Rhode Island’s Spookiest Spots: Haunted Houses, Ghost Tours & Creepy Legends (2025 Guide)

by Lissette Bolano

If there’s one thing Rhode Island does right besides clam cakes it’s Halloween. From bone-chilling haunted houses to eerie ghost tours and centuries-old legends that’ll give you goosebumps, the Ocean State is packed with spooky fun. Whether you're a hardcore horror fan or just in it for a creepy date night, this 2025 guide to Rhode Island’s spookiest spots is your ultimate Halloween bucket list.

Haunted Houses You Have to Experience This October

1. Fortress of Nightmares – Newport

Location: Fort Adams, Newport

Step inside this real-deal 1800s military fort and try not to scream. With multiple themed attractions, immersive horror, and jump scares galore, Fortress of Nightmares is a must for thrill-seekers. The setting alone makes it one of the creepiest haunted houses in Rhode Island.

2. Field of Screams – West Greenwich

Location: 179 Plain Meeting House Rd, West Greenwich

This is not your average haunted hayride. Field of Screams throws you into a terrifying mix of indoor and outdoor attractions Dungeon of Doom, Cirque du Souls, and the Dead River Haunted Hayride. Bonus: lots of live actors, no mercy.

3. Fear Town – Seekonk, MA

Okay, technically it’s in Massachusetts, but it’s right over the border and too terrifying to ignore. Fear Town is set deep in the woods and is one of the highest-rated haunted attractions in New England.

Ghost Tours for True Paranormal Fans

4. Providence Ghost Tour

Location: Prospect Terrace Park

Explore the haunted side of Providence as you walk among colonial homes, twisted tales, and ghostly legends. Led by historians and performers, this ghost tour is equal parts eerie and educational.

5. Newport Ghost Walk

Location: 42 Spring St, Newport

Stroll cobblestone streets as your guide unpacks 400 years of hauntings from pirate legends to chilling murders. The tour passes historic homes, haunted inns, and cemeteries. Historic + haunted = the perfect Halloween night.

6. The Lizzie Borden House – Fall River, MA

Alright, I know it’s not RI... but it’s iconic. Take a day trip to the infamous house where Lizzie Borden “allegedly” took an axe. You can tour the crime scene or even stay overnight if you dare.

Rhode Island’s Most Haunted Places & Legends

7. The Biltmore Hotel – Providence

Now known as the Graduate Providence, this hotel has been called one of America’s most haunted. Built in 1922, it has a dark past tied to Satanic rituals (allegedly) and Prohibition-era crime. Room 1106 is said to be especially... active.

8. Seaview Terrace – Newport

This gothic mansion is famous for its role in the 1960s soap opera Dark Shadows. Rumor has it the halls echo with footsteps and whispers from long-gone residents. It’s private property, but you can catch a glimpse from the road and it’s chilling.

9. Belcourt Castle – Newport

Besides being jaw-dropping, Belcourt Castle has a reputation for haunted objects. Guests have reported seeing chairs move on their own and feeling “watched” in certain rooms. Spooky and beautiful? Yes, please.

The Legend of Mercy Brown: Rhode Island’s Real-Life Vampire

In the late 1800s, Exeter became the site of one of America’s strangest vampire panics. When Mercy Brown died of tuberculosis, locals believed she was rising from the grave and feeding on the living. Her body was exhumed and... well, things got wild. You can still visit her grave at Chestnut Hill Baptist Church Cemetery.

Other Creepy Cemeteries & Eerie Local Spots

Swan Point Cemetery (Providence): Stunning and somber. Some say it’s haunted. Others just love the fall foliage and gothic vibes.
Touro Cemetery (Newport): Oldest Jewish cemetery in the U.S. full of mystery and history.
Slater Mill (Pawtucket): Allegedly haunted and open for historic tours.

Tips for a Spooktacular October Adventure

Always check event websites for hours, age restrictions, and tickets.
Dress in layers fall nights in Rhode Island can get chilly.
Bring a flashlight for walking tours.
Respect private properties when visiting rumored haunted spots.
Don’t go ghost hunting alone... just don’t.

FAQs

Q: Are these haunted houses kid-friendly?
Some are, but many are rated PG-13 or higher. Always check the website for age recommendations.

Q: Can you really stay overnight at the Lizzie Borden House?
Yes and it books fast in October. Sleep tight!

Q: Are ghost tours available year-round?
Some are! Providence Ghost Tour and Newport Ghost Walk often run beyond October.

What’s Next?

If you’re exploring Rhode Island’s haunted side this October and fall in love with a spooky little town along the way I’d love to help you find your forever (or for-now) home.

Whether you're buying, selling, or just ghost-hunting for the moment, I’m your local guide to all things Rhode Island.

If you loved this post, share it with your Halloween-loving friends, and bookmark it for your October adventures. Got a favorite haunted spot I missed? message me I’m always on the hunt for local legends!