We recently went on a weekend getaway to Mansfield, OH, and I couldn’t believe how much there was to do there! Mansfield is such a hidden gem that is just three hours from Indianapolis. One major attraction we were really excited for was the Shawshank Trail, which includes a ton of stops around the area where the movie Shawshank Redemption was filmed. Mansfield also has a Wine & Ale Trail so we made sure to visit multiple stops along that!
I’ve rounded up our favorite 7 spots that we visited during our recent trip below!
7 Spots To Visit In Mansfield
Ohio State Reformatory
This is the spot I was the most excited to visit, because Shawshank Redemption is one of my all-time favorite movies! The Ohio State Reformatory is the former prison that the majority of the movie was filmed at. It was a functioning prison from 1910 until 1990 when it shut down. The movie was filmed there just a few years later.
We loved touring this place! They have a few options including guided and self-guided tours. We did a self-guided one as took our time checking out all the different spots from the movie including the warden’s office, Andy’s solitary confinement cell, Andy’s desk, and more. It’s not just all about the movie either, there is also a ton of history and items from when the prison was operational such as handcuffs, prisoner uniforms, guard uniforms, log books, count sheets, dining trays, homemade weapons and more.
To learn more, visit: Ohio State Reformatory website
Kingwood Center Gardens
Kingwood Center Gardens is the former home of industrialist Charles Kelley King. The 47 acre estate opened as a public garden and historic site in 1953. Visitors can do a self-guided tour of the formal gardens as well as book a tour of the Kingwood Mansion. The mansion was full of original furniture and is being preserved to look like it did in the 1950’s. I loved touring through the rooms and seeing all the different rooms, especially the kitchen and butler pantry! The gardens are absolutely stunning, and you could spend hours walking through them.
To learn more, visit: https://www.kingwoodcenter.org/
Blueberry Patch
Mansfield is also home to Ohio’s largest blueberry farm. The Blueberry Patch and 1205 Winery is an onsite winery, restaurant, and blueberry patch. We ended up having lunch there and couldn’t get over what a great space it is! Thy just recently opened a brand new facility. We enjoyed lunch out on their patio overlooking the blueberry patch. There is also a gift shop and cafe where you can pick up blueberry jam, wine, donuts, and more.
Learn more here: https://www.theblueberrypatch.org/
Laxton Hollow Brewing Works
Laxton Hollow is considered to be Ohio’s only exclusive “real ale” brewery. We ended up enjoying dinner here and loved the atmosphere! The inside was very London pub themed complete with a red phone booth door. There was lve music, and even a great outdoor patio space out back. We had the hummus trio, beer cheese and pretzel, and one of their flatbreads and it was all delicious! I would definitely stop back in for dinner here again.
To learn more: http://www.laxtonhollow.com
Phoenix Brewing Company
The Phoenix Brewing Company is located right in the heart of town in Mansfield, and has such a great, growing space! The owner took us on a quick tour of their main building and the one next door that they are currently expanding into. Inside there is a bar area with plenty of seating as well as a great outdoor patio space. While they don’t serve food themselves, there are frequently food trucks available near their patio! We tried a flight and loved everything we sampled!
To learn more: phoenixbrewing.com
Malabar Farm State Park
Our next stop during our recent trip was to Malabar Farm State Park! The farm is the former home of Pulitzer Prize winning author Louis Bromfield and his family. It was also the wedding site to Hollywood stars Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall in 1945, as well as a popular spot to visit for many stars during the time.
You can book different tours when visiting including a wagon one around the farm, and a tour of the Big House itself. We learned during our tour about one house on the land that is known to be haunted, and they even filmed an episode of Ghost Hunters there! We made sure to watch the episode once we got home from our trip.
It was so cool to see everything preserved how it would have been during that time frame! There is also a gift shop, and I HIGHLY recommend trying their craft sodas.
To learn more: https://malabarfarm.org/
Wishmaker House B&B
Our last stop during our trip to Mansfield was to have dinner at the Wishmaker House B&B! Aside from being a bed & breakfast, they also have an onsite restaurant. We were so impressed at the atmosphere here. We went on a Saturday evening and enjoyed live music during dinner. Their patio is fantastic!
They have a great wine selection, I loved the “Starry Night” which was a semi sweet white with citrus and peach flavors. For an appetizer we ordered the potstickers, which were delicious. For entrees we got the Tuscan Pasta, and the Pork Shank Redemption (loved the name!) and both were amazing. For dessert we were brought the cheesecake lost and couldn’t believe how many options they have and they are all made in house. We tried the French Vanilla with Chocolate and Strawberries.
Overall it was beautiful and we would definitely come back to dine here, or even stay here sometime!
To learn more: https://www.wishmakerhouse.com/
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