Eastern State Penitentiary, a great place to visit in Philadelphia

 

If you are ever in the Philadelphia area, planning a trip to Philadelphia, or if you are a Philadelphia native. Eastern State Penitentiary is a great historical site that you simply must visit. Here is some more great information from the website:

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.

My Review:

I remember visiting the prison when I was dating my husband many many years ago.We had to wear hard hats and sign liability waivers, wow things have changed so much since the 90’s This prison was in much worse condition when I was there last in the 90’s.Life is not all fairies and pixie dust. I know this and I want to make sure my daughter grows up well rounded. I was able to visit last week with my family.  Yes with my daughter too (in the 90’s children her age were not permitted).  Things have changed so much for the better in the prison in the past few years.

The prison is just huge, from the towering walls to the cell blocks. It is an amazing piece of history. I loved walking and taking pictures, if you like to take photos you could just stay here for hours. We toured the cell blocks, the solitary punishment cells called “the Hole”  ”Scarface” Al Capone’s Cell, and Death Row. The prison is a  sobering experience just to think of how it would be to be in a cell all day with no human contact. The early prisoners were taken in the prison with sacks on their heads so they would see no one and no one would see them, it is just horrifying to imagine being “alone” the entire prison term.  Towards the end of the life of Eastern State Penitentiary the solitary confinement was changed and prisoners integrated together becoming more like the prison systems today.

Al Capone's cell

My daughter loved hearing about “Pep” the dog. And the wardens daughter who lived in the prison.  She was fascinated that a little kid like her could live inside a prison! It was a great family day out. Not that may sound strange family day at a prison? Well it is a national landmark, and it is like stepping into the past. If you are a history lover you will love a visit to Eastern State Penitentiary.

Here are some of the amazing sights we saw on our tour of the prison. (you can take a guided tour, a specific times. Or you can guide yourself while listing to the audio guide that is included with admission) We did the walking tour by ourselves, and we liked not having to follow a group, and were able to take our time and visit where we liked when we liked.

I would recommend checking out the prison for yourself. Bring the family (this is Not recommended for children under the age of 7.) it will be a day you will never forget!

The generous folks at Eastern State Penitentiary are giving one of Susan’s Disney Family readers a chance to win a family 4 pack to the museum. Would you like to win? Leave a comment below and let me know who would love to take this tour? There are also other ways to enter. Please enter below.  The tickets are for admission for Daytime tours between the times of 10am – 5pm and are not valid for Terror Behind the Walls (Halloween event).

Visit:

Make sure to check out the website for Eastern State Penitentiary for more information.

Hours:
Every day 10 am to 5 pm
(last entry 4 pm) 

Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day.

Adults: $12
Seniors: $10
Students & Kids: $8
Members: FREE
CityPASS Adults: $59
CityPASS Child: $39

Not recommended for children under the age of 7.

Win it:

One winner will win a Family 4 pack of admission tickets to Eastern State Penitentiary

a Rafflecopter giveaway
 





Disclosure: The reviews and or opinions on this blog are my own opinions . I received entrance to the prison for my review. No monitory compensation was received. I was not required to write a positive review. Your experience may differ. The opinions I have expressed are my own I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commissions 16 CFR Part 255: Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsement and Testimonials in Advertising .