Explore an American First
Step inside the world’s first penitentiary, a bold 19th century experiment in justice reform. With architectural, social, and historical significance, Eastern State Penitentiary Historic Site harnesses the power of place to deepen our collective understanding of the American justice system and inspire us to consider how we can build a more just future together.
Discover. Discuss. Share.
Every visit to Eastern State Penitentiary Historic Site is unique! ESPHS offers a variety of tours, exhibits, programs, and other dynamic ways to engage with this iconic site’s powerful history and reflect on the impact of the justice system.
Experience ESPHS your way – with an audio tour, a guide-led tour, or a self-guided exploration – all included with admission.
Visiting with 15 people or more? Interested in a private Guide-Led Tour? Learn more about Group Visits.
100% of ticket sales proceeds go directly to benefit our mission.
Included with Admission
Audio Tour
Explore at your own pace with a narrated tour featuring voices from the penitentiary’s past.
Guide-Led Tour
Join an educator for a deep dive into the penitentiary’s history and modern-day relevance.
Mini Tours
Take a quick detour to experience unique spaces and topics in 20 minutes or less.
Art
View powerful art that illuminates history and explores incarceration today.
Exhibits
Engage with exhibits that connect our legacy to today’s criminal justice system.
Plan your visit!
Get ready to experience Eastern State Penitentiary Historic Site. Learn more about what to bring, where to go, and how to make the most of your visit.
Know Before You GoUpcoming Historic Site Events
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A Time for Liberty: Our Shared History, Our Shared Future
Thursday, January 01 - Thursday, December 31, 2026
A yearlong slate of free, inclusive programs exploring the evolving meanings of liberty and justice in America.
The Aaron Reichlin Restorative Justice and Faith Conversations
Thursday, January 01 - Thursday, December 31, 2026
Made possible in part by a generous grant from The Reichlin and Tuck Families, this series brings together scholarship, performance, and dialogue to examine how faith traditions foster community, sustain people through and after incarceration, and inform conversations about reentry and justice reform.
Finding Freedom Civic Season
Monday, May 25, 2026
All Day
As we commemorate the 250th anniversary of American independence, Eastern State invites visitors to explore the history and legacy of one of America’s most influential prisons to reflect on the how the past informs our shared future.
Summer Nights
Saturday, June 20 - Saturday, August 01, 2026
Saturday evenings June 20 to August 1, except July 4. 6 PM to 9 PM, last entry 8 PM. $10. Pay-What-You-Wish Night June 27. Eastern State Penitentiary Historic Site opens its gates this summer for Summer Nights! With a different theme each week, Summer Nights provide a fun and meaningful night out—combining history, culture, and entertainment in a one-of-a-kind setting.
Summer Nights: On the Big Screen Night
Saturday, July 18, 2026
6:00pm - 9:00pm
$10. Let’s go to the movies! Learn about the history of film at Eastern State and examine its impact on our understanding of the justice system today.
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Summer Nights: Adult Field Day & Sports Night
Saturday, July 25, 2026
6:00pm - 9:00pm
$10. Baseball, boxing, bocce, and more— get up and moving with us and learn about the power of sports and recreation in fostering a sense of belonging throughout Eastern State Penitentiary's history and in prisons today.
Summer Nights: Art & Resistance Night
Saturday, August 01, 2026
6:00pm - 9:00pm
$10. Learn about the role that art and ingenuity played at Eastern State from the healing power of painting to the resourcefulness of unique escape plans. Plus, consider the continued impact of art as resistance today. Image: Pyrrhic Defeat: A Visual Study of Mass Incarceration, © 2024, Mark Loughney. Presented in Collaboration by Mural Arts Philadelphia and Eastern State Penitentiary Historic Site.
August 2026: ASL Guide-Led Tour and Discussion
Saturday, August 08, 2026
12:30pm - 1:15pm
Subject to availability. Purchase tickets online to secure your spot. An Eastern State educator leads a Guide-Led Tour and Discussion in partnership with an ASL (American Sign Language) interpreter from Hands UP Productions.
September 2026: ASL Guide-Led Tour and Discussion
Sunday, September 06, 2026
12:30pm - 1:15pm
Subject to availability. Purchase tickets online to secure your spot. An Eastern State educator leads a Guide-Led Tour and Discussion in partnership with an ASL (American Sign Language) interpreter from Hands UP Productions.
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Democracy for all Week: Freedom of Expression: Journalism, Art and Justice
Thursday, September 17 - Monday, September 21, 2026
Enjoy a series of programs that explore the intersection of the First Amendment, freedom of expression through art, and incarceration.
Constitution Day: The Justice System in America Today
Thursday, September 17, 2026
All Day
This Constitution Day, we celebrate and reflect on the role of the First Amendment in securing freedom and liberty for all. Join us for this deep dive into prison journalism, art, and free expression for those who are not free. Image: Pyrrhic Defeat: A Visual Study of Mass Incarceration, © 2024, Mark Loughney. Presented in Collaboration by Mural Arts Philadelphia and Eastern State Penitentiary Historic Site.
CollegeFest 2026
Sunday, September 20, 2026
11:00am - 2:30pm
Free daytime admission* for Campus Philly CollegeFest registrants. *Please note, a $1 service fee applies to each ticket. Timed tickets required. Students, sign up for CollegeFest and enjoy free daytime admission to Eastern State Penitentiary Historic Site!
52 Weeks of Firsts
Saturday, October 03, 2026
11:00am - 1:00pm
With soaring stone walls and a radical design, Eastern State Penitentiary created the philosophy of America’s first true penitentiary. Walk the halls where history was made, and experience the human stories of early prison systems.
New Exhibit Opening!
Sunday, November 01, 2026
All Day
Details to come, check back for updates.
Justice 101: Friendship, Support, and Reentry
Sunday, November 01, 2026
All Day
Details to come, check back for updates.
Closed for Thanksgiving
Thursday, November 26, 2026
All Day
Eastern State Penitentiary Historic Site is closed for Thanksgiving. We resume normal hours on Friday.
Closed for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day
Friday, December 25, 2026
All Day
Eastern State Penitentiary Historic Site is closed December 24 and 25. We resume normal hours on December 26.