Wayland Square

Lovecraft's old neighborhood, currently known as Wayland square, is a few blocks of shopping, restaurants, cafe’s and bakeries nestled into the east side. It most notably is where Lovecraft was born and spent the first 13 years of his life. His childhood home was torn down, but there is a plaque acknowledging it. Great place to grab a coffee & Plenty of Restaurants for food.

Birthplace Memorial 454 Angell St. (demolished)

Must Visit Bookstores in Wayland Square

Both within a block of where Lovecraft explored his Grandfathers Library at his childhood home over 100 years ago.

Paper Nautilus

-Used Bookstore -Has unique finds for Lovecraft and Lovecraft circle books, -Fiction Located downstairs

Books on the Square

-Located across from the Lovecraft birthplace memorial

-Sometimes has a Lovecraft collection -Has Providence and Lovecraft\Providence Merch.

-Grab yourself a journal to record the trip!

The area has seen a huge amount of development in Lovecraft’s life and after. One of the last parts of the city become developed during Lovecraft's time this neighborhood was full of empty lots, leading to trees, ravines, forests and farmlands to be discovered by the curious.

Drawing from 1882 (8 years before Lovecraft was born)

2025

There are three cafe’s in the square so a great place to grab a coffee and a pastry.

L'Artisan Cafe & Bakery
Madrid European Bakery and Patisserie
Starbucks

Across the street from Lovecraft’s Birthplace memorial is Wayland Books a great place to get some Rhode island souvenirs. Down the street is one of my favorite bookstores Paper nautilus.

There’s also a tea and spice specialty store, ocean State Spice & Tea Merchants. Besides the restaurants, the rest of the square is mostly jewelry or clothes shopping.