by Providence, Rhode Island – Known for its colonial charm and scenic coastlines, Rhode Island also hides a shadowy side filled with ghost stories, paranormal activity, and unsettling legends.
From haunted mansions to eerie cemeteries, the Ocean State is a hotspot for those who crave a good scare. If you’re ready to explore the state’s dark history, here are ten of the creepiest places you should add to your list.
The Conjuring House – Burrillville
This 1736 farmhouse—famously known as the Perron House—became a paranormal landmark after inspiring the hit horror film The Conjuring. Visitors report cold spots, unexplained knocks, and sightings of a witch’s restless spirit. Guided tours provide chilling details of the home’s haunted past and the Perron family’s experiences.
Graduate Providence (Formerly The Biltmore) – Providence
Once the scene of alleged Satanic rituals, the historic Graduate Providence hotel is among the most haunted in the country. Guests have claimed to see a ghostly figure plummeting from an upper floor, while others have heard disembodied whispers in the halls. Its sinister history is said to date back to the 1920s.
Mercy Brown’s Grave – Exeter
The story of Mercy Brown is a legendary New England vampire tale. After her death in 1892, townspeople exhumed her body, shocked to find it unnaturally preserved. They removed and burned her heart in an attempt to stop her from rising from the grave. Today, her final resting place at Chestnut Hill Cemetery draws ghost hunters and folklore enthusiasts alike.
Seaview Terrace (Carey Mansion) – Newport
This sprawling mansion, once featured in a 1960s Gothic soap opera, is said to be a hotspot for paranormal activity. Visitors claim to hear unexplained footsteps and see shadowy figures in the windows. While privately owned, its reputation has secured it a place among Rhode Island’s creepiest landmarks.
The Ladd School – Exeter
An abandoned institution for the developmentally disabled, The Ladd School has a dark history of neglect and mistreatment. Now in ruins, the site is considered a paranormal investigator’s dream. Many report strange sounds, cold drafts, and unsettling sensations while exploring the grounds.
According to accounts compiled by River City Omaha, Rhode Island’s mix of chilling stories and historical intrigue makes places like this unforgettable.
Rose Island Lighthouse – Newport
This 19th-century lighthouse has sheltered generations of keepers—and perhaps their spirits, too. Guests staying overnight have reported phantom footsteps, doors opening on their own, and eerie voices. Some even claim to feel a spectral hand on their shoulder while walking the narrow hallways.
Sprague Mansion – Cranston
Dating back to 1790, this mansion is haunted by several spirits, including Amasa Sprague and a little girl named Theodora. Visitors often hear the sounds of children playing in empty rooms and see figures moving in the shadows.
Fort Adams – Newport
With its labyrinth of underground tunnels and vast stone walls, Fort Adams is both a military marvel and a ghostly hotspot. Visitors report phantom footsteps, shadowy soldiers, and sudden cold spots. Ghost tours delve deep into stories of soldiers who never left their posts.
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Tower Hill Road – Cumberland
Local legend tells of the “Lady in White,” a ghostly apparition said to appear to drivers along this quiet road. The spirit is believed to be that of a woman who died in a car accident over a century ago, her presence lingering in the moonlight.
Haunted Gallows at Richardson’s Sawmill – Harrisville
Combining theatrical haunted attractions with real local legends, this site offers eerie events such as “The Dark Fair” and “Bathsheba’s Woods.” Visitors brave enough might encounter witchcraft echoes and ghostly figures among the trees.
If you’re ready to explore Rhode Island’s paranormal past, these sites promise to give you more than just goosebumps. Whether you’re a ghost hunter, a history buff, or just looking for a thrilling road trip, the Ocean State’s haunted attractions will not disappoint.
Have you ever visited one of these haunted places or had a ghostly encounter of your own? Share your story in the comments at ibwhsmag.com.
