Explore The History of Old Joliet Prison

Explore the Old Joliet Prison and learn about all its history that lies beyond the prison walls. Tours will be available beginning in March, but you can book your visit online today. 

There are seven different tours you can sign up for: 

Self-Guided Prison Tour

• Recommended ages 10 and up 
• You will be able to walk the grounds freely using the designated paths
• No access to buildings, however there are signs along the way for you to learn more about how life was like
• 1.5 hours long 
• Price
  • General Public: $20 
  • Museum Members/ Residents of Joliet: $15 
  • Children (ages 3-12) $10 
  • Children under the age of 3 are free 

Old Joliet Prison “Historical Tour” 

• Minimum of 10 years of age 
• Led by docents and trained tour guides from the Joliet area Historical Museum
• This tour talks about the general history of the prison from when it first opened in 1858 to present day
• You will be able to go inside select buildings
• 1.5 hours long
• Price: General Public $30

Old Joliet Prison “Haunted History Tour” 

• Strongly recommended for ages 16 and up 
• This tour covers the darker side of the Historical Prison 
• This tour will cover more of the grim stories as you walk through the prison at dusk
• You will be able to go inside select buildings

**Disclaimer: this tour does not involve ghost hunting 

• Price: General Public $40 

Old Joliet Prison “Guard Tour” 

• Recommended for ages 16 and up 
• This tour is led by two docents who worked at the prison while it was still operating until its closing in 2002
• You will hear about the daily life in the prison and their experience while working there which is a more personal take on the site’s history
• You will be able to go inside select buildings
• Price: General Public $40 

Old Joliet Prison “Photography Tour” 

• Minimum of 10 years of age 
• 4-hours long 
• You have supervised access to the prison yard and limited predesignated buildings to take as many photos under the morning light 
• You can really take in the natural beauty of the limestone and architecture which will inspire you
• Price: General Public $50 

Old Joliet Prison “Paranormal Investigation Tour” 

• Recommended for ages 18 and up 
• Paranormal investigation of the Old Joliet Prison site which is led by a special guest investigator with 20 years of experience and a historical guide from the museum
• You will be led through the site into several buildings where the group can investigate (together or on their own) before being led to the next location
• Guest are allowed to bring own equipment to use in the buildings
• Two guides will be available to answer any questions or suggestions
• Groups are limited to 15 people 
• 3.5 hours long

•  Price: General Public $75 

Old Joliet Prison “Ghost Hunt 101 Tour” 

• Recommended for ages 15 and up 
• This tour is ideal for anyone who is new to paranormal investigating and wants to walk through the prison grounds at night. You can learn both history and ghost hunting 
• Guest are allowed to bring own equipment to use in the buildings 
• Two guides will be available to answer any questions or suggestions
• Groups are limited to 15 people 
• 2 hours long 
• Price: General Public $50

There are many different ways to walk through history at the Old Joliet Prison.  For more information and to book a tour, check out https://www.jolietmuseum.org/schedule-tour?.