Eastern State Penitentiary Historic Site literally hands visitors the keys to the cellblocks with Hands-On History interactive experiences. These short demonstrations take place throughout the penitentiary complex, each lasting five minutes or less. An expert Eastern State tour guide leads each activity, although visitors do the bulk of the physical activities themselves.
Included in standard admission. Tour times and descriptions follow.
Bocce
10 minutes and 40 minutes past each hour
Play this traditional Italian sport practiced by inmates at Eastern State throughout the 20th century.
Chaplain's Office
11:50, 2:50, 3:50
See the beautiful and spiritual murals painted by an inmate in the 1950s.
Front Gate
10:00 - 10:25; 4:40 - 5:00
Try your hand opening the penitentiary's complex and heavy front gate.
How to Open a Cell
10 minutes and 40 minutes past each hour
Unlock one of Eastern State's intricate "escape-proof" cell doors.
Punishment Cells
11:05, 1:05, 2:20, 4:05
Climb down into "the Hole" to see the four concrete, windowless punishment cells.
Soup Alley
10:50, 1:50, 3:20, 4:20
Explore the long, eerie hallway lined with serving windows that once led to the prison's dining halls.
The Operating Room
10:35, 11:35, 1:35, 2:35, 3:35, 4:35
Step into the long-abandoned surgical space, part of the prison's once state-of-the-art hospital.
The Ruins of Death Row
11:20, 1:20, 2:05, 3:05
View the collapsing exercise yards of Death Row, one of the most ruinous spaces at Eastern State.
Tunnel Escape
10 minutes and 40 minutes past each hour
Learn about one of the most famous escapes in Eastern State's history, standing in the cell where it started.
Hour-Long Guided Tour
2:00
An overview of Eastern State's fascinating history, led by an expert tour guide. (Free ticket is required and available at Admissions, subject to availability.)
