Why You Should Go...

Explore the world's first true penitentiary, a prison designed to inspire penitence - or true regret - in the hearts of criminals. The original seven cellblocks spread like the spokes of a wheel, and had running water and central heat before the White House.

Its vaulted, sky-lit cells held many of America's most notorious criminals, including bank robber "Slick Willie" Sutton and "Scarface" Al Capone.

The prison stands today in ruin, a haunting world of crumbling cellblocks, and a surprising, eerie beauty.

Tours today include the cellblocks, solitary punishment cells, artist installations, Al Capone's Cell, and an audio tour narrated by actor Steve Buscemi.

Why You Should Go...

Explore the world's first true penitentiary, a prison designed to inspire penitence - or true regret - in the hearts of criminals. The original seven cellblocks spread like the spokes of a wheel, and had running water and central heat before the White House.

Its vaulted, sky-lit cells held many of America's most notorious criminals, including bank robber "Slick Willie" Sutton and "Scarface" Al Capone.

The prison stands today in ruin, a haunting world of crumbling cellblocks, and a surprising, eerie beauty.

Tours today include the cellblocks, solitary punishment cells, artist installations, Al Capone's Cell, and an audio tour narrated by actor Steve Buscemi.

What You Should Know...

Open: Year-Round

Hours: 10:00am - 5:00pm, Daily

Cost: Less than $25

Payment: Cash, MC, Visa, AMEX, Discover

Discounts: Children, Seniors, Students, Groups, AAA Members, Military

Access: Wheelchair, Public Transportation, Service Animals, Bicycle

Parking: Street, Bicycle

Available: Audio Tour, Self-Guided Tour, Guided Tour, Gift Shop, Souvenirs

Eastern State Penitentiary is a stabilized ruin without climate control.  Tours are an indoor/outdoor experience. Please dress for the weather. Don’t forget a camera – the site is extremely photogenic!

Al Capone served his first prison sentence at Eastern State Penitentiary in 1829.  You can see his cell with fine furniture, rugs, and a cabinet radio.

Eastern State Penitentiary was the first building in the United States to have central heat and running water – even before the White House.

Eastern State Penitentiary was the backdrop for many movies, TV shows, and music videos, including 12 Monkeys, Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen, Return to Paradise, a Tina Turner music video, a Dead Milkman music video, Ghost Hunters, Ghost Adventures and many more.