Why You Should Go...

Explore the world’s first true penitentiary, a prison designed to inspire penitence, or true regret, in the hearts of prisoners.

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, its vaulted, sky-lit cells once held many of America's most notorious lawbreakers, 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, tour the historic Hospital Block and Synagogue, and learn how to open the penitentiary’s massive front gate.

Why You Should Go...

Explore the world’s first true penitentiary, a prison designed to inspire penitence, or true regret, in the hearts of prisoners.

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, its vaulted, sky-lit cells once held many of America's most notorious lawbreakers, 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, tour the historic Hospital Block and Synagogue, and learn how to open the penitentiary’s massive front gate.

What You Should Know...

Open: Year-Round

Hours: Closed Now. Opens 10:00 AM

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 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.