Burlington County Prison Museum

Burlington County Prison Museum At A Glance...

• The jail was designed by Robert Mills, and it was in continuous use from 1811 until 1965.
• An escape game based on a real 1933 breakout sends teams of up to four around the jail hunting for clues.
• An audio tour with 18 stops, in English and Spanish, lets you pick which stories to hear.
• The museum says it joined the ranks of the most haunted buildings in New Jersey after a paranormal team investigated in the 1990s.
• Todays Sunrise: ,   Sunset:  
• New Jersey Delaware River Region Burlington County

• Amenities:

  • Parking Lot(s)
  • Picnic / Sitting Area
  • Picnic tables

  Attractions:

  • Museum / Gallery

  Rules/Regulations:

  • Entrance Fee Required

Contact / Location

A Brief History

Burlington County moved its county seat from Burlington City to Mount Holly in 1795, and in 1806 the Board of Chosen Freeholders resolved to build a county jail there. They chose Robert Mills as architect. Mills was a Quaker and designed the building around the idea that inmates should be reformed through religious instruction, education and vocational training, and he submitted an essay on prison reform with his plans.

The jail was in use from 1811 until 1965, when it was opened as a museum. During its 154-year run there were many escapes, and the museum keeps a list of the inmates who got out.

Special / Seasonal Events

The Haunting on High Street is new for 2026. Groups of 6 are guided through all three floors of the prison by costumed scare actors, with lighting effects and interactive scenes, and exit through the basement to a Halloween Hangout in the courtyard with music, games, food trucks, face painting, a psychic and Scaryoke. A volunteer cast that has haunted together for more than two decades puts it on, and it began in this courtyard as The Haunted Prison from 2005 to 2013. Proceeds go to the museum for new interactive, educational exhibits.

The operator publishes no scare rating and no minimum age. It does say that there are no babies in arms, that theatrical fog is used only outside in the courtyard, and that the walkthrough involves several flights of stairs and is not stroller or wheelchair accessible. For 2026, a walkthrough ticket with the Hangout is $31, and a Hangout-only ticket, which never enters the prison, is $13.

Tips and Tricks

Plan on at least 45 minutes, and longer with the audio tour. Photographs are welcome. Anyone who wants to make a video should arrange it ahead with the Burlington County Parks Department. An elevator makes the first floor accessible to anyone who cannot use stairs. There is usually plenty of parking on High Street and a small lot next to the museum on Grant Street, with a large lot by the county buildings about two blocks away. For a bite nearby, the museum's own FAQ suggests LaVita Pizzeria, Downtown Pizza, Christopher's Deli, Robins Nest and The Local Eatery and Pub, or you can pack a lunch for the picnic tables in the Exercise Yard.

Admission & Guidelines

Admission is $5 for adults, $3 for visitors over 55 and for anyone with a military ID, and $2 for students. Children under 5 are free. The audio tour costs $3 extra, a group tour is $2 per person, and the escape game is $10 per case for a team of up to four, with reservations recommended. The museum takes Visa and Mastercard but not American Express or Discover.

Hours / Season of Operation

The museum is open Thursday to Saturday from 10 AM to 4 PM and on Sunday from noon to 4 PM. It is closed on legal holidays, Good Friday, Easter and the day after Thanksgiving. Groups of 6 or fewer can call to reserve a visit on days the museum is closed.

Facilities

The museum has an elevator to the first floor, a gift shop, picnic tables in the Exercise Yard and a small parking lot next to the building. The courtyard can be rented for private events, and groups can rent the museum on Friday and Saturday nights for paranormal investigations through the county.

Directions

The museum is at the corner of High and Grant Streets in Mount Holly. From Route 295, take Exit 45A, Willingboro and Mount Holly, toward Mount Holly on Rancocas Road, cross the Route 541 bypass, and turn left onto High Street at the second traffic light. The prison is on your left, and the parking lot is on the left on Grant Street right after it. From the New Jersey Turnpike, take Exit 5, Route 541, toward Burlington and Mount Holly. Route 541 becomes High Street, and the prison is on your right.

Iron Works Park, about half a mile away, is a short drive for a playground, picnic areas, ball fields and a boat launch after your visit: Iron Works Park.

Here are 10 places near Burlington County Prison Museum