People from all corners of the world flock to San Francisco to see the city’s most famous location: Alcatraz Island. But, it’s not just the island itself tourists are here to see. On it, you’ll find one of the United States’ most infamous prisons which attracts everyone from historians to your average sightseer.

From 1934 to 1963, Alcatraz was used as a maximum security federal government prison. Nowadays it is managed by the National Park service, which allows vacationers to visit the island and the prison, coming in by boatloads. These boats sail from Pier 33 on San Francisco Bay. It is highly recommended you buy your tickets way in advance, as this popular San Francisco attraction is usually packed and tourists make their reservations up to 90 days ahead.

There is plenty to see and learn once on the island. One of the best history lessons you’ll ever listen to is the award-winning Alcatraz audio tour, which is available for people from all over the world in 8 languages: English, Spanish, French, Italian, German, Dutch, Japanese and Mandarin. The audio tour is available year round and seven days a week. There’s also a guided tour that tells the story of the Indian occupation of Alcatraz Island and the prison, which includes short films and memorabilia. The prison’s gift shop is a great place to get your loved ones and friends an interesting souvenir.

However, for a more in-depth look at the history of the prison, visitors can choose to take the Alcatraz Night Tour. This tour starts after the day visitors leave and takes participants through the dimly lit rooms and halls of Alcatraz. The self-guided tour includes headphones that play stories of the prison, often told by ex-prisoners, as well as sound effects for different parts of the tour that can be rather scary.