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Ohio State Reformatory

Historic and Protected Site, Prison, and Museum
Mansfield
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8.5/10
109
ratings
  • Tips
    Tony P.
    "Best place for Shawshank Redemption fans."(6 Tips)
    Adam C.
    "As a Haunted House its BAD, I recommend doing the Ghost Hunt."(4 Tips)
    Christy Creative
    "Great haunted house at Halloween!"(4 Tips)
    Search C.
    "Best time is ghost tours"(6 Tips)
Tips and Reviews icon34 Tips and reviews
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  • Allen V.heart icon on user image
    Allen VoglianoMarch 4, 2018
    Huge fan of The Shawshank Redemption and Tango and Cash, didn’t realize it was so close to Columbus. Definitely worth the minor detour to see.
    Upvote8Downvote
  • Discover Ohio
    Discover OhioOctober 10, 2012
    The Reformatory opened in 1896 and housed nearly 200,000 prisoners during its nearly 100 years of operation. Open for self-guided and group tours.
    Upvote15Downvote
  • Dave C.heart icon on user image
    Dave CounotteJuly 7, 2016
    Tour this majestic building and see the way prison life was back in the day. used to film the movie "The Shawshanks Redemption". Building is being renovated and not wheelchair accessible.
    Upvote3Downvote
  • Cindy R.heart icon on user image
    Cindy RAugust 11, 2024
    What a historic, beautiful place, unusual for a prison. We were here for the 30th anniversary of Shawshank Redemption and the Shawshank Hustle. It was a lot of fun and a nice place to visit
    UpvoteDownvote
  • Discover Ohio
    Discover OhioNovember 9, 2011
    Put yourself in wrongfully convicted prisoner Andy’s (Tim Robbins) shoes with a visit to the Ohio State Reformatory, the backdrop for the 1994 movie “The Shawshank Redemption.”
    Upvote14Downvote
  • Michael Z.heart icon on user image
    Michael ZickefooseApril 24, 2013
    Is definite must visit in the heart of Ohio. Take a tour or set up a time to spend the night and do a ghost hunt! This place is amazing!
    UpvoteDownvote
  • Adam C.
    Adam CramerOctober 24, 2011
    As a Haunted House its BAD, I recommend doing the Ghost Hunt. More intimate and very affordable. $65 for you to wonder around on your own from 7pm to 5am. At 10pm the staff order pizza.
    Upvote1Downvote
  • The City Mission
    The City MissionAugust 1, 2011
    The staff and volunteers here are great and the facility is amazing. We came for a photo/video shoot for our Inmate Outreach Services program and got some amazing images. Read more
    Upvote3Downvote
  • Haunt G.
    Haunt GoddessOctober 3, 2012
    Awesome haunted attraction that goes through the prison! No other experience like this one!!
    Upvote1Downvote
  • Lon K.heart icon on user image
    Lon KuehnJuly 19, 2013
    Been here 50+ times
    Be sure to take a guided tour to hear more interesting stories about the history and Hollywood of the reformatory!
    UpvoteDownvote
  • Search C.
    Search CircusNovember 1, 2010
    Huge long wait every time. Attraction not at all worth the $ or time when people go thru rooms in swarms so the folks up front get spooked while everybody else watches behind. Best time is ghost tours
    Upvote2Downvote
  • Tony P.
    Tony PappasApril 26, 2013
    Best place for Shawshank Redemption fans.
    Upvote2Downvote
  • Mark A.heart icon on user image
    Mark AppleNovember 2, 2019
    Get busy living, or get busy dying.
    Upvote1Downvote
  • Travel Channel
    Travel ChannelApril 9, 2012
    In its 96-year history, more than 150,000 criminals were confined to the towering cell blocks of the Ohio Reformatory in Mansfield. Read more
    Upvote9Downvote
  • Molly R.
    Molly RoseOctober 13, 2013
    Definitely get the fast pass for this. It goes by so much faster
    UpvoteDownvote
  • Brian K.
    Brian KimballOctober 25, 2013
    Went for the "Haunted Prison Experience". Got a commercialized haunted house w/ props and people in your face. The prison was cool...the "Experience" was disappointing and lacked imagination.
    UpvoteDownvote
  • Jess M.
    Jess McGheeAugust 5, 2011
    Probably my favorite I've been to nationwide. Extremely active. If ur female, be prepared. Also check out cell 44!
    Upvote2Downvote
  • Troy D.
    Troy DunhamSeptember 24, 2011
    2011 season was the best so far. Groups are more spread out and tour seemed to be longer about 1/2 an hour
    UpvoteDownvote
  • Tammy P.
    Tammy PuffDecember 31, 2010
    I have volunteered here over the past couple years and highly recommend you check it out!
    Upvote1Downvote
  • Janice M.
    Janice MemoryApril 16, 2011
    Been here 10+ times
    One of the most active places I've been. Highly recommend for any ghost hunter!!
    Upvote1Downvote
  • Corey H.
    Corey HollidayOctober 9, 2011
    Great fun, interesting decor, ladies beware...you scream they gun for you!
    Upvote4Downvote
  • Christy Creative
    Christy CreativeFebruary 1, 2012
    Great haunted house at Halloween! This is where they filmed The Shawshank Redemption.
    Upvote3Downvote
  • Mel S.
    Mel SoMarch 26, 2011
    Pay for the overnight Ghost Hunt. No long lines and very spooky. Reserve months ahead of time online.
    Upvote1Downvote
  • sasha w.heart icon on user image
    sasha williamsOctober 14, 2012
    Totally not worth the money! Bought tickets online and still waited over 2 hrs just to get into the place. Felt like I was being herded. Not many actors. Felt I paid to just look at the old jail!!!!!
    UpvoteDownvote
  • Lockdown S.
    Lockdown SdccSeptember 18, 2011
    Been here 10+ times
    Opens Sept 24 $17 per person come for the prison experience
    UpvoteDownvote
  • David L.heart icon on user image
    David LeszcynskiAugust 23, 2016
    Loved this place! Definitely want to come back in a few years after some restoration is completed.
    UpvoteDownvote1
  • Lisa
    LisaOctober 30, 2009
    Take the two hour "ghost walk" only $15 and it a spooky experience. Read more
    Upvote2Downvote
  • Rae M.heart icon on user image
    Rae MirandaDecember 18, 2018
    It was amazing! One of my favorite places I’ve gone to!
    UpvoteDownvote1
  • Lisa E.
    Lisa EdwardsOctober 10, 2010
    Real long wait!
    UpvoteDownvote
  • Brian K.
    Brian KleinJuly 10, 2010
    Must do a ghost hunt here
    UpvoteDownvote
  • Courtney H.
    Courtney HardyMay 28, 2016
    Had a great time here! Place is huge!
    UpvoteDownvote1
  • Lisa E.
    Lisa EdwardsOctober 10, 2010
    Bad long wait! Not worth the money! Bad haunted house!
    UpvoteDownvote
  • Jaine W.heart icon on user image
    Jaine WrightAugust 21, 2017
    Very neat place.
    UpvoteDownvote1
  • Joe P.
    Joe PuhlFebruary 15, 2014
    Murder mystery dinner theatre
    UpvoteDownvote1
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