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Location
Visitor tip
Book a guided tour with an experienced guide like Jenny, Reese, Jim, or Daniel - reviews consistently highlight how different guides significantly enhance the experience with their knowledge and storytelling, making each visit unique even if you return multiple times
Visitor tip
Experience both the history tour (daytime) and ghost tour (nighttime) on separate visits - the penitentiary looks dramatically different in daylight versus darkness, and each tour type offers distinct insights into the prison's history and atmosphere
Visitor tip
Consider smaller or private group tours over large overnight lock-ins (30+ people) if you want to fully immerse yourself in the paranormal experience - larger crowds diminish the atmospheric mood and engagement with the site
About Missouri State Penitentiary
Tours of a 19th-century prison. Imposing prison complex dating to the 1800s, with tours of its cell blocks, yard & gas chamber.
Quick Facts
- Type
- Historic Prison Museum
- Location
- Jefferson City, Missouri
- History
- Operated for 168 years, oldest continually operating prison west of the Mississippi River
- Tour Options
- 2-Hour History Tours ($30) and 2-Hour Ghost Tours ($40)
What visitors say
We go A LOT, and the best part about doing overnight investigations is that it is not the same experience every time. The history tours are also great! Gives you great info and a view into what it was like when open. MSP looks so…
I love MSP. I am a paranormal podcaster and love visiting historic locations, and walking through the penitentiary was like taking a step back in time. Everyone who works here to preserve the history of the prison is amazing, but Jenny…
Highly recommend the history-based tours of this very interesting and atmospheric place. Having taken two tours (with different guides), can also say it’s a totally different experience each time. There’s also paranormal/ghost hunt…
From 2,118 Google reviews Read all reviews
Did You Know?
- Tour guides include former prison staff who share personal firsthand insights from their time working at the facility
- Voted #1 activity in Jefferson City on TripAdvisor, with a 4.8-star rating from over 2,100 reviews
- Features a functional gas chamber, one of the primary exhibits at this 19th-century penitentiary complex
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