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A scenic overlook on Hamblen Island.
Obscura Day Summer 2025: Uncle Tim’s Bridge
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The Blue Ridge Parkway
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Llogara National Park in Albanian Riviera
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All the United States Rhode Island Providence

The Atlas Obscura Guide To Providence

24 Cool, Hidden, and Unusual Things to Do in Providence, Rhode Island

Updated July 25, 2025

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Unusual Attractions in Providence

The main reading room of the Athenaeum.

Providence, Rhode Island

Providence Athenaeum

A 19th century library favored by Edgar Allan Poe and H.P. Lovecraft, known by locals as "the Ath."
H.P. Lovecraft’s last residence

Providence, Rhode Island

H.P. Lovecraft House

Last residence of H.P. Lovecraft featured in his story "The Haunter of the Dark."
Grave marker of H.P. Lovecraft

Providence, Rhode Island

H.P. Lovecraft’s Grave

Final resting place of one of the classic authors of horror literature.

Providence, Rhode Island

John Hay Library

Books bound in human skin and H. P. Lovecraft's letters are among a few of the treasures this library has to offer.
Hiking trail in Neutaconkanut Hill Park

Providence, Rhode Island

Neutaconkanut Hill Park

A virtually untouched "home on the hill" for the flora and fauna of Rhode Island.

Providence, Rhode Island

Gun Totem

This 3,500 pound obelisk was constructed with more than 1,000 reclaimed guns.
The interior of the hotel.

Providence, Rhode Island

Providence Biltmore

Rumors of the occult haunt this upscale 1920s hotel.
The Edna Lawrence Nature Lab.

Providence, Rhode Island

Edna Lawrence Nature Lab

An unusual library of dead things at the Rhode Island School of Design.
See All 24 Things To Do in Providence

Cool Places to Eat & Drink in Providence

Providence, Rhode Island

Haven Brothers Diner

From horses to stainless-steel trucks, this iconic Providence burger wagon is one of the oldest mobile diners in the country.
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Unforgettable Experiences Nearby

Atlas Obscura Itineraries

6 Huge Things in Tiny Rhode Island

The smallest state in America is often the butt of jokes. Rhode Island is neither a road nor an island, and it was once famously parodied in the now-defunct website “How Many Rhode Islands”—a simple tool that allowed you to see just how many Rhode Islands could squeeze inside a given country. The United States could contain 3,066 Rhode Islands, and Russia could hold 5,445. But the tiny state has a rather grand history. Rhode Island was founded on the principle of religious freedom, was the first of the Thirteen Colonies to renounce its allegiance to the British Crown, and was one of only two states not to ratify the 18th Amendment, which prohibited the manufacture and sale of alcohol. Many of the state’s attractions still loom large, including a 58-foot-long blue fiberglass termite and an improbably large blue bear slumped under a lampshade.

View Itinerary
Honestly, the tallest building in the state is still a little dinky, compared to skyscrapers elsewhere.

Explore Providence, Rhode Island

A
24
Architecture 5
H. P. Lovecraft 5
Places To Stay 3
Universities 3
Architectural Oddities 3
Libraries 3
Giant Animals 2
Plants 2
Repositories Of Knowledge 2
Rivers 2
Statues 2
Animals 2

Providence Leaderboard

Places Added

  1. Fred Cherrygarden
    5
  2. JWOcker
    3
  3. debthomson
    1
  4. mayormammoth
    1
  5. Ophelia Ravenia
    1
Join the Ranks!
Add an unusual place to Providence.

Places Edited

  1. blimpcaptain
    14
  2. Rachel
    6
  3. Fred Cherrygarden
    5
  4. ickaimp
    4
  5. Martin
    3

Places Visited

  1. jesshartleylowe
    23
  2. Queen of Adventure
    21
  3. A Bear
    20
  4. katharine5
    20
  5. blimpcaptain
    20
Join the Ranks!
Visit a place in Providence.

Recent Providence Activity

  • KirstyMyBelle

    wants to go to ‘Time Wave’

    about 11 hours ago
  • KirstyMyBelle

    wants to go to Nori the Dragon

    about 11 hours ago
  • KirstyMyBelle

    has been to Big Blue Bug

    about 11 hours ago
  • kukuzei89

    wants to go to Roger Williams Root

    about 11 hours ago
  • quarlesr

    has been to Providence Athenaeum

    about 8 hours ago

Stories About Providence

The main reading room of the Athenaeum.

Obscura Day Summer 2025: Literary Landmarks Across Providence

Checking out the Athaeneum, the John Hay Library, and Weird Providence.
by Rebecca Cruz
July 25, 2025
Poe’s house in Philadelphia, where he composed “The Tell-Tale Heart” and “The Gold Bug.”

10 Places That Rejected Poe in Life But Celebrate Him in Death

Edgar Allan Poe gets the recognition he deserves in the afterlife.
by Molly McBride Jacobson
February 9, 2017

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