Is New Orleans Safe Top 10 Places To Avoid
09 Nov 23:00
There is no describing the cuisine, the colorful nature, and the delight that sums up the entirety of New Orleans. A typical first-time experience is breathtaking, mesmerizing, and thrilling because the city has an atmosphere of culture and music.
Unfortunately, this atmosphere harbors crime also. New Orleans has crime rates so high, in 2019, it was ranked fourth among the US deadliest large cities by the City Council consultants analysis of FBI data. New Orleanss crime rate is off the charts, even the citys state, Louisiana, has been considered the nations most murderous state 31 years in a row.
Fair enough, here are the places to avoid in New Orleans, and also their safe neighborhoods.
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Where To Stay In New Orleans For Romance
Couples who are looking for a romantic getaway in the heart of New Orleans’ lively French Quarter will have no shortage of options, including these romantic hotels that are all within one block of Bourbon Street.
By the New Orleans Musical Legends Park, Hotel Mazarin has a large, beautiful interior courtyard with a fountain and a banquet room for special events. The clean, comfortable rooms include a generous breakfast. For a double balcony, ask to book a corner room.
Just one block from Canal Street, the Hotel Monteleone is also across the street from several upscale galleries and boutiques. This pet-friendly hotel exudes southern elegance and has a heated outdoor pool, fitness center, and spa for the ultimate pampering.
The upscale, boutique Hotel Le Marais is a hot spot for celebrities, located in the center of the action just off Bourbon Street. The property features stylish but simple rooms with private balconies and bathrobes. There is also a swimming pool, business center, lounge, and fitness center on-site.
Safe Areas To Stay In New Orleans
We are planning a vacation to New Orleans in March 2015 and would like some advice on what areas would be good to stay in for walk to eating and shopping? we have some concerns about safety. We like staying in B& Bs and condo type rentals. We are not much for night life. Thanks.
I would stay in the French Quarter or the Faubourg Marigny neighborhood. This will give you a central location, close to lots of things to do and see and plenty of restaurants to walk to.
Hotel Le Marais, 717 Conti St in the French Quarter, 1/2 block to the police station and courthouse. Actually pretty much anywhere in the Quarter. I avoid Burgundy St at nite however. I walk the lower Quarter by myself a lot and have never had a problem but I’m always aware of my surroundings.
Contrary to what most people believe, the French Quarter is not one big party. The party is only a small part of it. So even though you’re not into nightlife, it’s still a great place to stay.
The suggestion of the Faubourg Marigny is also a good choice.
Elysian Fields Inn is a very nice B& B in the Marigny, close to French Quarter.
Owners Jim and Lee are great hosts, and will gladly orient you to the neighborhood and the city.
I stayed at Le Pavillon last spring and thought it was a nice base between visiting the french quarter and the garden district. There were some really great restaurants within a couple of blocks as well. I don’t think we ever felt unsafe around the hotel.
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Best Hotel In French Quarter: Place Darmes
Situated in a historic building in the heart of the French Quarter, the Place DArmes Hotel is one of the best places to stay if youre visiting New Orleans for the first time. Rooms are beautifully furnished in a classic style, and each comes with an ensuite bathroom and seating area. Wifi is available throughout the hotel, and theres even an on-site pool! Youll be surrounded by the citys top restaurants and attractions, including Saint Louis Cathedral and Jackson Square.
Women Travelers Risk : Medium
New Orleans is generally safe for women to travel to, apart from drunk men that can be an annoyance to women around the French Quarter and especially during Mardi Gras. You should avoid dangerous neighborhoods . Just follow your basic common sense and general rules of things to avoid, like poorly lit streets and deserted areas and you should be fine.
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New Orleans Weather Risks
In 2005, Hurricane Katrina devastated the region, and, given how unpredictable New Orleans weather can be, there are no assurances that a similar event wont happen again, especially in the face of escalating climate change. In addition, New Orleans suffers from a higher risk of tornadoes than the rest of the United States.
In case these types of natural disasters hit while youre visiting New Orleans, head immediately to higher ground if theres flooding, tune into local media so that you can follow official orders , stay indoors and away from windows and glass doors, lie on the floor under a sturdy object, and dont bathe or use electrical appliances.
Safe Placesand Places To Avoidin New Orleans
Is New Orleans safe? Before you visit, learn about the dangerous parts of New Orleans, as well as the safer neighborhoods to visit.
In terms of New Orleans neighborhoods to avoid, gang violence has increased in the 6th District, which includes Central City, the Garden District, Hoffman Triangle, Irish Channel, Touro, and Zion City, where there have been shootings and homicides.
With regard to Central City specifically, it was once a thriving immigrant stronghold, then fell into disrepairexcept for the recent revival of Oretha Castle Haley Boulevard, which is certainly worth visiting. But after dark, dont stray past that boulevard into other parts of Central City, which are areas to avoid in New Orleans.
Neighborhoods that have a particularly bad reputation because they cause significant spikes in New Orleans crime rate include Desire and Floridaparts of these two areas have crime statistics worse than almost anywhere else in the United Statesas well as Viavant-Venetian Isles, Fischer Dev, Tulane-Gravier, West Lake Forest, Dixon, Pines Village, the Lower 9th Ward, and Treme Lafitte.
St. Claude, for its part, has substantially more assaults, robberies, burglaries, and thefts than the national average, and so should be considered an area of New Orleans to either avoid or take precautions when visiting. Much the same is true for Tulane-Gravier, St. Roch, , and Pines Village.
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Things To Do In West End
Have a picnic near Lake Ponchartrain or bike on the paths at West End Park. Schedule a guided tour with the New Canal Lighthouse to learn more about NOLAs history. Take in the waterfront view as you eat a seafood platter at Russells Marina Grill. Enjoy an upscale evening out in the neighborhood with wine and cured salmon at Sala. Head east to Lakeview to shop for Carnaval clothing or home decor made by local artisans at Little Miss Muffin. Indulge in Rosemary Peach Tea sherbert or earn your place in the Tchoupitoulas Hall of Fame by eating an eight-scoop sundae at Creole Creamery. Or sample a spiked Lakeview Lemonade or bite into Muffaletta Deviled Eggs at The Backyard.
Moving to New Orleans soon? Extra Space Storage has convenient storage facilities near Metairie, Elmwood, and Gert Town to help with the transition. Find a storage unit near you!
Neighborhood statistics from AreaVibes
Things To See And Do In Bourbon Street
- Listen to Cajun and Zydeco banks as you enjoy strong drinks and a great atmosphere at Tropical Isle.
- Eat well at Galatoires 33 Bar & Steak, which specializes in steak and seafood dishes.
- Walk through Musical Legends Park and see all the statues of New Orleans jazz heroes.
- Listen to smooth jazz and drink great cocktails at Fritzels European Jazz Club.
- Dance the night away at Chris Owens Club & Balcony.
- Bottoms up! Enjoy a round of shots at Ritas Tequila House.
- Party all night long at Oz, a 2-story gay dance club that plays the best music.
- Sample unique absinthe cocktails at the historic Old Absinthe House.
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Solo Female Travel In New Orleans Tip #: Hire A Guide
New Orleanss cemeteries are unlike most others in the world. Because New Orleans is a swampland, the dead could not be buried underground, and instead were laid to rest in beautifully embellished, above-ground tombs.
As creepy as cemeteries are, theres also something really cool and interesting about them, and thats why thousands of tourists visit New Orleanss cemeteries each year.
A word of caution though: creepy, and perhaps dangerous, people hang out in the New Orleans cemeteries, so you do not want to go alone. This is what multiple locals told me.
If you decide you want to check out a cemetery, Id suggest taking the safer route and embarking on a City & Cemetery tour with Cajun Encounters.
Solo Female Travel In New Orleans Tip #: Choose A Hotel In A Nice Touristy Area
Staying in a hotel in a nice, safe area where there are plenty of other tourists will help ensure that you wont wander into trouble accidentally. I stayed at the Hyatt Centric French Quarter during my stay and I felt completely safe and comfortable.
Just as it sounds, the Hyatt Centric French Quarter sits right in the heart of the French Quarter, one of New Orleanss safest, most touristy neighborhoods, and honestly, its location could not have made my first solo female travel experience in New Orleans any better.
Book your stay at the Hyatt Centric French Quarter here.
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Which Hotels Are Located In The Safest Area Of New Orleans
Here at BestNewOrleansHotels.com we recommend only those hotels that we would feel comfortable staying in with our loved ones. The downtown New Orleans area, including the world-famous French Quarter, is as safe as any other metropolitan area. Like with any major city, you should try to stay in high pedestrian flow areas and constantly be aware of your surroundings. You can also check with your hotel concierge for shuttle services and safety tips.
Central Business District Where To Stay In New Orleans On A Budget
Dont let the name fool you New Orleans Central Business District isnt all stuffy suits and quiet nights. In fact, its quite the opposite. This downtown neighborhood is bursting with fun and excitement.
It is a haven for sports fans and shopaholics, as well as foodies, culture vultures, and party animals. Whatever your interests, youll have a great time in this lively and colorful neighborhood.
The Central Business District is also where budget backpackers will be able to stretch their travel dollars just a little bit further. This neighborhood is home to a variety of affordable hostels and inexpensive hotels.
If you want champagne on a beer budget, the CBD is the place for you!
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The Energy Of Bourbon Street & The Quarter
The energy of Bourbon Street & the Quarter – food – music – people!! There were many extremely talented musicians bringing joy to a diverse parade of people!! I would gladly pay to see several of the performers! It is almost impossible to go wrong dining in New Orleans! Cornet at Bourbon Street and St Peter has nudged its way into being a favorite.
- From £101 per night7.0Good647 reviews
It was a huge room. They upgraded me to a nicer room with an extra bed just because they had availability. The staff was always nice to talk with and gave suggestions on where to have a morning coffee. They have waters available for purchase for $2 in the front. They lock the sliding doors at night for safety and always have a staff member at the desk to let you in at all hours. The sheets smelled newly washed as well as the towels. The beds were very comfortable. There was no noise and the curtains were great for keeping out the light. The air conditioning was amazing.
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Final Thoughts On Where To Stay In New Orleans
Wild and lively, colourful and bright New Orleans is always a good time. Its where youll find the roots of excellent music, a vibrant cultural scene, and plenty of good food and great times.
In this guide, weve highlighted our five favourite neighbourhoods in New Orleans. If youre still not sure where to stay, heres a quick recap.
For backpackers on a budget, our pick for the best hostel is the Auberge NOLA Hostel in the CBD. Not only is it centrally located, but it has large rooms and an on-site bar.
We also recommend the Hotel Mazarin. Set in the French Quarter, this hotel is packed with charm, elegance and southern hospitality.
Have we missed anything? Let us know in the comments below!
And dont forget to take out Travel Insurance for your trip! I have been using World Nomads for some time now and made a few claims over the years. Theyre easy to use, professional and relatively affordable. They may also let you buy or extend a policy once youve started your trip and are already abroad which is super handy.
Getting an estimate from World Nomads is simple just click the button or image below, fill out the necessary info, and youre on your way!
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So How Safe Is New Orleans Really
Most of the crime in New Orleans happen in areas in which tourists would have little reason to go to.
Few tourists have had any bad experience with those drug-related incidents and gang-related activities within which the murders usually occur.
There are many places are perfectly safe, but you should avoid certain dangerous areas.
Such places in New Orleans are, for example, the Central City neighborhood which has the worst crime problem, and should be avoided by visitors, and Back of town sections of the 7th 8th and 9th Wards.
Then there are parts of the city where you are advised to go only in a group, like St. Louis Cemetery #1, and areas near I-10 which are hotbeds for violence and have almost nightly gunshots.
As for tourist attractions like the French Quarter, they are safe, but here you should keep an eye out for pickpockets looking for a chance to snatch something from visitors.
Also, around parts of the French Quarter, you may encounter scammers and hustlers trying to get a few dollars from you, offering to sell you anything you can think of, and theyre also offering all kinds of services like foot massages, or cleaning your shoes.
Bear in mind that if you want to visit New Orleans during Mardi Gras, its smart to be extra careful during those days and remain aware of your surroundings at all times.
As for the hurricanes that remain a danger in this part of the country, they at least give warning.
The Best Areas To Stay In New Orleans
New Orleans cityscape at sunset with the French Quarter toward the right and the Central Business District on the left. Woldenberg Park is in the foreground along with the Mississippi River Pier.
New Orleans is a city like no other. Known for its diverse heritage, a blend of African, Caribbean, French, Spanish, Creole, Cajun, and Native American, New Orleans brims with cuisine, music, language, and architecture not found anywhere else in the world. Jazz was born here, a wild mix of West African, Caribbean, ragtime, blues, and French dance music. New Orleans food likewise incorporates the best ingredients of its local geography and eclectic residents, especially shellfish, wild game, smoked meats, mirepoix , all types of rice, and ground pepper sauces balanced with herbs. Most of New Orleans inhabitants speak English but often in the oddly New York-sounding Yat dialect only a handful speak Cajun or Creole languages. Though New Orleans is famous for its Voodoo spirituality, a combination of West African religion and Catholicism, only a small percentage of locals are devout practitioners. A few more localisms: most restaurants and bars will let you leave the premises with alcoholic beverages in plastic or paper go-cups a faubourg is a neighborhood or suburb medians between lanes of traffic are locally known as the neutral ground.
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Faubourg Marigny Coolest Place To Stay In New Orleans
If youre looking for a dynamic neighborhood with a unique atmosphere, interesting history, and wonderful culture, then Faubourg Marigny is for you!
This lively and laid-back district is home to a great mix of bars, restaurants, tattoo parlors, and boutiques catering to everyone from culture vultures to trendy hipsters.
Its home to unique art galleries, cool craft breweries, and amazing live music venues. Tucked throughout the streets youll also find cafes, restaurants, and bars that attract people from all corners of the city.
So if you want to rub shoulders with locals and enjoy a raging New Orleans night on the town, this is the place to be!
Recommended Area: Vieux Carr
The French Quarter occupies part of the area near the Mississippi River in downtown New Orleans, from Canal Street to Esplanade Avenue and Norman Rampart Street.
It is the oldest and best-preserved district of New Orleans, it houses monuments such as St. Louis Cathedral, the City Hall, and the French Market, among others.
NOLAs French Quarter is par excellence the nightlife area in New Orleans. Its epicenter is Bourbon Street, where you can find the best pubs, jazz bars, and nightclubs.
Vieux Carré is very popular for being the home of the Mardi Grass celebration and the epicenter of the LGBT community in the city.
Staying within the limits of the French Quarter, among other advantages, allows you to walk to the attractions and interesting sights.
The tram system has stations on the major avenues, such as Rampart Street, Canal Street, Dumaine Street, Ursulines Avenue and right next to attractions such as the French Market, St. Louis Cathedral, Woldenberg Park and the Aquarium.
If youre looking to stay in New Orleans during Mardi Gras, you should know that accommodation in the French Quarter sells out soon, and room rates in this area during NOLAs big celebration will only get higher as the event approaches. If you are looking for accommodation in the French Quarter during Mardi Gras, it is advisable to book well in advance.
The French Quarter is definitely the best area to stay in New Orleans due to its central location, lively nightlife and variety of boutique hotels.
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