Is New Orleans dangerous to travel to?

Question

I'm planning a trip to New Orleans for new years and I heard recently that the city is not safe and the crime rate is high. Should I cancel? I'm staying in the French Quarter, and I figured that as a tourist spot it would be relatively safe. What areas should I avoid? What are some things I can do to keep safe?

Answer 1

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker

Thank you for visiting New Orleans!

Questions like yours almost invariably attract "answers" from people who do not live here and who have little or no idea what they are talking about. An example is Jr the Travel Guy's claim our "crime rate is through the roof". New Orleans is not even in the top 25 "most dangerous cities": http://money.cnn.com/2006/10/30/real_est…

New Orleans is dangerous ONLY if you plan to buy or sell illegal drugs while you are here. Almost 98% of our murders happen within the crack cocaine community and almost all of the other 2% are "domestic" homicides. That doesn't make the crimes OK, but you really don't have to worry about it.

It is also NOT necessary to "only stay in the French Quarter", and it's not true you have to "stay on the main drag (Bourbon Street)", "not go out at night", "only travel in groups", or "don't take your purse".

Just use the basic common sense you need in every city in the world and you will be fine.

Do check the weather reports just before you leave home as the temperatures around January 1st is unpredictable this far in advance.

Hope you have a good trip!

Source(s):

New Orleans resident

Asker's Rating:

Asker's Comment:

thank you that was very helpful

Answer 2

New Orleans is not a dangerous place to travel.The crime that is happening is most of the time gang or drug related.i live in new orleans and nothing ever happend to me.

Answer 3

iM FROM NEW ORLEANS,&& YES iT iS A VERY SAFE ENViORNMENT.YU JUST HAVE TO BE ON YOUR BEAST MODE AT ALL TiMES.iTz TRULEY AN RELAXiNG PLACE.

Answer 4

Yes...It's safe to travel to. It becomes unsafe upon arrival.
If you make it into your room in the French Quarter, I suggest you stay in your room until time to leave the city.

Answer 5

The FQ is one of the safest area, I have lived here for over 57 years. The police like to keep the area sfe so that the city can get the tourist money they spend ,while they are visiting our city.

Answer 6

Oh No ! Please Come !

Yes .. the crime is horrible .. but its mostly gang related..

The precaution you take in NOLA is the same you should take anywhere.. dont walk down dark or empty streets.. know where you are going .. stick with the crowds.. and dont take your purse at night. If I know there wont be many people where I am going at night.. i'll leave my purse at home or in the car.. and put everything in my pockets .. but during the day is fine.. the french quarter is safe and comforable .. and usually have cops in certain locations.

New Years is the BEST in NOLA ! I went for the 1st time last year ( i live 45 miles north of NOLA ) I found it more fun then Mardi Gras or any other festiviaty.. I am EXTREMELY excited to go again this New Years ... Make sure to make reservations at a retaurant far in advance .. last year it took me 2 hours and 15 restaurants later to find one where I could eat .


HAVE FUN !

Answer 7

I was just in the French Quarter over Halloween weekend. I felt perfectly safe there and while I was out and about all the time..I never saw any crime. Count on Police for New Years being abundant. I LOVED my visit and am going back late next summer.

Answer 8

The French Quarter is safe. Stay away from the areas that haven't recovered, unless you go on a disaster tour. Also, don't go out too late at night on the streets.

Source(s):

I live near NO.

Answer 9

The crime rate is on a gradual rise since evacuees are returning to NO. I would walk the FQ as a group. Generally there are police officers at most intersections. Try to stay in the crowded areas and not wonder down a side street. Take a walking tour of the Quarter. Do not carry a purse or anything of value. put your cell phone in your sock and money in your sock or front pocket. Visit the St. Louis Cathedral, aquarium, eat the powdery donuts at the Cafe Mundo, etc... Have fun!

Answer 10

It's a beautiful and fun town, and frankly they need tourists now more than ever. You need to be smart and safe, just like you would anywhere, but you'll have fun.

Harry Connick Jr has made a commercial that's like a travelogue -- You really need to see it. I posted the link below.

Source(s):

http://blog.nola.com/davewalker/2007/11/…
http://thingsyoushoulddo.com

Answer 11

Well, the fact is New Orleans has always had a high crime rate. It's just that after Katrina people are looking at it more. I have been in Jackson Square and the French Quarter many times since the storm w/out one problem. You just don't want to go to the bad parts of town, and you won't need to. You are staying at the best place/area to stay in while you're in New Orleans! Hope you have a blast!

Answer 12

Go! Have Fun! The crime rate is high, but there's no need for you to cancel. As has already been mentioned, the crime is in certain pockets of the city, and is mostly gang and drug related. Use your good common sense that you would if traveling to any other city. The French Quarter is one of the safest areas you will find. My husband and I walk the Quarter 3 or 4 times a year, never had a problem.

Oh, and make sure you go to Cafe du Monde and have some beignets and real New Orleans coffee. Donuts can't even compare to these bad boys. Enjoy!

Answer 13

No unless you hang about in dodgy areas as all towns and cities have! I found it incredibly fun (I was there this time last year for a wedding!!) and..I am planning on going back in July for a while hopefully! Hannah - UK.

Answer 14

New Orleans is not dangerous. The French Quarter is fine as long as you're not wandering the little side streets after dark! Stick to the main drag (Bourbon St.) if you want to be out late. Again- avoid the darkened side streets!

Answer 15

It's like Cancun... as long as your with in tourist area's they're well policed. Their crime rate is through the roof, and they do have the highest murder rate in the country as of now, but the french quarter is fine. For any future travel questions, including hotel do's and don'ts. A great web site is tripadviser.com

Answer 16

Not at all, especially you are staying around french quarter.. the area is well patroled.
However AVOID the less-crowded streets, and NEVER walk by yourself especially after sun down.

New Orleans is a great place with jazz, history, good cajun food, and great night life on town!

Answer 17

No, as long as you don't head down to areas where you know you're not supposed to.

New Orleans has a great history, and culture, so i'm sure you'll have a good time, if you stay around tourist and local areas.