Eastern State Penitentiary Tours and Tickets

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Admission to the Eastern State Penitentiary is US$21 for adults and young people aged 13 and above, US$19 for seniors aged 62 and over, and US$17 for students and children aged 7–12. Buying tickets at the door adds US$2 more to the price. Admission includes an audio tour or guide-led tours: Guided tours typically take place once a day, and you can reserve a place when booking tickets online.

Expect to begin your visit with the audio tour, which lasts about 40 minutes and introduces the prison’s history through 10 stops. Guide-led tours last around 45 minutes. Afterwards, you can continue at your own pace, exploring cellblocks, art installations, and exhibitions. Two hours is typically enough time for most visitors to explore, although history enthusiasts may need longer.

Yes, while the prison is nearly 200 years old, Eastern State Penitentiary has ramps along the main audio tour route and provides wheelchairs for loan. Accessible restrooms and a series of climate-controlled rooms are also available. Some areas remain inaccessible due to the historic nature of the building, such as the Admissions Hallway and the restored cells.

Eastern State Penitentiary does not have its own parking lot, but a paid lot is located next door at 22nd Street and Fairmount Avenue. While free street parking is available on 22nd Street and Brown Street, spaces can fill quickly. Additional street parking is available nearby; check for signs for guidance on restrictions. Public transit also provides easy access if you’d rather avoid parking altogether.

Yes, Eastern State is located in Fairmount, a historic Philadelphia neighborhood known for its Victorian homes and excellent restaurants. The area is considered quite safe, and the site sits within the Parkway Museums District, just a short walk from the Philadelphia Museum of Art. As with any urban destination, normal precautions apply: lock your car and keep valuables out of sight.