The Ohio State Reformatory: Cleveland Museum Guide

Our tour guide was very knowledgeable and made the tour very interesting and fun. After the Behind the Bars guided tour, we explored until closing time. There is a lot to see and learn. We took a little break and enjoyed coffee in the cafe. Highly recommend spending the day here.

A great time at this historic landmark. Amazing architecture at this 130 year old establishment. Tour was informative and fun. So many things to see and do. Tips: Dress for the weather, and wear appropriate shoes. You are on your feet the entire time. Tour guide was a prophet. You can tell they like their job and it made the trip e en better. We took the Shawshank Tour and we recommend it.

​We visited during the fall, and it was a fantastic experience. We opted for the "Hollywood meets history" guided tour, and our guide was both engaging and knowledgeable, providing a great balance between the prison's operational history and its fame as a filming location. ​The Tour Experience: There are several different tour options available, ranging from self-guided to specialized behind-the-scenes tours. I highly recommend rewatching The Shawshank Redemption (or other films shot here) right before you visit so the locations are fresh in your mind. However, even if you aren't a movie buff, the historical architecture and the stories of the inmates are equally impressive and interesting. ​Tips for future visitors: ​Weather & Timing: I recommend visiting during the cooler months. Many areas of the prison do not have AC, and the stone building can get quite warm in the peak of summer. A fall visit was perfect for us. ​Seasonal Events: We arrived just before they set up for their Halloween event ("Blood Prison"). It looked very well done, and we’d definitely consider coming back specifically for that. ​Plan for Multiple Trips: Because there are so many different tour paths (History, Hollywood, Paranormal), this is a place you could easily visit multiple times and see something new each time. ​Logistics: Wear comfortable walking shoes; there are many stairs and uneven floors. Parking is available on-site and is easy to navigate. ​Overall, it is absolutely worth a visit. Whether you are there for the cinematography or the history of the, the Reformatory does not disappoint.

It was such an amazing place to visit. There is so much history to learn here. We booked a tour, and lucky us we were the only two people on the tour, so our amazing tour guide customized the tour to our liking. Some areas were off limits because they were setting up for the Halloween prison, and in some areas, we were not allowed to take pictures because of that, as well as some areas still house prisoners to this day and it's a federal offense to take pictures of them. Loved all the history and picture opportunities of the Shawshank Redemption film. It is very interesting to see the cells and the chapel, the x marks the spot, and the attic. You can every sponsor a cell to be restored. Very cool place to check out. We would highly recommend you to visit here.

Whether you're a fan of history, film, or the paranormal, you HAVE to come see this place. It is similar to other historical prisons/penns, but they are all unique in their history and stories. The place is huge, and the tour guide had a wealth of information to share on each stop along the way. We did the Behind the Bars tour, which takes you to the restricted areas and also includes a self-guided tour of the regular areas after the 90 guided tour. I've seen some people complain about the price for admission—I say the price is well worth the experience. They own and operate the building entirely on their own, and all of the staff, from entrance to exit, were so friendly and helpful. If you're into historical sites, films, or downright creepy places to be, the Ohio State Reformatory is the place to go! 👻