Description:
Back when it opened in 1829, a visit to this medieval fortress-looking prison was no fun at all. These days, however, an audio-guided stroll through Eastern State's beautifully decrepit halls is creepily entertaining. The site, in the Fairmount section of the city, is north of Center City West, a few blocks east of the Philadelphia Art Museum. An hour-long tour provides a glimpse into solitary confinement "rehabilitation" cells (some in use until 1971). There are voyeuristically riveting tales of famous residents -- robber Willie Sutton and superstar gangster Al Capone stayed here -- thwarted escapes, romance behind bars, and incarcerated canines. And then there are the ghosts, who receive extra attention 5 weeks before Halloween. Terror Behind the Walls haunted tours require advanced tickets ($20-$30 each), and take place after dark (Mon-Thurs 7-10pm; Fri and Sun 7-11pm; Sat 7pm-midnight).
- © Frommer's 2013
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Awards:
Frommer's
- Recommended 2010
- Details
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Contact:
- visit website
- tel: +1 215 236 5111
- fax: +1 215 236 5289
- send email
Address:
- 2124 Fairmount Ave
- Philadelphia, PA 19130
Neighborhood:
Fairmount/Art Museum areaHours:
- Apr-Nov daily 10am-5pm (June-Aug Wed until 8pm). Last tour 4pm
Strenuousness:
- Easy
- User Rating
