DESTINATIONS

FIELD TRIPS

Our conversational guide-led tours, which can be tailored to your group, encourage critical thinking and leave students inspired to learn more about justice. Students will be challenged to reflect on Eastern State’s radical foundation, its change over time, and the racial, economic, and geographic impacts of mass incarceration.
Tours complement classroom lessons in American history, civics, philosophy, English, social studies, art and more. Eastern State is not recommended for children under the age of seven. Book your school tour today!

Free for Philadelphia public & charter schools.

supports classroom learning in:
American history, civics, philosophy, English, social studies, art, historic preservation, sociology, history, criminal justice and more

topics covered:
Art, Architecture, Criminal justice reform (past and present), Equity, Justice, Historic Preservation, History, Incarceration, Mass incarceration, Philadelphia

contact info
Name: Group Sales Department
Phone: 215-236-5111 x240 or x210
Email: [email protected]

INFO

Grade Level: Elementary School, Middle School, High School, College Group Size: 15 Min.-150 Max. Program Type: Day Trips, Self-Guided Tours, Guided Tours, Self-Guided Activities, Guided Activities, Performances Recomm. Length of Visit: 1.5-2 hrs Recommended Ratio of Youth to Chaperones: 15:1Recommended Ratio of Youth to Chaperones: 15:1Recommended Ratio of Youth to Chaperones: 15:1 Registration: Email, Phone, Website Food Options: Bring Your Own, Place for Picnicking Cost: Fee, Free, Group Rates

ABOUT

Eastern State Penitentiary

Eastern State Penitentiary Historic Site interprets the legacy of American criminal justice reform, from the nation’s founding through to the present day, within the long-abandoned cellblocks of the nation’s most historic prison. Eastern State Penitentiary’s innovative preservation, interpretation, and public programs will move visitors to engage in dialogue and deepen the national conversation about criminal justice.

contact info

Hrs: The penitentiary is currently open for daytime tours every day from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm. We are closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day. Night Tours: Summer Twilight takes place Thursday through Sunday evenings Memorial Day to Labor Day. Halloween Nights at Eastern State Penitentiary is open select evenings from September to November.

FIELD TRIPS

Eastern State Penitentiary is thrilled to invite BSA and GSUSA scouts and all youth to participate in specially-curated — virtual and in-person — learning experiences. Led by our engaging staff, all participants will enjoy interactive discussions and activities. BSA and GSUSA scouts will also satisfy badge requirements.

supports scout badges in:
Architecture Merit Badge, STEM Career Exploration Badge, Think Like an Engineer Journey

topics covered:
Art, Architecture, Criminal justice reform (past and present), Equity, Justice, Historic Preservation, History, Incarceration, Mass incarceration, Philadelphia

contact info
Name: Group Sales Department
Phone: 215-236-5111 x240 or x210
Email: [email protected]

INFO

Grade Level: Elementary School, Middle School, High School, College Group Size: Varies Program Type: Day Trips, Self-Guided Tours, Guided Tours, Self-Guided Activities, Guided Activities, Performances Recomm. Length of Visit: 3hrs Recommended Ratio of Youth to Chaperones: 15:1Recommended Ratio of Youth to Chaperones: 15:1Recommended Ratio of Youth to Chaperones: 15:1 Registration: Email, Phone, Website Food Options: Bring Your Own, Place for Picnicking Cost: Fee, Group Rates

ABOUT

Eastern State Penitentiary

Eastern State Penitentiary Historic Site interprets the legacy of American criminal justice reform, from the nation’s founding through to the present day, within the long-abandoned cellblocks of the nation’s most historic prison. Eastern State Penitentiary’s innovative preservation, interpretation, and public programs will move visitors to engage in dialogue and deepen the national conversation about criminal justice.

contact info

Hrs: The penitentiary is currently open for daytime tours every day from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm. We are closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day. Night Tours: Summer Twilight takes place Thursday through Sunday evenings Memorial Day to Labor Day. Halloween Nights at Eastern State Penitentiary is open select evenings from September to November.

FIELD TRIPS

Eastern State Penitentiary was once the most famous and expensive prison in the world. Today, Eastern State is a modern ruin and museum that interprets the legacy of American criminal justice reform.
Groups of all ages enjoy tours of Eastern State Penitentiary. This general interest tour highlights Eastern State’s 142-year history, revolutionary and influential architecture, and stories of people who lived and worked in the building while setting the stage for conversations about criminal justice reform today. Led by one of our educators.

topics covered:
Art, Architecture, Criminal justice reform (past and present), Equity, Justice, Historic Preservation, History, Incarceration, Mass incarceration, Philadelphia

contact info
Name: Group Sales Department
Phone: 215-236-5111 x240 or x210
Email: [email protected]

INFO

Grade Level: Elementary School, Middle School, High School, College Group Size: Varies Program Type: Day Trips, Self-Guided Tours, Guided Tours, Self-Guided Activities, Guided Activities, Performances Recomm. Length of Visit: 1.5 - 2hrs. Recommended Ratio of Youth to Chaperones: 15:1Recommended Ratio of Youth to Chaperones: 15:1Recommended Ratio of Youth to Chaperones: 15:1 Registration: Email, Phone, Website Food Options: Bring Your Own, Place for Picnicking Cost: Fee

ABOUT

Eastern State Penitentiary

Eastern State Penitentiary Historic Site interprets the legacy of American criminal justice reform, from the nation’s founding through to the present day, within the long-abandoned cellblocks of the nation’s most historic prison. Eastern State Penitentiary’s innovative preservation, interpretation, and public programs will move visitors to engage in dialogue and deepen the national conversation about criminal justice.

contact info

Hrs: The penitentiary is currently open for daytime tours every day from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm. We are closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day. Night Tours: Summer Twilight takes place Thursday through Sunday evenings Memorial Day to Labor Day. Halloween Nights at Eastern State Penitentiary is open select evenings from September to November.

FIELD TRIPS

Eastern State Penitentiary was once the most famous and expensive prison in the world. Today, Eastern State is a modern ruin and museum that interprets the legacy of American criminal justice reform.
Groups of all ages enjoy tours of Eastern State Penitentiary. This general interest tour highlights Eastern State’s 142-year history, revolutionary and influential architecture, and stories of people who lived and worked in the building while setting the stage for conversations about criminal justice reform today. Led by one of our educators.

supports classroom learning in:
American history, civics, philosophy, English, social studies, art, historic preservation, sociology, history, criminal justice and more.

topics covered:
Art, Architecture, Criminal justice reform (past and present), Equity, Justice, Historic Preservation, History, Incarceration, Mass incarceration, Philadelphia

contact info
Name: Group Sales Department
Phone: 215-236-5111 x240 or x210
Email: [email protected]

INFO

Grade Level: Elementary School, Middle School, High School, College Group Size: Varies Program Type: Day Trips, Self-Guided Tours, Guided Tours, Self-Guided Activities, Guided Activities, Performances Recomm. Length of Visit: 1.5 - 2hrs. Recommended Ratio of Youth to Chaperones: 15:1Recommended Ratio of Youth to Chaperones: 15:1Recommended Ratio of Youth to Chaperones: 15:1 Registration: Email, Phone, Website Food Options: Bring Your Own, Place for Picnicking Cost: Fee

ABOUT

Eastern State Penitentiary

Eastern State Penitentiary Historic Site interprets the legacy of American criminal justice reform, from the nation’s founding through to the present day, within the long-abandoned cellblocks of the nation’s most historic prison. Eastern State Penitentiary’s innovative preservation, interpretation, and public programs will move visitors to engage in dialogue and deepen the national conversation about criminal justice.

contact info

Hrs: The penitentiary is currently open for daytime tours every day from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm. We are closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day. Night Tours: Summer Twilight takes place Thursday through Sunday evenings Memorial Day to Labor Day. Halloween Nights at Eastern State Penitentiary is open select evenings from September to November.

FAMILY OUTINGS

Eastern State Penitentiary was once the most famous and expensive prison in the world. Today, Eastern State is a modern ruin and museum that interprets the legacy of American criminal justice reform.

All of our daytime programming (“The Voices of Eastern State" Audio Tour, Guide-Led Tour and Discussion, Hands-On History experiences, artist installations, and exhibits) is included in one admission price.

topics covered:
Art, Architecture, Criminal justice reform (past and present), Equity, Justice, Historic Preservation, History, Incarceration, Mass incarceration, Philadelphia

contact info
Name:
Phone: 215-236-3300
Email: [email protected]

INFO

Grade Level: Elementary School, Middle School, High School, College Program Type: Day Trips, Self-Guided Tours, Guided Tours, Self-Guided Activities, Guided Activities Recomm. Length of Visit: 1.5 - 2hrs. Recommended Ratio of Youth to Chaperones: Recommended Ratio of Youth to Chaperones: Recommended Ratio of Youth to Chaperones: Registration: Tickets are available online and at the door, subject to availability Food Options: Outside food is not permitted. We encourage you to check out one of the many wonderful restaurants in the surrounding neighborhood Cost: Fee

BIRTHDAY PARTIES

Eastern State Penitentiary was once the most famous and expensive prison in the world. Today, Eastern State is a modern ruin and museum that interprets the legacy of American criminal justice reform.

Groups of all ages enjoy tours of Eastern State Penitentiary. This general interest tour highlights Eastern State’s 142-year history, revolutionary and influential architecture, and stories of people who lived and worked in the building while setting the stage for conversations about criminal justice reform today. Led by one of our educators.

topics covered:
Art, Architecture, Criminal justice reform (past and present), Equity, Justice, Historic Preservation, History, Incarceration, Mass incarceration, Philadelphia

contact info
Name: Group Sales Department
Phone: 215-236-5111 x240 or x210
Email: [email protected]

INFO

Grade Level: Elementary School, Middle School, High School, College Group Size: 15 Min.-150 Max. Program Type: Day Trips, Self-Guided Tours, Guided Tours, Self-Guided Activities, Guided Activities, Performances Recomm. Length of Visit: 1.5-2 hrs. Recommended Ratio of Youth to Chaperones: 15:1Recommended Ratio of Youth to Chaperones: 15:1Recommended Ratio of Youth to Chaperones: 15:1 Registration: Email, Phone, Website Food Options: Bring Your Own, Place for Picnicking Cost: Fee

ABOUT

Eastern State Penitentiary

Eastern State Penitentiary Historic Site interprets the legacy of American criminal justice reform, from the nation’s founding through to the present day, within the long-abandoned cellblocks of the nation’s most historic prison. Eastern State Penitentiary’s innovative preservation, interpretation, and public programs will move visitors to engage in dialogue and deepen the national conversation about criminal justice.

contact info

Hrs: The penitentiary is currently open for daytime tours every day from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm. We are closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day. Night Tours: Summer Twilight takes place Thursday through Sunday evenings Memorial Day to Labor Day. Halloween Nights at Eastern State Penitentiary is open select evenings from September to November.