September 20th, 2011

www.TerrorBehindTheWalls.com, Haunted House, Real Prison, Eastern State Penitentiary, Events, Halloween, After Dark VIP Tour, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

An adrenaline rush?  A thrill?  Well, today is when tickets go on sale for this much awaited season at Eastern State Penitentiary in Philadelphia.  It is their Terror Behind The Walls.  The best way to buy tickets and check the schedules is by visiting www.terrorbehindthewalls.com, the website www.easternstate.org/tickets, or by just going to their box office at 21st Street and Fairmount Ave., Philadelphia, PA.  The box office is open every day from 11 a.m. until 6 p.m. on show nights.

Also, they are celebrating their 20th anniversary with a special Anniversary Celebration on Saturday, November 11th.

When you visit the above mentioned websites, please click on “New for 2011”.  You will be able to see what they will be offering. 

Please note that children of ages 7 -12 years old need to go on the designated days for Family Nights.  Every Sunday evening, Wednesday, October 12th, Thursday, October 13th, Tuesday, October 18th.

The ultimate Halloween experience will be the Eastern State After Dark VIP Tour.  The evening will begin with an hour-long, guided flashlight walking tour of this historic prison. 

Eastern State Penitentiary was built in 1822-1836.  It was closed in 1971.  It was once the most expensive prison in the world.

On this VIP toup the highlights will include the cellblocks, Death Row, Al Capone’s cell, and the underground isolation cells under Cellblock 14.  Afterwards you will be escorted to the front of the Terror Behind the Walls’ lines.  This tour is limited to 20 people per tour group.  The cost is $79 Sundays through Thursdays and $99 Fridays and Saturdays, only available on show nights only. 

For this coming week-end 9/23 and 9/24, all tickets for the VIP tour are Buy One Get One Free.  You can also call their group sales dept. at 215-236-5111, ext. 16 for pricing.

Note:  Terror Behing the Walls will start September 23rd until November 5th.

Daytime Prison Tours are available from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m.

Have a great time!!! Talk to you later….

June 25th, 2011

Historic Eastern State Penitentiary, Philadelphia, Events, Behind the Scenes Tour: Death Row, Saturday, Sunday

On my way to the food trucks I stopped by just to get info. on this historic penitentiary.  All the prison shows on t.v. do not compare to how massive and impressive this prison is. 

Built in 1822-1836, it was then closed in 1971.  Now, it is the site for tours, reenactments and special events. 

Today, Saturday and tomorrow, Sunday is the only time that they offer the Behind the Scenes Tour:  Death Row.  You will need to make a reservation online.  Tours are limited, though.  Please visit www.eaternstate.org.

Eastern State Penitentiary is located at 2027 Fairmount Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19130.  Tel. 215-236-3300. 

It was once the most famous and expensive prison in the world; also the first true penitentiary.  It was designed to inspire penitence, or true regret in the hearts of convicts. 

Eastern State Penitentiary was once the home for Al Capon.

It is open every day from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.  Last entry at 4 p.m. 

Save the Date:

Saturday, 7/16  –  Bastille Day  –  At 2:00 p.m. the Street Festival will start.  Then, at 5:30 p.m. a Reenactment will take place.  This is one of Philadelphia’s most popular summertime events.  Join them for a playful reenactment of the Storming of the Bastille and a French-themed Street Party.

Later on September 23rd until November 5th and on Selected Evenings  — Terror Behind the Walls.  This is a massive haunted house inside a real prison.  Called “Perfect for Halloween” by the New York Times and ranked the No. 1 Haunted House in America by AOL City Guide.

Eastern State Penitentiary offers hour-long tours led by an expert tour guide.  This tour highlights its 142-year history.

Other tours are what they call “Hands-On History”.  They are a series of short interactive experiences (about 5 minutes each) throughout the penitentiary.

If you decide to take advantage of any of these tours, then, get hungry, go across the street to Jack’s Firehouse, at 2130 Fairmount Ave.  Tel. 215-232-9000.  Website?  www.jacksfirehouse.com.  It is located inside a 19th century firehouse and it looked very interesting.  Could not visit this time, but on my list for the next road trip to Philly.

Have a good one…talk to you later….