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Halloween Express
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Autumn in New England is tailor-made for ghost stories and that’s one reason why it is my favorite season. The nights are cooler, the leaves crunch underfoot, and the moon seems brighter against the crisp October sky. Rhode Island, the smallest state in the Union, just happens to be one of the richest in spooky lore. From colonial mansions to seaside inns, this state is packed with history — and where there’s history, there are always whispers of hauntings.
For travelers like me who like a dose of mystery with their weekend getaway, Rhode Island’s haunted inns offer the perfect mix: cozy lodgings, local charm, and the thrill of sharing space with something — or someone — from the past.
Here are three of Rhode Island’s most legendary haunted stays, each with its own history, lore, and autumn atmosphere.
📍 11 Dorrance St, Providence, RI
If there’s one haunted hotel in Rhode Island that towers above the rest — literally and figuratively — it’s the Graduate Providence, formerly the Biltmore. Built in 1922, the Biltmore was billed as a luxury hotel for the booming city of Providence, but from the start, it carried an air of scandal.
The legend goes that the Biltmore was financed in part by a man with ties to the mob and, allegedly, the occult. The rooftop originally boasted a chicken coop, so the hotel could host late-night “rooster feasts” (ritual suppers where chickens were sacrificed before being cooked). Whether fact or folklore, it set the tone for decades of ghost stories.
Over the years, guests have reported everything from phantom parties in empty ballrooms to ghostly figures appearing in mirrors. One oft-told tale involves the ghost of a woman who jumped from the 11th floor in the 1920s — her apparition has reportedly been seen wandering the halls ever since. Staff members whisper of elevators that move on their own and phones that ring in unoccupied rooms.
Today, the Graduate Providence has been beautifully renovated, shedding its darker reputation in favor of quirky, college-themed décor (a nod to Providence’s university culture). Still, the stories remain, and many guests come hoping to experience a brush with the paranormal while enjoying one of the most iconic hotels in the state.
📍 13 Marlborough St, Newport, RI
Newport is famous for its Gilded Age mansions, but its history goes back much further — and not all of it is glamorous. The Jailhouse Inn, now a boutique hotel with bright, cheerful rooms, once served as the Newport County Jail. Built in the 1770s, the building was a center of justice and punishment for nearly two centuries. Its thick stone walls once echoed with the voices of prisoners awaiting trial or serving sentences for everything from theft to piracy.
Today, the cells are gone, but some say the spirits remain. Guests report unexplained footsteps in the halls, doors closing on their own, and sudden chills in certain rooms. One story tells of a prisoner who died in his cell in the 1800s — his shadowy figure is said to still linger in the basement. Others claim to hear faint clanging, like iron bars closing, even though the jail was converted long ago.
Despite the spooky tales, the Jailhouse Inn is a warm and inviting place to stay, located just steps from Newport’s bustling waterfront. It’s the perfect blend of history, charm, and just enough ghostly atmosphere to make you glance twice at the shadows as you head up to your room.
📍 1 Bellevue Ave, Newport, RI
Perched in the heart of Newport's historic district, the Hotel Viking has welcomed guests since 1926. With its Beaux-Arts architecture, elegant interiors, and long history, it’s a quintessential New England stay — and like many old hotels, it has stories to tell. Ghost stories.
The most famous legend? The ghost of a man who haunts the sixth floor — believed to be a former guest or staff member who never checked out. Guests have reported seeing shadows out of the corner of their eyes, hearing disembodied footsteps, and feeling an eerie presence in otherwise empty hallways.
Room 608 is especially notorious among paranormal enthusiasts, with reports of flickering lights and mysterious cold spots. Even staff members have shared tales of strange happenings during night shifts — including phones ringing from vacant rooms and inexplicable noises behind locked doors.
But don’t let the supernatural tales deter you. The Hotel Viking is an upscale, award-winning hotel with luxurious amenities and one of the best locations in Newport. You can enjoy a spa treatment or a cocktail on the rooftop bar — and then, if you dare, listen for things that go bump in the night.
Part of the appeal of these places is that they straddle two worlds. On the surface, they’re cozy, welcoming inns where you can enjoy New England hospitality, hearty breakfasts, and easy access to Rhode Island’s fall attractions. But beneath that surface lies history — sometimes beautiful, sometimes tragic, always rich with story.
Staying in a haunted inn gives you the sense of being part of that story, of brushing against the past. It’s not about whether the ghosts are real — it’s about the way these old buildings seem to hold onto memory, how creaking floorboards and flickering lights feel different when you know the tales that surround them.
And let’s be honest: in October, when Halloween decorations line every street and the air smells of cider and woodsmoke, who doesn’t want a little chill with their getaway?
Ask the staff. Employees often know the best ghost stories and are usually happy to share them.
Book early. October weekends fill up quickly, especially in Newport.
Bring a camera. You never know when you might catch an orb, a shadow, or something you can’t explain.
Balance spooky with cozy. Spend the evening listening for whispers, then wake up to a warm breakfast and a crisp Rhode Island morning.
Rhode Island may be the smallest state, but its haunted history looms large. From the grand ballrooms of Providence’s Graduate to the stone walls of Newport’s Jailhouse Inn to the elegant halls of the Hotel Viking, these inns offer more than just a bed for the night. They offer atmosphere, story, and the thrill of maybe — just maybe — encountering a ghost.
For me, as a TV Host who has spent years traveling this historic region, that’s what makes them worth visiting. They’re not just places to stay; they’re places to imagine, to wonder, to let the past brush up against the present. In October, when the pumpkins glow and the air turns sharp, that’s exactly the kind of getaway that feels right.
Bottom line: if you’re looking for a fall trip that combines New England charm with a little mystery, head to Rhode Island. The ghosts are waiting — and they’re saving you a seat by the fire.
