Eastern State Penitentiary Historic Site, Inc Review

One of the best sights in the United States. Definitely worth the trip to Philadelphia

Loved the audio tour. Something very different and creepy place.

Went here last Halloween and the experience was phenomenal. Did the bus ride on the way to the penitentiary which was also fun. Lots of things to do, also bought a t-shirt to remember the experience. Great for kids too as they have a section where the characters do not touch you and for a more thrilling experience, you can also go through the section where they could grab you and take you to a different area of the place. Al Capone's cell was very interesting too, so were the other cells. I love to see history happening naturally.

For sure going back next year.

Defenitively worth it. Great price for the experience. Lots of cool information and cells to see. The jail is large and the tour awesome since you get your own headset and go at your own pace. It is nicely set up along with the map they gave. Highly recommend going.

GO SEE THIS!

I was a little worried that the self-guided audio tour would be a disappointment, but it was great and narrated by Steve Buscemi. The penitentiary is an amazing experience, and the ability to move freely on the property is really nice - you can spend as much or as little time at each feature as you wish. All-in, you might spend an hour and a half here. We especially enjoyed the informative pieces on the rate of incarceration over the past 100 years, and the comparison between countries that utilize corporal punishment as deterrents to crime (although it seems Eastern State Penitentiary is looking to draw a misguided conclusion about increased rates of incarceration to when the prison closed in the 70's). Again, this should be a stop on your visit to Philly.

It was interesting for sure, still lots of restoration work to be done but that takes time. Still lots to see and learn about. Seeing All Capone's cell was neat.

This is the sole reason why I went to Philly back in 2016. I read on Wikipedia lots of fun facts about this place and since the bus ride from DC only cost me 7 dollars, why not take the 2 hour trip and see this magnificent piece of history?

From the outside, you get a view of what at first sight seems like a medieval castle... with prison bars. The entrance is very tiny and before you know it, you have an mp3 with ear phones where Steve Buscemi's whimsical voice talks about the fascinating history of this creepy place.

I was expecting something great, and the place fully exceeded my expectations. Among many fun tidbits, the prison at one time had a far better hospital with state-of-the-art trains staff than any other hospital in the entire city, and indoor plumbing was running here before the White House. They even have a closed psychiatric hospital unit.

They say that the place is enjoyed best during their Halloween night-time shows, arguably one of the scariest experiences in the entire USA. The place is scary as hell during the day, I can only imagine what it feels like after dark. Doing the Halloween tour is on my bucket list, I really hope to do it someday!

Interesting. The cell of Al Capone is to see. Little chills during the visit. To do and redo

Meh, food wasn't the best but what to you expect for free.

We first thought it was an old fortress, when we were there it was a prison museum it was found it was boring.

I toured Eastern State on a day when it was raining and I thought it was really cool to walk through an old prison, especially one with the history and background like Eastern State.

So there are two ways to look at Eastern State Penitentiary, the 1st is as a museum. In this regard, the curators do a fantastic job by giving you a self guided audio tour. You understand how a larger prison like Eastern State was designed and at the end you see a staggering display on the current prison population which was incredibly eye opening.

The second way to look at the facility is from an architectural point of view. If you are a photographer, you will love some of the incredible shots that can be taken here.

My children and my wife enjoyed the tour. Be aware, there is no heat/AC so dress accordingly.

I have so many ideas what people can do to a place like this it's so amazing

Excellent museum and fun place to visit. Cheap tickets for great experience!

A good tour, to know the historical prisons of the USA, that if not suitable for all audiences, but recommended in any case.

This place is great. So much history and such a great tour. They give you your own personal audio tour so you can take your time. Then when the tour is over there are countless points if interests that have more information via audio recordings. It is an easy two to three hour expedition. The recordings range from former guards and inmates to psychologists and sociologists. There is something for everyone to learn and experience here. The staff was all very helpful and courteous. There are some great photo opportunities as well. We walked from city hall and it was a beautiful and safe walk. This place is great, right up there with Alcatraz as far as history, architecture and information.

The grounds are interesting to explore, and I love the dichotomy of standing in the prison yard with the incarceration rate data and seeing the shiny, modern Philadelphia skyline in the distance. The place definitely has a somber feel about it. The exhibits are cool, but what makes this place memorable is the audio tour. That alone is worth the visit and makes this place one of my all-time favorites.

Fabulous, powerful, suprising. This trip was the most impacting visit to an historic site in a long time. Dress for the weather and be prepared for a gut punch.

The solemnity of this structure is not to be taken lightly.

History is very interesting. This place has so many things to share :)

This place was fascinating! They had wonderful tours, along with self-guided tours. I hope very much to be able to make it to the Halloween presentation at some point. There is a ton of History, and getting to see and touch all of these different pieces of History was incredible. They have many displays of animals and videos about procedures that are fascinating to watch as well. There are few places that are closed off to the public, which naturally nearly killed me with curiosity, but for the most part this is all open and informational to the public. Great trip. I would definitely recommend.

This is a very eye opening experience. The self guided tour provides you with a playback device and is narrarated by Steve Buscemi. As you walk through the balls and learn all about what happened within the walls and the way the land changed and evolved you can really get a sense of the life of those held here. The extra guided tours are short and sweet it give some great in depth Knowledge over areas such as the hospital wing. A truly awe inspiring visit.

Very interesting place to visit and the self-guided tour works very well.

First time visiting Philly and we did the audio penitentiary tour which was very informative. It was a great historic tour and roaming around really makes you feel what it's like to be in a place like that. We got to see Al Capone's cell which was amazing how he served time there compared to others. It was fun with a history lesson all rolled into one. If you have time, definitely check this place out and do the audio tour!

Great place to learn about the history of imprisonment in the United States.

Horrifying and fascinating part of history. A must see.

It's a cool place two spend an hour or two in. There's not actually much to see as the majority of the building has fallen to ruin (which actually adds to the appeal). The real fun comes from the general grim atmosphere. The staff were all enthusiastic and helpful, particularly the manager/supervisor, Maria(?) who is a superstar. Also who can say no to an audio guide narrated by none other than Steve Buscemi?

The tour was informative, they told me about the philosophy of the facility which should serve as a place to think about their actions, before it was overcrowded.

This ruined prison is an amazing historical landmark that has been turned into a visually "arresting" (lol), highly informative, painstakingly complete, and reasonably priced museum showcasing prison life from the mid-19th through the latter 20th centuries. It was one of the best museums I have ever visited, and possibly the single most photogenic ruin I have ever seen in person. The audio tour is very clear and easy to follow, and it was put together masterfully, from the ambient prison sounds, to expert narration from the renowned Steve Buscemi, and interviews with actual prison inmates, staff, and archaeological personnel. It was top notch. There are many extra audio clips contained within the device, so be careful to watch out for extra clips after the main tour has concluded. I spent 2, maybe 2.5 hours here, but I could have easily spent longer. Judging by the map, I feel that I was able to thoroughly study about 75% of the available exhibits. Probably not the best thing for younger kids, people who get bored easily, or people who aren't into history. Prison enthusiasts, photo buffs, and those generally excited to learn and experience a piece of the past preserved will leave feeling fulfilled, as I did.

Visited through school. Historic place. The cell that belonged to Al-Capone and much more. At night you can visit the haunted cells. Pretty scary to some but not to me. Overall it was a good experience.

It's great that places like this are still taken care of and allow people to learn about various things while touring the facility. From the historical stories, to the whys and hows of the penitentiary, to the exhibits, this structure is quite unique and extremely interesting. In addition, the exhibition that is going on currently about prisons now compared to before was eye opening and very interactive. Not only was it extremely informative and interesting, but there was a lot of interaction with the exhibit itself and your own experiences.
If visiting on a cold, windy (or not even that windy) day, be sure to dress warm with lots of layers as it is extremely drafty. Additionally, you might find yourself touring for quite a while so be sure to bring a snack or two, or eat beforehand.
Thanks to those who have kept this place going, the friendly staff, and those who made the exhibition.

Interesting destination with lots of local history. Al Capone's cell is probably the most iconic part of the tour. Audio tour is included in the price of admission and takes the tour to the next level. The temporary exhibit was eye opening and the worldwide stats on crime were educational. Not as interesting as Alcatraz but wouldn't expect it to be.

Although I never got to see the daily tour, the haunted house was an awesome adventure. I applied for a job late in the season to be an actor and although I was not expecting to do a group interview and I have never done anything like that before, and it scared me, because I kept thinking I would be the only one not to get the job, but surprisingly I did. Amy is an awesome creative director and if I still lived on the East Coast I would definitely come back to scare people every year. I liked it so much, I am going to try and get into one of these haunted houses out here. If you get a chance to scare in Eastern State Pen it's the most fun ever, just hope you don't get stuck work with Q, that dude is a straight up air head who has no business being in management.

Super creepy and awesome at the same time. The tour was great and the staff were wonderful. Witnessing how these inmates lived was a surreal experience. This location was on our bucket list for some time and we were glad that we were able to visit. We have a full review on our blog site and YouTube channel.

If you want to be scared, stay home and watch a Netflix horror movie..

They accept out-of-state student id! It's $10 student price and $14 regular price. Great place to visit. Plan to spend 2-3 hours here with the audio tour (included). The prison cells are mostly the same, but the audio brings it to life.

Absolutely first class, what a place, amazing history, highly recommend visiting if you're anywhere near Philadelphia, Steve Buscemi narrating the audio was a nice weekend bonus, great photo opportunities

I am big into history and it is a great spot to learn about Prison in America. The issue I have with it is, that the whole place was like an art gallery. I think a history museum should be a museum of history not an art gallery.

Awesome place to visit on your own or for the daily tour!! Cant wait to go back! Look lots of great pictures and learned so much. I was very surprised with some of what i learned! Great piece of American and industry history!

very well done tour plan to return for a halloween tour

Awesome museum and self guided tour. It was so fascinating to read the stories and hear about life at ESP. The grounds are well kept and so interesting.

This place was so cool! This unplanned stop on our trip to Philadelphia, was probably the coolest place we visited. The tour was very affordable and easy to get into. Tours can be reserved in advance online and begin every 30 minutes. Upon arrival, the staff are very efficient about getting you into the building. While we were there, we found the grounds to be very clean (including the bathrooms). The tour is s self-paced audio tour. The audio tour is very comprehensive and guides you through the prison from entrance to exit. After that, there is a lot of additional content for those who want to explore further into the prison. Overall, I think we spent about 1.5 to 2 hours exploring the prison, listening to the audio recordings, and interacting with the historic items/areas around the facility. The audio tour is extremely entertaining and professional. It includes contributions from professional actors and interviews/testimonials from inmates that were at the prison. I have focused on the audio tour, but the architecture is so cool too! You could spend a couple hours just looking at the architecture around the facility. I enjoyed this place very much and highly recommend it to anyone passing through or looking for something to do.

I love this place. I went a couple years ago and had a blast and it was just as fun this time. I really liked the 3D section that was cool. Looking forward to going again this year or maybe next year.

One of my favorite places to see while visiting Philadelphia! Very interesting history and has an ominous feel inside. A must see if you are visiting from out of town, or even a local that has never taken the time.

Just feel it. A lot of history. Take some time to listen the audio device they gave you......you will enjoy the journey in history.

Really enjoyed this experience. They have 2 different options for tours - an audio tour and a live tour with a guide. I chose the audio tour, which was great and had lots of information and was very easy to follow, but came across the tour given by the guide and listened in for a little bit, then wished I had done the one with the guide! Location is photographer friendly - for a small fee you can purchase a pass that allows you to bring in your tripod for photos.

Definitely sign up for a guided tour if you have an hour to spare. It's informative without being overwhelming. You'll learn about the life of inmates and wardens alike, the most (in)famous inmates, and why there is a carefully restored Jewish synagogue and a wall filled with religious paintings here. There are some special exhibitions and plenty of information boards that invite visitors to reflect on the many aspects of incarceration and the current state of the penal system. This place is also great for photography, with plenty of postcard-worthy scenes at every turn.

Amazing! Very informative staff. No guided tour needed however for there are signs and informational packets as well as self guided listening tours available. Super creepy and really cool to experience!

Fascinating place to visit. Lots to see and learn about.

I wasn't sold on going, but glad my friends convinced me to go. The included audio guide is fantastic. They share plenty of history about this building and prison systems, along with current facts on modern penitentiary systems.

I didn't enjoy at as much as everybody else did. We went in a long line and the scares were really few and far between. There was a good history lesson in it, though, and the characters that are outside before the main attraction is pretty cool.

Incredibly interesting! The ruins of this building allow you to envision what the inmates and guards lived. Everyone who worked within the park was very helpful and informative. There are many areas off limits for safety purposes, but more areas are opened than closed. Loved it!

Wow. This place is an intense place to visit. It was really cold inside, yet warm outside, so dress accordingly. The guided tour is incredibly informative and entertaining. Some cells that we entered felt very unsettling. I am pretty sure I felt the presence of those long gone. In one room (see photos) I felt something as I snapped a picture. The picture came out cloudy, I took another one seconds later, and it was normal. Very bizarre stuff. There were certain places that you could not go unless on a guided tour. The price is very affordable and there is parking right across the street. I would love to return.

A lot of info. The place isn t too crowded. Price is fine. Many things to see. I spent quite a bit of time there and took a lot of pictures.

Love it here, lots of HISTORY...Very Exciting and intense.....Staff was very friendly and helpful.....I WILL BE BACK AND I WILL BE RECOMMENDING MY FAMILY AND FRIENDS

Incredible. The tour guides were so friendly, helpful, and truthfully knowledgeable. Most people were exploring without one, but they also give you headphones to help guide you, even though my friends and I explored without it. Honestly the prison itself has so much history and there are erie feelings you get in parts of the prison. Great for people trying to learn a few things or people into ghosts and the like. They also put the history of the place in context of today's prisons. If you visit, definitely drop by death row and the operating room (it's included with your admission, and it's only $10 for students). The giftshop wasn't a rip off either, and they have a complimentary charging station for your phones! Took a day trip to Philly and so glad we came here. Would 100% recommend!

This place is just amazing. The admission cost is reasonable and it includes an audio walking tour guide which makes the experience even more enjoyable. This place has tons of rich history and the staff are extremely knowledgeable in answering all the questions. I just wish I could walked through Cell Block 14!

Ghost adventures want here eastern state penitentiary

I was there Saturday night. Definitely buy your tickets online with the quickpass.I was so grateful I did because when we got there, the line was RIDICULOUS. I'm the biggest baby in the world so I left midway.

I like it so much it was an incredible experience amazing place and audio guide awesome it suggest to every one come to philly to visit this amazing place

It was a nice attraction visually, but I had came in a group of 5 and they had tried to separate our friend group about 3 times when we did not even sign up to be separated from our group. we had to run to each other to get back with our friend group. they could ve easily let us all together. one of the times they let all 4 of us go and left just one of our friends alone. great visuals, not great workers. if you go, be prepared for the chance to be separated from your group, or even end up alone.

My mom and I were happy we took the time to visit. We were given headphones to listen to a guided tour. This place has a lot of history and it was incredible to learn all that I learned while on this tour. Highly recommend you add this to your list of musts while visiting Philadelphia.

We got there 40min before closing we enjoyed the tour but is not enough time, give your self at least 1 hour and a half to get through almost everything. Amazing historic place, it has a really creepy ambient. It's really worth it if you are in Philadelphia. A must see.

Very humbling to be in a place with so much history. Definitely worth the visit.

So much fun! Customer service is superb. I'm definitely coming back

Toured this Philadelphian relic on a cold, rainy day in November with a guided tour. The atmosphere is eerie and haunting, yet captivating and beautiful in every way. You can almost feel the weight and history of every new room you enter. One of the most important and historic places to ever house the northeast's most notorious criminals.

Was really nice experience see how was back then the live inside this jail no fun stuff

One of the best visits in Philadelphia. You can visit almost everything. From reconstructed areas to areas demolished by the passage of time. Also the playground and the maintained cell of al capone

Visit gorgeous, chilling but great place. I highly recommend visiting this establishment. The entrance is well worth the audio guide is in English and can do so in Spanish. The bathrooms are fine. Also, the museum has a place to buy their memories, so they can go to get a cup or incredible images from prison.

Very nice audio tour. If you book online you save two dollars. Online only 14 dollars ...

Amazing...better than expected. Plus staff was great

This place was so cool! We spent about 3 hours here, and could have stayed longer. There is so much history here.

Well worth it. What history and beauty...I truly hope they continue with restoration.

Fascinating history, excellent exhibits and restoration.

Very Interesting Place! My 10 year old daughter and I really enjoyed our experience. Lots to explore and very informative.