“Hope is a good thing … maybe the best of things. No good thing ever dies.” — Andy Dufresne That’s certainly true of The Shawshank Redemption, the top-rated movie of all time[...]

"Hope is a good thing … maybe the best of things. No good thing ever dies." - Andy Dufresne

That's certainly true of The Shawshank Redemption, the top-rated movie of all time on the Internet Movie Database (IMDb), filmed almost entirely in Mansfield and the surrounding area. Fans of the iconic motion picture can follow in Red and Andy's footsteps by way of The Shawshank Trail, a 15-stop driving tour of actual filming locations that draws thousands of people from all over the world. The self-guided, immersive journey takes you to sites from your favorite scenes, including the Historic Ohio State Reformatory that served as Shawshank State Prison where you can step into creepy cells and peer through Andy's escape tunnel. Get your picture taken and feed the birds on Brooks' park bench, walk the same steps as Red on the rolling backroads to Buxton and listen to the freeing sounds of Mozart at Shawshank's own woodshop. You'll also get a close-up look at iconic movie props and sets, costumes, on-screen vehicles and more of the real-deal, authentic pieces from the film on this one-of-a-kind pilgrimage.

To get started, download a brochure (or request a paper version) at ShawshankTrail.com. The brochure offers a suggested itinerary, but feel free to visit the stops in any order and at your own pace - just keep an eye out for the Shawshank Trail Movie Site signs. Along the way, you'll find plenty of souvenirs and photo ops (like the colorful murals at KV Market), learn fun facts, hear behind-the-scenes stories and maybe even meet some fellow Shawshank fans.

By Ann Fazzini