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Eastern State Penitentiary


TripAdvisor Traveler Rating: 4.0 of 5 stars
TripAdvisor Popularity Index: #10 of 299 attractions in Philadelphia
Traveler Description:
Eastern State Penitentiary Historic Site was once the most famous and expensive prison in the world, but stands today in ruin, a haunting world of...... more » Eastern State Penitentiary Historic Site 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. Tours today include the cellblocks, solitary punishment cells, Al Capone’s Cell, and Death Row. « less
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Attraction type: Old jail, Historic site, Other, Museum
Address: 2124 Fairmount Avenue Philadelphia, PA 19130
Tel: 215 236 3300
Fax: 215-236-5289

Reviews you can trust

[ Date ] [ Rating ]
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2 of 5 stars
sohkq7   3 contributions
NYC
Nov 16, 2009

My husband & I visited Terror Behind the Walls Oct 24th with a group of friends. What a waste of money and time driving down from NYC. I dont know how this place is rated one of the top halloween places in the US. I've been to scarier at our local cheapo haunted house. Its expensive to begin with (thank... more

DON'T GO
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1 of 5 stars
Blahblahblah022   1 contribution
Atlantic City
Nov 6, 2009

This was one of the worst places I have ever been to. Nothing was scary about it. The "actors" were the lamest ever. The best part was sitting across the street at the bar! Even if it was 40 degrees out. I was so excited about going to this, wanted to go for years, wish I would of saved my... more

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4 of 5 stars
dani42379   7 contributions
US
Oct 26, 2009

Because of some rain keeping people away, we didn't have to wait in any lines and actually got in prior to our time window. We were grateful we didn't spend extra for the fast pass because the haunted house wasn't that awesome. We might have regretted it if we'd had to stand in line for hours. There were some good... more

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5 of 5 stars
Iripmaster   3 contributions
Iripmaster
Oct 18, 2009

You will never see another place like this anywhere else. A great change of pace from a museum. more

$80 wasted
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1 of 5 stars
notscared1974   1 contribution
ESP Phily
Oct 17, 2009

It was so lame. Every thing about it was lame. Maybe a 2 yr old would be scared. How much do you pay them to be so unimpressive. more

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1 of 5 stars
sinheals   1 contribution
Baltimre
Oct 14, 2009
1/1 found this review helpful

I was so excited about going to ESP, from the website it sounds like it will be so scary, WRONG, I don't think they could scare a 10 yr old. I drove from Baltimore, spent $45 for each ticket (Quickpass my (--)!!!). When we arrived it took us over a hour to make it down the street to the parking... more

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5 of 5 stars
Pegdafittr   7 contributions
Lockwood, New York
Oct 13, 2009

My 13 yr old daughter and I really enjoyed this. We had taken a ghost walk the night before and while we heard some interesting stories, it was rather blah. This tour, which was audio, real guides were available, was much better, more fun and informative. There is a very eerie feeling to the place. There is also a nighttime... more

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1 of 5 stars
PCB-511   5 contributions
NY
Oct 12, 2009

This was 1st time going to this. NOT worth the $30 per person. Even discounted tix arn't worth it. Horrible traffic getting in on a Saturday night - 40 minutes from I-76 exit ramp to parking lot. The line for the trolly - 500 ppl long. Trolleys only fit 50 ppl max. We hoofed it 35 minutes to the place... more

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4 of 5 stars
Yankeefan26   22 contributions
Neptune, NJ
Oct 11, 2009

We went to the Haunted House Tour. We booked a dinner pckg which included the tour btwn 7:30-8pm & dinner at 9pm (which is what the manager at the restaurant recommended for our time slot). We arrived at the Zoo parking at 7pm.. (the website says specifically NOT to get their early.. you will not get in and that you... more

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5 of 5 stars
slowleak   2 contributions
Indianapolis, Indiana
Oct 6, 2009

I enjoyed this experience with my grandson (18) and granddaughter (16) on Sept. 26th, 2009. The history, the building itself, and the fact we did the night time Halloween experience, I felt it was worth every minute. We got inside the prison at 11:30 PM, it was great! Next time I'm going in the day time, so I actually see... more

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Eastern State Penitentiary Address

2124 Fairmount Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19130
Tel: 215 236 3300 Fax: 215-236-5289