My husband, Tony, and I spent a four-day weekend in Ohio. We visited many movie locations, enjoyed delicious meals and stayed at a wonderful Airbnb.
We wandered the downtown area of Mansfield, Ohio, along the Shawshank Redemption movie site trail — with 15 locations that make you go, “Ohhh, I remember this in the movie!” We immersed ourselves in the location to reenact the scene and later scoured streaming sites to find the movie for the purpose of identifying the actual scene to where we stood earlier that day.
Along the driving tour, we came across Carousel Antiques, a charming little antiques store with shelves and shelves of nostalgic and unique items from the past. We did manage to find one thing we couldn’t live without: a miner’s lunchbox from way back when. An awesome find.
At Brown Derby Roadhouse in Ontario, we enjoyed a scrumptious dinner of wood-fired salmon and a steak buried under mushrooms, accompanied by a proper Guinness beer. After dinner, we attended the ParaPsyCon V.I.P. party to rub elbows with a variety of paranormal “celebrities” and discuss where we think Bigfoot is hiding.
The Ohio State Reformatory opened in 1896 in Mansfield. It’s a beautiful, enormous building rich in history, spirits and props from Shawshank Redemption; featured on several paranormal shows; and the venue of ParaPsyCon 2023. The paranormal investigation conducted after hours intrigued us with voices from the past telling their stories through electronic equipment designed to pick up frequencies the human ear cannot. It was worth the drive through downtown Chicago and the speeding ticket on the Indiana back roads.
While at ParaPsyCon 2023, we talked with Andrea Perron. Have you seen The Conjuring? Andrea strips away all the Hollywood effects to relay the real story of what happened in that house. It’s a story more chilling than the movie portrayed.
The Airbnb where we stayed in Bellville is a beautiful place where we enjoyed privacy and peaceful relaxation. We had the whole house to ourselves and will definitely return on our next trip to Mansfield.
— JoAnne Feddeler, guest blogger
Read This Next
Introducing
FX Excursions
FX Excursions offers the chance for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in destinations around the world.
#globility
Insta FeedDaily
Nov 9, 2026Big Sky, Montana, Welcomes Luxury Vacation Rental Management
Making its Montana debut, InvitedHome, vacation rental and property management company, welcomes 10 luxury penthouses and condominiums to Big Sky. This opening marks the brand’s presence in 11 world-class mountain destinations, from Vail and Aspen, Colorado, to Park City and Alta, Utah.
Sponsored Content
The World Awaits with Turkish Airlines’ Global Access
Turkish Airlines enjoys the unique position as the airline flying to more countries than any other airline. Its unrivaled global reach is only the beginning of the experience that awaits passengers with Turkish Airlines.
November 2026
Nov 9, 2026Versatile and Vibrant, Modern Asti Spumante Is Not the Simple Party Fizz of the Past
I recall attending a New Year’s Eve party in my early 20s during which our host walked around at midnight filling guests’ flutes with celebratory toasts of “Champagne” or Asti Spumante. Now, the former wasn’t actually Champagne, just a cheaply made domestic Brut more suited to the budgets of people just entering the workforce. But those of us who liked our bubbly on the drier side preferred it to what we viewed as a sweet, simple Italian quaffer.
United States
Nov 9, 20266 Reasons to Put Bozeman, Montana, on Your Travel List
It’s time to start dreaming of your next trip. Here’s some destination inspiration for you. Take a visual journey through Bozeman, Montana, with us.
Sponsored Content
GET TO KNOW TAP FORBIZ
Unlock flexible, refined business travel with TAP Air Portugal’s program, TAP FORBIZ. Developed for small, medium and large Companies, with options for corporate events, TAP FORBIZ offers exclusive advantages adapted to each type of business.
Daily
Nov 9, 2026Google to Revitalize Chicago’s Thompson Center
The James R. Thompson Center is a 17‑story, 1.15 million-square-foot, postmodern office building at 100 W. Randolph Street in Chicago’s Loop, bounded by Randolph, Lake, Clark and LaSalle streets. Designed by Helmut Jahn and completed in 1985, it was originally the State of Illinois Center.
November 2026
Nov 5, 2026Review: Casa Gangotena
ARRIVAL/CHECK-IN: Facing one side of San Francisco Plaza in Quito’s Old Town, you’d be forgiven if you, at first, mistook the hotel for a palatial residence or estate, where the fourth or perhaps fifth generation of a family resides. Casa Gangotena, a Relais & Châteaux property, was, in fact, a home for many, built in the 17th century and later home to several presidents. The entrance reminds you you’re on very special grounds, from crown molding ceilings to opulent chandeliers to velvet couches, and staff guided me to check-in, beginning my very own regal stay.
Sponsored Content
IHG Business Edge: A Smarter Way for Small- and Mid-Sized Businesses to Travel
IHG Business Edge is a complimentary travel program designed to help small- and mid-sized businesses manage travel more efficiently while saving on hotel stays. Members enjoy access to guaranteed discounts, loyalty benefits, and partner offers across IHG Hotels & Resorts’ global portfolio of 7,000-plus hotels in more than 100 countries.
Daily
Nov 5, 2026Discover a Festive European Fairytale at Rosewood Schloss Fuschl
Rosewood Schloss Fuschl invites guests and locals alike to experience the magic of its holiday season with curated activities, festive celebrations, culinary offerings and other creative workshops. The holiday season arrives Nov. 26 when the resort transforms into a winter wonderland surrounded by the unbelievable Austrian landscape.
ShareThis