2 hours
E-voucher
English
Overview
Walk through Providence's dark side!
The eerie writings H.P. Lovecraft- one of the most significant supernatural horror fiction authors of the 20th century- are inexplicably bound to his hometown of Providence. This tour walks in the tortured author's footsteps through his traumatic upbringing and favorite haunts; guests also meet some of the fictional characters that Lovecraft wrote into the city's fabric through dramatic retellings of his creepiest tales.
But Lovecraft isn't the only author that ambled the city's centuries-old sidewalks: Sarah Helen Whitman was an eccentric local spiritualist and poet who was briefly engaged to master of the macabre Edgar Allan Poe. This tour also explores her life and relives the couple's whirlwind- and doomed- romance.
Operated by
Providence Tour Company
Ratings & Reviews
Average Rating
5
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3 traveller ratings
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Amazing tour with Leah
Len U, Sept 2025
Leah G was unbelievably good! Incredible simply! About a 2 hour walking tour and she was amazing. So many interesting and amazing stories
great experience!
902kamrynl, Jun 2025
Tally was a great tour guide and was very knowledgeable on everything she talked about! 100% would recommend this tour to anyone visiting Providence, even if you’re not a fan of horror.
Response from Host, Jun 2025
Thank you so much for the glowing review! We’re thrilled to hear you had a great experience on Dark Tales and that Tali made the night memorable—she’ll be so happy to hear it! We love that you’d recommend the tour even to non-horror fans—that’s high praise. Hope to haunt the streets with you again someday!
Take this tour!
TooBookish, Oct 2021
Knowledgeable, engaging, friendly guide provided a fun introduction to Providence's literary history with a focus on Lovecraft, Poe, and Sarah Elmira Royster Shelton. We walked through stunning historic neighborhoods.
Itinerary
Prospect Terrace
The tour begins here at this majestic overlook of Providence, where Lovecraft spent a lot of time writing his stories.
10 minutesThe tour will stop in front of the last home of Lovecraft, where he wrote a short story called The Haunter in the Dark. We will stop to chat about the author, the story, and to take photos.
After this stop we will see one of two houses on the tour written into Lovecraft storylines, and then see the home of Sarah Helen Whitman, where Edgar Alan Poe first laid eyes on his future fiance.
10 minutesProvidence Athenaeum
Here guests will discuss the library along with some of the eccentric authors who spend a chapter of their lives wandering its corridors.
10 minutes
Experience
Inclusions
- Enthusiastic and expert guide
Additional Information
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Guide Languages
English
Cancellation Policy
A full refund will apply if you cancel more than 24 hours before the activity start time.
No refund is possible if you cancel less than 24 hours before the activity start time.