alcatraz penitentiary tour

The Official Tour of Alcatraz Island and Prison

Step back in time and experience the legendary island that has been a Civil War fort, a military prison and one of the most notorious federal penitentiaries in US history. This memorable tour includes: 45 minute audio presentation “Doing Time: The Alcatraz Cellhouse Tour,” featuring actual correctional officers and prisoners who lived and worked on the Island; orientation video by Discovery Channel; ranger and docent tours; historic gardens and abundant wildlife.

CELLHOUSE AUDIO TOUR

No one can tell the Alcatraz tale like the men who actually lived it. The captivating Alcatraz Cellhouse Audio Tour brings history alive through the actual voices of the correctional officers and inmates who lived on the island during the infamous Federal Penitentiary era.

Hear both sides of life in the island prison including such famous events as escape attempts, “The Battle of ’46”, food riots, and surviving solitary confinement.

The Cellhouse Audio Tour is available in Dutch, English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Mandarin, Portuguese, Russian and Spanish.

GARDENS OF ALCATRAZ

From the military to the penitentiary era, plants softened the Rock for those who called Alcatraz home. Through gardening, island residents created beauty in a place focused on defense, punishment, and confinement. The families of the guards enjoyed tea parties in the gardens, and gardening became a welcome pastime. For trusted inmates, the gardens were an escape from daily prison life. Even today, the thriving gardens are a stark contrast to the somber prison.

After closure of the prison in 1963, many plants survived decades without care. These survivors are excellent choices for gardeners in the Bay Area or other Mediterranean climates. Since 2003, The Garden Conservancy has been working in partnership with the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy and the National Park Service to restore these wonderful gardens and to share the stories with visitors.

Join a garden docent for an up-close look at the restored historic gardens of Alcatraz. Learn about the softer side of the Rock and how gardens made life tolerable for residents of the barren island. Tours leave the Alcatraz dock at 9:30 am every Friday and Sunday.

GUIDED TOURS

Join the island staff for a guided walking tour of Alcatraz Island. Programs are offered throughout the day and generally start either at the dock or lighthouse. Topics may include Famous Inmates, Escapes, Hollywood’s Rock, 200 Years of Alcatraz History, and Fortress Alcatraz. Some programs even take visitors into restricted areas of the island.

Guided tours generally last 45 minutes to an hour, and may involve walking moderate distances.

Tours and times vary daily, so check the Program Board when you arrive on the island dock. No reservations are required, and all programs are free.

ALCATRAZ: STORIES FROM THE ROCK

Alcatraz: Stories From the Rock takes viewers on a journey through the Island’s many chapters: its early role as a military fortress, the famous federal penitentiary years, the Indian occupation that altered the course of history, and finally the popular National Park and wildlife refuge it is today.

Alcatraz stands as a powerful symbol of protection and change. The film explores Alcatraz as it began, as it evolved, and as it stands today and allows viewers to discover the many layers that make it an incredible time capsule of history and human drama.

VIDEO: WE HOLD THE ROCK

The occupation of Alcatraz Island from 1969 to 1971 by “Indians of All Tribes” changed the course of U.S. and American Indian history, and brought world-wide attention to the plight of American Indians. The award winning video/exhibit, “WE HOLD THE ROCK,” produced by the National Park Service and the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy, is shown continually in the China Alley exhibit behind the main theater area near the dock.

ALCATRAZ AND THE AMERICAN PRISON EXPERIENCE

“Alcatraz and the American Prison Experience,” a major interpretive exhibit, explains the place of Alcatraz in the evolution of prisons in America from Colonial days to the present. Produced in partnership with the federal Bureau of Prisons, the exhibit also looks at family life on Alcatraz and trends in American penology. The exhibit is housed in two historic fortress storerooms in the China Alley display area near the dock.

Alcatraz Island and the Alcatraz Tour

Alcatraz Tour Fascinates Visitors to Alcatraz Island

Matteo Colombo / Getty Images

It's a former federal prison on a rocky island in the middle of the bay, steeped in legend and a popular tourist stop.

Spanish Explorer Manuel de Ayala named this barren rock in the middle of San Francisco Bay Isla de los Alcatraces (Island of the Pelicans). The island called Alcatraz has been used as a Civil War fort, a Federal prison and a symbol of Native American plight. Today, the National Park Service runs Alcatraz Island as a tourist attraction.

Things to Do on Alcatraz

You can get a look at what you'll see on the Alcatraz tour by visiting the Alcatraz slideshow.

The National Park Service schedules activities to help you learn about Alcatraz Island, including lectures and special tours. The schedule board at the ferry landing gives the times. The only guided tour is the audio tour, but you can also pick up a self-guided tour book near the boat dock.

Barracks from Alcatraz Island's stint as a military base, the cell house, lighthouse, and a few others remain. Many of the Alcatraz Island prison buildings are gone. Some burned during the American Indian Alcatraz occupation in the 1960s. The guard's residences, deteriorated beyond repair, were torn down in the 1970s. 

If the hospital area is open during your visit, don't miss it. It's a fascinating look at medical care during the prison's heyday.

To see two San Francisco Bay islands in one day, take the Alcatraz & Angel Island Tour which will also take you to Angel Island .

Alcatraz Island Tickets

The only way to tour Alcatraz is with the company called Alcatraz Cruises, leaving from San Francisco. Other bay cruise companies can take you by, but can't stop.  Find all the details and buy tickets at the Alcatraz Cruises website . Anyone else selling an Alcatraz Island tour is re-selling tickets and may charge a processing fee.

Alcatraz tour tickets sell out fast. The official brochures say tickets sell out as early as a week in advance in the summer and on holiday weekends. When checked on a July Friday, they were sold out until the following Tuesday. 

Tickets not used by hotels are released to the Alcatraz ticket booth just before it opens. Be first in line you may get a same-day tour ticket. Your hotel's concierge or front desk may have tickets. Or consider taking the Alcatraz and Angel Island tour, which doesn't fill up as fast.

The boat ride to Alcatraz takes about 15 minutes each way from San Francisco. Your tour can last as long as you like (or until the last boat leaves).

The Day Tour is the most popular. It includes round-trip transportation to the island and the audio tour.

The Night Tour includes extra activities — and is slightly more expensive. Taking it allows more time to visit other sights that close earlier, maximizing your sightseeing time. The only downside is that a few areas that are open during the day close after dark.

Get Ready to Visit Alcatraz

Most visitors spend at least a few hours on Alcatraz. Snacks and water are essential to keep everyone from getting "hangry" or thirsty.

If you don't know much about Alcatraz, stop to see the 17-minute introductory video before you go up the hill. You can also read up on these interesting facts about Alcatraz before you go and  explore the fascinating history of the Alcatraz lighthouse .

Watch the Clint Eastwood movie "Escape from Alcatraz" for a glimpse of how the prison operated during its busiest period.

Tips for Visiting Alcatraz

Pick up an audio tour and use it. You'll get a lot more out of what you're seeing. Pay attention to the audio directions. Otherwise, you could end up gabbing away with your friends and not able to figure out where you should be going. If that happens, ask a ranger or tour guide for help.

If you miss your boat, don't despair. The ticket office can direct you to the standby line for the next one.

To see Alcatraz, you'll walk — a lot. It's easy enough if you're in reasonably good shape. They offer a tram to get you up the hill, but you still have to walk after you get there. 

The boats are quiet, clean and smooth riding. The trip is short. But if you need a Dramamine just to sit on the dock and watch a boat bobbing up and down, take your favorite remedy. 

Those white spots all over the island aren't paint. Rangers say several people a day acquire a "white badge of honor" as a gift from a seagull. DON'T look up if you hear birds. Also, watch where you put your hands to avoid touching those same white splotches of yucky stuff.

The gift shop has some very stylish and clever souvenir items. They also sell the book "Hollywood Alcatraz" which details all the films made at Alcatraz and where their scenes were filmed.

Alcatraz Tour Review

In a poll, more than 2,000 Tripsavvy readers rated Alcatraz, 48% rated it awesome and 10% great. However, 26% gave it the lowest rating.

Alcatraz is likely to bore children under the age of five and is more fun for kids who are old enough to understand what it is.

On the plus side, the views of San Francisco and the bay are eye-popping. History buffs enjoy Alcatraz. So does anyone who's seen the movies about it and feel like it's a must-see. The audio tour is one of the best anywhere, using voices of actual guards and prisoners to tell the prison's story.

On the downside, it takes almost half a day to go there and back. If your trip to San Francisco is short, that may be more time than you want to spend on one activity. And it smells like bird poop during spring seagull nesting season.

Getting to Alcatraz Island

Alcatraz Island San Francisco, CA National Park Website

Alcatraz Cruises leave from Pier 33. If you've been to San Francisco before, be aware that the ticket booth and departure dock moved several years ago.

To drive, follow signs for Pier 39. Pier 33 is a few blocks east. You can find more than a dozen commercial parking lots within a five-block radius. Street parking isn't practical because the meters have a two-hour limit and you'll be gone longer than that.

If you're staying in San Francisco, take a taxi, use a ride-sharing service or public transit. Muni's F Line runs past Pier 33 and the Powell-Mason cable car stops nearby. Find more ways to get around San Francisco .

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Visiting Alcatraz: How to do it right and get the most from your trip

By: Author Ginny Vail

Posted on Published: 13 Feb 2024  - Last updated: 27 Feb 2024

Visiting Alcatraz is one of the top things to do in San Francisco. The tour includes the Alcatraz Ferry to the island, the infamous prison audio tour, and more.

The island has so much to offer, it’s little wonder that visiting Alcatraz is a top San Francisco attraction . The infamous former federal penitentiary is on an island in San Francisco Bay, so the tour includes a short ferry ride with great views of the bay and city skyline. It also includes an excellent audio tour of the Alcatraz prison cellhouse, exhibits, and talks and tours led by National Park staff.

Alcatraz is part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area and is operated by the National Park Service. In normal times, more than 1.7 million people visit Alcatraz each year.

When planning your visit to San Francisco, you can find more great sights in our San Francisco Itinerary article.

Here’s what’s in this article:

• About visiting Alcatraz
• Getting  tickets to Alcatraz
• Ticket types: Day Tour , Behind the Scenes Tour , Night Tour
• Getting to Alcatraz Landing (at Pier 33) to catch the ferry
• Ferry to Alcatraz Island
• About the cellhouse audio tour
• Brief mention of the great escape , famous inmates , and ghosts

Best time to go

• Bits of history
• Good things to know about an Alcatraz visit

About Visiting Alcatraz

A National Park Ranger meets each arriving ferry to welcome visitors to the island and to provide a brief orientation and review the day’s program schedule. In addition to the great cellhouse tour, there are permanent and temporary exhibits, ranger led walks and talks, a trail to take, gardens to see, and lots of interpretive signs around the island.

Although Alcatraz is open every day except for three major holidays, getting to and from the island depends on the ferry schedule, and it varies. Tickets are timed and coincide with a ferry going to the island. Once on the island, you can stay as long as you wish, just check the ferry schedule posted on the dock, and make sure you don’t miss the last boat back to Pier 33.

Days and hours open: Alcatraz is open from 10am to 8pm every day of the year except for three holidays: Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s. Time needed to visit: Allow about 3 hours for the ferry ride and Cellhouse Audio tour. Allow more if you also take the Behind the Scenes and/or Night Tour. Location: The tour begins (and ends) at Alcatraz Landing at Pier 33 on the Embarcadero.

Tickets to Alcatraz

Purchase your tickets early because they often sell out days in advance. This is especially true during the summer months and holidays. The tickets are timed and dated.

Buy tickets from Alcatraz City Cruises . It’s the only concessioner authorized by the National Park Service . The price of the ticket is specifically for the ferry and the cellhouse audio tour. The National Park Service does not have an entry fee for the island.

There are three types of Alcatraz tickets and they all include the ferry to/from the island and the self-guided Cellhouse Audio Tour. The Behind the Scenes Tour and Night Tour are currently offered Tuesday through Saturday. Here are more details about each of the three ticket types:

What you get:  Access to all open parts of the island, the theatre, and exhibits and the self-guided Cellhouse Audio Tour. Time needed:  Most people spend about 3-hours (including the ferry), but you can spend all day if you wish, just don’t miss the last ferry back. Currently Offered: Daily

Behind the Scenes Tour

What you get:  This is a small group guided tour through parts of the island not normally open to visitors. It includes some underground locations that were created by the Fort Alcatraz military in the 1800s. The Behind the Scenes ticket also includes the night tour and the self-guided Cellhouse Audio Tour. Time needed: My recent Behind the Scenes Tour took 2.5 hours just for the tour. We boarded the 2:45p ferry from Alcatraz Landing (Pier 33) and joined our guide on the Alcatraz dock at 3p. We finished the tour at 5:30p. If you also take the included Night Tour, allow 5 hours, and if you take the included Cell Block Audio Tour too, make it 6 hours. That should cover all tours and the ferry in both directions. Currently Offered: Tuesday through Saturday afternoons

A bit more about the Behind the Scenes Tour:

We walked from the dock up to the cell house and along the way stopped at several locations while our guide (Jim) shared historical details and stories about the locations and people. Jim has worked on the island for several years and had a lot of interesting stories to share.

Part way up the hill, we went through an underground tunnel that was built by the military on Fort Alcatraz and used to move munitions to gun placements. Alcatraz Island became Fort Alcatraz in the 1850s as part of the Triangle of Defense guarding San Francisco Bay.

At the top of the hill, we entered the cell block and went down a flight of stairs to an old underground jail. This was the Fort Alcatraz jail and was used for conscientious objectors and other men who would not follow orders. This area is now called the dungeon and the conditions were appalling: no bed, no bedding, no toilet, and not much food.

Alcatraz Night Tour

What you get:  A guided (Ranger or educator led) tour from the dock to the Cellhouse, and after the self-guided Cellhouse Audio Tour, a guided tour back to the dock. Time needed:  3-hours, including the ferry Currently Offered: Tuesday through Saturday afternoons

I’ve not taken the Night Tour, but I can certainly appreciate why it’s so popular. In addition to the Cell House Audio Tour and a variety of short talks and demonstrations, the Night Tour has these advantages:

• you get a more complete view of the entire island because the ferry circles Alcatraz Island before docking.
• you get an unobstructed view of the city skyline and might see the sun set behind the Golden Gate Bridge.
• the night tours are limited to a few hundred people, so the island is much less crowded.

Getting to Alcatraz Landing (Pier 33) and Alcatraz Island

When you book your ticket(s), you select a specific date and time, and that’s the date and time your ferry leaves Alcatraz Landing (Pier 33) and heads to Alcatraz Island. Here are three options for getting to Alcatraz Landing at Pier 33 and a map with locations pinned:

Getting to Alcatraz Landing (Pier 33)

• Public Transit:  Take a historic F-Market & Wharves Streetcar. It stops on the Embarcadero at Bay Street, nearly in front of Pier 33. It’s my favorite way to get there.
• Walking:  If you’re in the vicinity of Fisherman’s Wharf and Pier 39, it’s an easy walk. It’s only about 1,700-feet (524 m) from Pier 39 to Pier 33.
• Parking near Pier 33: The Waterfront Plaza Parking Garage is the closest, and it’s open daily. It’s located at 80 Francisco Street. Check the Parkopedia website for times, prices, and reservations.

Alcatraz Landing and Island Map

Click the map image below to go to the expandable, interactive Google Map with pins for Alcatraz Landing, Alcatraz Island and other nearby sights and places of interest. The pins have brief descriptions.

Alcatraz Ferries

The ferry takes about 15-minutes to get from Alcatraz Landing (Pier 33) to Alcatraz Island. Once on the island, you can get back to Pier 33 on any ferry departing the island. Check the schedule posted at the dock, so you don’t miss the last ferry of the day.

Ferry tips: On my most recent visit, the last Day Tour ferry left Alcatraz at 4:25pm. For the Night Tour, there is one ferry to and from the island.

Alcatraz Cellhouse Audio Tour

Tip: It’s a ¼ mile (0.4 km) uphill walk from the boat dock to the cellhouse. Visitors with limited mobility are welcome to take the free Tram up and down the hill.

The excellent 30-minute audio tour guides you through the cellhouse and features former prisoners and guards telling their stories. It’s called  Doing Time: The Alcatraz Cellhouse Tour . The audio tour is available in these 10 languages: Dutch, English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Mandarin, Portuguese, and Spanish.

Download the National Park Service App

You can have more information about Alcatraz literally at your fingertips, if you Download the National Park Service App onto your smartphone. Search the app for Golden Gate National Recreation Area, and then select Alcatraz Island from the list of GGNRA locations. You’ll find descriptions and location information for 14 sights on the island.

Alcatraz Famous Inmates

Alcatraz was a maximum-security federal prison from 1934 to 1963. Among the 1,545 men sent there, a few were famous: Al “Scarface” Capone, George “Machine Gun” Kelly, Arthur “Doc” Barker, Alvin “Creepy Karpis” Karpavicz, Robert “The Birdman” Stroud, Ellsworth “Bumpy” Johnson, and Meyer “Mickey” Cohen.

Alcatraz Escape Attempts

There were several attempted escapes but only one that may have been successful. In 1962, three men, Frank Morris and the Anglin Brothers tunneled out of their cells and slipped into the bay in a makeshift raft. They were never seen again, and their bodies were never found.

On the cell block tour, you’ll learn how Morris and the Anglin Brothers dug their tunnels and fooled the guards into believing they were asleep in their cells. Stay tuned for more: recent facial-recognition technology may have solved the case.

In the 1979 film,  Escape from Alcatraz , Clint Eastwood plays Frank Morris.

Is Alcatraz Haunted; Are There Ghosts?

There are reports of people hearing crying or moaning coming from the empty cells. It’s also claimed that a prisoner in Cell 14D died after screaming that he was being killed by a ghost. Some visitors have also claimed they felt extreme coldness after visiting Cell 14D. So, maybe there are ghosts on Alcatraz, or maybe it’s just the cold wind blowing through the cellhouse.

Weather-wise, mid-September through mid-November is best. The summer fog (nature’s air conditioner) doesn’t roll in as often and the winter rains haven’t yet started. The rest of the year, the weather is mixed: there are often gorgeous, sunny days in winter and spring, and summer days can quickly turn chilly if the fog rolls in. Dressing in layers is always a good idea in San Francisco.

Is it better to visit Alcatraz in the morning or afternoon? Early morning is best if you prefer to go when the island is less crowded. Midday is best if you prefer a warmer day and sunny skies. I took the photo below on the Agave Trail about 1pm in early December. It was a gorgeous sunny day with temperatures in the 60s.

Gardens on The Rock

Alcatraz is nicknamed  The Rock  for good reason: it’s a 225-acre rock. But beginning with the residents of Fort Alcatraz, people brought soil to the island and planted gardens. Now there are gardens scattered all over the island. Military families, and later prisoners and prison staff planted and tended them; now they are tended by volunteers.

Take the Agave Trail between the dock and the Parade Ground to see the Agave Garden and great views of the Island and bay.

Bits of Alcatraz History

• 1775: While mapping San Francisco Bay, Spanish explorers, observe a small rocky island occupied by a colony of brown pelicans; they name the island Alcatraces (strange birds). Overtime, the name was anglicized to Alcatraz. You’ll likely see flocks of pelicans flying by during your visit, and they are strange looking birds.
• 1850: The island became Fort Alcatraz as part of the Triangle of Defense to guard San Francisco Bay. First it was a military fortification and later became a military prison.
• 1854: California’s first lighthouse was built on Alcatraz.
• 1934–1963: Alcatraz was a maximum-security federal penitentiary.
• 1969: Native Americans took over and occupied the island from late 1969 to mid 1971.
• 1972: Congress created the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, which included Alcatraz.

Native American Occupation

Notice the red graffiti above the bookstore by the dock and also on the water tower. These are remnants of the Native American occupation of the island from late 1969 to mid 1971. The Indians hoped to build a university and cultural center on the island, but they were never able to raise enough money to do so.

More Things to Know About Visiting Alcatraz

• Do wear sturdy walking shoes. Walking surfaces are uneven.
• Do bring a jacket or sweatshirt. When the fog rolls in through the Golden Gate, it heads straight for Alcatraz.
• Don’t bring more stuff than you can carry. There are no lockers or storage facilities.
• Please don’t eat anywhere on the island except in the picnic area by the dock. You can bring your own food or buy snacks in the bookstore/gift shop.
• Wheelchairs are not available for loan or rent at Pier 33 Alcatraz Landing or on Alcatraz Island.

Who would have imagined that a 19 th  century fort and an old prison would become such a popular place to visit? Perhaps it’s the combination of a rugged small island with an interesting history, and the ferry boat ride on San Francisco Bay. It’s a great way to spend half a day, and I hope you enjoy it.

For more ideas about things to do and see in San Francisco, visit these articles:

• Seven Unique San Francisco Neighborhoods to Visit
• 12 Best Parks and Gardens in San Francisco
• 15 Best Museums in San Francisco

About the Author

Ginny Vail is a travel writer who loves travel planning, sightseeing, photography, and videography. She’s visited all 50 states and traveled around the world. Her articles focus on discovering places to go, sights to see, and details about when and how to visit them.

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Alcatraz Tours: Day, Night, and Behind the Scenes – Which is the Best Way to Visit The Rock?

Alcatraz Island is known worldwide for its infamous federal prison that formerly housed some of the most notorious criminals of the 20th century. It’s lesser known for the national park unit that now protects, preserves, and shares these stories, and so many others.

That’s right: Alcatraz Island is a national park unit. It became a part of Golden Gate National Recreation Area in 1972, opened to tours in 1973, and it is one of the most unique national parks you can visit.

Haunted by the ghosts of its dark past, Alcatraz Island lures millions of people to its rocky shore every year hoping to get a glimpse of what life was like for notable criminals like Al Capone, Robert Stroud (the Birdman of Alcatraz), Ellsworth Raymond “Bumpy” Johnson and more inside their cramped and secluded cells.

There are three main Alcatraz tours offered to explore Alcatraz Island: the Day Tour, the Night Tour, and the Behind the Scenes Tour. Each tour offers different experiences, along with some similarities, and raises one main question: which is the best?

We’re going to break down all three and give you all the inside information so you can decide which is right for you and/or your group for your trip to the Rock.

This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. For more information, view my privacy policy .

Table of Contents

Golden Gate National Recreation Area Overview

California is teeming with national parks , and a cluster of them are located in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Established in 1972 to bring parks to the people of urban settings, Golden Gate National Recreation Area protects numerous diverse ecosystems in and around the city of San Francisco.

It is the third most visited park unit in the country, regularly seeing more than 12,000,000 visitors annually, and for good reason! Sprawling more than 80,000 acres of land, featuring beautiful beaches and captivating coastlines, gorgeous groves of Coastal Redwoods, magnificent military history in old fort structures, and so much beyond, this park is an urban oasis that has something for everyone who recreates here.

There are several individual sites inside of this park, including Alcatraz Island, the Presidio, and more.

The Bay Area features other national park sites outside of Golden Gate as well, like San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park, Muir Woods National Monument , John Muir National Historic Site, Port Chicago Naval Magazine National Memorial, Eugene O’Neill National Historic Site, and Point Reyes National Seashore .

Overflowing with opportunities for exploration, education, and adventure, the most highly trafficked of these park sites is Alcatraz Island.   

When to Visit Alcatraz Island

Most people would expect summer to be the ideal time to visit any national park, Alcatraz Island included, but it’s vital to know the weather in San Francisco often does what few would expect.

Here’s a sample of what you might expect during the seasons in San Francisco.

While the temperatures never normally go below freezing, winter in San Francisco often see’s a lot of precipitation and gloomy overcast skies. More than 75% of the Bay Area’s annual rainfall occurs in winter.

Despite the higher rain chances, San Francisco has a very stable climate, and winter can actually be a pleasant time to visit.

The main perk is that the city and its attractions will be much quieter as winter is not peak travel season, and it may be the easiest time to score tickets for Alcatraz.

The early stages of spring have a chance to see some rainy days, but winter eases its grip on the region as spring blooms and bursts into life.

The historic gardens in particular really shine in the springtime, and you’ll be able to beat the onset of the massive summer crowds that are sure to follow.

Summer in San Francisco usually brings the cooler times of the year. While pleasant temperatures/days can and do appear, there is often an overcast of fog and blustery winds.

Locals tend to refer to the summer months as “no sky July” and “Fogust.” It’s common to see a chilly, breezy, overcast morning, with a clearing in the early afternoon, and fog returning by early evening.

Aside from the temperatures, summer on Alcatraz Island is also the fly season. Thousands of pesky flies inhabit the island, attracted to the Brandt’s Cormorants colonies.

These flies are completely harmless, though they tend to be extremely annoying, and many visitors find this to be an unpleasant surprise, but the bottom line is the flies are unavoidable.

If you’re looking for great views from the island, a lack of bugs, and less crowded times, summer may not be the peak time of the year to visit Alcatraz Island.

This is also when tickets tend to be booked up months in advance, so if you are planning to visit in the summer, book as early as you possibly can.

It may seem odd, but Autumn is what most consider to be San Francisco’s true summer season. This is due to an abundance of warmer days and sunnier skies.

Autumn is also the end of the fly season, meaning a much more enjoyable experience in the city, and on Alcatraz Island.

Autumn just may be the best season to visit Alcatraz Island for the warmer temperatures, clearer skies, and dispersing of the summer crowds.

No matter when you visit, you’ll want to keep a jacket with you. You never know when the chill of the Pacific Ocean air will creep in.  

A Brief Timeline of Alcatraz Island History

A majority of the people who come to Alcatraz from around the world tend to have only one thing on their agenda when visiting “The Rock,” and that’s to tour the Alcatraz Cell House.

Yet, when these visitors arrive on the island every day, most are stunned to see Alcatraz has far more layers of history than just an old cell house. 

In the year 1775, ​​Spanish naval officer and explorer Juan Manuel de Ayala became the first man to document the rocky island in San Francisco Bay.

He dubbed a neighboring island, “La Isla de Los Alcatraces” after observing the immense seabird population dominating the craggy isle, but the name was later applied to what we now know as Alcatraz Island, which also is home to large colonies of seabirds.

Decades later, in 1846, the United States purchased Alcatraz Island for $5,000. 

A Civil War Fort

Little known fact: Alcatraz Island did not begin as a prison, but rather as a stronghold created during the American Civil War as a defensive strategy.

You read that correctly: Alcatraz Island began as a Civil War fort, designed to protect the Bay as the Gold Rush ran its course.

The original fortification was designed with bunkers, tunnels, 111 canons, a fort on the summit, and several cells throughout the island to discipline disorderly army recruits, but the original intent was never to become a prison.

As the Civil War ended, and advancing war technology outran the fort’s capabilities, the future of the island seemed uncertain, until the commanding officers realized Alcatraz had great potential as an actual prison.

The island’s citadel was torn down by its then-current military prisoners, who then built the iconic Alcatraz Cell House atop its remaining dry moat and basement.

This was when the brutal military prison era of Alcatraz began, and the legends and lore of the mysterious and horrifying prison on Alcatraz Island were born.

This military prison operated until the Federal Bureau of Prisons took over in 1933. 

Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary

Beginning the era the island is most known for, Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary opened in 1934. The reign of the federal prison saw some of the most dangerous criminals locked up behind its walls.

Seeking the stories of those men and the conditions in which they lived is what attracts most visitors to the island today.

The federal prison years of Alcatraz Island lasted for a mere 29 years, before rising costs and other factors finally shut the prison down for good, and its remaining prisoners were sent to other institutions to continue their sentences. 

It was over six years after the federal prison closed when Alcatraz Island reclaimed the world’s attention, but as a sanctuary rather than a penitentiary.

Indigenous Occupation of Alcatraz

On November 20th, 1969, a group of Native American activists calling themselves the Indians of All Tribes claimed the island for all American Indians in a fight for Native American sovereignty.

Their protest and plight reached all corners of the world, drawing support for the Red Power Movement and fueling their fight for over 19 months.

When the occupation dwindled and came to an end on June 11th, 1971, the world wondered, What would come next for Alcatraz Island?

National Park Service

And what came next was the birth of a new national park attraction. Alcatraz Island was added to Golden Gate National Recreation Area in 1972 and opened to tours in 1973. 

Today, visitors come in search of answers to questions about this mysterious place, then discover this place truly is so much more than just a notorious old prison.

It takes advance planning to get to what’s been called “the most infamous island in the world.” Step one of your trip to The Rock is securing tickets to the island.

Golden Gate National Recreation Area Sticker

Tips for booking alcatraz tour tickets.

Book With the Correct Company

First, you want to make sure you’re buying tickets from a legitimate source. Alcatraz Island is federal land, and those allowed to dock on its shores are strictly supervised.

Simply put, no random person is allowed to drive a boat up to the island, and not every Bay cruise company has permission to come.

PRO TIP : There are several different vendors that will promise you “the Alcatraz experience,” but be wary; there is only one concessionaire company authorized to sell real Alcatraz tickets and to bring visitors to Alcatraz Island: Alcatraz City Cruises.

Whether you’re trying to book a Day Tour, Night Tour, or Behind the Scenes Tour, you need to purchase your tickets online from Alcatraz City Cruises . You can also call (415) 981-7625 to make your reservation.

If you purchase tickets from another source claiming to be “Alcatraz Island Tickets,” you are risking buying tickets that will not actually get you to Alcatraz Island, but possibly just a boat ride around it.

Some third-party sellers will actually buy and resell tickets from Alcatraz City Cruises, but for a hiked-up price. There’s usually no way to know if the risk you’re taking will actually pay off and get you on any of the Alcatraz tours.

We know it’s tempting to try to outsource because it’s common to see Alcatraz tickets “sold out” on the City Cruises website, but just be aware you may not make it to the island.

Check Current Conditions

Check the island schedule before you book. Generally, it is open daily from about 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. but is closed on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day.

It’s also a good idea to check Golden Gate National Recreation Area’s current conditions and the weather .

Fees and Park Passes

For National Park Pass holders, your annual pass is not a ticket for Alcatraz Island. You will need to purchase tickets from the authorized concessionaire to bring you to Alcatraz.

Why is there no discount? There is actually no park entrance fee to visit Alcatraz Island. You are paying for the boat ride over and the audio tour. Your annual pass does not grant you a discount for these non-entry fee purchases.

Reserve Tickets as Early as Possible

Here’s the best and most important tip for securing Alcatraz tickets : BOOK EARLY!

Tours are often sold out weeks or months in advance. Especially during the busy summer season, tickets tend to be sold out several months ahead of time.

If you’re trying to book last minute, your best chances will always be on weekdays or in slower travel seasons like winter.

Are Alcatraz walk-up tickets available? Are there ever last-minute tickets?

The short answer is maybe. There are times when hopeful visitors are able to buy walk-up Alcatraz tickets from the ticket booth on Pier 33.

This is not a guarantee, though, and more often than not, people are turned away. If you’re planning to gamble on the chance of being a walkup, prepare to be disappointed. 

Lastly, if you check Alcatraz City Cruise’s website early enough, and plenty of tickets seem to be available on your preferred date, don’t hesitate! Buy them at that moment. There is a strong chance they will sell out.

Don’t risk missing out on your chance to tour Alcatraz Island. Buy them as early as you can.

Comparing the Different Alcatraz Tours

Each of the three Alcatraz tour experiences can be vastly different, with some similarities. Knowing the details of what each offer will help you choose which tour is right for what you want to get out of your visit to Alcatraz Island.

Every Alcatraz Tour Includes: 

• A round-trip ferry ride from Pier 33 to Alcatraz Island
• Access to the award-winning Alcatraz Cell House Audio Tour (available in 11 different languages)
• Optional, free park ranger/docent-led programs and/or walking tours
• Entry into other island exhibits, like the award-winning “The Big Lockup: Mass Incarceration in the United States” Cell House exhibit
• Free access to use S.E.A.T, the accessibility tram that can take anyone with mobility needs or health conditions to the top of the island should they need it
• The option to participate in the Jr. Ranger Program and earn an Alcatraz Jr. Ranger badge

Alcatraz Day Tour

Alcatraz Day Tour Rates :

Adults : $42.50

Children (ages 5-11): $25.80

Juniors (ages 12-17) $42.15

Seniors (ages 62 and up): $39.80

Family Pack (2 adults and 2 children): $123.10

The most common and easily accessible of the Alcatraz tours is the Day Tour, and while this may seem unexciting compared to the Night Tour and the Behind the Scenes Tour, this particular adventure offers nothing short of incredible opportunities on Alcatraz Island. 

During the daylight hours, Alcatraz Island gives off an entirely different impression from what one may think. The true beauty of the island is in full sight during the daytime. This includes the chance to explore and truly appreciate the colorful flowers and diverse plants of the historic gardens.

You’ll also see the breathtaking views of the City of San Francisco, the Golden Gate Bridge, and the San Francisco Bay, plus the chance to observe nesting seabirds all across the island. 

Once you arrive at Alcatraz and step off the ferry, you’ll be greeted by a park ranger who will give a mandatory orientation to the island and will tell you all of the things you can experience on your day there, like what exhibits are open, which programs are happening and when, etc.

Some days, programs may not be offered on the island due to low staffing or other reasons, so there is never a true guarantee for walking tours or programs on the Day Tour. If you see a park ranger, know they’re happy to answer any question you may have about the island and its history.

From there, you get to decide how you want to organize your time on the island. More sections of the island are open to the public throughout the day as opposed to the Night Tour and/or the Behind the Scenes Tour.

If you want to go straight up to the cell house for your audio tour, you can. If you want to take some time and explore different parts of the island, you can do that as well. 

Alcatraz Island has so much to offer during the day, and visitors spend an average of 2-4 hours on the island. You can make your trip last as long as you want.

Return ferries will run throughout the day, and you’re free to choose any boat at whatever time you wish to return. 

Certain sections of the island are only open during the day, and these places are inaccessible to those who go on the Night or Behind the Scenes tours, like the North Road and upper level/exhibits inside the New Industries Building (the workshop where the prisoners of the island were sent to work labor jobs).

As of September 2022, the exhibits inside include one that educates about prison labor while the other commemorates the 50th anniversary of the Native American Occupation of Alcatraz (installed in 2019), though these exhibits are subject to change. 

The two best features of the Day Tour are that these tickets are the cheapest option to visit Alcatraz, and they provide you the most freedom to explore more of the island on your own and at your own pace.

Book official Alcatraz Day Tour tickets

Alcatraz Night Tour

Alcatraz Night Tour Rates : 

Adults : $52.70

Children (ages 5-11): $31.00

Juniors (ages 12-17) $51.55

Seniors (ages 62 and up): $49.00

When the sun starts to set, a creeping feeling of the mystique of Alcatraz Island and its dark past comes to life. The cell blocks barely illuminated by a darkening sky give visitors the true sense of the desolate feelings of Alcatraz prisoners who were trapped behind the bars.

The Alcatraz Night Tour offers its guests a firsthand look at the gloomy cell house at dusk and dark. 

When you make it onto Alcatraz Island for the Night Tour, the boat you’re on will be divided into large groups (usually up to 100 people), and you’ll exit the boat with whichever group you find yourself in.

Your group will be greeted by a guide (either a park ranger or expert tour guide), and they’ll guide you up the hill to the infamous cell house telling you stories along the way.

You cannot leave the group and go on your own; you must stay with your group until you get all the way to the top of the hill.

Once your group makes it to the main prison entrance, your guide will depart and leave you to take the Cell House Audio Tour. 

After the groups finish the audio tour, the real fun of the Night Tour begins. Unlike the Day Tour, when you may or may not have ranger/docent-led programs throughout the day to choose from, the Alcatraz Night Tour is chock full of different talks and walks you can attend.

Visitors have the option to check out various topics, like daring escape attempt stories, history talks, and everything in between.

Don’t forget to take some time and explore the West Road of the island to try to catch the sun setting over the Golden Gate Bridge!

You do have the option to traverse down the hill on your own when you’ve had your fill of adventures, but there are also guided treks down if you’re looking for more stories to hear along the way.

If you go on your own, keep in mind you’re in for a straight shot back to the dock area, as sections and paths on the island open during the Day Tour remain closed at night for safety reasons. 

When you look at the Day Tour compared to the Night Tour, the key difference is the freedom to explore more of the island vs. having more interpretation of the island and its stories from an expert guide. While programs like this can be available during the Day Tour, you are guaranteed them at night.

You’ll also have the chance to see Alcatraz Island settle down as the sunlight fades and the darkness takes hold of the infamous and spooky island.

Book official Alcatraz Night Tour tickets

Alcatraz Behind the Scenes Tour

Alcatraz Behind the Scenes Tour Rates : 

Adults : $97.70

Juniors (ages 12-17) $93.55

  Seniors (ages 62 and up): $91.00

The hardest Alcatraz Island tour to obtain is, without a doubt, the Behind the Scenes Tour, and it’s for good reason, too.

These tickets may be the most expensive of any tour option, but you’ll also get the most bang for your buck.

The Behind the Scenes Tour allows you to not only experience the lesser seen parts of Alcatraz Island but to really dive in-depth into the stories of this place through the experience of an expert guide in a small, intimate group. 

Limited to a group size of 30 or less, your tour will start right as you step off the Alcatraz ferry and are greeted by your guide. Your guide will either be a park ranger or an expert tour guide.

From there, you’ll be brought to several exclusive areas of the island, like the last remaining communication tunnel, the lower level of the industries building, the prison chapel, a gun gallery overlooking the cell blocks, the A-Block of the prison, the citadel (often called the “dungeons”) and the prison hospital (some of these areas, like the hospital or the A-Block, may open during the Night Tour, but there is never a guarantee).

The exclusive access you get to these secluded areas as well as the unforgettable stories you’ll hear from your guide are just the beginning of this tour. 

After you’ve visited all these exclusive areas, you will have the option to leave on an earlier departure ferry or stay on the island for longer.

If you need to get back to San Francisco for other reservations or you’ve just had enough, that early departure ferry is a nice option.

Should you choose to stay, you’ll also get to experience all the features of the Night Tour.

This makes for a longer time (an additional two hours at least) spent on Alcatraz Island, but it is absolutely worth it to experience the most of what you can get out of your Alcatraz Island tour tickets. 

You’ll get to do the famous Cell House Audio Tour and get involved in other programs given throughout the Night Tour as well. 

All-in-all, the Behind the Scenes Tour can be a hefty time commitment and a pricey ticket endeavor, but it’s undoubtedly the best way to experience the private and closed-off sections of Alcatraz Island that very few people get to see.  

Book official Alcatraz Behind the Scenes Tour tickets

The Verdict: Which is the Best Alcatraz Tour?

Every tour of Alcatraz Island offers something exciting, and no matter which you choose, you’ve made a good choice.

It can be hard to say which Alcatraz Tour is truly the best, as they all offer something special and exciting for anyone who’s able to secure tickets, and it really depends on what kind of experience you’re looking for. 

If we had to pick one overall, we’d say the best tour you can take on Alcatraz Island is the Behind the Scenes Tour. This not only allows you to get a firsthand experience viewing areas that are not open to the general public, but you’ll also get to partake in the full Night Tour experience as well (audio tour included).

It gives you the most of Alcatraz and the most guidance on the island, and it’s an experience well worth the price of admission.

It is important to remember the Behind the Scenes Tour, because of its limited space, is often sold out months in advance. Walk-up tickets are never available for this private tour of the island.

If you’re hoping to snag a spot on an upcoming date, start trying to book as early as you can for your best chance to go. 

If you don’t manage to book a spot on the Behind the Scenes Tour, remember the Alcatraz Day Tours and Night Tours are also incredible ways to visit an incredible island.

The Day Tour offers you the most openness and freedom to explore the island, and the Night Tour will offer you the most stellar stories and guidance into The Rock’s past. 

Pin Our Guide to Alcatraz Island Tours

Alcatraz Island is a fascinating and haunting place in our national park system. The stories and legends about this place are sure to make any visit to the island unforgettable.

A little time spent planning your trip in advance can mean the difference between seeing the island from afar, or actually stepping ashore and getting to dive head first into an endlessly fascinating place. 

Have more questions about visiting Alcatraz Island, Alcatraz tours, its history, or more? Leave your thoughts in the comments below!

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City Cruises – Alcatraz

Experience the many moods of Alcatraz Island with an evening visit. Enjoy the beauty of a sunset silhouetting the Golden Gate Bridge, experience a cell door demonstration, and hear compelling stories about the Island’s history and residents.

Enjoy access to Alcatraz Island, including the historic Alcatraz Cellhouse with the self-guided Cellhouse Audio Tour.

Discover areas not otherwise available to the public!  Join a group of 30 people or fewer on a guided 1.5-2 hour adventure to explore off-limits areas and hear little-known-stories about the Island’s fascinating past, then join the Alcatraz Night Tour (including Cellhouse Audio Tour) for a full evening’s experience.

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Alcatraz History

Alcatraz and history go hand in hand

Once home to some of America’s most notorious criminals, the federal penitentiary that operated here from 1934 to 1963 brought a dark mystique to “The Rock”. The presence of infamous inmates, like Al “Scarface” Capone and the “Birdman” Robert Stroud, helped to establish the Island’s notoriety. Yet, many people are unaware of the historical significance before and after it was one of the world’s most legendary prisons.

The 20th Century

Civil War-era buildings, cannons, and subterranean rooms give insight into the 19th century when the Island served as both a harbor defense fort and a military prison. As you dock at Alcatraz Island, visible reminders of the American Indian Occupation, which began in 1969 and ended in 1971, remains etched on “The Rock”, recognizing an important milestone in the American Indian rights movement.

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Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary was a maximum security prison located on Alcatraz Island, 2 kilometres (1.2 miles) off of the coast of San Francisco. 

Alcatraz Prison operated as a maximum security federal prison from 1934 to 1963. During those years, it housed some of America's most notorious criminals, including  Al Capone .

How to visit Alcatraz

We recommend booking your tickets to Alcatraz well in advance of your visit. With Civitatis' standard tour of Alcatraz, you can enjoy a guided tour of the cells and the control room, with the boat journey from San Francisco included.

The famous escape from Alcatraz

One of the most famous legends concerning Alcatraz is June 1962 which involved three inmates, two brothers and another man. Although their bodies were never recovered, it is believed that they drowned in the bay.

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• Alcatraz Day Tour

Alcatraz Night Tour

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• About Alcatraz
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The Complete Alcatraz Tour

Duration: Approximately 2 ½ Hours Available: Tuesday thru Saturday. Until March 9th: 3:50 PM check-in. Beginning March 12th: 5:55 PM, 6:30 PM and 7:05 PM check-in.

• E-Ticket Mobile Check-in
• Alcatraz Island roundtrip ferry
• Access Inside Alcatraz Prison
• 45-minute Cellhouse Audio Tour
• Orientation video
• Ranger and docent tours
• Onboard narration
• Guided tour
• Other special activities

The Alcatraz Night Tour provides an engaging evening Alcatraz experience with special programs. This tour includes a personally narrated boat tour around the island; guided tours from the dock to the main prison building; "Doing Time: The Alcatraz Cellhouse Tour". Also, several programs and presentations are offered only at night. Visitors may choose to attend one or two during the course of their evening. Enjoy a sunset and breath-taking views of San Francisco as night falls. A truly exceptional experience.

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Photos show what it's like to visit Alcatraz Island, which once housed some of America's most notorious criminals

• Alcatraz Island is a National Historic Landmark most famous for its 29-year operation as a prison.
• The small island offshore of San Francisco, California , housed famous criminals including Al Capone.
• Today, tourists can see the former prison's small cells, dining hall, and warden's house.

The story of Alcatraz is a fascinating dive into US history. 

It was the site of a US military prison from the late 1850s to 1933, and later, between 1969 and 1971, it was occupied by Native American activists .

But Alcatraz Island, which is off the coast of San Francisco, California, is best known for its years operating as a maximum-security federal prison. From 1934 to 1963, it housed criminals, including the infamous gangster Al "Scarface" Capone and murderer Robert "Birdman of Alcatraz" Stroud . 

The Golden Gate National Recreation Area was created by Congress in 1972, placing Alcatraz Island under the control of the National Park Service. Today, it is a popular tourist spot, with more than 1 million people visiting the island every year, according to the ​​Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy.

Take a look at what it's like to visit Alcatraz Island.

Alcatraz Island sits in California's San Francisco Bay, approximately 1.5 miles off the coast.

When the 22-acre island was first explored by Spanish navigator Lieutenant Juan Manuel de Ayala in 1775, it was a seabird habitat.

Source: Britannica

The US took control of the island from Mexico after the Mexican-American War in 1848. Two years later, President Millard Fillmore signed an order reserving the island for military use.

Source: US General Services Administration, Britannica

Before it became a federal prison, Alcatraz was used by the US military during the Civil War for Confederate sympathizers and citizens accused of treason.

Source: History.com

Today, Alcatraz is open to visitors every day except Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day. Tickets for adults currently start at $45.

Ferries to the island leave piers 31-33 about every half hour throughout the day. When visitors reach Alcatraz, they're greeted by the guard tower.

Source: National Park Service, Alcatraz City Cruises

Visitors can see where correctional officers and staff entered Alcatraz prison through these front doors to the administration building.

Inside, they'll see the prison's control center, which was completely encased by bulletproof glass.

Visitors can take an audio tour, which uses interviews with former prisoners, correctional officers, and family members to depict the experience of living on the island.

Source: ​​Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy

The island was designated a US military prison in 1907. In 1912, the 600-cell holding complex was completed, along with a mess hall and hospital. In 1933, it was transferred to the Federal Bureau of Prisons.

Source: National Park Service

The cells measured about 10 by 4.5 feet. The prison had enough space for 450 prisoners, but there were never more than 250 at one time.

The cells in A-Block were used for prisoners who needed to be separated from others for short periods of time.

Source: Alcatraz History

Below A-Block was a set of cells called the Spanish Dungeon, which were mostly used when Alcatraz was a military prison. They were reportedly used for storage and solitary confinement in subsequent years.

Source: National Park Service, Alcatraz History

There were a total of 14 escape attempts from Alcatraz by 34 prisoners over the years. Of those, five prisoners were never found.

The most famous attempt was in June 1962, when Frank Morris and brothers John and Clarence Anglin escaped using a raft made from raincoats. Nobody knows what happened to them, although the FBI says it is "unlikely" they survived the journey to shore.

Source: FBI

Prisoners who broke rules could be punished with hard labor or solitary confinement, where they'd only be given bread and water.

The dining hall, nicknamed "the gas chamber" for the 14 tear-gas dispensers mounted on the ceiling, was considered a dangerous place.

With so many people convicted of crimes in a confined space, the guards had to take precautions. Prisoners were given limited utensils, and sharp bones were removed from their food.

Correctional officers supervised as prisoners working in the kitchens made three meals a day.

Public Health Service nutritionists helped create meals for the people inside the prison. A 1963 breakfast menu on display shows they could choose from dry cereals, scrambled eggs, stewed fruit, and toast.

Prisoners also worked in the laundry, or completed factory work or general maintenance. Wages were deposited into their prison accounts to buy items from the commissary.

The prison had strict hygiene standards, according to the National Park Service, and prisoners were expected to shower regularly and wear clean clothes.

Prisoners could take part in education and recreation programs. Some worked on the gardens on the island.

Source: National Park Service, The Gardens of Alcatraz

There was also a library stocked with 15,000 books and 75 magazine titles, according to the National Park Service.

Once prisoners had shown they could follow the rules of the prison, they were allowed to have visits from family members.

Prisoners with good conduct records would complete chores for the warden and his family at the Warden's House, a 15-room mansion next to the cell blocks. Today, all that's left of the building is its concrete frame due to a fire in 1970.

Alcatraz Prison was officially closed on March 21, 1963, by Attorney General Robert Kennedy, as it had become too costly to keep in operation. Over its 29 years as a prison, Alcatraz housed more than 1,500 men.

Source: San Francisco Travel Association

On November 20, 1969, dozens of Native American activists occupied the island to bring attention to their treatment by the US government. Almost two years later, on June 11, 1971, President Nixon sent federal troops to clear the island and the occupation ended.

Source: Britannica, San Francisco Travel Association

The prison and its grounds became part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area in 1972. It opened to the public the following year.

Gardens that were installed and flourished when Alcatraz was a military and federal prison are maintained by volunteers today.

Alcatraz Island is now a designated National Historic Landmark.

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A Guide to Alcatraz, the Famous Prison on the Island in the San Francisco Bay

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Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary  in San Francisco is definitely the most famous prison in the United States, if not in the world . Many of the most notorious American criminals, including Al Capone, have served their sentences here and have found death either because of the harsh living conditions or because of the many unsuccessful escape attempts.

The prison is on the island of the same name (also known as “The Rock” because of its shape), in the San Francisco Bay, and its location has made it one of the most difficult prisons to escape from. Let’s take a look at the information to find out how to visit Alcatraz on a tour , get tickets, and take advantage of the various tours available and possible discounts. But first, a little history lesson…

The Escape Attempts

Option 1: alcatraz tour only, option 2: visit alcatraz on combined tours or as part of a cumulative package, where to stay near alcatraz, alcatraz photo gallery, video of alcatraz, alcatraz: a short history.

Over time, the costs rose so much that some American politicians argued that it would be much cheaper to have prisoners stay at a luxury hotel than in Alcatraz. The conditions on the island were just as harsh as the conditions under which the inmates had to serve their sentences. For this reason, the Alcatraz prison sentence was reserved only for hardened or particularly recidivist criminals, and consequently made this saying famous:

Break the rules and you go to prison, break the prison rules and you go to Alcatraz

All this was extremely traumatizing and on New Year’s Eve, when the sounds of the city’s parties penetrated the prison walls, at the stroke of midnight, all the inmates used to make as much noise as possible so as not to be forced to hear what was going on on the mainland.

The prison was officially closed in 1963 because of the high costs of running it, but the story of Alcatraz did not end there because a few years later, in 1969, a group of Native Americans occupied the abandoned prison on the island for a short time to protest against the policies adopted by the federal government towards them and with the intention of founding a cultural center there.

After the initial enthusiasm, however, the difficult living conditions on the island became hard to deal with and a year later the last Native Americans were evacuated. Even today you can still see murals from the time of the occupation (for example, You are on Indian land).

During the nearly 30 years of its operation, there were 14 escape attempts involving 36 prisoners (two of whom made two attempts). Out of these, 22 were captured, 6 were killed (either in a shootout with prison guards or by drowning), while 5 remain missing.

Among all these attempts, at least two deserve to be mentioned in particular. The first one took place between May 2nd and 4th, 1946, which is also remembered as the “ Battle of Alcatraz ” days. It was one of the bloodiest and most violent episodes in the history of the prison, where two guards (who had previously been taken hostage) and three prisoners lost their lives. These events partially inspired the 1947 film “ Brute Force ” starring Burt Lancaster.

The other famous escape attempt occurred on June 11th, 1962, and its events (although fictionalized) were brought to the forefront by the film “ Escape from Alcatraz ” starring Clint Eastwood . The main protagonists were inmates Frank Morris and the Anglin brothers, John and Clarence, who managed to dig a hole in the wall of their cell and escape using a makeshift raft.

The planning of the escape went on for a long time, as did the work to carry it out. Just to dig the hole in the wall, they had to spend more than six months using a spoon and an improvised drill made from the electric motor of a vacuum cleaner. Since they couldn’t work on their project throughout the day, they chose to dig during the music hour.

This way, the noises caused by the digging operations were masked by the sound of the instruments used by other prisoners. During the rest of the day, the hole was covered with cardboard painted the same color as the wall.

Once the work was completed, they prepared papier-mâché heads, using hair from the prison barber, which were placed on their beds to prevent the guards from discovering their absence during the night. They managed to reach the island’s beach using an unmonitored service corridor, and from that moment on, no one heard from them again.

 Alcatraz Prison Tours

As you may have guessed, Alcatraz occupies a prominent position among the places of interest in San Francisco . There are basically 2 ways to visit Alcatraz. The first option is suitable for those who do not plan to do much else in and around San Francisco besides visiting Alcatraz, but in most cases, if you want to enjoy the main attractions of San Francisco in addition to the prison, we recommend you check a convenient second option (combined tours and tourist passes).

Please note: admission to Alcatraz is included in the national parks annual pass , however, as you can read in a note on the official website , the pass does not cover the cost of the ferry crossing from San Francisco, so in the end, you do not save much money. For this reason, even if you have the pass, you must book the visit in advance.

I witnessed firsthand how valuable this advice is because when I showed up with my reservation at the boarding dock, I saw a sign at the ticket office announcing that there would be no seats available for the next 20 days. So if you are in San Francisco for only a few days and you are sure you want to visit Alcatraz, I advise you to book in advance, especially during the high season.

Thanks to the collaboration with the National Park Service, Alcatraz Cruises also offers, in addition to the transportation to the island, the possibility to use an audio guide that will be very useful during your visit inside the penitentiary.

Alcatraz Cruises offers tours at many different times throughout the day, but if you want a more unique experience, I recommend the night tour , which will give you the opportunity to visit the island at sunset. In case you are interested in a tour in the nearby Angel Island, you can combine it with the visit to Alcatraz, but pay attention to the time of year in which you go, because this is, in fact, the only seasonal tour.

As far as ticket prices are concerned, you would spend $39 per person for the standard tour, $47 for the night tour, and $78 for visiting both Alcatraz and Angel Island. On the official website of Alcatraz Cruises, you will find all the information about the different tours and how to book them.

Instead, if you want to buy the ticket from a site such as Tiqets you can do so at the link below , taking into account that service fees are provided. The positive aspect of this option is that it allows you to buy your tickets much earlier than the official website (about 3 months), which may be of interest to those who are used to booking well in advance and just don’t want to risk missing out on this tour.

Buy the tour on Tiqets

• San Francisco and Alcatraz: City and penitentiary tours
• San Francisco: Alcatraz and two-day bus tour
• All packages combined with Alcatraz on GetYourGuide
• All packages combined with Alcatraz on Viator

As always, we recommend that you book in advance!

As we’ve already explained in another article, the best area to stay near the boarding point for tours of Alcatraz Island is the lively Fisherman’s Wharf . However, since getting around San Francisco is not at all complicated, you can easily choose one of the areas indicated in our article about where to stay in San Francisco instead.

Warning: Operating hours can change and closures for extraordinary events can occur, so we strongly suggest to check the venues official websites.

Filippo Nardelli

I have a degree in History of North America and have always been fascinated by the United States.

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Savvy Travel Advice

Alcatraz Night Tour: Our Visit to The Rock with Alcatraz Cruises

Last updated: May 19, 2019 - Written by Jessica Norah 32 Comments

After over 3 years of living in the San Francisco Bay area, we finally made it to Alcatraz Island last week and did the Alcatraz Night Tour and explored the famous prison. While primarily known and visited because of the 29 years it served as the home for the infamous Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary, the tiny island has a rich and varied history.

Long ignored by native people, the island would in turn serve as a strategic place for a lighthouse, a military fortification, a military prison, a federal maximum-security prison, the site of a 19-month occupation of Native American protesters, and finally a national recreation area and top tourist destination in San Francisco.

Ironically, while for many years people would have done almost anything to get off and escape from Alcatraz, Hollywood celebrities now come here to shoot films and paying tourists line up in droves to come over and take photos in empty penitentiary cells. We were two of those travelers and were very excited to come finally have the opportunity to visit the former prison and explore Alcatraz Island.

Table of Contents:

Basic Information on Visiting Alcatraz Island

Alcatraz Island is located 1.5 miles offshore from San Francisco. It is accessible by boat from Alcatraz Landing at Pier 33 in San Francisco. Pier 33 is at the foot of Bay Street on the Embarcadero. The boating area is a short 6-minute walk from the popular Pier 39 or a 10-minute walk from The Exploratorium at Pier 15.

Getting there?

Public transit : Taking public transportation is the best way to get here. The closest line is the MUNI F Line streetcars that stop right across from Pier 33. You can also take public transportation to Pier 39 and then take a short walk to Alcatraz Landing at Pier 33. Click here for more information on San Francisco public transportation options.

By Car : There are several paid parking garages available within walking distance. The nearest parking garage is 1 block away at 80 Francisco Street. There is limited accessible parking at Pier 33, available on a first-come, first-served basis for individuals with disability placards.

Tour times?

Tours run daily (except major holidays) throughout the year several times a day. Day and evening tours to Alcatraz are approximately 2.5 hours in length. Please check the Alcatraz Cruises  official website for the latest schedule as the tour times change seasonally.

The regular day tours are currently (as of May 2019) $39.90 for adults and youth (age 12 – 61), $24.40 for children (age 5-11), $37.65 for seniors (age 62+), and free for children age 4 or younger.

Night tours are $47.30 for adults, $46.25 for youth (age 12-17), $28.00 for children (5-11), $44.00 for seniors (62+), and free for children age 4 or younger.

The seasonal Alcatraz Island and Angel Island combination tour is 5.5 hours long and costs $78.65 for adults and youth (age 12 – 61), $52.40 for children (age 5-11), $76.40 for seniors, and free for children age 4 and younger.

Special family tickets for 2 adults and 2 children are also available, but need to be purchased in advance by phone.

The Alcatraz Day Island Tour can be included as a combo pass with the San Francisco City Pass or the 3 or 5-day Go San Francisco Card . But you have to follow specific directions at purchase to be able to use it for Alcatraz. The combo passes can be purchased at the Alcatraz Cruises Ticketbooth, located at Pier 33 in San Francisco, or by phone at (415) 981-7625.

Booking Reservations?

If you plan to visit Alcatraz Island during your visit to San Francisco, you should make reservations in advance as tickets can sell out several weeks in advance. While you may get lucky with same day or next day reservations in the less crowded winter months (January through March), it is always good to book in advance.

**Please use caution when purchasing tickets as Alcatraz Cruises is the only commercial boat service authorized by the National Park Service to carry passengers to and from the island. Several other companies in San Francisco offer narrated cruises around Alcatraz Island; however, only Alcatraz Cruises has permission to actually land on the island.**

On-line: The easiest and quickest way is to book directly through the Alcatraz Cruises website. Purchased tickets can be conveniently printed at home or picked up in-person.

In-Person: You can purchase tickets in person by visiting Alcatraz Landing ticket office at Pier 33, The Embarcadero.

By Telephone: Phone reservations can be made by calling the Alcatraz Cruises ticketing center at 415-981-7625.

San Francisco CityPass: If you plan to purchase the  San Francisco CityPASS  you will have the option to book a Alcatraz Island day tour (subject to reservations and availability). However, you must purchase and reserve the tour in a specific way. See the instructions here .

San Francisco Go Card:  If you plan to purchase a 3 or 5 day Go San Francisco Card directly from Alcatraz Cruises, you may visit Alcatraz Island (subject to reservations and availability). The Go San Francisco Card including an Alcatraz Tour may ONLY be purchased through Alcatraz Cruises directly. The Alcatraz Tour is only available on 3-day and 5-day cards.

Can I eat on the Island?

There is no food service available on the island and only water is available. Eating, drinking, and smoking is only allowed at the dock level. Public bathrooms are available.

Can I stay overnight at Alcatraz?

Generally no. There is an evening tour of Alcatraz, but you are not permitted to stay overnight. However, each year several hundred people are allowed to stay overnight at Alcatraz after having applied for a permit and been granted one.

Given the high demand and limited resources, currently only non-profit organization groups are eligible to apply for permits. You can find out more information here .

Day tour versus Alcatraz night tour?

There are pros and cons of taking a Alcatraz Night Tour over a Day Tour. Some pros for taking a night tour are there are fewer people, you get great views as the sun is setting, you get a free brochure, and there is extra programming available in the evening that is not available during the day. It is also perhaps easier to appreciate the isolated and eerie nature of the prison in the dark than during the day.

While the night tour has a lot of benefits over the day tour, I do wish we had had more time to explore other parts of the island. We would have liked to see more of the museum displays, seen more of the buildings, and hiked some of the short trails to see more of the plants and gardens on the island. Part of the issue is a lack of time as coming over for the evening tour you must leave when the last boat leaves, but the other issue is that some areas are closed during the evening that are open during the day.

The other factor to take into consideration when deciding is that the night tour is more expensive than the day tour.

Where can I find out more information?

You can visit the National Park Service  official website on Alcatraz Island for tons of information regarding planning your visit, accessibility, history of the island, educational materials, how to request permits for events or overnights, and other information.

As noted earlier, to check the boat schedule, make reservations, or book tickets you can visit Alcatraz Cruises . While the island is maintained by the National Park Service, Alcatraz Cruises is the official and only boat service authorized to carry passengers back and forth to Alcatraz Island.

 Our Experience doing the Alcatraz Night Tour

Ethan and I had been wanting to visit Alcatraz since we first moved to San Francisco over 3 years ago. We came very close to going in October while my family was in town for a visit. We had all purchased a San Francisco CityPass and scheduled an Alcatraz day tour with Alcatraz Cruises.

Unfortunately, the U.S. government decided to shut down during their stay so we had to settle for a Bay cruise instead. While lovely, we were all disappointed by not being able to visit this infamous prison, especially since my father actually works for a federal prison. We were however given complimentary photos at the end of our Bay cruise despite not having visited Alcatraz.

Several months later, however, Alcatraz Cruises provided us complimentary tickets as travel writers to finally do this tour. We chose the night tour as we went with a large group of Ethan’s friends and co-workers. We took public transportation, taking the MUNI F Line street car to the stop (Embarcadero &  Bay Street stop) across from Pier 33.

The Alcatraz Landing area is well marked and hard to miss. We collected our tickets and met up with our group before getting into the line. They begin allowing people onto the boat about 10 minutes prior to departure and the line moves somewhat slowly as they take pictures of each person or group before they board (photos are available for purchase after the tour).

Once aboard, we chose to go to one of the upper decks and sit to check out the views. After safety instructions, a narrated history of Alcatraz Island is provided as the boat cruises around the island. It was a great time for some pictures of the island and a good way to get oriented to the island’s layout prior to our visit.

It was a pleasant 15-20 minute ride and there are snacks and drinks available for purchase in the bottom part of the boat.

Once docked, we all got off and stood near the dock to listen to one of the park rangers give some instructions and go over the evening’s programming options. We were also given souvenir brochures that provide some information on the Island and a helpful map (normally $1.00 on day tour), which are particularly useful if you plan to explore parts of the island outside the dock area and Cellhouse.

We then slowly made our way up the winding path of the hill with a few short stops as the ranger provided us with information about the buildings along the way.  The path is paved but is 1/4 mile long and uphill, so it may be particularly difficult for those with mobility issues or small children. A free electric shuttle helps escort anyone who is not able to make the climb.

As we passed the ruins of the old social hall and Officers’ Club, one of the more interesting pieces of information to us was about the guards and their families that lived on the island. A number of the officers’ families lived here with children taking a ferry to San Francisco each day to attend school. Many of the children report this as having been an idyllic place to grow up and few families even bothered to lock their doors, having almost no contact with any of the prisoners.

After making our way up the hill, we were finally standing in front of one of the entrances to the prison. You stand in line as people make there way inside and are each given an audioguide which contains the Cellhouse Audio tour “Doing Time”, which is available in a number of languages.

The tour was not guided by any rangers, but the audioguide makes for a very clear and structured tour and helps point out things as you walk along. It is also nice that you can pause the narration at any point. The audioguide contains the voices and stories of several prison guards and several former inmates at Alcatraz which adds richness to the narration.

The cell blocks are interesting to see up close and a few are open so you can walk inside. They are very small with nowhere to sit except on the cot or these little metal seats/shelves bolted to the wall. Most prisoners spent the vast majority of their time in their cells and you can get a brief sense of what it must have been like to sit in these tiny little cells for such long periods of time.

As you walk around you’ll hear the history of the prison, tales about the most famous inmates, the daily routine of prison life, attempted escapes, and the 1946 bloody Battle of Alcatraz. We both learned a lot of interesting information about the prison and discovered that some of the information we knew from films was inaccurate (e.g., famous inmate Robert Stroud known as the “Birdman of Alcatraz” was never allowed to keep any birds at Alcatraz).

After vising the solitary confinement cells, library, guards’ rooms, and warden’s office, you’ll walk outside. This is a great place to pause the narration and take some pictures of San Francisco and the Bay. We were lucky to have a particularly clear day with minimal fog.

After coming back indoors, you’ll return to the Cellblock for some more information and eventually end the tour in the Dining Room. The Dining Room is a dangerous place in a prison given the number of prisoners and potential weapons available (dishes, silverware, trays, etc.). After the narration ends, you can then return your audioguide and head to other parts of the island for further exploration. There are staff and a program guide here that can tell you what other tours and videos are available.

During our visit, the hospital (stairway is located near the entrance to the dining room) was open so we headed upstairs before leaving the Cellhouse. Everyone in our group was a health care worker of some type so this was particularly interesting. You can see the operating room, X-ray room, room for hydrotherapy, and cells for those prisoners housed in the hospital. Many of the items are not original but are from the same period. All medical care for prisoners was provided here, from surgery to dental care, so that prisoners would never need to leave the island.

After returning our audioguides, we had a few options regarding what to do next which included Cellhouse cell demonstrations (this is where you can actually experience getting locked in a cell), a talk titled something like  “Murder and Obsessions”, and a talk related to the Native American occupation.

We chose to do the talk on “Murder and Obsessions” where a guide related the tale about the relationship between two prisoners that led to one murdering the other. It was interesting but definitely not appropriate for children with themes of murder, violence, and sexuality. Finally, we finished our tour with watching a short 17-minute video “Alcatraz: Stories from the Rock” before it was time to board the boat back to the dock for our pleasant 15 minute cruise back to Pier 33.

Whether you choose to do a day tour of night tour of Alcatraz, here are our top 5 reasons you should consider including Alcatraz in your San Francisco trip itinerary:

• Learn the history of the island
• Experience the infamous prison up close and personal
• Capture some great views of the Bay and San Francisco
• Appreciate the flora and fauna of the island
• Enjoy the short Bay cruise and the fact you have the privilege to escape from this isolated island.

Have you done the Alcatraz Night Tour or a day tour to Alcatraz? As always, we’d love to hear any questions, thoughts, or tips you may have.

**Disclaimer: As travel writers, we were provided free tickets from Alcatraz Cruises to review the cruise and tour; however, this article contains only our own honest thoughts and opinions. We did not receive any financial compensation for the writing of this post, do not work for Alcatraz Cruises, and receive no commission for any sales of these tours.**

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Hannah Renton Post author

October 8, 2015 at 3:19 am

This looks like so much fun! If I ever get round to visiting San Francisco, I will definitely try and get tickets for Alcatraz! Great Post!

travelcats Post author

October 12, 2015 at 3:01 am

Hi Hannah, yes Alcatraz is one of my favorite tourist attractions to recommend to visitors in San Francisco. The audioguide is really good and having to take a boat ride over makes it a fuller experience I think. Tickets can sell out, especially in the summer months, so do plan ahead if you are in SF.

Postcards from Rachel Post author

March 12, 2014 at 12:01 pm

We did a tour during the day but I’d love to go back at night. I bet it’s so creepy!

Great photos!

March 12, 2014 at 7:37 pm

Thanks Rachel, I think the day and evening tours are both totally worth it! I think Alcatraz is one of those places you could definitely re-visit.

Meredith Post author

March 11, 2014 at 2:48 pm

Sounds like this tour is definitely worth going on the “must-do” list for San Fran! I always found it kind of amusing that they managed to turn one of the most notoriously difficult prisons to escape into a tourist destination. That said, I’m totally on board for checking it out – hopefully sooner than later! It’s great to know some of the pros and cons to day versus evening – always helpful when trying to plan out an itinerary 🙂

March 12, 2014 at 3:16 am

Yes, I definitely think it is a great place to add to your SF itinerary!

Karen Peterson Post author

March 11, 2014 at 12:22 pm

I’ve been to San Francisco so many times and I have never once been to Alcatraz. Looks like such an amazing place to see!

March 12, 2014 at 3:12 am

It is amazing to me how many people living in the Bay area have not been to Alcatraz (or really lots of famous sites). I think when you live close to a place or visit often you take things for granted until you leave. I know I was like that in OH and NM.

Ashlee Post author

March 10, 2014 at 11:30 am

Holy crap! This is on my bucket list. And that picture of San Francisco from the island is INCREDIBLE. My number one goal in life is to travel so I’m definitely subscribing to your blog! : )

March 11, 2014 at 11:51 am

Yes, the views of San Francisco are fantastic from the island on a clear day. You can also get some good ones of the Golden Gate Bridge from the boat if you have a good zoom on your camera. We’d love to have you as a new reader, you can subscribe to the blog by email for post updates on the sidebar!

Nicki Lewis Post author

March 10, 2014 at 10:57 am

Great pictures. I have always wanted to go see Alcatraz. Maybe will have to make the trip. Will keep your tips in mind

I am having a link up on Thursday, and would love you to stop by to join in

March 11, 2014 at 11:48 am

Thanks, and sure I’ll try to stop by on Thursday!

Meghan Post author

March 10, 2014 at 9:08 am

I’ve only ever been one one of those boats that goes around the island, but never ashore. What a chilling experience, especially at night! Will definitely have to do the tour.

It was really fun to actually be able to walk around the island go inside the old prison. I would definitely recommend it!

AwesomelyOZ Post author

March 10, 2014 at 7:17 am

That’s so cool – regardless, they had quite a view from that island! That “hospital’ looks trippy and I’m not sure on the quality of care those inmates probably received. Either way what a great experience to have visited that spot! 😀 Have a great one Jessica! -Iva

March 11, 2014 at 11:47 am

Thanks Iva for stopping by. Supposedly the medical care (and food) was pretty good for the time, but who really knows!

Michelle Post author

June 28, 2019 at 5:36 am

Hi we are visiting this September and really want to do the night tour but my mum has limited mobility. Do you know if the SEAT bus runs for the night tours? Thank you

Jessica & Laurence Norah Post author

June 29, 2019 at 11:39 am

Hi Michelle,

I believe that the SEAT tram should be running for the evening tours to Alcatraz. I had another reader ask this and it was running for her evening tour. I would of course double check to make sure it is scheduled to be running on the date you want to visit (I’d give them a call or send them an email), but we have heard from a reader a couple months ago that it was running for the night tours. You can find out more here: https://www.alcatrazcruises.com/accessibility/seat-transportation/

Enjoy your visit to Alcatraz!

Best, Jessica

Seana Turner Post author

March 10, 2014 at 6:43 am

I really enjoyed my tour when we went. I thought it was well organized, and very interesting. The whole idea of Alcatraz just stirs the imagination. I frankly didn’t even know there was a night tour, but I imagine being out there when it is dark would really help you identify with the anxiety of being incarcerated there. I always recommend people go when visiting SF.

March 11, 2014 at 11:29 am

Yes, the night tours are really interesting and have a bit of extra programming, but don’t have the advantages of being able to see as much of the nature on the island as the day tours. I definitely agree that this is a great must-see place for visitors who are spending more than a few days in SF.

Sammy Dorn Post author

March 10, 2014 at 6:02 am

This is a place I would be really interested to visit. You wrote a really great review. I find old prisons such great places to see. There is one in Australia called the ‘Old Dubbo Jail’ and I have memories of walking into the complete darkness of an isolation cell as a kid and running straight back out to my mum!

March 11, 2014 at 11:28 am

Hi Sammy, that prison sounds like a great place to check out whenever we get to Australia! That is a fun childhood memory:)

Erica Post author

March 10, 2014 at 3:06 am

Looks so interesting… and kind of creepy or eerie too!

March 11, 2014 at 11:27 am

It was a very interesting tour, and I think it has that appeal for some people of being a bit morbid and creepy:)

Kaelene @Unlocking Kiki Post author

March 10, 2014 at 2:36 am

When we visited San Fran last summer we tried to go to Alcatraz. Of course I hadn’t even thought of booking tickets early, big mistake they were sold out until the next spring!

March 11, 2014 at 11:25 am

Oh wow, yes, the Winter (Jan. – March) is the best time to try to get last minute reservations, but the tours (especially night tours) sell out weeks in advance normally. Hopefully you will get to visit on your next visit to SF!

Anja Post author

March 10, 2014 at 2:10 am

What a great article! I visited Alcatraz 8 years ago during the day and really enjoyed it for all the reasons you mention in your post. Hats of for the detailed, informative and structured way you give information about this site!

March 11, 2014 at 11:24 am

Thanks Anja and I’m glad you enjoyed your visit to Alcatraz as well.

Johlet Post author

March 10, 2014 at 2:07 am

Woah I got some freaky goosebumps while watching your photos! I loved the Alcatraz series, too bad it only lasted for 1 Season. 🙁 I would love to one day visit Alcatraz!

March 11, 2014 at 11:23 am

Some people find it really creepy at night. I would actually love to do an overnight here:)

Louisa Post author

March 9, 2014 at 11:46 pm

I would find this tour fascinating! Great review Jessica. You covered what I wanted to know.

March 10, 2014 at 12:41 am

Thanks Louisa, yes the tour is really interesting and informative! A few people in our group had already been a few times before so I think it is one of those places you can revisit every few years and learn something new.

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A ghost town frozen in time, Kennecott was once drawing in fortune hunters thanks to its rich supplies of copper. The area boomed until the late 1930s, when the copper ran out, and was soon abandoned as the railroad service ended. The two-hour guided tour chronicles the ghost town's fascinating history and offers an exclusive look into the massive 14-story Concentration Mill, plus several other historic buildings. Tours run between May and September, tickets are $34 (discounts available for under-12s). Advanced reservations are strongly encouraged.

Arizona: Sedona and Native American Ruins Day Tour, Phoenix

It's no secret Arizona is rich in Native American history and this part of the state is easily accessible from Phoenix. The small group guided day tour takes in important cultural sites such as the Chapel of the Holy Cross, Bell Rock and Airport Mesa for unbeatable views of the red rocks and Sedona. But perhaps the most fascinating aspect of this tour is a visit to the Montezuma Castle National Monument. Among the most spectacular cliff dwelling ruins in America, Montezuma was built by the Sinagua people between the 12th and 15th centuries. The tours are led by knowledgeable guides who offer fascinating historic insights and context. Tickets are from $179 with free pick up and drop off.

Arkansas: Old State House Museum guided tours, Little Rock

One of the most historic buildings in the state, the elegant Greek Revival-style Old State House Museum is said to be the oldest standing state capitol building west of the Mississippi River. Although no longer serving as a political center, it's now a fascinating museum that recounts the history of the state and the previous lives of the building itself – as a medical school and Arkansas State Police headquarters. Learn interesting stories of important local political figures and see engaging exhibits either on a self-guided or guided group tour . Admission and tours are free.

California: Alcatraz Island Day Tour

As a legendary location immortalized in movies and TV, Alcatraz's reputation precedes it. The island off the coast of San Francisco was the site of a formidable prison from 1934 to 1963. Designed to house the most notorious prisoners, including Al Capone himself, the penitentiary can now be visited on day tours. The tour includes a round-trip ferry to Alcatraz Island and access to the prison's interior, including the cells. Tours depart daily and tickets cost $53.25 (discounts for children and seniors).

Colorado: Cliff Dwelling Tours, Mesa Verde National Park

Carved out of an alcove in Mesa Verde National Park, the Cliff Palace is a cliff village once built and inhabited by Ancestral Puebloans in the 13th century. Studies have shown that the remarkable dwelling contained around 150 buildings, created from sandstone, mortar and wooden reinforcements, and housed around 100 people at a time. To enter the site and learn more about its fascinating history, visitors can join a ranger-led guided tour of the Cliff Palace. Tours run seasonally and 2024 dates are yet to be announced. 

Connecticut: Guided tour of Mark Twain House and Museum, Hartford

Follow in the footsteps of one of the most famous authors in the world as you walk the halls of Samuel Clemens' (aka Mark Twain's) home. The impressive 25-room Gothic mansion includes the grand hall, library and billiards room where the author penned Adventures of Huckleberry Finn and The Prince and The Pauper among others. The house can only be visited on guided tours which run daily (closed on Tuesdays) and tickets start from $24 (discounts for children and seniors).

Delaware: Delaware History Trail, statewide

This excellent self-guided trail of 29 culturally and historically significant locations throughout the state is an excellent resource to tap into when you're visiting. The trail covers sites such as estates and gardens, historic towns, colonial landmarks and coastal attractions all connected to the history of Delaware. Our favorite spots include the Wilmington & Western Railroad, Fort Delaware State Park and Nemours Estate. 

Florida: St Augustine Historic Walking Tours, St Augustine

Florida is not all theme parks and beaches, it's also home to the oldest continuously inhabited European settlement in the continental United States. St Augustine was established in 1565 by Spanish explorers and many of its buildings in the Historic District still date back to the 1700s. The historic walking tours in St Augustine have continuously been voted among the best in the country. Choose between the Conquistatour of St Augustine or the Homes and Buildings Tour and journey into the past of this historic city. Tours run daily and tickets are $25 (discounts for children).

Georgia: The James Brown Family Historical Tour, Augusta

The Godfather of Soul has a special place in America's music history. Cherish the memories of James Brown and visit his childhood home, spots where he hung out, his favorite restaurants and even his elementary school. Tours are led by his daughter Deanna Brown-Thomas and can be arranged via the James Brown Family Foundation. Tickets cost $25.

Hawaii: Iolani Palace tours, Honolulu

As the only royal residence in the United States, Honolulu's Iolani Palace is truly unique. Completed in 1882, it served as the seat of the Hawaiian monarchy. Queen Liliuokalani was Hawaii's last sovereign and the splendid building offers an interesting insight into the affairs of the monarchy. Today, several guided tours are available – the volunteer docent-led tour is among the best and dives into the history of the palace, as well as its royal residents. Tours are available on Wednesdays and Thursdays for $32.95 (various discounts for under-18s and the military apply).

Idaho: Historic District Walking Tour, Idaho City

Idaho City is one of the best day trips from Boise. Today a quirky 'ghost town' (it does technically have around 500 residents), it was the largest city in the northwest more than a century ago. In the 1860s, plenty of miners descended upon Idaho City and the now-derelict buildings have retained a lot of their charm. This  walking tour lets you step back in time and grants access to historic buildings such as the courthouse and saloon, as well as the village, plus you'll hear secrets and stories you're unlikely to discover anywhere else. Tickets start from $5.

Illinois: Chicago Architecture Foundation Center River Cruise, Chicago

The Chicago Architecture Center River Cruise  on board the First Lady is an excellent way to get your bearings and learn about the Windy City's history. It takes in a significant amount of Chicago's most remarkable buildings, with the knowledgeable docents giving each one a historical context too. The tour finishes with a short trip out into Lake Michigan so you can marvel at the historic architecture that's left its mark on the city skyline. The river cruise season runs from spring to fall, tickets start at $54.

Indiana: Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site guided tour, Indianapolis

Sometimes hidden among more famous names, the 23rd president Benjamin Harrison has actually left a very permanent mark on the country. A colonel in the Union Army during the Civil War, Indiana's only president is most remembered for opening the immigration station on Ellis Island. His home – a stunning example of an Italianate Victorian home from 1875 – holds many fascinating artifacts and bursts with family history. The many exhibits tell of the president's life and work, put into context thanks to comprehensive daily guided tours (check hours of the tours before visiting). Tickets are $16 with various discounts to children, students, the military, veterans and seniors, or book in advance online and save $2 per ticket.

Iowa: History Express, Union Pacific Railroad Museum, Council Bluffs

Across the state border of Nebraska in Omaha, the Union Pacific Railroad Museum traces the history of one of the most ambitious infrastructure projects America has ever seen. The museum explores 150 years of American railroad history, from the nation's first transcontinental railway to the technology of modern-day railroading. The experience is taken to the next level with the in-depth guided tour History Express , which covers both floors of the museum and its exhibits. The museum is free to visit, tickets cost $10 and should be booked in advance.

Kansas: Dome Tours, Kansas State Capitol, Topeka

Kansas' State Capitol building is striking indeed, from the two stories below ground right up to the magnificent 306-foot dome. Climb the 296 steps to appreciate breathtaking close-up views of the inner and outer domes. To learn more about the dome and the rest of the building's history, take a guided or self-guided tour , which run throughout the year, are free, and reservations are not required for groups of 10 or fewer.

Kentucky: The Trace Tour, Buffalo Trace Distillery, Frankfort

The spiritual home of bourbon, Kentucky is jam-packed with distilleries offering tours, however, Buffalo Trace is special – it's the oldest continually operating distillery in the US. The Trace Tour sees visitors head inside the Blanton Bottling Hall to learn all about the history of bourbon in Kentucky and of the distillery in particular. There are also opportunities to sample the goods for yourself. All tours are complimentary and run daily, but should be booked in advance to avoid disappointment as tour sizes are small.

Louisiana: Whitney Plantation guided tour, Edgard

A former indigo, sugar and cotton plantation established in 1752, the Whitney Plantation serves as a chilling reminder of America’s history of slavery. The site was home to more than 350 enslaved people, whose names can be seen etched onto the Wall of Honor today. Guided tours delve deeper into the plantation's troublesome history and offer a sobering opportunity to learn about the lives of enslaved people during this period. Tours are offered three times a day and can be booked in advance online. Tickets are $32 (discounts available for under-19s, children under six go free).

Maine: A Daily Walk Through Time, Portland

Portland has buckets of history waiting to be uncovered on a two-hour walking tour . Covering the historic Old Port, downtown and waterfront areas, the tour charts Portland's history as far back as 1632, bringing the city's maritime, industrial and cultural past to life. The tour ends with an irresistible sweet treat from one of the coveted James Beard-nominated bakeries that Portland is famous for. Tours run daily, tickets are $41.99 (discounts for the military, veterans and seniors).

Maryland: Flag Talk, Fort McHenry, Baltimore

"O say can you see…" One of the world's most instantly recognizable anthems was inspired by this very spot. Its author, Francis Scott Key, wanted to capture the dramatic victory during the Battle of Baltimore in 1814 when American forces repelled and defeated British troops in the Independence War. The fort played a pivotal role and today it can be visited on a self-guided tour. Don't miss the daily Flag Talk  – the short, ranger-led program shines a light on the American flag that inspired the anthem and tells the story of the events that led to the victory being immortalized in the  Star-Spangled Banner 's lyrics. The day entrance fee is $15, children under 15 go free, or visit on one of the six fee-free days.

Massachusetts: Walk Into History, Boston

The signature tour on Boston's Freedom Trail, this comprehensive walk  takes in all of the city's most important historical highlights, including Boston Common and Massachusetts State House. Expect stories of the American Revolution and US history spanning six centuries. Tours run six times daily and tickets cost $17 (with discounts for seniors, students and children, children under six go free).

Michigan: Architecture Walking Tour, Detroit

New York and Chicago are well known for their early skyscrapers and 1920s Art Deco architecture, but another city sporting eye-catching architecture is Detroit. Trace the city's architectural, cultural and economic history through its buildings, from famous must-sees to impressive hidden gems, such as the GM Renaissance Center and Shinola Hotel. Plus, gain access to buildings where entry is normally not permitted. Tickets from $115 .

Minnesota: Washburn A Mill Tour, Mill City Museum, Minneapolis

Built into the remains of the Washburn A Mill, which used to be the world's largest flour mill, this curious museum tells the story of a unique aspect of Minneapolis' history. The mill turned the city into the milling capital of the world for over 50 years, even earning it the nickname Mill City. The Washburn A Mill Tour explores the nooks and crannies of this National Historic Landmark and highlights the lives of men and women who worked there, as well as explaining how the mill functioned and changed over time. Tickets are $18 (discounts for members). The 2024 tour dates are yet to be announced.

Mississippi: Guided tours, Mississippi State Capitol, Jackson

The seat of the state government since 1903, the Mississippi State Capitol is also a National Historic Landmark. An architectural marvel in itself, it's also key to the history of the state and of the city. Free guided tours are available at certain times Monday through Friday so visitors can take in one of the replicas of the Liberty Bell, 10 types of marble used throughout the building and the ornate Rotunda.

Missouri: 2-Hour History Tour, Missouri State Penitentiary, Jefferson City

Watch Jefferson City's past come to life as you stroll the halls and cells of this once-famous prison. Still owned by the state, it was the oldest continually operating prison west of the Mississippi until it was decommissioned in 2004. Opened in 1836, the prison is nicknamed the 'bloodiest 47 acres in America' due to its troublesome history. Discover some of it on a two-hour guided tour through the housing units, centennial cells and gas chamber. Tickets are $25, tours run from March to November each year.

Montana: Old Butte Historical Adventure Tours, Butte

The largest National Historic Landmark District in the country, Butte was once one of the most famous mining towns in the West and dubbed the 'Richest Hill on Earth.' During the late 1800s, the town produced the most copper in all of the United States. Today, a group of enthusiasts run three historic tours , taking visitors on a journey from the 1890s through to the 1950s. From exploring the city's underground tunnels and life that thrived there to journeying through the history of Butte in a single building, the engaging tours are filled with curious historic anecdotes, stories and characters. Prices are from $20 (discounts for seniors, students and the military).

Nebraska: Public Tours, Joslyn Castle, Omaha

Completed in 1903, the private home of George and Sarah Joslyn is a 35-room Scottish baronial-style mansion and one of Omaha's most impressive gems. The first historic landmark of the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum, the castle's history is not just fascinating in itself, but also tells the story of high society in Omaha back in the day. Tours don't have to be booked in advance, tickets are $12 (discounts for seniors, students and the military).

Nevada: Guided Dam Tour, Hoover Dam

One of the most impressive feats of engineering in the US, the Hoover Dam was completed in 1935 to save the local farmlands from frequent flooding and supply the surrounding states with electricity. Situated around 30 miles from the neon lights of Las Vegas, the dam is a marvel to see in real life. Guided tours offer an up close and personal view of the mighty structure, giving access to the historic tunnels and original elevators, the inspection tunnels at the center of the dam, and views through the inspection ventilation shaft. Tickets are $30 and are available to buy on-site only.

New Hampshire: Canterbury Shaker Village guided tours

This exceptionally preserved historic village tells the story of the original Canterbury Shakers, who emigrated from England to America in the 18th century. Guided tours of the whole campus take in more than 25 original and reconstructed buildings, which have been preserved for over 200 years and include the carriage house, pump room, schoolhouse, and infirmary. Guides help tell the story of the once-influential community, their values and impact on agriculture, technology, modern architecture and design.

New Jersey: Trolley Tours, Cape May Historic District

The tip of this peninsula, jutting out into Delaware Bay, has always been admired for its pristine beaches, but the real highlight here is the Cape May Historic District. A collection of colorful and intricately decorated Victorian mansions, the eye-catching area earned National Historic Landmark status in 1976. Today, the neighborhood is best explored on a  guided trolley tour . Knowledgeable guides share stories of America's first seaside resorts with plenty of fun facts sprinkled in. Options include the historic district tours, ghost tours and mansions by the sea. Several tours run seasonally, tickets are $20 (discounts for under-12s).

New Mexico: guided tours of Taos Pueblo

A UNESCO World Heritage Site and National Historic Landmark, Taos Pueblo is a Puebloan settlement in northern New Mexico that's survived since the 13th century. Made from adobe – a construction material made from earth, water and straw – the unique settlement is still maintained by local people, resulting in one of the most well-preserved examples of Indigenous architecture not only in America, but in the world. Free guided tours take visitors to the most significant areas of the village, helping them to appreciate this incredible settlement through historic tales and interesting titbits.

New York: Swing Style and Social Revolution Tour, Manhattan

From tours of Ellis Island and the Tenement Museum to sobering exhibits of recent history at the National September 11 Memorial & Museum, Manhattan is full to the brim with interesting historical tours. For a different view of the city, join New York Historical Tours , which take you back in time to the Roaring Twenties. Discover how New York City became the center of cultural and social reform, explore the most iconic locations of the Art Deco era, and discover the stories of hidden speakeasies during the Prohibition. Tours run daily, tickets are $279.

North Carolina: Guests of the Vanderbilts, Biltmore Estate, Asheville

Best known as America's largest home, the sprawling Biltmore Estate is a fine example of a Gilded Age mansion. With 250 lavish rooms, it was built by George Vanderbilt in 1889. An exclusive tour  invites visitors to see the mansion from the perspective of the Vanderbilts' guests, giving access to exclusive areas. Available with house audio guide tour, two-day access to the gardens and complimentary parking and wine tasting from $305.

North Dakota: Fort Union Trading Post tour, Williston

A two-hour self-guided tour lets visitors explore one of the most historic – and curious – trading posts in America. Run by the American Fur Company, it was one of the most important and longest lasting trading posts on the upper Missouri River. Trading guns and ammunition for grizzly and bison furs from the Northern Plains Tribes, the site attracted famous faces such as naturalist John James Audubon and Prince Maximilian of Wied, a German explorer and naturalist. The free walking tour maps out significant places and helps visitors understand the site's importance in American history.

Ohio: History of Cincinnati, Cincinnati

Take the city's only multimedia mobile history tour with over 40 points of interest covered during the two hours. From its inception as a river town for cargo shipping, to its ambitious architecture projects such as the Roebling Bridge, the story of the Queen City is a fascinating one. There's no better way to discover its past than through this tour, which combines knowledgeable guides and archive video to reveal the history of the city. Tours run Thursday through Saturday, tickets are from $45 (discounts for under-15s and seniors).

Oklahoma: The Real Black Wall Street Tour, Tulsa

Until the 100th anniversary of the Tulsa Race Massacre in 2021, little was known about it. This tour , which takes place through the historic Tulsa district of Greenwood, will give you an education that might be painful but insightful. You’ll hear the details about the people and buildings that were affected by the massacre, and the places that were bombed, including churches and schools. Admission is $15.

Oregon: Portland Ghosts, Portland

See a different side of Portland on this haunted tour exploring the ghost stories and spine-tingling tales of the city. Most of the tour takes place in the Old Portland Underground, also known as the Shanghai tunnels due to their location mostly underneath the old Chinatown neighborhood. The tunnels were built to move goods from ships to storage areas, but many scary, suspicious and even brutal legends still haunt these passageways... Tickets are $25 (discounts for under-13s).

Pennsylvania: Complete 3-Hour Tour, Gettysburg National Military Park

The Gettysburg National Military Park Museum and Visitor Center is now home to one of the largest collections of Civil War artifacts in the world. Fought in 1863, it was the bloodiest conflict in the American Civil War and signified a major turning point for the Union. The Complete 3-Hour Tour , where visitors are joined by Licensed Battlefield Guides, is an excellent way to learn as much as possible about this significant point in American history. Pricing starts from $120 for 1-6 people.

Rhode Island: Ranger Guided Tours, Slater Mill, Pawtucket

Considered the birthplace of the American Industrial Revolution in 1793, Slater Mill in Pawtucket was the country’s first cotton-spinning factory powered by water. This seemingly simple innovation changed the course of industrial history. Today, the old textile mill still includes its machine shop complete with tools and the 16,000-pound wheel that used to churn the water from the Blackstone River. Free ranger-led tours examine the beginnings of industry in America and its lasting effects to this day.

South Carolina: African American History And Heritage, Charleston

The heritage and history of Georgia is inextricably linked to the enslaved people brought here from West Africa. Join Bulldog Tours  for a comprehensive guide to the city's past through the African American lens. Touching upon the abolishment of slavery, Jim Crow and the Civil Rights struggle, the two-hour tour covers many of Charleston's most significant historical spots, with stories told through critical moments, giving context to modern-day Charleston. Tickets are from $37 (discounts for children, under-threes go free).

South Dakota: Ranger Talks, Mount Rushmore

No presidential monument is more impactful than Mount Rushmore, conceived as a dedication to represent the birth, growth, development, and preservation of the United States through four former presidents. Carved into a natural rock face, completed in 1941, it's an impressive site to visit and daily free ranger talks between June and September help add context. Erected on Lakota grounds in the Black Hills, don't miss an opportunity to discover the controversy it brought at the Lakota, Nakota and Dakota Heritage Village along the first section of the Presidential Trail.

Tennessee: Ultimate VIP Tour, Graceland, Memphis

It's hard to name another musician whose stardom outshines Elvis Presley's, even today. A worldwide phenomenon, his singing and dancing captivated audiences and changed the history of music forever. Elvis superfans shouldn't miss out on the Ultimate VIP Tour of Graceland, the former home of the King of Rock 'n' Roll. Visitors will join a small guided tour of the mansion and enjoy self-guided tours of Elvis' custom jets and the Entertainment Complex, including the Career Museum and the Making of ELVIS Movie exhibit. Tour price with a meal voucher is $225.

Texas: The JFK Tour, Dallas

One of the most shocking events in modern history, the assassination of President John F. Kennedy still captivates history fans. This brilliant tour recounts the events of the day in surprising detail, winding through Dallas in the footsteps of the assassinated president and his killer. Much of the day's events have remained a mystery to many and this enlightening tour uncovers many secrets, visiting iconic sites such as the Dealey Plaza and the X on Elm Street – the exact point of the assassination. Note the audio tour is self-guided and can be completed at your own pace. Admission is from $14.99.

Utah: Temple Square tours, Salt Lake City

Although initially Salt Lake City's Temple Square was just that – a square – today it refers to a 35-acre area in the center of the city, consisting of some of the most important buildings of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, or the Mormons. The stunning Salt Lake Temple (only open to members of the church), the Tabernacle and the Family History Library are all part of the historic square. Free self-guided and guided tours offer a unique glimpse at these historically important locations. Tours can be organized by the church.

Vermont: von Trapp History Tours

Most people are familiar with the singing family from the classic movie The Sound of Music , but here in Stowe you can explore the family's history after they escaped Austria and settled in Vermont. The tour at the Trapp Family Lodge, the family's home in 1942, uncovers the truths and imagined story lines of the famous film and recounts Maria's last trip to Salzburg – you might even get lucky and run into one of the family members. Tickets are $32.10 (discounts for under-12s, under-fives go free), advance booking is highly recommended.

Virginia: In-Depth Tour, Mount Vernon

History buffs shouldn't miss out on a visit to Mount Vernon, the home of the first president of the United States, George Washington. The 18th-century mansion sits next to the scenic Potomac River and is also Washington's final resting place as he lies in a tomb on the property. A plantation built in the 18th century, its history of slavery is also carefully outlined in a special exhibition. The 45-minute  In-Depth guided tour  offers access to areas normally off limits and uncovers more than 250 years of history at Mount Vernon. Tickets cost $60 in addition to general admission.

Washington: The Underground History Tour, Seattle

When visiting Seattle you might not even realize there's a whole underground world below the city's streets. Descend to what was once the street level and discover Seattle's history before the 19th century. After a lot of the city burned down in 1889, an opportunity presented itself to raise and rebuild it as protection from the tidal flats, thus creating this now underground city. Tickets are from $25 (discounts for under-12s, seniors, students and the military).

West Virginia: Bunker Tours, The Greenbrier, White Sulphur Springs

Opened in 1778, The Greenbrier – popular for its natural hot springs and dubbed 'America's resort' – has been at the very center of American history. Over half of the 46 US presidents have stayed here and during the Second World War it housed diplomats from Germany, Japan and Italy, before it was converted into a hospital for soldiers. One of its most curious aspects is the emergency Cold War fallout shelter built beneath the property. The bunker can be visited on a guided tour , which journeys through its corridors and chambers, recounting the history of the Cold War in the 1960s. Tickets are $47 (discounts for under-18s).

Wisconsin: Guided tours, Harley-Davidson Museum, Milwaukee

Perfect for petrol heads, the Harley-Davidson Museum in Milwaukee offers plenty to see for adults and kids alike. Discover the iconic manufacturer's history and its impact on the world, see everything that goes into making a motorbike in the Engine Room, and enjoy several permanent and temporary exhibits celebrating the motorbike. A choice of three guided tours helps take the experience to the next level. Choose from the Spotlight Tour, which sees a knowledgeable guide talking you through the artifacts in the museum's collection, or go for the Beyond the Gate Tour for a unique access to the Motorcycle Vault. Tickets are from $15 (does not include admission to the museum).

Wyoming: Sundance Sip n Walk Historical Tour, Sundance

This tiny town in Crook County, Wyoming is where the legendary outlaw and Butch Cassidy’s sidekick, the Sundance Kid, got his nickname. The Sip 'n' Walk tours recount the curious history of the Wild West through live reenactments, allowing you to meet famous figures as well as notorious outlaws, and see real, historical locations while sipping on beer, wine or lemonade. Tickets are $40 for a family or group of six or more.

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Moscow Metro

The Moscow Metro Tour is included in most guided tours’ itineraries. Opened in 1935, under Stalin’s regime, the metro was not only meant to solve transport problems, but also was hailed as “a people’s palace”. Every station you will see during your Moscow metro tour looks like a palace room. There are bright paintings, mosaics, stained glass, bronze statues… Our Moscow metro tour includes the most impressive stations best architects and designers worked at - Ploshchad Revolutsii, Mayakovskaya, Komsomolskaya, Kievskaya, Novoslobodskaya and some others.

What is the kremlin in russia?

The guide will not only help you navigate the metro, but will also provide you with fascinating background tales for the images you see and a history of each station.

And there some stories to be told during the Moscow metro tour! The deepest station - Park Pobedy - is 84 metres under the ground with the world longest escalator of 140 meters. Parts of the so-called Metro-2, a secret strategic system of underground tunnels, was used for its construction.

During the Second World War the metro itself became a strategic asset: it was turned into the city's biggest bomb-shelter and one of the stations even became a library. 217 children were born here in 1941-1942! The metro is the most effective means of transport in the capital.

There are almost 200 stations 196 at the moment and trains run every 90 seconds! The guide of your Moscow metro tour can explain to you how to buy tickets and find your way if you plan to get around by yourself.

Guided Walking Tour of the Moscow Metro

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You would like, admiring the frescoes in kurskaya and komsomolskaya metro stations, marvelling at the architecture of the moscow metro, listening to your guide's commentary, essential information *, duration 1 hour 50 minutes, starting time 2:00 pm.

Set off to discover the most breathtaking stops on Moscow’s beautiful metro system on this walking tour.

Some of the stops on the Moscow metro are real masterpieces. Head underground and admire the Moscow metro with your guide.

During your guided tour, you will get to admire the Ploshchad Revolyutsii , designed by the architect Dushkin. There are no fewer than 72 sculptures in this station!

You will then explore Kurskaya station, built in 1938. The design, mosaics and slogans will immerse you in the era of Stalin. You will also see the frescoes depicting Russian victories in Komsomolskaya station.

Then, continue to one of Moscow’s must-see metro stations, Novoslobodskaya , which resembles an underground palace: marble, stained glass windows...

Join your guide to explore the most lavish and important metro stops in Moscow! 

• Availability: every day (excluding exceptional dates)
• Duration: 1 hr. 50 mins approx.
• Departure point: The Kremlin
• Languages: English
• Please wear comfortable shoes
• Metro tickets are included for the metro stations visited during the activity 
• A valid student card will be requested from participants who have booked the reduced student tariff
• A minimum of 2 participants is required to book this activity

Price includes

• Metro tickets
• The services of an English-speaking tour guide
• The guided tour of the Moscow metro

Price doesn’t include

• Access to stations not included in the tour
• Hotel pick-up/drop-off
• Tips (optional)
• All other extras

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Moscow Metro Underground Small-Group Tour - With Reviews & Ratings

Moscow metro underground small-group tour.

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Tour Information

Key Details

• Mobile Voucher Accepted
• Free Cancellation
• Duration: 3 Hrs
• Language: English
• Departure Time : 10:00 AM
• Departure Details : Karl Marks Monument on Revolution Square, metro stop: Square of Revolution
• Return Details : Metro Smolenskaya
• If you cancel at least 4 day(s) in advance of the scheduled departure, there is no cancellation fee.
• If you cancel within 3 day(s) of the scheduled departure, there is a 100 percent cancellation fee.
• Tours booked using discount coupon codes will be non refundable.

Go beneath the streets on this tour of the spectacular, mind-bending Moscow Metro! Be awed by architecture and spot the Propaganda , then hear soviet stories from a local in the know. Finish it all up above ground, looking up to Stalins skyscrapers, and get the inside scoop on whats gone on behind those walls.

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We begin our Moscow tour beneath the city, exploring the underground palace of the Moscow Metro. From the Square of Revolution station, famous for its huge statues of soviet people (an armed soldier, a farmer with a rooster, a warrior, and more), we’ll move onto some of the most significant stations, where impressive mosaics, columns, and chandeliers will boggle your eyes! Moreover, these stations reveal a big part of soviet reality — the walls depict plenty of Propaganda , with party leaders looking down from images on the walls. Your local guide will share personal stories of his/her family from USSR times, giving you insight into Russia’s complicated past and present. Then we’re coming back up to street level, where we’ll take a break and refuel with some Russian fast food: traditional pancakes, called bliny. And then, stomachs satiated, we are ready to move forward! We’ll take the eco-friendly electric trolleybus, with a route along the Moscow Garden Ring. Used mainly by Russian babushkas(grannies) during the day, the trolleybus hits peak hours in the mornings and evenings, when many locals use it going to and from their days. Our first stop will be the Aviator’s House, one of Stalin’s Seven Sisters, followed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs — and you’ll hear the legends of what has gone on inside the walls. Throughout your Moscow tour, you’ll learn curious facts from soviet history while seeing how Russia exists now, 25 years after the USSR.

Local English-speaking guide

Pancake snack and drink

Additional food and drinks

Tickets for public transport

Souvenirs and items of a personal nature

Tips and gratuities for the guide

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received at time of booking

Dress standard: Please wear comfortable shoes for walking. For your Urban Adventure you will be in a small group of a maximum of 12 people

Traveler Reviews

This tour exceeded our expectations. Nikolai (Nick), our tour guide, was very knowledgeable, thorough, and has a great personality. He didn't take shortcuts and really covered everything that was on the agenda in great detail. We saw beautiful metro stations and learned the history behind them, including many of the murals and designs.

We did the tour with Anna her knowledge and understanding of the History surrounding the metro brought the tour alive. Well done Anna!

This tour was amazing!

Anna was a great tour guide. She gave us heaps of interesting information, was very friendly, and very kindly showed us how to get to our next tour.

Amazing beauty and history.

An excellent tour helped by an absolutely amazing guide. Anna gave a great insight into the history of the metro helped by additional material she had prepared.

great tour and guide - thanks again

great will do it again, Miriam ke was very good as a guide she has lived here all here life so knew every interesting detail.a good day