day came.

If you want to see the medical facilities in the prison, visit the Hospital Block. Medical artifacts that are displayed here are among the most interesting objects in the whole prison. You can see the remains of the laboratory, operating room, x-ray lab, dental office, and psychiatric department.

The main portion of the audio guide takes about 40 minutes. We listened to many of the additional tracks and explored on our own. (As audio guides go, it’s quite well done, and we recommend using it.) If your visit is similar, expect to spend about 1.5 to 2 hours.

Visiting Information

Here are some tips if you plan to visit Eastern State Penitentiary:

Tickets : Daytime admission (10am-5pm, last admission at 4pm) for the self-guided tour plus audio guide is $21 for adults, $19 for seniors (age 62+), and $17 for students and children. Tickets can be purchased on the Eastern State Penitentiary website , and you’ll save $2 per ticket by buying them in advance. Prices are the same for the guided tour, which is available at noon on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday and at 11:00am on Saturday and Sunday.

Parking : Parking near Eastern State can be a bit of a challenge. There is a lot of on-street parking in the Fairmount neighborhood , but it requires excellent parallel parking skills and patience to find spots. Check Wallace Street just south of the penitentiary for on-street parking (we’ve had good luck there before). The most convenient parking lot is located just one block away at 2201 Fairmount Avenue.

What to wear : The site hasn’t been restored. You’ll experience an abandoned prison in its raw form. The floors are stone and concrete, and there is dirt in the courtyard. You should wear comfortable, safe shoes. Avoid sandals and open toed shoes that don’t offer protection.

In some sections, walls have collapsed and are open to the elements. It can be cold and windy in the winter, so consider bringing a sweater or jacket.

Nearby restaurants : There isn’t a restaurant on-site at Eastern State, so we recommend eating in the adjacent neighborhood. La Calaca Feliz for Mexican food and A Mano for handmade pasta, both located along Fairmount Avenue, are good options.

Share this post:

About the author, lance longwell, leave a comment cancel reply.

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Eastern State Penitentiary

Price & Hours

• Facilities 4.0
• Atmosphere 4.0

The castle-like Eastern State Penitentiary is one of Philadelphia's most important historic sites. Having opened in 1829, this Quaker-inspired prison sought to reform prisoners using isolation and reflection rather than capital punishment and physical abuse. Although it was shut down in the 1970s, the Eastern State Penitentiary led the way to reform in the judicial system. Today, you are welcome to tour this National Historic Landmark; the highlight for many is American gangster Al Capone's cell. 

Bear in mind that this attraction may not be appropriate for younger children due to its rather frightening nature. To embrace the terror, visit around Halloween when the prison celebrates the spooky season with five haunted attractions.

The Eastern State Penitentiary offers both self-guided (with audio) and guide-led tours during the day. You can also take a nighttime tour (6 to 10 p.m., Thursday through Sunday) in the summer months. Evening visitors have the benefit of enjoying craft beer at the Fair Chance Beer Garden, a collaboration between the prison and Triple Bottom Brewing. The beer garden employs individuals who may not otherwise be able to find work, such as those who have experienced homelessness or incarceration.

Hours and Admission

The Eastern State Penitentiary is open for tours from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily (excluding major holidays), with extended hours for Night Tours: Summer Twilight from late May through early September. Tickets are $21 for adults and $17 for kids age 7 to 12 when purchased online, or $23 and $19, respectively, at the door. While tickets are free for kids age 6 and younger, the Eastern State Penitentiary is not recommended for children younger than 7.

Getting There

The Eastern State Penitentiary is located in the Fairmount section of Philly.

• Parking : The closest place to park is the public garage at 22nd and Fairmount Avenue.
• Public Transportation: If traveling by public transportation, SEPTA bus routes 49, 48, 43, 33, 32 and 7 all stop here. The Philly Phlash (seasonal transportation to major attractions), Big Bus and Philadelphia Trolley Works all stop here as well.

Popular Tours

Philadelphia Old City Historic Walking Tour with 10+ Top Sites

(1263 reviews)

from $ 43.50

Spirit of Philadelphia Signature Dinner Cruise with Buffet

(253 reviews)

from $ 94.58

Philadelphia Hop-On Hop-Off City Tour

(2017 reviews)

from $ 36.00

More Best Things To Do in Philadelphia

#1 Independence Hall

It is in this red-brick, Georgian-style building that the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution were debated, drafted and signed by our forefathers, and those who visit Independence Hall can see surviving copies of the documents. Visitors can also see the Assembly Room where George Washington was appointed commander in chief of the Continental Army. Recent reviewers agree this is a must-see in Philadelphia.

Located in Independence National Historical Park in Old City, Independence Hall is just steps from the Liberty Bell Center , making it convenient to visit both landmarks in a morning or afternoon.

Explore More of Philadelphia

Things To Do

Best Hotels

You might also like

# 2 in  Best Historical Cities to Visit in the USA

Washington, D.C.

# 1 in  Best Historical Cities to Visit in the USA

# 8 in  Best Places to Visit in Maryland

If you make a purchase from our site, we may earn a commission. This does not affect the quality or independence of our editorial content.

Recommended

The 18 Best Napa Valley Wineries to Visit in 2024

Lyn Mettler|Sharael Kolberg April 23, 2024

The 25 Best Beaches on the East Coast for 2024

Timothy J. Forster|Sharael Kolberg April 19, 2024

The 50 Best Hotels in the USA 2024

Christina Maggitas February 6, 2024

The 32 Most Famous Landmarks in the World

Gwen Pratesi|Timothy J. Forster February 1, 2024

9 Top All-Inclusive Resorts in Florida for 2024

Gwen Pratesi|Amanda Norcross January 5, 2024

24 Top All-Inclusive Resorts in the U.S. for 2024

Erin Evans January 4, 2024

26 Top Adults-Only All-Inclusive Resorts for 2024

Zach Watson December 28, 2023

Solo Vacations: The 36 Best Places to Travel Alone in 2024

Lyn Mettler|Erin Vasta December 22, 2023

26 Cheap Beach Vacations for Travelers on a Budget

Kyle McCarthy|Sharael Kolberg December 4, 2023

The 50 Most Beautiful White Sand Beaches in the World

Holly Johnson December 1, 2023

Visiting Philadelphia’s Eastern State Penitentiary, The Complete Guide

Established in 1829, Eastern State Penitentiary (“ESP”) was a pioneering correctional facility with a mission to cultivate genuine remorse, or penitence, in its prisoners. Its innovative approach to solitary confinement set the stage for worldwide prison reform.

On the outside, ESP had an imposing Neo-Gothic exterior with 30 foot walls, turrets, and gargoyles. Inside, it resembled a monastery, with high vaulted ceilings and cells with “eye of God” skylights.

Following Enlightenment ideas, prisoners were kept in isolation, away from others. This tactic was meant to encourage reflection on their misdeeds and instill a desire to repent and reform.

While the intent of the Quaker prison reformers was honorable, their theory of remediation was flawed. Isolation didn’t miraculously cure the prisoners. (No surprise!)

Rather, as Charles Dickens had foretold, the extreme isolation was “cruel, wrong, and tampered with the mysteries of the brain.”

Many of the prisoners were never remediated and became recidivists. On top of that, ESP became overcrowded, disease ridden, and its infrastructure broke down. As a result, the collapsing prison was closed for good in 1971.

In this Eastern State Penitentiary guide, I give you a history of the now ruined prison and tell you everything to see on a visit.

>>> Click here to book a ticket to ESP

History of Eastern State Penitentiary

ESP opened on October 25, 1829 and operated until 1971. The penitentiary was designed by architect John Haviland based on the principles of the “Pennsylvania System,” a pioneering approach to prison reform.

The system was the brainchild of civic-minded Quakers who wanted to alleviate the miseries of mass incarceration in public prisons. The would be reformers included Benjamin Rush and Benjamin Franklin.

The prison was designed with these reformist principles in mind. The goal was to provide a humane and rehabilitative environment that would allow inmates to reflect on their crimes and improve morally and spiritually.

Key to this mission was the principle of solitary confinement.

Previously, prisons were just detention pens where criminals, murderers, thieves, and even children were all thrown together with little to sustain them. They often died from violence, cold, or starvation.

The antidote to mass incarceration, the reformers thought, was the other extreme — isolation and confinement in more humane conditions that would deter violence.

If crime was a “moral disease,” it could cured in a church-like environment where the prisoners could experience spiritual remorse.

The prison they envisioned, and which opened in 1829, was unlike anything that had been designed before.

Seven wings of cell blocks radiated from a central hub. This gave guards stationed there a clear line of sight down the long, straight cellblocks extending from the center. And made it easier for guards to monitor inmate activity and respond quickly to any issues.

The cellblock design was copied around the world, making ESP a historically influential prison.

The interior of ESP was designed to appear like a church or a monastery. The cellblocks had tall vaulted ceilings. The cells were also vaulted, and each had a glass skylight called the “eye of God” from which light streamed in.

The doors to the cells were small. Prisoners had to stoop to get in, as if they were bowing to god. They were fed through a tiny “feed door.”

The prison infrastructure was a vast improvement from other prisons.

The private cells all had central heat, flushing toilets, and shower baths. Even the White House didn’t have these luxuries at the time. When completed, ESP was the most expensive building ever constructed in the US.

For 23 hours a day, prisoners ate, slept, worked, and lived in their 8 x 12 foot cells. Their only reading material was the Bible.

And they were only let outside, to a tiny courtyard through the back door of their cell, for two half hour sessions a day. Schedules were synchronized so that the prisoners couldn’t see each other or communicate.

Exposure to other humans was considered an evil. When inmates left their cells, they were hooded so they wouldn’t see anyone.

People were fascinated with this new penal system. For a time, the prison received more visitors than Independence Hall.

Europeans and philosophers from around the world came to inspect the prison. Alex de Tocqueville praised the reform system. He thought it was “severe,” but that it would promote reflection and religion.

Not everyone was convinced though. Charles Dickens was horrified by the concept. He thought isolation would “tamper with the brain” and was worse torture than beating or physical punishment.

Failure of ESP’s Prison Theory

In the end, Dickens was right. The controversial Enlightenment thinking had not been so enlightened after all.

It was, in fact, naive. In reality, solitary confirmation only worsened the mental health of most inmates.

In 1913, ESP gave up on its lofty ideal of splendid isolation, which really just broke people and was another form of punishment. Instead, the prison had inmates work, play, and share cells together.

As time went on, more and more prisoners came to ESP. More cells were built, including ones below ground. Severe overcrowding eventually undermined the prison.

Over the years, ESP held 750,000 prisoners. Some never left. ESP closed in 1971.

Government officials thought about re-purposing the prison, rather inappropriately, as a shopping mall or apartment complex. But, in the end, ESP opened as a museum in 1994.

Though preserved, ESP remains in a state of stabilized semi-ruin. And the museum points out that you assume all risk of bodily harm. Though it seemed perfectly safe to me.

You’ll see peeling walls, crumbling cells blocks, and furniture askew. There is dust everywhere. It will be spooky to some. (Children under 7 are not allowed to visit.)

But the abandoned prison also has eerie beauty, with its unique architecture, historical significance, and the passage of time. The combination of aged stone and a storied past creates a haunting atmosphere that’s akin to “ruin porn.”

Guide To Eastern State Penitentiary: What To See

Here are the highlights and best things to see on a visit to ESP.

The audio tour begins just outside the Visitor Center. You can see the prisoner’s exercise yard. Once inside, you’ll be in cellblock 1.

There are a total of 15 cellblocks within the penitentiary, each with its own unique features and history. These cellblocks contain hundreds of individual cells.

Visitors can explore the prison’s various wings, yards, and outdoor spaces. In addition to the cellblocks, ESP has several central areas like the rotunda, the synagogue, the hospital block, and the administrative offices.

There are also exhibits and plenty of information signage.

Cellblocks 1, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 13, and 15 are open to the public. These crumbling cellblocks once held some of the most notorious criminals in American history.

In particular, you’ll want to explore cellblock 7. It’s often referred to as the “Two-Story Block.” You can walk through the tall rusty iron gate and climb the stairs up to the second level.

There are two tiers of cells, with the upper tier overlooking the lower tier. The cellblock was built in 1836 to house a growing inmate population.

The two-tiered layout allowed for increased capacity while maintaining the principles of solitary confinement. Each cell in cellblock 7 had a small exercise yard attached to it, providing some outdoor space for the inmates.

Al Capone’s Cell: Cellblock 8

ESP’s most famous prisoner was the infamous gangster, Al Capone, nicknamed “Scarface.” He was arrested outside a movie theater for carrying a concealed unlicensed revolver.

Capone was hit with the maximum sentence, one year in prison. It was his first stint in the slammer. He served 8 months, getting out a bit early for good behavior.

Capone’s reconstructed cell is just off the central hub near cellblock 8.

ESP doesn’t know exactly what cell Capone was really held in. At first, it was thought that he was housed in a luxury cell on “Park Avenue” with a radio playing waltzes.

But an article in the Philadelphia Recorder in 1029 suggested a more humble cell. Capone most likely even had a roommate. Still, it had a plush decor with a desk, lamps, chair, and paintings on the walls.

The photos above show a past recreation of the supposed luxury cell (left, cell 1) and a new reconstruction of what was more likely Capone’s actual cell (right, cell 3).

The redesign featured less ostentatious period furniture, an added cot for Capone’s roommate, and a prison made rug. The walls are patched up and washed in limestone. This setting was, apparently, not much different than the other ESP prisoners.

The cell to the right of Capone’s is an interesting one. It has traces of paint that were once artistic frescos on the walls.

Other Famous Prisoners

Capone wasn’t the only mobster at ESP. He was just the most famous.

Other notorious lawbreakers included Slick Willie Sutton, Victor “Babe” Andreoli, Ralph “Whitey” Tropiano, and Morris “The Rabbi” Bolber.

Some prisoners had organized crime connections when they arrived at ESP. Others formed new criminal organizations while there.

“The Four Horseman” were a powerful ESP clique in the 1920s. They ran an alcohol, drug, and prostitution ring at ESP. In fact, they nearly took over control of the prison.

They had been appointed by a well-meaning warden to represent the entire prison population and handle small disputes. He hoped, in misguided fashion, that the appointments would instill a sense of accountability and responsibility.

But just the opposite happened. The Four Horsemen used their power to take over everything “from mail privileges to private grudges” in what was called a “unique carnival of lawlessness.”

They even stole a guard office from which to run their seedy operation. Among other things, they operated an elaborate heroin trafficking operation.

The warden was fired and replaced. And the Four Horsemen eventually squelched.

Hospital Wing: Cellblock 3

In cellblock 3, you can tour the remnants of the prison’s Hospital Block, where inmates received treatment.

Once lost to time from dilapidation, it was stabilized and re-opened in 2017. The gate has an iconic Red Cross.

The wing was entirely dedicated to health care, and was unusually well-equipped. It had an operating room, lab, pharmacy, hydrotherapy rooms, and recovery ward.

On the second floor, there was treatment rooms for mental health issues and tuberculosis. Nearly 50% of the prison inmates died from the disease.

Al Capone twice visited the Hospital Block, once for a tonsillectomy and another time for treatment for syphilis.

You’ll see rusty doctors chairs and patient beds, medical artifacts and equipment, and bedpans.

Catholic Chaplain’s Office

This was where Catholic chaplains provided religious counseling to inmates.

The office is decorated with murals by Lester Smith, a self-taught artist who converted to Catholicism while serving time in 1955. He landed in ESP after a string of armed robberies. He was one of the few prisoners who was successfully rehabilitated.

At first, Smith painted saints. But the staff noticed his talent and asked him to paint the Catholic Chaplain’s Office.

Using the pseudonym “Paul Martin,” Smith painted a total of 23 murals during his incarceration, paying homage to his two favorite saints and souls in purgatory. They were discovered in 1995, became part of the public tour in 2011, and were restored in 2014.

These delicate and striking paintings transformed the Catholic chaplain’s quarters into a unique space within the prison. Of particular significance is a mural depicting a kneeling prisoner seeking absolution through confession.

The murals are still extremely fragile and crumbling.

Barber’s Chair

In cellblock 9, you’ll see an abandoned barber’s chair from the early 1900s. It was a Koken classic vintage design and is displayed in a decayed cell.

This particular cellblock housed inmates, provided workshops, and had spaces for activities like barbering and shoe repair. Prisoners would get hair cuts in this cell.

The chair is sometimes referred to as the “Mad Chair.” That’s because it wasn’t just used for haircuts, but to punish uncooperative inmates. They were chained and strapped to the chair, rendered unable to move.

The punishment would literally drive some prisoners insane.

This was the first prison synagogue in the US. It was built in 1924 and served the Jewish inmates at the penitentiary.

It’s situated between cellblocks 7 and 8, in a space that had been four separate exercise yards.

The synagogue has been restored and reopened. There are information placards on display.

You can also see the original Star of David, which was once on the door to the synagogue.

Liberation Library

The “Liberation Library” was a ESP project aimed at providing books and reading materials to inmates.

It was an initiative designed to encourage education and personal development among incarcerated individuals.

Libraries like these are now common in many correctional facilities. They serve as a resource for inmates to access reading materials, including a wide range of books, magazines, and educational materials.

The Klondike

Down a creepy flight of stairs is The Klondike. It was a part of the prison where inmates were placed in solitary confinement as a form of punishment or for disciplinary reasons.

The windowless cells were directly below death row. Prisoners were confined here for up to 2 weeks. Horrifyingly, there was no natural or artificial light. (The lights there now are for museum visitors.)

The Klondike was known for its harsh conditions, including extreme isolation and deprivation. The prisoners had no human contact and very little water and food.

Fortunately, this practice was abandoned in the 1950s.

Death Row: Cellblock 15

Death row inmates sentenced to death were housed in cellblock 15. This was where the most violent prisoners ended up.

There was a panel on the wall with buttons corresponding to each of the cells. This was the only cellblock with electric doors.

This was just an inmate waiting station. No executions took place at ESP.

Prison’s Today Exhibit

This exhibit was installed in 2016. This is where you can learn about the history and different types of incarceration and today’s American model of punishment. The thesis is that mass incarceration isn’t really working.

The exhibit shows how your upbringing might affect your chances of going to prison. In fact, when you walk in you have to make a choice.

You walk to the left if you’ve been incarcerated or to the right if you haven’t. As I walked to the right, it informed me that I was very lucky indeed.

The exhibit features a range of multimedia installations and informational displays that address topics such as mass incarceration, the impact of the prison-industrial complex, the experiences of incarcerated individuals, and efforts at prison reform. You can listen to confessions of prisoners and visitors.

The highlight is a video installation with archival video and C-Span clips. It examines the burgeoning prison population over the decades.

The audio tour ends at The Big Graph. it’s a $100,000 steel structure erected in the exercise yard.

It’s 16 feet tall and weights 3,500 pounds. The monument is essentially a 3D infographic, giving the viewer a set of statistics depending on your vantage point.

From the south, it shows the number of people in prison per a 100,000 population. Through 1980, the figure was low. But then the rate took off and there was unprecedented growth.

From the north, you can see the racial breakdown in prisons. From the east, it charts the rates of incarceration and capital punishment policies around the world.

Seasonal Events

The prison is known for its haunted attraction, Halloween Nights . It takes place on selected evenings from September to November.

It’s an immersive experience with five haunted houses. There are historic tours, live entertainment, and themed bars.

I haven’t been to this event. But, with ESP’s eerie setting, I can imagine it’s as spooky as a horror movie.

Practical Guide & Tips For Visiting ESP

Here are some must know tips for visiting ESP.

Address : 2027 Fairmount Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19130

If you are visiting ESP on a weekday, you may be able to find free parking on the street. On a Friday in September, I was able to park right across the street.

If not, there are several parking garages within walking distance of Eastern State Penitentiary, including the Parkway Corporation Garage and the Philadelphia Parking Authority Garage.

The Hop On Hop Off tourist bus stops at ESP. The prison is also close to several bus lines and is a designated stop for both the Big Bus and The Philadelphia Trolly Works.

Hours : Open daily 10:00 am to 5:00 pm

Self guided tours are $21. Click here to pre-book a ticket. Entry is also included in the Philadelphia Go City Pass . They will need to scan the QR code on your paper or digital pass.

The audio guide is excellent and narrated by Steve Buscemi from the HBO show The Sopranos . It guides you around the property, giving you the history of the place along the way.

Guided Tours:

Guided tour are $21. If you are lucky, you may get a former inmate as a guide. If you take one of the tours, you will go into some cells that the general public can’t, such as the half-collapsed kitchen and communal dining hall.

The schedule for tours is:

• Every Saturday & Sunday at 10:30 am
• (Beginning March 20, 2023) Monday through Friday at 2:00 pm

Searchlight Series : ESP partners with criminal justice experts to present lectures on crime, justice, and the American prison system. Check the website under “events” to see what’s on.

I hope you’ve enjoyed my guide to visiting Eastern State Penitentiary. You may enjoy these other Philadelphia travel guides:

• 2 Days in Philadelphia Itinerary
• Top Attractions in Philadelphia
• Guide to Independence National Historical Park
• Guide to the Philadelphia Museum of Art
• Guide to Philadelphia’s Rodin Museum
• Guide to The Barnes Foundation
• Guide to the Mütter Museum
• Guide to the Betsy Ross House

If you need a guide to Eastern State Penitentiary, pin it for later.

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Last Updated on September 22, 2023 by Leslie Livingston

Eastern State Penitentiary

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Also popular with travelers

Eastern State Penitentiary - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

• Philadelphia Hop-On Hop-Off City Tour (From $36.00)
• Go City: Philadelphia Explorer Pass - Choose 3, 4, 5 or 7 Attractions (From $58.00)
• BYOB Historically Hilarious Trolley Tour of Philadelphia (From $48.50)
• Go City: Philadelphia All-Inclusive Pass with 30+ Attractions (From $54.00)
• Half Day Private Philadelphia Driving Tour (From $645.00)
• (0.68 mi) Mint House at The Divine Lorraine Hotel – Philadelphia
• (0.70 mi) Sonder at Sixteen Hundred
• (1.02 mi) Cornerstone Bed & Breakfast
• (0.89 mi) The Windsor Suites
• (0.80 mi) Sheraton Philadelphia Downtown
• (0.08 mi) Jack's Firehouse
• (0.07 mi) OCF Coffee House
• (0.09 mi) Fare Restaurant
• (0.09 mi) Urban Saloon
• (0.13 mi) Zorba's Tavern
• (0.01 mi) Halloween Nights at Eastern State Penitentiary
• (0.11 mi) Philly Bike Tour Company
• (0.11 mi) Bookhaven
• (0.11 mi) Fairmount Bicycles

I toured the abandoned Eastern State Penitentiary in Philadelphia, and what I saw seriously creeped me out

• Eastern State Penitentiary is a 9.8-acre abandoned prison in Philadelphia.
• In 2019, I took a tour of the ruins and walked through the former cell blocks and prison cells.
• The crumbling facades, rotting walls, and haunted history are what creeped me out the most.

The first time I visited Philadelphia was in 2019, and I was struck by the abandoned prison's dark force as my family drove past.

The Eastern State Penitentiary looms over Philadelphia like an ominous fortress. Once a prominent prison for famous inmates, today Eastern State is abandoned but does offer daily tours for $17 .

After finally making my way to tour the prison and spending three hours inside its walls, I left with goosebumps.

This is what it's like inside the now-abandoned Eastern State Penitentiary.

I sheepishly walked up to the Eastern State Penitentiary, awestruck by its size and architecture.

The looming and ominous building sits on 9.8 acres of land in Philadelphia's Fairmount neighborhood. 

When the prison was built in 1829, it was on the outskirts of Philadelphia. But the city expanded around the prison walls, so it now stands awkwardly within the metropolis.

The odd placement was jarring. Across the street from trendy bars and restaurants sits this 19th-century prison that resembles a fortress.

The fortress-like architecture was meant to scare people away and keep prisoners inside its walls. In fact, the towers and windows on the exterior are not functional and are all for show.

It was surprising to find out that on the other side of the wall, the windows don't exist and the towers have no entrances. The whole exterior is just a facade. 

Once I stepped through the main lobby, I was given a map of the premises and learned about the intricate layout of the inner prison.

The fortress-like exterior hides the radial structure of the inner prison. At the center of the premises, there's a circular room. Off the circular room, there are several hallways that act as cell blocks. The prison was designed to look like a wheel, with each cell block as a spoke. 

When the prison first opened in the 1800s, there were only seven cell blocks . Eight more were added as prison capacity increased. 

Inmates would enter the prison through this hallway and go through the intake process.

Before there were mugshots and fingerprints, inmates were identified solely based on characteristics. In the early days of the prison, the rooms down this hall were where guards took note of a new inmate's physical appearance and behavior to identify him later on. 

The first prisoner was booked with this description : "Charles Williams, Prisoner Number One. Burglar. Light Black Skin. Five feet seven inches tall. Foot: eleven inches. Scar on nose. Scar on Thigh. Broad Mouth. Black eyes. Farmer by trade. Can read. Theft included one twenty-dollar watch, one three-dollar gold seal, one, a gold key. Sentenced to two years confinement with labor. Received by Samuel R. Wood, first Warden, Eastern State Penitentiary ..."

When inmates completed their sentences, they would pass through this hallway for the second time to reenter the outside world. 

Today, the intake hallway is dilapidated with paint peeling off the walls. 

At the end of the hallway is an open room with vaulted ceilings.

This space foreshadows the elaborate designs that the architect John Haviland used throughout the penitentiary. 

At the center of the prison is this room, which was designed to give a view straight down each cell block.

If a guard stood in the center of the room and spun around 360 degrees, the guard could see down every cell block. Today, the room has been refurbished for tours. 

Stepping into cell block one, I was instantly transported back to the 1800s.

In 1787, some thought criminals were victims of their environment and the only way to curb criminal acts was through solitude.

The Philadelphia Society for Alleviating the Miseries of Public Prisons was formed to create a "house of repentance," or a prison where each inmate never left his or her cell. The goal was to prompt inner reflection and to ensure regret or penitence for one's actions. The Eastern State Penitentiary was the first prison in the world to do this. 

The doors seen in the cell block today were actually installed much later. When the prison first opened, these doors were actually just small openings to pass food through so the inmate could live in solitude.

In fact, prisoners slept, ate, and went to the bathroom in their cells. 

For 23 hours a day, the only light inmates saw came through a small window in the ceiling.

The Eastern State Penitentiary became known for its vaulted ceilings that were made to resemble a chapel. The small skylight in the vaulted ceiling was meant to be a direct view of the heavens, but, in reality it was the inmate's only connection to the outside world.

For one hour each day, inmates could walk through the door at the back of their cell and enter an enclosed space with an open roof.

The outdoor space was a cramped square with walls built up high. Even outside, the inmates did not come in contact with one another. 

Most inmates did not interact with another person — other than guards — until they completed their sentence.

Instead of using corporal punishments on inmates like other prison systems, the Eastern State Penitentiary was meant to be more humane, encouraging prisoners to reflect on their behavior in silence. 

But in some ways, the new system harmed inmates even more. Since some terms lasted several years, many inmates had mental breakdowns . 

This system of isolation as a correctional practice became known as the Pennsylvania System.

This system of isolation was implemented throughout the world after the Eastern State Penitentiary became famous for it.

I stepped inside one of the jail cells and the walls instantly felt as if they were closing in on me. I could not imagine staying in one for 23 hours straight.

People slowly realized that the Pennsylvania System of pure isolation was unbearable on the human condition. 

Charles Dickens visited the prison in 1842 and said, "The System is rigid, strict, and hopeless solitary confinement, and I believe it, in its effects, to be cruel and wrong."

In 1913, the Pennsylvania System was abandoned and the isolation practices ended.

The prison started bunking two people in each jail cell so they could socialize .

As the years went on, inmate life began to emphasize socialization. For example, prisoners were eating together in the dining halls by 1924.

The dining hall is located in cell block five.

Inmates were even allowed to hang out in barbershops, which were located in almost every cell block. Today, the rooms are empty.

While inmates would usually cut each other's hair, they sometimes even gave the guards a new do. In fact, the guards often brought their families to the prison to get their hair cut as well. 

There was also a synagogue on the premises so inmates could gather with people who practiced similar faiths.

The synagogue today has been remodeled and restored to its original look. 

But violence could also be part of the day-to-day. Sometimes there were fights, riots, and even killings.

Guards used these mirrors to see down hallways to ensure every prisoner was behaving. 

It became increasingly difficult to control the inmates as the number of prisoners began to increase over the years.

When the prison first opened, there were 250 prisoners . By 1930, there were 1,800 inmates serving time at Eastern State Penitentiary.

Standing in the abandoned hallways today, it's difficult to imagine more than 1,000 people crammed into this prison. 

To accommodate the growing inmate population, the prison built more cell blocks.

Eventually, the prison expanded to 15 cell blocks, up from seven .

In all, the Eastern State held 80,000 inmates throughout its time in operation, and some of those prisoners were famous.

The bare bed frames still stand in most of the jail cells, but today the doors are unlocked and open, unlike the way they were when the prison was in operation. 

Al Capone was one of the best-known inmates to have served time in the prison.

From 1929 to 1930, the Chicago gangster Al Capone served eight months  at Eastern State for concealing a weapon. His cell was dubbed "Park Avenue" because he enjoyed more luxuries than the other inmates did. 

"The whole room was suffused in the glow of a desk lamp which stood on a polished desk ... On the once-grim walls of the penal chamber hung tasteful paintings, and the strains of a waltz were being emitted by a powerful cabinet radio receiver of handsome design and fine finish," the Philadelphia Public Ledger reported in 1929. 

Today, the jail cell has been refurbished to look as it did when Capone was serving his sentence. Peeking my head into the cell felt like jumping through time.

While Capone's cell is refurbished, the rest of the prison still eerily stands in ruins.

Some parts of the prison are in such bad shape that I was not allowed access, like cell block 12.

From crumbling ceilings ...

The hallways in each cell block were lit by sunlight pouring through the crusted windows and holes in the ceiling. 

... to the broken furniture, the entire prison felt like it was haunted — not with ghosts, but by its dark past.

Broken beds, chairs, tables, cabinets, and toilets were littered throughout the prison as if each inmate left behind a piece of themselves. 

As my tour of the Eastern State Penitentiary came to an end, I was left with a chilling feeling.

While the building closed in 1971 , Eastern State Penitentiary stands today as a monument to the American prison system. Though I didn't see or feel any ghosts on my tour, I did leave feeling haunted by the way prisoners were treated, and by all the people who passed through those now-crumbling walls.

• Main content

Eastern State Penitentiary

Nick Gillette gave a tour of the world’s first penitentiary, opened in 1829 by the state of Pennsylvania. The prison was a new experiment in… read more

Nick Gillette gave a tour of the world’s first penitentiary, opened in 1829 by the state of Pennsylvania. The prison was a new experiment in reform of criminals and was copied all over the world. After many years of decay and security problems, the prison was closed in 1971 and became a museum. close

Javascript must be enabled in order to access C-SPAN videos.

• Text type Text People Graphical Timeline
• Filter by Speaker All Speakers Nick Gillette
• Search this text

*This text was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.

People in this video

Hosting Organization

• C-SPAN | American History TV C-SPAN | American History TV
• American Artifacts
• American History TV

Airing Details

• May 09, 2015 | 11:56pm EDT | C-SPAN 3
• May 10, 2015 | 2:41am EDT | C-SPAN 3
• May 10, 2015 | 6:01pm EDT | C-SPAN 3
• May 10, 2015 | 10:00pm EDT | C-SPAN 3
• May 16, 2015 | 8:00am EDT | C-SPAN 3
• May 16, 2015 | 11:54am EDT | C-SPAN 3
• May 17, 2015 | 1:57am EDT | C-SPAN 3
• May 17, 2015 | 5:01am EDT | C-SPAN 3
• May 17, 2015 | 11:59pm EDT | C-SPAN 3
• Apr 24, 2019 | 10:54pm EDT | C-SPAN 3
• Apr 25, 2019 | 5:05am EDT | C-SPAN 3

Related Video

Incarceration in the Late 20th Century

Professor Dan Berger talked about the U.S prison system in the late 20th century and the politics behind it. He spoke ab…

Dark Spaces

Author and Historian Ellen Baumler talked about her book, Dark Spaces: Montana’s Historic Penitentiary at Deer Lodge , in…

Justice Department Decision on Private Prisons

Carl Takei talked about the Justice Department’s decision to end contracts with private prisons after officials conclude…

Missouri State Penitentiary

Mark Schreiber gave a tour of the historic Missouri State Penitentiary where he served as a deputy warden until the buil…

User Created Clips from This Video

User Clip: Eastern State Penitentiary

User Clip: Early US Jails

User Clip: Eastern State Part 1

User Clip: Eastern State Part 2