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Eastern State Penitentiary Historic Site

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, this was the world's first true penitentiary: a prison designed to inspire penitence, or true regret, in the hearts of convicts. Its vaulted, sky-lit cells once held many of America's most notorious criminals, including bank robber ''Slick Willie'' Sutton and Al Capone. Tours today include the cellblocks, solitary punishment cells, Al Capone's Cell, and Death Row. A critically-acclaimed series of artists' installations is free with admission.  Just five blocks from the Philadelphia Museum of Art.

At a Glance

• At-a-
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• Past
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• Video &
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• Contact Info

  Eastern State Penitentiary Historic Site

  2027 Fairmount Avenue
  Philadelphia, PA 19130

  Phone: 215-236-3300

  Website

  Admission:

  $12 adult
  $10 senior citizen
  $8 student and child (ages 7-12)
  Children under the age of 7 cannot be admitted to the site.

  Hours: Open daily, year round from 10 am to 5 pm.
  Last entry: 4 pm
  
  April through November: Admission includes the Voices of Eastern State audio tour narrated by actor Steve Buscumi. Eastern State Penitentiary may have had the first synagogue inside an American Prison. This sacred place is newly restored with a special exhibit. Open on Saturday and Sunday from 1 pm to 5 pm. A guided tour of the synagogue is also available weekdays at 3:15 pm (included in standard admission). Also included in admission are special guided tours on the subjects of daily life, escapes, prison uprisings and artifacts.
  December through March: Guided tours only.

• Map

  Full map and directions

• Locations

  Art Museum Area

• Accessibility Info

 

NOTE: We do our best to ensure all information is accurate, however it's a good idea to visit the website or call the venue to verify the information.

• Video & Image Gallery

  Video | Images Images

• Current Events

  04/06/09- Ongoing

  Daytime Historic Site Tours

• Upcoming Events

  03/29/10- 06/27/10

  Ceramic Interactions: Crosses, Bones, Cherry Trees

• Past Events

  12/01/09- 03/15/10	Winter Adventure Tours
  10/21/09	Gay Community Night at Terror Behind the Walls
  09/18/09- 11/07/09	Terror Behind the Walls
  09/05/09	Rusted Gates Volume 1: Leopard's Mouth
  08/01/09- 08/02/09	Willie Sutton Tunnel Escape Weekend
  08/01/09- 08/02/09	Prison Break Weekend
  07/11/09	Bastille Day
  06/03/09- 08/26/09	Twilight Tours
  05/17/09	Alumni Reunion
  05/08/09	Reception for 2009 Artists
  04/27/09- 05/03/09	Museum Week at Eastern State Penitentiary Historic Site
  04/24/09- 05/03/09	Cellblock: Stories of Eastern State Penitentiary
  04/04/09- 04/05/09	The Restored Synagogue/Lost Chaplains Office Weekend
  03/31/09	2009 Season Sneak Peek