Information
Landmark: Houdini MuseumCity: Scranton
Country: USA Pennsylvania
Continent: North America
Houdini Museum, Scranton, USA Pennsylvania, North America
Overview
The Houdini Museum & Magic Show in Scranton, Pennsylvania offers a one-of-a-kind blend of culture and entertainment, devoted entirely to celebrating Harry Houdini-the legendary escape artist and magician who could slip free from chains in seconds.It’s the only building anywhere dedicated entirely to Houdini, blending a rich museum of his history with a live magic show where his daring escapes flicker back into the spotlight.You’ll find it at 1433 North Main Avenue in Scranton, Pennsylvania, where the museum showcases an impressive array of genuine Houdini artifacts-everything from worn stage props to handwritten notes.It features original escape gear-handcuffs cool to the touch, heavy chains, straitjackets, and other tools Houdini once relied on in his legendary acts.On display are rare photographs, vintage posters, and personal keepsakes from Houdini’s life-like the worn leather cuffs he once slipped free from.The exhibits showcase Houdini’s daring escapes, his flair for theatrical invention, and the stories that shaped each act-right down to the glint of a handcuff under stage lights.Visitors can step up to interactive displays and get a clearer grasp of Houdini’s daring tricks, from the clink of handcuffs to the weight of a locked trunk.The best part of the visit is a live magic show, where famed magicians Dorothy Dietrich and Dick Brookz-who also founded and curate the museum-make cards vanish right before your eyes.The show features daring escapes and classic Houdini tricks, all reinvented with sleek, modern twists and flashes of bright stage light.Many acts pull the audience in-someone might be asked to shout a line or toss a ball-sparking fresh energy and keeping everyone hooked.The finale usually includes levitation and a few jaw-dropping illusions-like a shimmering figure rising into the air-that have become the show’s trademark.The show blends rich tales from history with bursts of dazzling magic that make you lean forward in your seat.Alongside its exhibits, the museum hosts the Psychic Theater Séance Show, Haunted!, where flickering candlelight sets the mood., which explores paranormal phenomena connected to Houdini’s legacy and the building itself.It delves into eerie, unexplained events tied to Houdini’s legacy and the old brick walls of the building.You can only see this if you’ve booked ahead-think of it like a table set just for you.During the séance show, the museum offers a “Ghost Guarantee”: prove that the flicker of a candle or any other strange event has a logical cause, and they’ll hand you $2,000.It brings a touch of intrigue, like a shadow falling across a quiet doorway.The museum’s open every day, but you’ll need to book ahead-no wandering in without a slot.Before you come, give us a quick call to double-check when tours run and if spots are open.Tickets cost $49.95 for front-row VIP adults, $39.95 for regular adults, and $29.95 for children ages 4 to 11; little ones under 4 can’t attend, as the show runs long and can be intense.Better book ahead-seats fill fast, and the place is always buzzing.Call to book your spot at (570) 342‑5555 or (570) 383‑1821-have your calendar handy.Located in Scranton, just minutes from the highway, it’s easy to get here whether you’re driving in from downtown or rolling past green hills on the interstate.You can park for free on the street just a short walk away, right by the old brick café.You can enter the museum from the front doors or slip in through the back, where the scent of polished wood greets you.The museum welcomes private celebrations, from lively birthday parties with balloons to polished corporate gatherings.A three-hour party for up to 15 guests costs $450, and anyone extra is billed separately-think $20 more if your cousin decides to tag along.Each package comes with a lively magic show, fun party favors, and a personalized magic book just for the birthday guest-complete with their name on the cover.In 2022, visitors crowned The Houdini Museum & Magic Show the top attraction in the Poconos, where the scent of old stage curtains still lingers.Major outlets like The New York Times and the Travel Channel have featured it for its authentic, crowd-pleasing Houdini experience-complete with creaking lockboxes and a hint of mystery in the air.
