Eastern State Penitentiary
Time Needed: full-day
Experience Type: historic landmark, offbeat & fun
Opened in 1829, Eastern State Penitentiary was once the most famous and expensive prison in the world. Today, the crumbling cellblocks and powerful exhibits tell stories of innovation, incarceration, and haunting history within this National Historic Landmark.
MUST-DO CHECKLIST
- Explore Revolutionary Architecture – Examine the groundbreaking design built to encourage fairness and dignity. This innovation reshaped prison construction across America.
- Discover Al Capone’s Cell – Step inside the recreated cell of Al Capone, Eastern State’s most infamous inmate, furnished with rugs, lamps, and a striking vintage radio.
- View Mass Incarceration Exhibits – Explore exhibits that connect Eastern State’s history to the present, examining America’s prison system and its lasting impact on communities.
- Take the Immersive Audio Tour – A self-guided journey narrated by former wardens and incarcerated individuals shares powerful stories, haunting sounds, and insights into prison life.
- Consider Its Haunted Legacy – Learn why Eastern State is considered one of America’s most haunted places, with chilling tales of ghostly activity adding mystery to the ruins.
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Photo Credit: Lance Anderson/Unsplash