We strive to make the historic site and all of our programs accessible to all visitors. Available services and accommodations are listed below.
Getting Here
DIRECTIONS
Eastern State Penitentiary Historic Site is located at 2027 Fairmount Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19130. Visit our Know Before You Go page for more information about how to navigate to the historic site.
DROP OFF / PICK UP ZONE
A drop off / pick up zone is located directly in front of the historic site's entrance on the north side of Fairmount Avenue at 21st Street.
PARKING
While we do not have our own parking lot, there is a parking lot neighboring us at 22nd St & Fairmount Ave. Parking costs vary. For exact pricing, please call Parkway Corporation at (267) 765-3665.
You can also find free street parking bordering the historic site, including two accessible parking spots located on Fairmount Avenue directly in front of the historic site's entrance. If you choose to park on the street, please exercise caution and read all signs as some zones have time limits of two or three hours. Visit our Know Before You Go page for more information.
Inside the Historic Site
CLIMATE
Since most of the historic site is not climate controlled and has limited running water, we recommend checking the forecast on the day of your visit to prepare appropriately for the weather. This includes dressing for comfort and bringing or purchasing bottled water. Sandals, flip-flops, open-toed shoes and high heels are strongly discouraged.
The following spaces are climate controlled:
- Prisons Today Exhibit
- Recharge Room (Making Headlines Mini Exhibit currently on view)
- Dialogue Space (Pyrrhic Defeat by Mark Loughney currently on view)
- Catholic Chaplain's Office (part of our Mini Tour program)
- Synagogue and Jewish Life Exhibit
- Museum Store
TERRAIN & WALKING SURFACES
Eastern State Penitentiary Historic Site has both indoor and outdoor spaces to explore. The outdoor spaces are mostly poured concrete, with occasional gravel areas. Additionally, there is a baseball field with outdoor terrain, mostly grass. There is an accessible boardwalk on top of the outdoor terrain which allows access to our exhibit Prisons Today. Inside the cellblocks the floors are stone. Both inside and outside, terrain can occasionally be uneven.
RESTROOMS
Restrooms include a three-stall restroom trailer with flush toilets and running water (located near the entrance) and two port-a-potties (located near The Big Graph at the end of the main audio tour route). One stall in each area is ADA accessible.
QUIET & REST AREA
A recharge room with free WiFi and climate control is available to all visitors. The recharge room is wheelchair accessible. Benches throughout the site provide rest areas. If you need a quiet space or a place to rest, please talk to a staff member.
Audio Guides & Language Resources
AUDIO GUIDES
Our audio guide units come equipped with a set of over-ear headphones and are fully sanitized between uses. The auxiliary (aux) port on the audio guide units is not standard and will likely not be compatible with other wired earbuds or headphones. If using the headphones we provide is uncomfortable or impossible for you, you can find the audio files for our first ten tour stops as well as written tour transcripts here on our website.
The volume on all audio guide units may be raised or lowered within a set volume range. People who are hard of hearing or who experience sensitivity to sound may wish to adjust the volume level to better suit their needs. The up and down volume buttons are located on the left side of every device.
LANGUAGE MATERIALS
Translations of the audio tour are available in English, German, Italian, Chinese (Mandarin), Spanish, French, Japanese, and Portuguese. Need another language that is not listed above? Click here to access a webpage with the full text of Eastern State's audio tour, and use your browser's translation feature to translate it from English to other languages.
Maps of the main audio tour route are also available in English, German, Italian, Chinese (Mandarin), Spanish, French, Japanese, and Portuguese.
Service Animals
SERVICE ANIMALS
Service animals and service animals in training are welcome at Eastern State Penitentiary Historic Site. The ADA defines service animals as animals that have been individually trained to do work or perform tasks for a person with a disability. Emotional support, therapy, comfort, or companion animals are not considered service animals under the ADA and are not permitted to enter the historic site.
Visitors with Reduced / Limited Mobility
MOBILITY AIDS & PHYSICAL ACCESSIBILITY
Many visitors who use mobility aids, including both manual and power wheelchairs, visit Eastern State Penitentiary Historic Site every year. That said, the historic site complex is not fully ADA compliant. The building is nearly 200 years old and is a National Historic Landmark. Sections of it may never be fully accessible. The tour route is equipped with ADA compliant ramps and meets most ADA guidelines.
The following areas are not currently ADA accessible:
- Admissions Hallway. This area is only accessible by a set of three steps. This section of the site can easily be bypassed; simply consult a member of our team.
- Synagogue and Jewish Life Exhibit. There is a small step to access the synagogue and adjoining exhibit. You can learn more about the synagogue and Jewish life at Eastern State Penitentiary here.
- Catholic Chaplain's Office. This area is included on some group tour routes and is also part of our Mini Tours program. While no stairs are required to access the Catholic Chaplain's Office, the space has narrow doorframes and tight corners, which may be difficult or impossible to navigate if using a wheelchair.
- Catwalk in Cellblock 7. There are 18 stairs to access the catwalk of Cellblock 7, offering visitors an elevated view of one of Eastern State Penitentiary's original cellblocks. This section of the tour route can easily be bypassed.
- Restored Cells. There are a few stabilized cells located throughout the historic site (Cellblocks 1, 2, and 7) that visitors are invited, but not required, to enter. These cells are only accessible by stepping over an eight-inch threshold.
- Art Installations. Some art installations are located inside cells, which are only accessible by stepping over an eight-inch threshold. You can view a list of current art installations here.
ACCESSIBILITY MAP
This accessibility map highlights accessible paths throughout the historic site and indicates the locations of any stairs/steps, ADA ramps, outdoor terrain, benches, and accessible street parking spots.
DISTANCE
The main audio tour route requires about 2,300 feet (0.44 miles) of walking. The historic site occupies over ten acres, approximately two city blocks.
COURTESY WHEELCHAIRS
Wheelchairs are available to use free of charge on a first-come, first-served basis and are available upon arrival at the entrance and at select locations along the tour route. The wheelchairs have footrests, can accommodate up to 500 pounds, and the seat dimensions are 22” by 18”.
Deaf & Hard of Hearing Visitors
AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE (ASL) INTERPRETATION
Once a month, we offer an ASL Guide-Led Tour and Discussion. An Eastern State Educator leads this tour in partnership with an American Sign Language interpreter from Hands UP Productions. This program includes both ASL and voice interpretation. Visitors from the D/deaf, hard of hearing, and hearing communities are welcome to attend.
Upcoming dates are as follows: June 28, July 26, August 30, September 27, October 26, November 8, and December 27.
The ASL Guide-Led Tour and Discussion is included with admission, subject to availability. Due to limited capacity, the best way to secure your spot is to purchase timed Guide-Led Tour and Discussion tickets online in advance. D/deaf and hard of hearing visitors who wish to utilize our accessible, discounted admission programs (e.g. ACCESS Card, Museums for All, etc.), which must be redeemed on site, may reserve a spot on an ASL Guide-Led Tour and Discussion by emailing [email protected] in advance of their visit.
In addition, American Sign Language (ASL) interpreters are always available by request. Please email Guest Support at [email protected] at least four weeks prior to your visit to request an interpreter.
CAPTIONING
Our Accessibility Committee is working to add open captions and to provide transcriptions so that all videos and films on site are accessible. All films in our Prisons Today exhibit have open captions.
ASSISTIVE LISTENING SYSTEMS
Induction / hearing loops that transmit sound directly to visitors with T-coil compatible hearing aids and cochlear implants are installed near the audio guide distribution area and in the museum store.
Blind & Low Vision Visitors
LARGE PRINT MATERIALS
Large print scripts of "The Voices of Eastern State" Audio Tour are available to borrow free of charge at the audio guide distribution area.
SENSORY FRIENDLY TOUCH TOURS
Private, guide-led sensory-friendly touch tours are available by request for people who are blind, who have low vision, or who have sensory sensitivity needs. These small group tours are typically scheduled for 9:15 am before the historic site opens to the public. The educator leading the tour uses elements of verbal description, guided touch, and sighted guide techniques. In addition, sensory backpacks are made available. Please email Guest Support at [email protected] at least four weeks prior to your preferred date to schedule.
Visitors with Sensory Sensitivities
SENSORY BAGS
Sensory bags are available to use free of charge on a first-come, first-served basis. Ask a staff member at the entrance. The bags contain noise-canceling headphones, sunglasses, a glitter jar, and other fidget toys.
SENSORY FRIENDLY TOUCH TOURS
Private, guide-led sensory-friendly touch tours are available by request for people who are blind, who have low vision, or who have sensory sensitivity needs. These small group tours are typically scheduled for 9:15 am before the historic site opens to the public. The educator leading the tour uses elements of verbal description, guided touch, and sighted guide techniques. In addition, sensory backpacks are made available. Please email Guest Support at [email protected] at least four weeks prior to your preferred date to schedule.
Discounted Admission
PERSONAL CARE ASSISTANTS
Paid Personal Care Assistants are always provided complimentary admission when accompanying a paying visitor to the historic site.
VISITORS WITH DISABILITIES
Upon request, visitors with a disability will receive $2 admission per person during daytime historic site hours. Offer not valid for Wednesday Nights, Halloween Nights, or any other special events.
HIGH SCHOOL STAMP PROGRAM
Philadelphia high school students may use their student ID to gain entrance to the historic site during daytime hours for FREE, thanks to STAMP, a city-wide initiative led by Art-Reach. Offer not valid for Wednesday Nights, Halloween Nights, or any other special events.
OTHER DISCOUNT PROGRAMS
Discounted admission is available by request for Museums for All, ACCESS Card, and SEPTA Key REDUCED FARE card holders. These card holders will be granted $2 admission per person for up to four guests during daytime historic site hours. Visiting guests must present their valid ID upon arrival. Offer not valid for Wednesday Nights, Halloween Nights, or any other special events.
PLEASE NOTE: The discounted admission programs detailed above are intended for individual use only and may not be used for group visits.
Additional Accommodations & Feedback
If you’d like to request additional accommodations or provide general feedback, please contact us via this online form, by emailing [email protected], or by calling (215) 236-3300. If you can, please inform us of any additional accommodation requests at least four weeks in advance of your visit, so we can work to provide the best experience possible.