Philadelphia Culturati 

Snack/Dessert: 10% off specialty drinks and desserts at Mugshots Coffeehouse & Café

DINNER: 50% off second entree at Rembrandt’s

A first-of-its kind prison for the use of solitary confinement, the Eastern State Penitentiary (or E.S.P. to those who know it well) now stands in semi-ruin. You can tour this creepy, fascinating piece of Pennsylvania history for FREE on March 31st, while they prep for their spring tours. Once home to famous –or infamous, rather– prisoners ranging from Al Capone to Pep the Dog that ate the Mayor’s wife’s cat, Eastern State was designed by neo-classical architect John Haviland (whose other well-known works include the original Franklin Institute, which is now the Atwater Kent Museum, and the Walnut Street Theatre). Sitting on 10.5 acres of land, this radial designed (think: like a wheel) prison housed roughly 75,000 inmates throughout its 142 years of use.

Located on 22nd Street and Fairmount Avenue, just five blocks from the Philadelphia Museum of Art, Eastern State is easy to get to via Septa busses 48, 43, 33, 32, 7, and has ample on street parking.

What next?

Directly across the street from ESP’s entrance is the ever-hip, delicously-inclined MugShots, a coffee shop with pastries and snacks that will gently subdue the jitters you acquired while touring ESP. What better than a warm mug of hot chocolate to relax you.

Enjoy 10 % off desserts and specialty drinks at Mugshots on March 31st by printing out (click to isolate) the small coupon to the right.

Bigger Appetite, maybe?

Or perhaps touring the large and winding hallways of ESP worked up your appetite and you’re ready for dinner. Then walk the two blocks over to Rembrandt’s, a reasonably priced restaurant complete with a tavern and dining room. The menu offers everything from a wide array of soups, salads and bar food to chicken, steak and pasta entrees, and even has a decent selection of vegetarian options.

After visiting ESP on Tuesday, round up the gang and enjoy 50% off your second entree. Dinner is served from 5:30 to 10pm. Just click on and print out the coupon to the left and you’re good to go!

Where are you goin’?

Eastern State Penitentiary is located at 21st and Fairmount in the “Art Museum District” or Fairmount neighborhood, depending on who you ask.

Mugshots Cafe is directly across Fairmount from the entrance of ESP.

Rembrandt’s (balloon B on the map) is about two and a half blocks away. Walk west to 22nd or 23rd and north to Aspen St. Rembrandt’s is located at 23rd and Aspen.

Also nearby is the Philadelphia Museum of Art and the Waterworks. To get to these places just walk a bit further west (about 5 blocks). You can’t miss them.