Rhode Island

• Rhode Island hosted the United States’ first circus.

• In 1774, Newport became home to the country’s first official circus performance.

• They never use a straw when drinking their beloved frozen lemonade.

• The official state bird is a chicken, the Rhode Island Red.

• A potato was once named Rhode Island’s travel ambassador. Mr. Potato Head earned that title in 2000 and in honor of his role, larger-than-life Mr. Potato Head statues popped up all over Rhode Island.


• Rhode Island is not zombie friendly. There’s actually a statewide law against biting off another person’s leg.

• It is considered an offense to throw pickle juice on a trolley.

• It’s a misdemeanor to keep more than 11 inoperable vehicles in front of a house.

• One must make a loud noise before passing a car on the left.

• Impersonating a town sealer, auctioneer, corder of wood, or a fence-viewer is against the law.

• Any marriage where either of the parties is an idiot or lunatic is null and void.

• Scituate - It is illegal to drive down any street with beer in your car, even if it is unopened.

• Providence - It is illegal to wear transparent clothing.

• Newport - You cannot smoke a pipe after sunset.

• Providence - it is illegal to sell toothpaste and a toothbrush to the same customer on a Sunday.


• Providence - H.P. Lovecraft House - Last residence of H.P. Lovecraft featured in his story "The Haunter of the Dark."

• Exeter - Chestnut Hill Cemetery - Grave of Mercy Brown - The final resting place of New England's last "vampire."

• Providence - Gun Totem - This 3,500 pound obelisk was constructed with more than 1,000 reclaimed guns.

• Newport - Newport Tower - Mysterious stone tower featured in many alternative histories of the New World.

• Middletown - Irish Lot - This historic Rhode Island mini-cemetery features a number of headstones run through with mysterious holes.