Information
Landmark: Houdini MuseumCity: Wilkes Barre
Country: USA Pennsylvania
Continent: North America
Houdini Museum, Wilkes Barre, USA Pennsylvania, North America
Overview
In Scranton, Pennsylvania, the Houdini Museum celebrates the life and legacy of Harry Houdini, the legendary magician and escape artist who once slipped free from chains in a tank of water.It’s not right in Wilkes-Barre, but this popular spot nearby pulls in crowds fascinated by magic, local history, and Houdini’s daring escapes.Founded in 1988, it’s the world’s only museum dedicated entirely to Harry Houdini, where visitors can see his handcuffs, posters, and the stories that kept his legend alive.The museum was started by Dorothy Dietrich and Dick Brookz, celebrated magicians who work tirelessly to keep Houdini’s spirit alive-right down to polishing the handcuffs he once escaped from.You’ll find the museum at 1433 North Main Avenue in Scranton, PA, tucked inside a century-old brick building that gives the place a warm, lived-in feel.Sitting in Scranton, it’s just a short drive for folks coming from Wilkes-Barre or anywhere across northeastern Pennsylvania.The Houdini Museum showcases a rich array of artifacts that trace his life as an escape artist, magician, and showman, including the very handcuffs, rusted shackles, straitjackets, and other restraints he once wriggled free from.Personal items-things Houdini owned or handled-ranged from worn posters and crisp photographs to carefully folded documents.Magic props-everything from trick handcuffs to shimmering silk scarves-Houdini worked them into his shows to pull off his famous illusions.Step into the historical displays to discover Houdini’s early years, the daring feats that defined his career, and the lasting mark he left on magic and popular culture-right down to the worn leather cuffs he once slipped free from.Visitors kick off their tour with a brief film that shows rare clips of Houdini in action-his hands flashing over lock picks-and shares the story of his life and how his acts evolved.Guided Tour: Once the film ends, guests follow a guide through the museum, pausing by dimly lit displays as experts share the stories behind each piece and show how a few clever tricks work.The best part of the visit is watching Dorothy Dietrich and Dick Brookz pull off a live magic and illusion show-cards flick through the air, coins vanish, and the crowd gasps.The show pulls the crowd into the act, dazzling them with illusions like a woman rising into the air and white doves fluttering from a magician’s hands.The performers bring sharp skill to the stage, turning the historical setting into a lively, colorful scene that keeps the crowd leaning in.Each fall, the museum stages “Haunted,” an immersive séance-style show that dives into the building’s eerie past and Houdini’s fascination with spiritualism, with candlelight flickering across the walls as stories unfold.Visitors can try their luck with the so‑called supernatural happenings, and there’s even a $2,000 “ghost guarantee” for anyone who can match the eerie events-like the sudden chill that creeps across the room.Got a group of 20 or more?You can book a private tour and show-perfect for schools, clubs, or marking a special occasion with something memorable, like a backstage peek.From July through August, we’re open every day from 12:30 to 6:00 p.m.; in September and October, you can visit on weekends from 12:30 to 4:00 p.m.; and in the colder months, November through March, weekends are by reservation only.Tickets are $39.95 for regular adult admission, $49.95 for VIP front-row seats, and $29.95 for kids ages 4 to 11.Plan on spending about two and a half to three hours here, enough time to catch the film, join the tour, and see the show.It’s best to book ahead-during peak tourist season, seats disappear fast, sometimes before you’ve even finished your morning coffee.The Houdini Museum honors Harry Houdini’s jaw-dropping escapes and groundbreaking work in magic, while also offering a lively, hands-on space that sparks curiosity about illusion, history, and the thrill of showmanship.Magic lovers, history fans, curious families, and travelers roaming northeastern Pennsylvania will find it a place they can’t skip-imagine stepping past a weathered stone arch into something unforgettable.Call us at (570) 342‑5555.The Houdini Museum sweeps you into a world of history, magic, and live shows-imagine the flicker of stage lights as the illusion unfolds.It keeps Houdini’s remarkable legacy alive, drawing people in with hands-on exhibits and polished stage acts that crackle with energy.
