Alcatraz Island is located off the San Francisco shore in California. It's the home of an infamous prison that at one time contained Al Capone. The Alcatraz prison is no longer in use, but visitors can experience it for themselves in the form of guided tours. If you'd like to take a tour of Alcatraz Island, here are four things you should do:
1. Decide what type of experience you want.
When you purchase Alcatraz tour tickets, you will need to decide what kind of experience you want. Both day and night tours are available. If you'd like a more sedate experience, you may appreciate the day tour. Night owls may enjoy the later tour that happens after sunset. You will get to walk through the Alcatraz prison with your tour group using flashlights to guide your steps. This version of the tour can be spooky; horror lovers will enjoy it, but it's not for the faint of heart.
2. Consider your children's needs.
Alcatraz tours are family-friendly, but young children may find some of the history disturbing. Before bringing your children on the tour, consider their interests and maturity levels. All children are different, so what's frightening to one child may be fascinating to another. If you decide that your children may not appreciate an Alcatraz tour, you may want to make childcare arrangements so they can do something age-appropriate while you enjoy your tour.
3. Wear comfortable clothes.
During your tour, you will walk around Alcatraz Island. You will walk from the ferry into the prison, and you'll stroll through the prison halls. It's best to wear closed shoes with comfortable socks since you will end up doing quite a bit of walking. Keep in mind that you'll arrive on the island by ferry, and the San Francisco Bay is often very cold. Bring a jacket and wear clothes that will keep you warm through your tour experience.
4. Bring water and snacks.
Getting hungry or thirsty during your tour can dampen your enjoyment of the experience. You will have the opportunity to eat before and after your tour, but there are no concession stands or stores available on Alcatraz Island. Take care of yourself by bringing a water bottle and portable snacks with you. If you're participating in the tour with a group, it's a good idea to bring enough snacks for your whole party to share.
