With its reputation as one of the most haunted cities in the country, New Orleans has lots of attractions to offer tourists, locals and students alike. From ghost tours around the Ursuline Convent’s vampires to palm readings in the French Quarter, there are an endless amount of ways to get in touch with the undead. Thanks to homeowners’ Halloween spirit, the downtown locales are not the only spooky attractions to visit in October. These decorated houses are perfect for all ages and free to visit. While many houses participate in decorations, there are three “eerie”-sistable houses that are must-sees.

The Kraken House, 6574 Memphis Street

Tourists can begin their haunted house tour at 6574 Memphis Street at the Kraken House. This house’s location on the corner lot means that decorations are not limited to the front yard. Look to the house’s side for hidden ghosts and decorative skeletons. For the main event, follow the pumpkins lining the grand front entrance to witness the great Kraken. Two giant skeletons guard the house as the Kraken’s large and colorful tentacles burst from the home’s second-floor balcony. Stop by the house

at night and witness the Kraken come alive, illuminated by bright Halloween lights. Plan your visit right, and you may see the crowd favorite “Pumpkin Spice Lights” color the house a bright orange.

The Ghost Manor, 2502 Magazine Street

Ghost Manor at 2502 Magazine Street offers an immersive, theatrical experience. The house is quiet by day, but spooky creatures rise from sunset to 10 p.m. Best experienced at night, this high tech Halloween display features lights that change hue to the beat of classic tunes. Among the entanglements of spiderwebs and their arachnid occupants, jack-o-lanterns brighten the front yard and banisters. Look above the singing skeleton quartet and Frankenstein to the second-story windows, and you might see how Ghost Manor received its name. With a new line-up each year, make this a regular spooky season stop so you can catch all of the performances. 

The Skeleton House, 6000 St. Charles Avenue

Visit the Skeleton House and its newest skeleton occupants at 6000 St. Charles Avenue. Onlookers line the sidewalks day and night to glimpse this year’s cast of characters. Visit the house for hidden surprises, such as a subtle nod to PJ’s Coffee and Tulane’s Mike “Fist.” Additional local “eye”-cons and undead celebrities reside at the house. “Dead” Lasso and “Scary” Poppins are back this year, accompanied by new additions such as Jennifer “Ghoul”idge and “R.I.P.”unzel. Visitors can even pay tribute to the late “Bony” Bennett and Jimmy “Beloved” Buffett. There are no bones about it, the Skeleton House never misses even after 21 years.

Visiting these houses provides a quick and cheap alternative to other New Orleans Halloween attractions. Before the season ends, snap pictures of Kraken tentacles, sing along with skeletons at Ghost Manor or tally how many famous skeletons you recognize at the Skeleton House. Witching you all a happy Halloween!