Rhode Island is a beautiful, charming, downright delightful little state. It’s also a little odd. After all, the Ocean State has both vampires and pirates written into its history — in fact, a pirate once owned our oldest tavern. But we embrace our uniqueness here in Rhody. Behold, a list of the oddest places you can go (and they’re all fantastic):
- Fleur-de-lys Studios (Providence)
Craig Fildes / Flickr Built in 1885, this building was featured in many H.P. Lovecraft novels. To this day, it’s a striking part of College Hill in Providence.
- H.P. Lovecraft’s House (Providence)
Nathan Rasmussen / Google H.P. Lovecraft was a horror fiction writer. While he’s now considered one of the greats, unfortunately, his fame came after his short, impoverished life was over. He resided in a few places in Providence, and his last residence is still standing on Prospect Street.
- Belcourt Castle (Newport)
laymyhandsonheaven / TripAdvisor Do you believe in ghosts? You might after you see this place. This century-old castle is one of Rhode Island’s most haunted destinations.
- The grave of Mercy Brown (Exeter)
Josh McGinn / Flickr Mercy Brown is considered to be Rhode Island’s most famous vampire. While the story of what happened to her body is both gruesome and horrifying, it is one of Rhode Island’s most fascinating tales. Her gravestone still sits at Chestnut Hill Cemetery in Exeter.
- Green Animals Topiary Garden (Portsmouth)
scusan52 / TripAdvisor This place is simply magical. These one-of-a-kind gardens are located in Portsmouth and are operated by the Newport Preservation Society.
- Gun Totem (Providence)
Matt / Flickr Boris Bally created this piece in in 2001 with guns from a firearm buy-back program in Pittsburgh. It stands tall at 12 feet high, and it will certainly catch your eye.
- Stephen Harris House (Providence)
Will Hart / Flickr This charming colonial home certainly doesn’t look odd from the outside, but it’s actually been the site of heartbreak and tragedy since it was constructed in 1763, most notably when it was the home of the Harris family. In addition to material troubles, the family saw the death of several children and the stillbirth of several more. Unfortunately, Mrs. Harris went mad with grief. The current residents say that there has never been a live birth in the house since its construction.
- Old Stone Tower (Newport)
Wally Gobetz / Flickr Most Rhode Islanders believe that Old Stone Tower is the remains of a 17th century windmill. But some think it’s much older. Either way, its mystery is part of its charm.
- Musée Patamécanique (Bristol)
Musee Patamecanique / TripAdvisor We saved the oddest place in Rhode Island for last. The Musée Patamécanique is a private museum in Bristol that’s open by appointment only. And if you can get a reservation, you’ll see it’s an experience you’ll never forget.
What do you think is the weirdest place in Rhode Island? Is it one of these, or something else? We’d love to hear your opinion in the comments or on our nomination page.
Craig Fildes / Flickr
Built in 1885, this building was featured in many H.P. Lovecraft novels. To this day, it’s a striking part of College Hill in Providence.
Nathan Rasmussen / Google
H.P. Lovecraft was a horror fiction writer. While he’s now considered one of the greats, unfortunately, his fame came after his short, impoverished life was over. He resided in a few places in Providence, and his last residence is still standing on Prospect Street.
laymyhandsonheaven / TripAdvisor
Do you believe in ghosts? You might after you see this place. This century-old castle is one of Rhode Island’s most haunted destinations.
Josh McGinn / Flickr
Mercy Brown is considered to be Rhode Island’s most famous vampire. While the story of what happened to her body is both gruesome and horrifying, it is one of Rhode Island’s most fascinating tales. Her gravestone still sits at Chestnut Hill Cemetery in Exeter.
scusan52 / TripAdvisor
This place is simply magical. These one-of-a-kind gardens are located in Portsmouth and are operated by the Newport Preservation Society.
Matt / Flickr
Boris Bally created this piece in in 2001 with guns from a firearm buy-back program in Pittsburgh. It stands tall at 12 feet high, and it will certainly catch your eye.
Will Hart / Flickr
This charming colonial home certainly doesn’t look odd from the outside, but it’s actually been the site of heartbreak and tragedy since it was constructed in 1763, most notably when it was the home of the Harris family. In addition to material troubles, the family saw the death of several children and the stillbirth of several more. Unfortunately, Mrs. Harris went mad with grief. The current residents say that there has never been a live birth in the house since its construction.
Wally Gobetz / Flickr
Most Rhode Islanders believe that Old Stone Tower is the remains of a 17th century windmill. But some think it’s much older. Either way, its mystery is part of its charm.
Musee Patamecanique / TripAdvisor
We saved the oddest place in Rhode Island for last. The Musée Patamécanique is a private museum in Bristol that’s open by appointment only. And if you can get a reservation, you’ll see it’s an experience you’ll never forget.
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Address: Providence, RI, USAAddress: Exeter, RI, USAAddress: Newport, RI, USAAddress: Bristol, RI 02809, USAAddress: Portsmouth, RI, USA
