Why You Should Go...
Explore the world's first true penitentiary, a prison designed to inspire penitence, or genuine regret, in the hearts of its inhabitants.
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.
Known for its grand architecture and strict discipline, the penitentiary's vaulted, sky-lit cells held more than 80.000 people over the course of Eastern State's 142-year history, including bank robber "Slick Willie" Sutton and Al Capone.
Tour admission includes "The Voices of Eastern State" Audio Tour (narrated by actor Steve Buscemi), a critically acclaimed series of Artist Installations, and award-winning criminal justice exhibits.
Plus, visit Al Capone's cell, the historic Hospital Block, and the Synagogue.
...MORE
Why You Should Go...
Explore the world's first true penitentiary, a prison designed to inspire penitence, or genuine regret, in the hearts of its inhabitants.
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.
Known for its grand architecture and strict discipline, the penitentiary's vaulted, sky-lit cells held more than 80.000 people over the course of Eastern State's 142-year history, including bank robber "Slick Willie" Sutton and Al Capone.
Tour admission includes "The Voices of Eastern State" Audio Tour (narrated by actor Steve Buscemi), a critically acclaimed series of Artist Installations, and award-winning criminal justice exhibits.
Plus, visit Al Capone's cell, the historic Hospital Block, and the Synagogue.
What You Should Know...
Open:
Year-Round
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
Extra Fun...
Fun Facts
Al Capone served his first prison sentence at Eastern State Penitentiary in 1929. You can see his cell, recreated to look like what it did when he was incarcerated here.
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.
How You Can Follow...