Attraction · Philadelphia
Eastern State Penitentiary: free entry days, tickets & hours
The world's first penitentiary, a crumbling 1829 prison with Al Capone's cell, audio tours and exhibits on mass incarceration today.
Independent guide, not the official Eastern State website. Official links are under Sources.
Eastern State is free for some visitors, not for everyone.
- Free for: STAMP: free daytime entry for Philadelphia high school students with student ID; a paid personal care assistant accompanying a visitor with a disability.
- Otherwise: adult daytime admission (online) — $21.
Before you go
How to actually get in for free
- No free day for everyone. Museums for All (EBT), PA ACCESS and SEPTA Key Reduced Fare cardholders pay $2 each for up to four people.
- Tickets are $2 cheaper online than at the door.
- The building is unheated and not air-conditioned; dress for the weather and wear closed shoes.
- Halloween Nights (select nights to 7 Nov 2026) is a separate, pricier evening ticket.
All free options
Who gets in free, and when
| Free option | Who | Conditions | Book? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free forSTAMP: free daytime entry for Philadelphia high school students with student ID | Philadelphia High School students | Daytime historic-site hours only; not valid for Halloween Nights, Summer Nights or other special events, or for groups. | No |
| Free forFree for a paid personal care assistant accompanying a visitor with a disability | carers of visitors with disabilities | Visitors with a disability pay $2 on request (daytime hours). Not valid for special events. | No |
Official prices
Eastern State ticket prices
| Adult daytime admission (online) — $23 at the door. Seniors $19 online/$21 door; college students and youth 7-17 $17 online/$19 door. Not recommended for children under 7. | $21 |
Prices from the official website, checked Oct 2026. Free options are listed above.
Worth timing your visit?
What a free day saves
Based on the official price (adult daytime admission (online)). Free days are busier — if your dates don't line up, a timed ticket is the trade-off.
Tickets & tours
Best-rated tickets and tours: Eastern State
Timed-entry ticketPhiladelphia: Eastern State Penitentiary Admission★★★★★ 4.7 · 1.1k reviewsfrom $21
Ratings and prices from the booking partners; prices may change.
Practical
Opening hours & how to get there
| Mon | 10:00–17:00 |
|---|---|
| Tue | 10:00–17:00 |
| Wed | 10:00–17:00 |
| Thu | 10:00–17:00 |
| Fri | 10:00–17:00 |
| Sat | 10:00–17:00 |
| Sun | 10:00–17:00 |
| Mon | 10:00–17:00 |
|---|---|
| Tue | Closed |
| Wed | 10:00–17:00 |
| Thu | 10:00–17:00 |
| Fri | 10:00–17:00 |
| Sat | 10:00–17:00 |
| Sun | 10:00–17:00 |
10am-5pm. March-November daily; 1-22 December and January-February closed Tuesdays; 23-31 December daily. Closed New Year's Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Halloween Nights are a separate evening event.
2027 Fairmount Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19130, USA
Also free nearby
Make a free afternoon of it
Worth paying for nearby
Paid highlights within walking distance
FAQ
Eastern State: common questions
Is Eastern State free?
Eastern State has no free entry for everyone. Also free: STAMP: free daytime entry for Philadelphia high school students with student ID; a paid personal care assistant accompanying a visitor with a disability. Otherwise the official ticket costs $21.
Who gets free entry to Eastern State?
Philadelphia High School students — daytime historic-site hours only; not valid for Halloween Nights, Summer Nights or other special events, or for groups.. Carers of visitors with disabilities — visitors with a disability pay $2 on request (daytime hours). Not valid for special events..
How much is a ticket to Eastern State?
Adult daytime admission (online) costs $21 on the official site.
What are Eastern State's opening hours?
Mar–Nov, 23 Dec – 31 Dec: daily 10:00–17:00. 1 Dec – 22 Dec, Jan–Feb: Mon 10:00–17:00, Wed–Sun 10:00–17:00, closed Tue.
Visitor reviews
What visitors say about Eastern State
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Sources
Where this comes from
- easternstate.org/visit · checked Thursday, 29 October 2026
- easternstate.org/historic-site/hours-of-operation
Every free rule is checked against the official source and re-checked on a schedule. Spotted a change? Tell us.