Mansfield is probably best known for being home to the Ohio State Reformatory (OSR), which opened in 1896 and housed 154,000 inmates during its nearly 100 years in operation. Three years after it closed in the early ‘90s, the imposing structure was used as a filming location for the big-screen adaptation of a 1982 Stephen King novella; nearly 30 years after The Shawshank Redemption became a sleeper hit, the OSR offers guided and self-guided tours, overnight ghost hunts, and other events.

The Historic Carrousel District is home to dozens of businesses and shopping opportunities, including Richland Carrousel Park, which features the “first new, hand-carved carrousel to be built and operated in the U.S. since the 1930s.”

Located just down the street from the Ohio State Reformatory is Biblewalk, a museum featuring displays depicting Bible stories populated by wax figures—some of which have been repurposed from other celebrity-themed museums.

The Ohio Bird Sanctuary rehabilitates native birds in a protected natural habitat offering education and birding opportunities.

The Buckeye Express Diner serves up classic eats from inside of a vintage red rail car.

Camp by the water at the Clearfork Marina & Campground.