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Eastern State Penitentiary

2027 Fairmount Ave | Spring Garden (215) 236-3300

About

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 prisoners. Its vaulted, sky-lit cells held nearly 85,000 people over its long history, including bank robber "Slick Willie" Sutton and "Scarface" Al Capone. Eastern State Penitentiary Historic Site is located at 22nd Street and Fairmount Avenue, just five blocks from the Philadelphia Museum of Art. The penitentiary is currently open for daytime tours every day from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm. We are closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day.

Getting there

Parking

No on-site lot; adjacent paid lot at 22nd St & Fairmount Ave (Parkway Corporation). Free, unlimited parallel parking on the Eastern State side of 22nd Street and Brown Street when available; always read posted signs.

Public transit

SEPTA bus routes 49, 48, 43, 33, 32, and 7 serve the area; the Philly PHLASH tourist shuttle stops at Stop 7 (22nd St & Fairmount Ave) for Eastern State.