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October 16, 2010 4:15 PM Subscribe
Things to do in Providence when you're not dead but dreaming?
My SO and I are planning on a day trip to Providence this Tuesday to do this walking tour of H.P. Lovecraft's College Hill. My question is this: Besides the stuff on that map, are there any other creepy/cool things we should be checking out while we're there? (Before everybody plugs the obvious one that is mentioned in previous Providence threads, we may stop by the RISD museum if we have time). I do want to keep the emphasis on creepy, though. Also, any cheap, good eating in the College Hill/Statehouse area would be helpful (but not necessary).
My SO and I are planning on a day trip to Providence this Tuesday to do this walking tour of H.P. Lovecraft's College Hill. My question is this: Besides the stuff on that map, are there any other creepy/cool things we should be checking out while we're there? (Before everybody plugs the obvious one that is mentioned in previous Providence threads, we may stop by the RISD museum if we have time). I do want to keep the emphasis on creepy, though. Also, any cheap, good eating in the College Hill/Statehouse area would be helpful (but not necessary).
College Hill is riddled with cheap food. Geoff's sandwich shop is great for lunch--crazy sandwiches and comically rude employees. And it's not too far from:
Creepy: on Benefit St. there is an abandoned underground railway tunnel that was certainly creepy 10 years ago, at night. It's "sealed" shut, and trespassing is a crime, but I assume RISD students are still using it for art projects all the time.
posted by EL-O-ESS at 5:05 PM on October 16, 2010
Creepy: on Benefit St. there is an abandoned underground railway tunnel that was certainly creepy 10 years ago, at night. It's "sealed" shut, and trespassing is a crime, but I assume RISD students are still using it for art projects all the time.
posted by EL-O-ESS at 5:05 PM on October 16, 2010
For cheap, amazing indian food, go to Not just snacks on Hope St, really close to Seven Stars Bakery. Oh god, I don't have words for it other than it's mind-blowingly good. East Side Pocket is another favorite of mine. Great falafels and gyros.
posted by perkinite at 5:29 PM on October 16, 2010 [1 favorite]
posted by perkinite at 5:29 PM on October 16, 2010 [1 favorite]
Best answer: Nthing Swan Point Cemetery. Beautiful, sad, kind of creepy -- and it isn't too far from Not Just Snacks (personally, I am not fond of Seven Star's baked goods (except their bread), but everyone else I know raves about it, so maybe I am just weird). Just walking along Benefit St is not too creepy, but the houses are pretty old which HPL appreciated), and, apparently, they just paved over some graveyards when they first built it, so you can imagine all the Colonial zombies trying to get out....
I am fond of the East Side of Downtown -- you can look at the Turk's Head Building, and the Arcade (which is currently closed, but the facades are interesting) and a whole bunch of beginning-of-last-century architecture which isn't creepy, exactly, but it is atmospheric. If you check out downtown late enough, you can eat dinner at The Red Fez, a fine bar (the upstairs has the most "atmosphere" -- leaning heavily toward animal heads and pictures of monkeys) with excellent fries and a great grilled cheese sandwich.
posted by GenjiandProust at 6:47 PM on October 16, 2010
I am fond of the East Side of Downtown -- you can look at the Turk's Head Building, and the Arcade (which is currently closed, but the facades are interesting) and a whole bunch of beginning-of-last-century architecture which isn't creepy, exactly, but it is atmospheric. If you check out downtown late enough, you can eat dinner at The Red Fez, a fine bar (the upstairs has the most "atmosphere" -- leaning heavily toward animal heads and pictures of monkeys) with excellent fries and a great grilled cheese sandwich.
posted by GenjiandProust at 6:47 PM on October 16, 2010
Another good cheap place to eat is at AS220's bar and diner on Empire Street. Local 121 has a great bar with a old-time atmosphere.
My husband just reminded me of this foreclosed area of houses. The website also has other sites that are closed up and could be suitably creepy, though the last post on it was in the spring, so I am not sure how up-to-date it is, but it might be a good starting point.
And down behind the mall, between the Foundry and the RI Blood Center is a number of abandoned mill buildings that tend to creep me out when I walk by during the day.
posted by chiefthe at 7:40 PM on October 16, 2010
My husband just reminded me of this foreclosed area of houses. The website also has other sites that are closed up and could be suitably creepy, though the last post on it was in the spring, so I am not sure how up-to-date it is, but it might be a good starting point.
And down behind the mall, between the Foundry and the RI Blood Center is a number of abandoned mill buildings that tend to creep me out when I walk by during the day.
posted by chiefthe at 7:40 PM on October 16, 2010
There are a lot of empty foreclosed homes, see the site that chiefthe posted, but tourism may not be that welcome in those neighborhoods.
For cheap authentic unique Providence you should check out the original New York System Yelp link. Assuming you aren't vegetarian, go in and order two wieners all the way, each, and a coffee milk. Mmmmmm so good and so cheap. Not really filling but the place is a great classic lunch counter, lots of character.
posted by WickedPissah at 8:50 PM on October 16, 2010
For cheap authentic unique Providence you should check out the original New York System Yelp link. Assuming you aren't vegetarian, go in and order two wieners all the way, each, and a coffee milk. Mmmmmm so good and so cheap. Not really filling but the place is a great classic lunch counter, lots of character.
posted by WickedPissah at 8:50 PM on October 16, 2010
Best answer: Whatever you do, don't order the snacks at Not Just Snacks - the samosas and such are all made in a huge batch, stored cold, re-heated, and are generally stale and sub-par.
On the other hand, the entrees and breads are made fresh and are completely stellar, as in "Can't get this anywhere else in the US" stellar. My fave is the mutton biryani - also note that this is a mom'n'pop hole in the wall. There is no ambiance at all apart from a truly terrible mural. You're there for the food, not the atmosphere. The staff is super nice, tho.
They are muslim, so no booze is served, but it's BYOB, and there's a liquor store across the street with a completely amazing selection of beer. Also, if you're lucky, they may be serving a beef curry as a special, which is something you won't find a lot of in India, nevermind the US.
If you want east asian, Aspara Palace, in the same neighborhood up on Hope, has a fifteen page menu, and another dozen specials on the chalkboard, mostly Southeast Asian cuisines - Cambodian, Thai and Singaporean. Again, the staff is super-nice, but the place is popular, and may be packed.
Speaking of Hope St, try to swing a tour of the old observatory - the place looks like a setting in a Lovecraft story.
posted by Slap*Happy at 8:54 PM on October 16, 2010 [1 favorite]
On the other hand, the entrees and breads are made fresh and are completely stellar, as in "Can't get this anywhere else in the US" stellar. My fave is the mutton biryani - also note that this is a mom'n'pop hole in the wall. There is no ambiance at all apart from a truly terrible mural. You're there for the food, not the atmosphere. The staff is super nice, tho.
They are muslim, so no booze is served, but it's BYOB, and there's a liquor store across the street with a completely amazing selection of beer. Also, if you're lucky, they may be serving a beef curry as a special, which is something you won't find a lot of in India, nevermind the US.
If you want east asian, Aspara Palace, in the same neighborhood up on Hope, has a fifteen page menu, and another dozen specials on the chalkboard, mostly Southeast Asian cuisines - Cambodian, Thai and Singaporean. Again, the staff is super-nice, but the place is popular, and may be packed.
Speaking of Hope St, try to swing a tour of the old observatory - the place looks like a setting in a Lovecraft story.
posted by Slap*Happy at 8:54 PM on October 16, 2010 [1 favorite]
Best answer: Speaking of the Ladd Observatory, they will be open Tuesday night from 7-9, assuming the clouds cooperate.
posted by GenjiandProust at 10:44 AM on October 17, 2010
posted by GenjiandProust at 10:44 AM on October 17, 2010
Response by poster: Thanks for the help everyone! In addition to the suggestions offered, we're also going to Lizzy Borden's house (since its only like 30 minutes away). Looking forward to the Ladd Observatory-- hopefully, the stars will be right . . .
posted by KingEdRa at 8:51 PM on October 17, 2010
posted by KingEdRa at 8:51 PM on October 17, 2010
This thread is closed to new comments.
If you do, I highly recommend stopping at Seven Stars Bakery/coffeeshop up on Hope St. Their ginger biscuits (not cookies, mind you) are fantastic and it's probably my favorite bakery ever. I don't know Providence all that well, but this and a lovely walk on Blackstone Bvld are my favorite places when I visit.
posted by maryr at 4:26 PM on October 16, 2010 [1 favorite]