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Eastern State Penitentiary Tours

Location: 2124 Fairmount Ave., Philadelphia

Time: Apr-Nov - Wed-Sun 10am-5pm. Closed Dec-Mar

Cost: Adults $9, Seniors/Students $7, Kids 7-12 $4
Note: Kids under 7 are not allowed

Built between 1821 and 1829, after many early Philadelphia citizens called for prison reform, the Eastern State Penitentiary was designed to hold 250 prisoners in solitary confinement. The original prison consisted of 7 cell blocks; three 1-story blocks and four 2-story blocks and was the start of a new style of correctional system in the United States and world-wide.

It wasn't long after it was built, however, that Eastern State became known for its brutal treatment of prisoners and other atrocities regarding those who were incarcerated there.

Prison reforms were made through the 20th century, cell blocks were added, but the outdated prison eventually closed in 1970.

Having been designated as a National Historic Landmark in 1965, after narrowly avoiding demolition, thousands begin flocking to the prison in 1994 for tours of the solitary confinement cells.

Since that time, the penitentiary has been used in movies and television and grants have restored much of the dilapidating buildings. Visitors can now enjoy a rather eerie self-guided audio tour entitled "Voices of Eastern State."

Visitor attendance reaches nearly 100,000 each year and the most popular day is...you've guessed it...Halloween, when the prison hosts "Terror Behind the Walls."

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