Philadelphia's Answer To Alcatraz

The Eastern State Penitentiary in Philadelphia, which was conceived shortly after the American Revolution and opened in 1829, was meant not to simply punish criminals, but encourage them to engage in spiritual reflection so that they would become genuinely penitent (thus the new word, penitentiary). Through the years this notion that all criminals are capable of redemption was gradually abandoned and more standard prison practices were added, including Cell Block 15 (Death Row) for prisoners awaiting their final punishment.

The prison finally closed in 1971. Like San Francisco's Alcatraz, Eastern State Penitentiary is now open for tours.

As early as the 1940s, officers and inmates began to report mysterious visions and eerie experiences in the prison. And the ghost sightings have only increased in recent years (and have been well documented in countless TV shows, books, and magazines). It makes perfect sense then, that the prison has become the setting for one of the most dramatic haunted houses in the area. Every year, the prison is transformed into one of the scariest places around, making great use of its history and notoriety. Do you really want to be scared this Halloween? Then don't miss Terror Behind the Walls, the series of haunted happenings within this former prison!

QUICK CLICKS
Check out Cheaptickets.com "Cheap of the Week" and save BIG on featured destinations!
Find 4-star hotels at 2 star prices at Hotwire.com and get up to 60% off retail rates!
Luggage Online carries top brands in luggage, briefcases and travel accessories at great prices.
Add one of these once-in-a-lifetime vacation experiences, including skydiving, helicopter rides, hot air ballooning and much more, to your Philadelphia trip -- you'll be glad you did!

Site Directory: