Are you looking for a little adventure through a haunted hotel or the charred ruins of a mansion cursed by pharaohs? If so, then Rhode Island has what you need! The Ocean State is home to some of the coolest, creepiest, and most intriguing abandoned places in the nation!

It should come as no surprise that

Rhode Island

is home to some of the spookiest urban exploration sites around. The state has long been known for its air of mystery and the supernatural—masters of all things chilling, such as H.P. Lovecraft, have told endless haunting tales about The Ocean State.

Experience this thrilling and sinister tradition firsthand when you visit some of Rhode Island’s abandoned bridges, forts, mansions, and more!

To help you on your journey,

Jerry

–the

super app

for

car insurance

, has prepared this guide to the ghoulish and disused areas in Rhode Island. Join us as we venture into forgotten places better left undisturbed.

Compare insurance quotes from 50+ insurance companies with Jerry in under 45 seconds

Find Savings!

4.7/5 rating on the App Store | Trusted by 5+ million customers and 7 million cars

4.7/5 app rating | Trusted by 5M+ drivers

Abandoned bridges in Rhode Island

Crook Point Bascule Bridge

Location: The Seekonk River–connecting Providence and East Providence

Abandoned since: 1976

Is it legal to go in? Yes–but it’s also dangerous

Originally built in 1908 by the Scherzer Rolling Lift Bridge Company, the Crook Point Bascule Bridge–also called the “stuck up bridge” by

Providence

locals—has been a rusting monument to urban decay for nearly half a century.

The bridge became obsolete and was abandoned in 1976 when the train station it led to closed down. Designed with the ability to raise and lower one half, the bridge was left in the upright position, where it has remained for almost 50 years.

Today it is a beloved, yet dangerous, icon of the town. It’s been the sight of student hazings, school initiations, underground gatherings, and even suicides for decades. The bridge is covered in graffiti and compromised by rot, rust, decay, and fire damage–making it extremely dangerous (but legal) to go for a spooky adventure on the “stuck up bridge”.

East Side Railroad Tunnel

Location: Under College Hill in Providence, connecting Gano Street and Benefit Street

Abandoned since: 1981

Is it legal to go in? No

Built in 1908, the East Side Railroad Tunnel was actually part of the same construction project as the Crook Point Bascule Bridge. It ran under College Hill and led to Union Station. Eventually, hurricane damage and dwindling use caused the tunnel to be closed and abandoned in 1981.

For several years, the tunnel served as a favorite hangout spot for students and young people in Providence. That ended in 1993 when a student party was brutally attacked by a combined force of private security and the Providence police department.

Officials later attempted to justify this violence by claiming that they suspected the party may have been engaging in “satanic worship”—no evidence was offered to support this claim. After that, the tunnel was permanently sealed.

Today it remains entirely inaccessible—a haunting tomb of the railroad era and a grim monument to past abuses of power.

MORE:

How bad is Providence traffic?

Abandoned forts in Rhode Island

Fort Mansfield

Location: Napatree Point,

Westerley

Abandoned since: 1926

Is it legal to go in? Yes

Fort Mansfield was a federal artillery base constructed in 1901. For a few years, the fort was a bustling military stronghold—until a mock battle in 1907 showed that its design was fundamentally flawed and the fort was deemed unusable.

Fort Mansfield was all but abandoned right there on the spot. A small crew of five military caretakers remained stationed there until it was sold and turned into a

state park

in 1926.

Today, the cracked, rusty, and windswept ruins are open to the public.

Fort Wetherill

Location: Jamestown

Abandoned since: 1946

Is it legal to go in? Yes

Another former artillery base, Fort Wetherill was built high atop the rocky cliffs of Conanicut Island, overlooking Narragansett Bay. Constructed in 1895 to replace the outdated Fort Dumpling that originally occupied the site, Fort Wetherill saw frequent use until 1946.

After the end of WWII, the fort was abandoned and later converted into a

state park

. Today it is open to the public and a great place to explore some ruins and learn about the past.

MORE:

The best creepy podcasts for fall road trips

Abandoned hotels in Rhode Island

Rocky Point Hotel

Location:

Warwick

Abandoned since: 1995

Is it legal to go in? Yes

Rocky Point Hotel was the centerpiece of the once-great Rocky Point Amusement Park. The park first opened in 1847 and was a local favorite for nearly 150 years. Over the decades the park grew into an awe-inspiring spectacle of electric lighting, carousels, fireworks, steamships, and rollercoasters.

But beneath the gleam of carnival lights there lurked darkness. The park was plagued by a string of misfortunes from fires to hurricanes, and many believe that it was cursed.

The first sign of this trouble–and perhaps its origin–was the brutal murder of a 5-year-old girl on park grounds in 1893. That August, Maggie Sheffield was killed by her own father. Without warning or provocation, Frank Sheffield suddenly picked up a rock and proceeded to beat his young daughter to death with it.

Legend says that Maggie’s spirit began to haunt the park–and was perhaps responsible for its ultimate downfall in 1995.

Some years after its closure, the site of the park and hotel were converted into a

state park

. Though most of the attractions have been torn down, signs can still be seen of Rocky Point’s faded and haunting glory. The park is open to the public and visitors are welcome—if they are bold enough to brave the haunted grounds.

Abandoned mansions in Rhode Island

The Bells / Brenton Point Stables

Location:

Newport

Abandoned since: 1963

Is it legal to go in? Yes

In 1876, a grand mansion known as The Reefs was built near Newport, Rhode Island. Its owner, famed archeologist and adventurer Theodore M. Davis, filled his illustrious home with plundered artifacts from his travels around the world—most of which were sacred ancient Egyptian relics taken from royal tombs.

Rumors of Egyptian curses did little to dissuade Davis from adding to his collection—even as the other members of his expedition began suddenly dying of strange and/or unexplained causes. Davis’s own mysterious death in came 1915.

After the house was temporarily commandeered for the war effort in WWII, the owners at the time expressed an unwillingness to return to the mansion—though they did not say why.

The house lay empty until a mysterious fire reduced most of the estate to ruins. All that remains of The Reefs today are the moldering foundations of the house and an eerie and decrepit stable house—referred to now as The Bells or The Brenton Point Stables.

The Bells rest within the boundaries of

Brenton Point State Park

, so they are open to the public. You may visit the site–so long as you do not mind risking the rath of the Pharaohs!

MORE: 11 Best Creepy Audiobooks for Fall Road Trips

Other interesting abandoned places in Rhode Island

Industrial National Bank Building

Location: 111 Westminster Street/55 Kennedy Plaza in Providence

Abandoned since: 2013

Is it legal to go in? Not without permission

The beautiful and iconic Industrial National Bank Building or “The Superman Building” as it is affectionately known by local Providence residents, was first constructed in 1928. Its distinct architecture is in the Art Deco style and, at 428 feet tall, it is the tallest building in Rhode Island.

In 2013, after nearly a century of use, the building was abandoned by Bank of America–which was its only tenant at the time.

Like the exterior facade, the design within the building is one of unparalleled beauty and ornateness.

Despite being a beloved local icon, the site remains empty–fabulous chandeliers and impossibly intricate banisters gather dust and cobwebs within the silent halls of the Industrial National Bank Building.

Though abandoned, The Superman building is still private property. If you want to tour the spooky interior, you’ll need permission from the current owners, the High Rock Development of Massachusetts company–permission which they sometimes do grant.

MORE:

Scariest roads in America

Tips for exploring Rhode Island’s abandoned places

With visions of derelict hotels and forgotten mansions swirling around your imagination, you’re probably eager to rush off and explore some of The Ocean State’s many thrilling abandoned places. Before you do, though, you’ll need to prepare properly. Glace over these handy tips to help yourself get ready.

Check the ownership and ask permission if necessary. No one wants a perfectly good adventure spoiled by grouchy landowners or legal troubles. If your tour of forgotten places includes stops that are on private property, make sure to get permission before entering.

Dress appropriately. Rhode Island can get pretty chilly and some of the sights listed above require navigating uncertain footing. Make sure to bring proper clothing and footwear.

Take nothing but memories, leave nothing but footsteps. Most of Rhode Island’s abandoned sites are in a fragile state and have rich historical value. This is not the sort of adventure where you should take souvenirs. Help keep these places intact for future adventurers and leave them just how you found them.

Bring a friend and let someone know where you’re going. Any time you venture off into forgotten places, you’re taking a risk–even if the site is usually pretty safe. Always let someone know where you’re going and bring a friend if possible.

Gear up! Depending on where you’re going, some adventure gear could be useful. Things like gloves, rope, face masks, flashlights, a first-aid kit, and a pocket knife can make all the difference.

Adventuring is all about fun and exploration–but respecting historic sites and your own safety is just as important. Remember to always be careful and not to damage the site while you’re there.

How to find affordable car insurance in Rhode Island

One of the most important precautions to take when planning your adventure is to make sure that you have the

car insurance

coverage that you need—nothing ruins a road trip like car trouble that your insurance won’t cover.

Whether you’re driving across the city or across the country, you’ll need the right car insurance coverage to keep you protected on the road.

That’s where

Jerry

comes in. Jerry is the super app for car insurance that makes insurance shopping and savings a breeze. Just download the app, answer a few questions, and let the wizards at Jerry find the best policies for you. Jerry then will help with all of the paperwork and changeover—saving users an average of over $800 per year.

What’s more—for just $6.99 a month, Jerry’s roadside assistance program makes sure you’ll never be stranded while you’re out on the road, offering services like tire changes, towing, and fuel delivery.

“I’m young and just got my first car, so choosing an insurance company for the first time was scary. My friend recommended this app to me and
Jerry
made everything simple! I put in my info and got something more affordable than what I expected for my age!” —Leslie T.

RECOMMENDED

Compare auto insurance policies

No spam or unwanted phone calls · No long forms

ZIP Code

Find insurance savings

FAQs

Is it illegal to visit abandoned places?

It depends. Some abandoned sites are on public lands like state or national parks–these should be fine to enter. If the abandoned place in question is on private property, however, you’ll need to get permission from the owner.

Why are there abandoned houses in Rhode Island?

Rhode Island, like many places in the northeast United States, is home to a great many abandoned homes and buildings. Just by the virtue of their age, there are bound to be a higher number of derelicts. Still, each abandoned home and location has its own unique story–some of those stories have never been told and remain a mystery to this day! Perhaps they’re just waiting for a bold adventure to come along and uncover their secrets…

Are you overpaying for car insurance?

Compare quotes and find out in 45 seconds.

Try Jerry